The following weekend after Madrid we decided to go to San Sebastian which is a beautiful town about 3 hours by bus from Santander and on the ocean. Upon arriving in San Sebastian we headed to our hostel and started to sing disney songs by translating them in spanish on the way there-- very entertaining. jaja. we headed out to get food for dinner which in total cost 10€ for all four of us (Jes, Christine, Erika, y yo) We made spaghetti and ate carrots too it was so delicious and fun to be able to cook for ourselves in a kitchen!!! We went out dancing that night and finally went to bed at 6a.m.
The next day we just walked around San Sebastian and also went hopping around bars to eat pinchos which are pretty much snacks that you choose all the ones you want and put them on your plate. yummm. i tried octopus, tentacles and all. cant say that was my favorite! San Sebastian was awesome overall with tons more stories but i'm trying to keep this to be shorter blog than the last.
Last weekend we travled by plane to Barcelona, literally a 45 minute flight and we were in the amazing city of Barcelona. Everyone told me to not get pick-pocketed. success.
We arrived during the daytime around 330 so we checked into our hostel and then walked around town to an amazing cathedral and with people on the streets playing instruments and we even stumbled upon some guys break dancing in the street until some cops came. I have a video of that here if you want to watch! Yet again we decided to make dinner but this time it ended up being a veggie stir fry, so we were still hungry which led to getting helado and then later going to a McDonalds to eat some fries
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| Park Guell |
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| La Sagrada Familia |
On Friday we took a massive walk to Park Gaudi which is famous, obvious when we got there because it was swarming with people. We didnt stay long cuz we were starving so found a cute little restaraunt with the mom and dad making the food and the daughter serving and taking orders. I ordered an entire pizza for myself and enjoyed it very much. After that we walked over to La Sagrada Familia (this place was incredible, actually this is where the Pope is in Barcelona Nov. 7th, it's a big deal) Erika and I went inside and I can say I have never seen the inside of a building more magnificent than that. They're doing construction on it still because back during the spanish civil war people destroyed much of the cathedral and they have constructed much of it to show off what Gaudi's style was.
Ate spaghetti again for dinner (cheapest meal ever) and then went out walking down Las Ramblas (one of the most popular streets in Barcelona) and finally found a dance club that we stayed at till 6a.m.
Next day we found a mercadillo or open market ---HUGE. and literally could get lost in this place. Bought some yummy calzone type thing and a fruit smoothie as well. The types of food they had there was impressive. Never have I seen so much fresh food in one place. Walked down Las Ramblas and saw all the street performers. Here are some pictures:
Sunday morning we had to get up eat breakfast and head out to catch our flight. We couldn't for the life of us find the right metro so we walked around forever. Finally found the right station and then got on the wrong metro. We hopped off before it left. oh boy. Flew home to Santander. Something about Santander I absolutely love and miss it when I'm gone, so coming home was great. :)
This weekend we decided to stay in our home town which included going out at night and for me, going to the park and reading my book for hours. Also went and bought a gofre con chocolate (waffle) yum yum yum. Today I watched the news with my parents about the Pope coming to Barcelona. After that I went running and it was the MOST GORGEOUS DAY of my life. I have never seen a day more beautiful and Spain would be the place to have the most beautiful day also. It was pouring rain, half the sky was dark, the sun came out on the ocean and a full bright rainbow appeared. I was blown away.
It is ridiculuos how much this trip has impacted my life. Some days I'm just completely in awe and
cant even wrap my mind around this culture. I knew there would be the struggle at times with communication but have learned that it is much more about the history behind this country and culture and lives. Crazy. I have come to appreciate where I live and my life at home as well. There are a few things I miss one is hanging out at a friends house. Everyone is always outside because that is where people are social. Home is for the family only most of the time. I did get the awesome opportunity to go to my friend Erika's house for lunch after school one day because it was her birthday and her host mom let her invite me over. It was a totally different feeling than at my house and I enjoyed seeing a different perspective of living elsewhere here. It was for her birthday and they didn't have 22 for candles so they put 2+1+1= 22 years old. jaja
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| Tostadas = french toast |
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| Lightouse :) |
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| Massive waves in Santander because of the wind!! |
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| Santander :) |
¡Dios te Bendiga!
¡ADIOS!
