Helena's Super Secret Ninja Missions

La Merce is this huge festival that Barcelona has annually. The official day of the festival is the 24th of September, but the activities really start much earlier, and there are tons of events to attend. In times like this, I really wish there were more than one of me. Warning: this is a really long post. Also, here's a shout-out to C and B, who apparently read and discuss my blog despite the fact that they are also here. 

On Thursday, after two exams, I went off to a flamenco concert in Avinguda de la Catedral, which was excellent. The next morning, I woke up early to see the castellers, the giants, and the Barcelona beasts in Placa de Sant Jaume. Anyway I took an obscene amount of pictures. Here´s one of the giants:

Fun fact: some parents allow their children urinate in the placa. They then proceeded to splash water on the urine; I was actually a few feet away when this occurred on Friday. On the bright side, nearby Placa de Sant Jaume, there is a lovely gelato place that seems to share my love for Nutella.

The jars were gigantic! However I was vastly disappointed when they told me that they do not actually put Nutella in any of the gelato (it goes on waffles, which I suppose is still good).

After attempting to take a siesta, I went off again to Parc de la Ciutadella, which was absolutely gorgeous! It's generally lovely as is, but on Friday, there were flower lampposts and the ambiance was somehow different. The sunset was beautiful--it would have been great as a desktop background (to be used on my laptop in a few months, when I feel homesick for Barcelona).

I actually seem to spend an abnormal amount of time photographing lampposts.

Anyway, there was a great dance performance by the AcroRollers, who rapped, danced, and showed off on their rollerblades.We also saw this amazing aerial acrobatics show by the Voala Project from Argentina. There was a crane that lifted their trapeze in the air (if you click on the link, there's pictures!). However, we didn't stick around for the entire show because we wanted to get delicious (chocolate and hazelnut/banana) crepes before going off to Barceloneta Beach for the Fireworks Festival competition (it was France's turn). Afterwards, we returned to the park to see a laser show in which I felt as if I were standing in a vortex.

The crepes were much more expensive than they would have been outside the park, but they were completely worth it!

On Saturday, we took a day trip to Sitges, which is this gorgeous little beach town only 30 minutes away from Barcelona. We had delicious gelato--I chose to have Rocher (as in Ferraro) and another flavor that was something along the lines of carapina. Unfortunately I don't remember what the flavor was called-it was in Catalan. Obviously I need to at least study food vocabulary. Pictures are below!

Here´s a lovely picture of Sitges!

This was taken at the bar of the Romantic Hotel.

They took us to Casa Bacardi (yes, that Bacardi), where our tour guide was sixth generation Bacardi.

They taught us how to make the perfect mojito. Clearly that's a must-have skill.

The beach was great; the sand was so fine and the waves were lovely.

After a bit, A and I rushed back to Barcelona to make it in time for Correfoc, or Fire Run, which was surprisingly intense. We were slightly unprepared, or at least less so than the other spectators we saw; the amount of gear that the others were wearing was rather off-putting, so we left early to get to the OK Go concert, which I enjoyed immensely. Belle and Sebastian performed afterward (I'd never heard of them before but now I´m definitely a fan). Then we hopped on the Metro to get to Placa Espanya for Festa Maxima. I was surprised to see people who looked about 13 years old, partying at midnight. Another thing that raised an eyebrow was the fact that people were dancing on the bus stop awning. It was actually wobbling the whole time, and I half expected someone to fall.

On Sunday, I managed to wake up relatively early to check out the sardana competition by Jaume I.

The sardana is a dance typical of Catalunya.

Then I walked over to Parc de la Ciutadella (I was actually trying to get to Urquinaona, but since I don't enjoy using maps, I walked in the wrong direction), where I took the pictures shown in the beginning of this post. While I was there, I saw this crazy contraption shown below.

There were three men playing instruments (one played saxophone and clarinet, the others played drums and bass) and two others that controlled the movement of this...machine.

Later on, I saw Tenane perform. This group is comprised of the women who danced with the Acrorollers on Friday. In the words of E, it was intense.

A while later, we took the Metro and a bus to Montjuic, which was incredible.

Here's a picture of a man lifting his coworker in the air. They were hilarious!

I had a delicious croissant while watching another performance involving fire... However, one of my favorite events was a crazy performance involving a swinging trapeze.

This is a picture of one of the performers, just rolling around on his giant metal hoop. It looked like a lot of fun, but I´m sure if I tried that, I´d just fall flat on my face. Literally.

After that event, we headed back over to Placa Espana for Piromusical, a very popular fireworks show that is put to (American) music. Although it was ridiculously crowded (even more so than any of the other events), I enjoyed it--especially since having people around me kept me warm (I neglected to bring a sweater or anything of the sort).

Here's to la Merce! Now I love Barcelona even more than I did before.

So recently, I had to do a project in which I had to take five pictures of things that are strange to me, or things that aren't the same in the U.S. I decided that it was interesting enough to share =P

The titles of (most of ) the books are facing the wrong way. When I'm in a bookstore or a library, this frustrates me to no end. My professor thought this was an odd thing to notice...

The Metro is so clean! It's astonishing!

The smoking laws are really different here...

People are more environmentally friendly.

There's places to lean against in the train! For those of us who usually lean against the door...

I should probably get back to studying for the two exams I have tomorrow...Or maybe one of them is a quiz...Anyway here's to procrastination!

Today I met up with E and D to go to Colonia Guell today (S8 from Placa Espanya). It's a beautiful, peaceful village a little outside Barcelona.

This is a picture of the (unfinished) church that Gaudi designed for Guell. It was actually supposed to be gigantic. Later, we saw that they were holding a wedding there.

One of the stained glass windows, as seen from the inside of the church.

I really enjoy the design of the balcony area. I believe it's a private home now.

This was taken in Placa Joan Guell.  It's a statue of Eusebi Guell, founder of the colony. On the left, you can see the place where we had lunch.

Lunch was delicious! We did the menu del dia, which gives you the choice of two courses, dessert, and a drink for 10 euro. For the first course, we all ordered fideua, which is like a seafood paella with thin noodles instead of rice. Also, the flan was delicious and I regret not taking a picture of it before eating it. Next time!

This is part of the school, which I found slightly awe-inspiring.

Sometimes I'll go into a shop, and for a moment, I can almost fool myself into thinking that I'm home, before I remember that I'm actually in a different country. A while ago, I was actually in Claire's (how American is that? The Spanish don't even use apostrophe marks), just to be able to see something familiar. I enjoy looking at their products, but I don't think I've bought anything from them in a number of years.

I also recently went to Hibernian Books, which is this great place that sells books in English. No, it's not the same as sitting in Barnes & Noble, but it was close enough for me. I got a copy of The Mayor of Casterbridge, which I was reading before I left for Spain but never finished. I haven't actually had time to continue it though...Speaking of bookstores, I also went into Casa del Llibre by Placa Catalunya today...It's fairly large, and there's a small section with books in English, which makes me happy.

Anyways, this feeling of familiarity also seems to happen every time I fall asleep on the metro. The soothing, rocking motions remind me of home, until I hear the recording announcing the next stop. In Spanish, of course.

One thing that really strikes me as different (aside from the obvious)  is that the Sephora I went to didn't have disposable lip gloss applicators. I suppose that fits in with this whole environmentally-friendly business, but I still find it very odd. I was pretty shocked, actually. Obviously I won't be able to try random lip glosses in Spain. I suppose Spaniards just use the communal one..?

Here's to finding the familiar, even as a stranger in a strange land.

I suppose it's a good way to sell donuts. It was significantly less annoying than the women wandering up and down the each, offering massages.

At home, September 11th is the day we remember the terrorist attacks that occurred in 2001. However in Catalunya, it's the Dia Nacional de Catalunya. Today, they celebrated their...defeat in 1714. I find that very odd, but it is what it is. Today, they had political demonstrations (because many want independence from Spain) and concerts and such, as well as castellers!

Note the small child scurrying up to the top.

After getting to the top, he unfurled the flag of Catalunya.

This tower was built to give floral offerings.

Another tower! This one's taller.

He dropped it!

I'd never seen this game before. You use this odd tool to try to get the ball in the basket.

A few days ago, it occurred to me that I haven't been taking pictures of all my food, like I usually do when I travel or whatever. So I started. This is the pizza I ate today, at a place nearby the university. A and I agree that we are not returning. Service was terrible. Croquettes were good though.

My host mom made nuggets del pollo.

Escalibada

Filete de panga

 Here's to the people who lost their loved ones nine years ago.

This weekend was a blur of tours and eating delicious food. On Friday, I believe we took a tour of the university and then I went out with E, E, A, and B. We had a great time pretending to be Spanish (E is excellent at coming up with fake names on the fly; mine is Clara). We briefly chatted with students from University of Richmond.

On Saturday we left for Costa Brava, specifically Figueras. There, we ate at L'Ou d'OR (on C. Sant Llatzer). I'm copying this from the itinerary; I don't even remember which restaurant this was. Clearly I should have taken notes. Or at least more pictures. Anyway, then we proceeded to Museo Dali, which mostly focused on works that relate to his relationship with Gala, and Museo Joyas Dali, or Dali's jewelry museum, which I (unfortunately) don't have pictures of.

I love Dali; that loaf of bread is so odd.

It's raining!

Look, K! A caduceus! (I had to look up how to spell that and it was really annoying.)

I didn't even realize this was Lincoln until after I took the picture. I thought it was just a Venus de Milo thing.

A bathroom on the ceiling?

A nose fireplace?

While in Costa Brava, we stayed at a lovely rural hostel that used to be a farm. Here, you can see the entrance.

Aside from the Dali museums, we went to the Exile Memorial Museum, which was quite eye-opening.

I had the most delicious cookies this weekend! I find the name absolutely hilarious, and I bought more when I returned to Barcelona (they were on sale). By the way, I also recommend the oatmeal ones.

Here's a picture of the Costa Brava beach. Or the water, rather. The water was freezing at first, but I got acclimated.

This bridge is brought to you by the maker of the Eiffel Tower! They call it el pont de les Peixateries Velles/Old Fishmonger's Bridge.

Here's to surrealism and delicious, healthy cookies!

My host mom and I woke up really early (at around 8 =P) and took two trains to get to la playa (the beach!). It was my first time swimming in the Mediterranean. We actually went to a beach outside of Barcelona-at Montgat Nord. I didn't bring my camera because I fear pickpockets. I actually spent at least two days prior to coming here, reading about scams online. It was a bit alarming.

Then we proceeded to Las Glorias--a mall nearby my homestay. I'm really looking forward to returning soon; I only brought 5 euros with me (again, fear of pickpockets thwarts my plans again). Thus, I was unable to purchase anything.

When we returned, I was able to relax and watch a bit of television, including Bob Esponja (yes, that means what you think it means!). It's nice to have something familiar, aside from the (four!) Dunkin Coffee's I spotted today.

I met up with the rest of my group in Placa Catalunya, specifically outside Bar/Cafe Zurich. We proceeded to the Barcelona Bus Turistic. I'd never been on one of those buses before, and I brought my camera because it seemed relatively safe...Unfortunately, I neglected to remember that I left my memory card in my laptop...

Dinner at La Veronica was pretty amazing! I ordered la pizza Veronica, which comes with apples. I thought it was such a bizarre concept, but I figured that I had to order it so...it happened. It was actually delicious. However, in Barcelona, people do not get "doggie bags." They just throw your leftovers out. So don't order something you can't finish; it's such a waste! I find this rather odd, considering that everyone here recycles (there are three bins on every other block) and they all try to conserve water by taking short showers.

Here's to clean public transportation (the city hires people to clean the tracks, so I have yet to spot litter or a rat)!

I paid $1.65 for this ridiculously delicious piece of baklava. It was completely worth it; I haven't had baklava in months.

On the plane to Barcelona, they gave us these amazing chocolate bars!  I’m such a fan that I got an extra one from one of the flight attendants. I really hope I get more on my way back to the states. I might even have to go to Germany just to stock up =P