Really now, Barcelona?

So, I was just walking down the streets of good ‘ol Barcelona doing my quarterly, post finals victory dance to some Andy Grammar on my ipod when all of a sudden I see these 2 men fighting in the middle of the intersection and then I watch one run right through oncoming traffic and the other chase after him.  At first I thought they were just friends or acquaintances who got into a fight until I stopped on the side of the road (like the 20 other Catalans) and watched a little longer.  They were beating each other up until one came up victorious with the other pinned on the ground.  Still confused, I looked around at everyone on their phones calling 112 (the 911 of Spain) and I see this little boy come out of a car holding up a purse saying, “Mama mama, todas las cosas estan aqui.”  Then it all clicked.  This man was robbing a family’s car and everyone stopped to see the spectacle and chase unfold.

As I walked away, watching one man still pinning down the robber with his foot (waiting for the police to show up) with the middle-aged woman giving the robber a loud yelling at in Catalan, I placed my headphones back in my ears and went on with my victory dance to Andy Grammar.  Just another day in the life of a Barcelona resident.  

Perspective

Time keeps a tickin’ and I still have 3 final exams on Tuesday, but my focus is not on school. And I can’t say I keep thinking about my journey home nor am I focused on staying here.  I guess my brain and heart are a little confused.  As I went about my Sunday, going to a professional basketball game with my class and walking around town, I thought about all the things I would miss.  Things that I never would have imagined missing at the start of my time here, such as the grandiose buildings engulfing my sense of direction as I walk to and from any place or listening to the multitude of languages spoken in one café.  What changed?  When did this build-up of affection occur for this place that I’ve called home for the past 4 months?  I walk through the day puzzled and astonished at my own change of heart: is it the people I’ve met here or is it really the city that has taken my heart for a run?  Maybe I’ll never know.  But what I do know now is how blessed I am to have experienced everything this semester, even through the ups and the downs.  I have ONE week from today left in this awesomely neat city, and there is still a lot left to see and learn.  BRING IT BARCA!

…now back to studying.

Time's a Tickin'

So much to tell you and so little time!  I don't even know where to begin or what to say, but since I last talked about trips, I’ve been to London to see my bestest friend Hannah, to Morocco on the trip of a lifetime, and to Sevilla and Granada (the south of Spain) on a leisurely, last hoorah weekend trip.  I think I could write pages and pages on each of these trips, but unfortunately, there’s not enough time to write it all now.  I still have to make a PowerPoint presentation for my Spanish oral presentation tomorrow morning and 4 finals to go.  And 3 going-away parties (sad day).  And all those things you have to do before you leave like trying to see everything in the city you procrastinated on seeing the past four months, spending time with people, and that dreaded packing situation that I still don’t want to think about. 

Well, anyways, I promise to tell you in detail about those trips after I recover from my three finals next Tuesday (only one week…EEK).  Time flies man!  But here are some teaser pictures for now.

Peter Pan Statue in Hyde Park

Fish and Chips Dinner with the Besties

Just a Casual Camel Ride in Morocco

Playing with the Kiddies in Amizmiz, Morocco

Sevilla, Spain

La Alhambra at Sunset in Granada, Spain

Ps…I can’t wait to see you so soon!!