Sooo i was just thinking what i would do if i did in fact on some off chance happened to win the megamillions ….
Clearly , my first thought would be to hop a flight to Barcelona, my favorite place thus far that i have discovered in the world. I realized also even if i did win i would definitely still want to be in the working world….
I’d give at least 1 million back to the University of Michigan’s Communication Studies program , whether this would be divided up into scholarships or furthering some sort of research i’m not quite sure. I feel like I need to give back to an establishment that has given me so much.
I’d give at least 5 million to the City of Detroit – in some way shape or form. In order to make Detroit better than it once was we have to clear out the old and rubble. Ruin porn is fascinating concept … the fact that people are finding beauty in the demise of downtown…. kids have gone as far as SKiiNG iNSiDE these broke down buildings, making jumps and all kinds of crazy things. Turning a scrap yard into a full fledged Urban Putt Putt venue that was created by Lawrence Tech (Detroit University) students. The course is named Roosevelt Par and is in the same pocket as the Imagination Station ….!! The Imagination Station is a new nonprofit whose humble first job is to clean up 2230 and 2236 14th street, two blighted historic houses on Roosevelt Park facing the iconic ruins of Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. I would like to contribute something to the city that is creative and innovative while hosting a community space for safe gathering. I’m going to continue the blog about Do It For Detroit … cuz i could go on for days !
I would get a penthouse suite at the W south beach or Fontainbleau for NYE !!
Buy 15 – 20 fur blankets for some close friends and family for the holiday, because who wouldn’t love to get all cozied up in that !!
A Ferrari California, a car for Melshaw whatever kind she dreamt of and maybe one one other car ( it could be for you ! )
Definitely plan a ski trip to Chile with at least 4 – 6 friends !! All of me betches.O yah you’d have to wait til Summer for this trip ! :p
A new lab top Mac Book Air & I phone … yes i said it … i’d also invest in Typo Keyboard … maybe 1.5 mill so i’ve donated more than Ryan Secreast and get the ball rolling on the best way to bring back the features from a blackberry … such as the keyboard !
I’d buy an original Roy Lichtenstein , Keith Haring, Andy Warhol & Georgia O Keefe ( some ideas featured here in the blog post).
I’d put away 200 mill for safe keepings and later in life.
My FAVORITE foods to eat are a Hamburger and French Fries. No matter what time of day or what day of the week it is I am always down to grab a Hamburger and French Fries.I’ve got my usual burger joints back in Bloomfield Hills, Detroit and Ann Arbor. Coming to Barcelona meant I had to begin my Burger journey again to find the top spots! Obviously, I had the options of going to McDonalds and Burger King, but I was not going to settle for those American fast food joints! I wanted to find AUTHENTIC BURGER joints in Barcelona. I was not able to take this on alone, and had to look for some “Burger Buddies“, people who would be on the hunt for a great burger joint.
The the perfect combination of Hamburger and Fries depends on type of meat used for the burger, the cripsy-ness of the fries, the amount of time it takes to be cooked and where you are going to be eating the burger and fries!
Stop 1: Sandwich and Friends – with four convenient locations, I found myself struck by the “Burger & Friends” advertisements at a local restaurant by my apartment. This burger was of decent size, but served with chips not fries. it was garnished with just a bun… BORING. Therefore, i can only give it a 5/10 rating. Sandwich and Friends overall gets a 4 star rating, as they are open 7 days a week and have free wifi !!
Stop 2: Bar Paris – a small cafe/bar that is located next to my apartment. Bar Paris is open at almost all hours of the day and is seen as a local hot spot for drinks, coffee, and tapas! Their burger is small and has a funky Catalan taste. It is not like your typical American burger as it comes solely as the meat, lettuce, a tomato, and bun. nothing more, nothing less. To me this is a dinky burger! but it is cheap and convenient. I give this burger a 6/10
How to Eat a Burger the “RIGHT” way ….
stop 3: La Champagneria o El Champayxet – tucked away in a tiny alley way – reina christina – near port olympico at the end of Via Lietana you will find this local spot. You throw your trash on the ground, meat is hanging in the air, and champagne is popping left and right. this burger may be on the smaller side, but it’s bun it filled with goodness!! pickles, bacon and spicy sauce top this burger off… no fries here either. But you can wash it down with home made champagne !! Making it a 7/10 on the rating scale
I have discovered secret places of barcelona where to get the BEST BURGER EVER EVER- you’ll have to ask me because i will not publicly share this information. and let me tell you this burger makes the top 5 world wide list!!!
If the embedded video player doesn’t work please click on this Link to view a podcast about the Beats of Barcelona !!
Technology is becoming increasingly intertwined with pop culture. On a daily basis we use digitized versions of books, films, and radio series.
we are known as the “tech babies” of generation Y those who are familiar with media, communication, and digital technologies. It only makes sense that these aspects would resonate in our daily lives. We use our ipods and mp3 players to watch tv shows, movies, and listen to music and podcasts.Generation Y is obsessing over “HOUSE MUSIC” aka “TECHNO MUSIC“. House music is computer generated sound bites, beats, and jams.
The 20/21 year old study abroad students here in Barcelona exaggerate the growing passion for HOUSE MUSIC. We eat , barely sleep, and dream HOUSE MUSIC. As of January 2011, college students from America got their first taste of HOUSE MUSIC at the “Energy” show in Amsterdamn, Netherlands. Other HOUSE MUSIC shows that many study abroad students attended were: AfroJack in Barcelona, Laidback Luke in Barcelona, Avicii in Barcelona, Skrillex in London, and “Sensation White” in Brussels, Beliguim. Many students will attend one final show before heading back home to the US of A on April 28th 2011 – Dirty South ft Dj David Berrie in Barcelona.
Study abroad students have been fortunate enough to see a multitude of HOUSE MUSIC shows and concerts in Barcelona!! Students studying abroad in other cities( such as Florence,Prague, London) have traveled to Barcelona just to experience these HOUSE MUSIC artist’s.
I knew that with coming to Barcelona I would experience an immense amount of new activities! Back in ANN ARBOR, I am constantly running from place to place and moving non stop. Now that I have a bit more leisure time to mess around,I have taken my talents to the kitchen. Yes, I have actually cooked multiple meals AND not had any fires (yet).
I started with the simplest of foods: EGGS. How hard could it be to crack an EGG , toss it in a pan, and mix it around until it was ready.
Advancin’ for Manci
Getting a bit bored of plain old eggs , I decided what are EGGS without hashbrowns...!?Jules, My roommate at school is a better chef than Emerl in my eyes. One night she fascinated me and whipped me up a fresh batch of homemade hashbrowns!! I have never felt the same way about cooking since that night.Day after day I waited to attempt making hashbrowns on my own. The perfect day had finally come to test my breakfast skills … Amanda Manci’s 21st Birthday!! A little bit of this and a little bit of that… and look what I made!
Manci's Birthday Brunch
Fruit plate of kiwi and strawberries, along side the homemade hash browns and grilled chicken!
Grilled chicken is also another easy dish to make! All you have to do is pick up some raw”pollo” from the market or the local pollaria. You toss it in a pan with oil and than season it up!
Pick it up a notch
Eating the basics got old fast, I knew it was time to step it up in the kitchen. Thinking about all of the foods I missed at home the most, a BIM BIM BOP came to mind. Spicy hot sauce poured all over the burning bowl of rice, vegetables, chicken and egg… a re creation was needed ASAP. This led me to the my ASIAN CRAZE in the kitchen.
This photo is a bit distorted because it is taken from a camera phone… but this was the result of a do-it-yourself lettuce wrap!
It is hard to tell, but it is made up of : grilled chicken, EGG, carrots, broccoli, and a bit of celery for some CRUNCH.
Madeline's Dish
Madeline, my roommate, made the next part of the ASIAN meal. It is a combination of : grilled chicken, grilled red peppers, garlic, noodles, and a little feta on top.
It is fun to experiment in the kitchen!! It is worth taking a risk and trying NEW things.
Last week the Journalism 2.0 Class took a field trip to the Catalan News Agency. This is one of the top agencies for broadcasting in Catalunya, and it is SOLEY broadcast ed in ENGLISH.
Unfortunately due to travels, I was unable to attend the class field trip. I have decided to look to their website for information.
CNA aka Catalan News Agency has a very straight forward and aesthetically appealing website. CNA focuses on Politics, Business, Society & Science, Life & Style, Culture and of course, SPORTS!
TOP HIGHLIGHT STORIES
Explore Catalan Culture
>Barcelona’s main public library to be built next to the Ciutadella Park.The Library’s construction will begin in 2012 and last three years, it will cost 37.4 million euros. Miro finally deicded where to place his 5 floor library containing up to 600,000 volumes of books.
Explore Catalan Sports
>Alberto Contador has won the centenary edition of the ‘Volta Ciclista a Catalunya’, Catalonia’s cycling Tour. Barcelona takes pride in being able to host the finish line for the cyclying tour.
You can find a siderbar of widgets to the right of the 2 column website.
The first widget is for “Catalan Views” – one of them is by Jori Vaquerthe director of CIDOB and the second is by Josep Gonzalezthe president of PIMEC(SME Association). These are the top opinions by produced by the Catalan News Agency. The second widget is an advertistment for FC Barcelona!
Click! To buy FC Barcelona tickets to the next game here April 6th. If you haven’t been to a game yet, I have heard it is well worth it !! I am trying to attend this game with my roommates.
The third widget hosts “Special” news stories to view – today’s happen to be on “science in catalonia” and “Debate:Open to the world”.
Then there are a few different options on how to subscribe to the Catalan News Agency’s website.
The website’s sidebar also lists its latest and most popular stories! and last but not least there is a translator button! This is helpful for those people who cannot understand ENGLIGH.
This news agency covers ALL Catalunya, not just the city of barcelona! it is interesting that they would chose to put an advertisement of the futbol team as the second widget on the sidebar. The FB Barca futbol team is a part of the Catalan Identity.
Below is a video of The Catalan News Agency
The Catlan News Agency Website is very basic and straight forward, it has a great visual appeal and its easy to navigate through. I would give this web page a high rating on its quality.
Ahh… what a REFRESHING and EXCITING feeling it is to wake up on a LOVELY LUNESmorning. These mornings are almost always bright & sunny. In American, Monday mornings are associated with a drag and sadness that the weekend is over. But it could not be be more opposite here in BARCELONA.
Sunday, the official day of rest for the Catalonia city of Barcelona. EVERY single essential store that you wish you could go to , you can’t. It is like the city wants you to prepare for what is about to come the following day… LOCO LUNES. As abroad students we quickly found out that Sunday’s are a time to bond with your friends and family. I like to make my sunday’s the day of the 4 S’s : sleep, spa, study, and socialize! On Sunday‘s I try to SLEEP in as late as I can… nothing is open anyways. I like to treat it like a SPA day. Because it is expensive to treat yourself to a professional SPA day , I create my own at my apartment. I start off by polishing my nails and toes a fresh color. I always end up doing my same favorite HOT PINK– because I have LOCO LUNES on my mind ( an upbeat and colorful time!).
After finishing up my personal mani/pedi I work on my hair. It is hard to tame that curly fro that I was blessed with from gene pool. I spend about 45-1 hour blow drying and straightening my hair. Let me tell you, this ends up being quite the production.
Study Time rolls around after dinner- some times I have a bit of reading to do for my classes or I will sit and write my free post blogs from the weekend’s adventures!
Last but not least, SOCIALIZE! I LOVE being able to share a long meal with my friends here in BARCELONA. As meals are a time for bonding, getting to know someone, or catch up on the past weeks news and whats to come in the following week. Depending on when we arrive home from our weekends travels, my roommates and I generally decide between TWO SOCIAL options : cook a big “family” dinner or go to George Payne’s Irish Pub. If there is a sports game on we choose to go to George Payne’s Irish Pub located centrally in the city right by the CEA Main Campus at Plaza Urquinaona 5.
Check out their website at http://www.thegeorgepayne.com/ George Payne’s has amazing LUNCH deals – where you can buy ONE lunch and get a SECOND lunch for FREE. Many student’s find this lunch spot CONVENIENT since it is located a few feet from school. I recommend the hamburgers! This Friday they are showing these games:
Amanda and I at George Payne
Slovenia v Italy K.O: 20:45
Spain v Czech Republic K.O: 22:00
One of the best parts about George Payne’s Irish Pub is that they broadcast AMERICAN SPORTS! Our group of friends loves to go to there to watch NFL games on Sundays.
When we do not attend George Payne’s we like make a festive meal!! This past week we made a MEXICAN themed dinner. Here is a picture of us in the apartment enjoying our family dinner.
Sunday dinner with the "familia"
From the left: Logan, Wes, Rebecca, Will, Amanda, Chris, Liza and Geoff. They are all chewing in this picture, I caught them a little bit off guard oops!
The meal is cleaned up and we finishing our studies and off to bed! There is much needed sleep before LOCO LUNES begins. Monday mornings start early, because all of my roommates and I have class at 10:30 am! We take the half hour journey to school and begin our days. We have class the entire day, til 7 or 7:30 pm. Saving up our energy during the school day, we meet up during breaks to talk about what we are going to do to begin our LOCO LUNES night.
Sometimes we like to head back to George Payne’s Irish bar to grab a few drinks before headed to the MAIN EVENT AT OTTO ZUTZ.
Considered to be one of Barcelona’s TOP 10 CLUBS LOCO LUNES is celebrated at OTTO ZUTZ @ Lincoln 15. When you first walk into the OTTO ZUTZ, there is a wall decorated with the OTTO ZUTZ logo to take pictures in front of. One of my childhood friends Alex, came to visit Barcelona during Michigan’s Spring Break.
Alex and I at the entrance of Otto Zutz
Then you make your way into the club itself! If you want to take a virtual tour outside of the one I shakingly recorded myself look at the OTTO ZUTZ website here. It is a dancing club, bar and a music hall.
OTTO ZUTZ looks very different from when it is PACKED FULL of AMERICANS on Mondays versus empty. Here are pictures of OTTO ZUTZ‘s dance floor.
WARNING: this video may make you nauseated because I couldn’t be on the dance floor and not be dancing. I understand if you can’t make it through the entire minute of the video. 17 seconds in you can see the upstairs VIP section. 30 secs the DJ booth. 50 seconds- my friend showing that LOCO LUNES is a fun time!
The dance floor is so crowded because OTTO ZUTZ plays HOUSE/TECHNO music,a beat that get’s everyone’s feet and body’s moving asap! The jams are always blasting at a high volume- EAR PLUGS RECOMMENDED. I LOVE to dance! That is why I have such a great time at OTTO ZUTZ. There is an enormous dance floor, and a few additional levels where you can dance with less chaos.
Loco Lunes dance floor PACKED with people!
Each LOCO LUNES has a little something special about it. Whether its someone’s 21st BIRTHDAY celebration or a special DJ is spinning on the 1’s and 2’s that night. Before deciding what college I would attend I traveled around to many universities to see which I would like best. One of my favorite colleges that I visited outside of the University of Michigan was The University of Wisconsin – Madison. Those Badgers sure to love to have a good time at the club! I met a freshman boy there, Jack, who is from New York City. It’s funny how your social networks expand so quickly as soon as you attend college! Jack lived down the hall from my cousin Michael in the dorms. Although I did not end up attending The University of Wisconsin – Madison, Jack and I still talked every now and then. He was one of the first people to introduce me to HOUSE /TECHNO music. He created a BLOG website called Big10HouseMafia – where a group of passionate Dj’s and HOUSE/TECHNO lover’s share their hottest beats. A few weeks ago I got a Facebook wall post from my long lost friend, Jack saying that he was going to be Dj’ing at LOCO LUNES the following week! Not only was I so excited for LOCO LUNES but that my friend would be Dj’ing at OTTO ZUTZ. Below is a YoutTube Video of Jack aka DJ 2percentmulq rockin’ it out
As I said, each LOCO LUNES has a special vibe to it, one of favorites was that on March 14th. March 14th’s LOCO LUNEShappened to be one of my best friend’s 21st birthday! His nickname is Laker so we jokingly called it LAKER LUNES.
View from up top in VIP
Boys at Laker Lunes in VIP
For your birthday, you can have the option of partying at a private VIP table with a group of your close friends! For Laker’s birthday this is what he wanted to do, and how could I possibly reject an invite to be in the VIP section. Our other close friend from home Joe got to visit for Laker’s birthday and a LOCO LUNES!
Vip video showing LOCO LUNES from March 14th.
WOW what an amazing experience to be in VIP for a LOCO LUNES. In the video you can see my friend Joe LOVING it! Here is the transcription of the video: (music playing) this is Otto Zutz, LOCO LUNES March 14th. This is what the Americans students do on a typical Monday night, it’s a little bit absurd and we live it up. This is for my homework, this is VIP.
DJ booth at Loco Lunes @ Otto Zutz
With only a few LOCO LUNES’ left, I want to recall my first LOCO LUNES. The “familia” thought what is a better way to start off a fiesta than with some MEXICAN FOOD. One of the BEST Mexican restaurants in Barcelona is ROSA NEGRA located at 46 Via Laietana.They have AMAZING burritos and Mojitos for very cheap. As well as tons of funky decorations like flip flops, sombreros, and Mexican dolls. Rosa Negra has 2 locations, both worth checking out 😀
Familia at Rosa Negra
Inside Rosa Negra, the bar
From the Left: Geoff, Chris, Liza, Logan, Amanda, Maddy,Wes, Me, Rebecca. We all attend the University of Michigan, but are from different cities. Geoff,Chris,Amanda and Wes are all from Chicago. Liza is from Maryland, Logan is from Arizona, Rebecca is from New Jersey and Maddy and I are from Michigan. The boys are all in the Fraternity Theta Chi and all of us girls are in Kappa Kappa Gamma. As you can tell we are deep in the social networking.
The menu consists of a variety of nachos, Chips and Guacamole ( MUST HAVE **!), burritos, quesadillas, fijiatas, and tacos. You really cannot go wrong.
One of my other favorite things about the first LOCO LUNES was that my friends from school were going to be able to meet my friends from home out in social setting.
Some people are not as outgoing in a school setting situation like myself, so I knew it would be a great opportunity to meet new friends as well. I felt like it was the night of “o, you know my best friend.. blah blah blah”. I noticed that there was a TON of kids from Indiana University. My best friend from home, Jaclyn, goes to Indiana. At the club I met TONS of people who knew her! It was so nice to put a face to a name of the kids I hear her talk about.
LOCO LUNES with Colleen and Joey
At first we spent time at the back bar of OTTO ZUTZ because it was a little less chaotic, and you could converse with people under the bar lights. The dance floor gets a bit dark and messy if you are trying to hold a conversation. Because the University of Michigan attracts so many out of state kids, I have been fortunate enough to meet kids from ALL over the United States. Without FACEBOOK I would never be able to keep track of what high school’s belong to what city and connect with mutual friends. Every minute, the geography game is played of who knows who from where and how you know them. That first LOCO LUNES shocked me, realizing WOW my social network is about to expand RAPIDLY.
Laker and I at the first LOCO LUNES
This is one of my favorite pictures from all of abroad so far! It is of me and Laker at the very first LOCO LUNES. It’s a night that is treasured in the hearts of all Barcelona students forever. I’m looking forward to the HOUSE/TECHNO music extraordinaire DJ AVICII who is playing one of the FINAL LOCO LUNES’ on APRIL 4th. It will be at a new LOCO Location at Up&Down.
We are said to be the a part of the “TECH” (technology) generation – in that our daily lives are being enhanced, influenced and possibly even revolved around a technological device. The advancement of technology in our CURRENT day and age is moving rapidly. Just a short 40 years ago the most unthinkable technology products were being produced such as the POCKET CALCULATOR and the first microwordproccessor! NOW we can send and receive SMS, PICTURES, VOICENOTES, VIDEOS, or upload our CALENDAR and ADDRESS BOOK, play GAMES, and even watch TV from ONE small HAND HELD MOBILE DEVICE. It is honestly UNBELIEVABLE and SURREAL to see what technology has allowed humans to do today.
Music Artist’s have caught on to the TREND of TECHnology and have produced songs about how COMPUTERS and TECHnology are being used to enhance and update society.
SOME LYRICS:
“Buy it, use it, break it, fix it,
Trash it, change it, mail – upgrade it,
Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it,
Snap it, work it, quick – erase it,
Write it, cut it, paste it, save it,
Load it, check it, quick – rewrite it,
Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it,
Drag and drop it, zip – unzip it,
Lock it, fill it, call it, find it,
View it, code it, jam – unlock it,
Surf it, scroll it, pause it, click it,
Cross it, crack it, switch – update it,
Name it, rate it, tune it, print it,
Scan it, send it, fax – rename it,
Touch it, bring it, Pay it, watch it,
Turn it, leave it, start – format it.”
THE MUSIC VIDEO by DAFT PUNK!
When I decided to be a Communications major at The UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN I knew the next FOUR years of MY LIFE would revolve around the MASS MEDIA.
[[Wikipedia states that the “Mass media refers collectively to all mediatechnologies, including the Internet, television, newspapers, and radio, which are used for mass communications, and to the organizations which control these technologies. Mass media play a significant role in shaping public perceptions on a variety of important issues, both through the information that is dispensed through them, and through the interpretations they place upon this information.
The also play a large role in shaping modern culture, by selecting and portraying a particular set of beliefs, values, and traditions (an entire way of life), as reality. That is, by portraying a certain interpretation of reality, they shape reality to be more in line with that interpretation. ” ]]
In America, we are constantly BOMBarded with the HOTTEST and LATEST trends, places to JET set off to or “proper” food to eat for a mid day snack by the MEDIA. The MASS MEDIA is a fascinating thing- not only does it allow for people all over the world CONNECT, PLAY, AND EXECUTE their wildest dreams, but it allows them to do this in a matter of SECOND.
With the advent of the WORLD WIDE WEB in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s and the first search engines by TIM BERNERS-LEE the technological world would be forever altered. No longer would unimaginable technological devices be subjected to the wood-works of the a TV run by a satellite but to being able to VIEW TELEVISION on your MOBILE DEVICE! My ancestors would NEVER believe their eyes if they were to cross paths with an iPAD.
The WORLD WIDE WEB has given kids, parents cousins aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers the OPPORTUNITY to download their FAVORITE TV SHOW that they missed earlier that day, week, or even month ago. Not only does almost every single television station or network have an online and interactive website but they also have a tab where users can WATCH EPISODES! it is like a DREAM COME TRUE – to be able to ACCESS and WATCH your favorite shows FOR FREE!!
I like to personally use the following websites to watch television shows will here in BARCELONA 😀
It is unfortunate that because I am located in another country (SPAIN) that my home networks of the united states will not allow me to access their online episode viewing, leaving me to have to watch them else where!
Time to go watch Tv!! if you would like to guess what it is I am watching CHECK out the “ABOUT ME” section at the top of the page for my favorite tv shows!
I find myself in a city, where every day seems to be the best day ever. I cannot have better things to say about my daily life here in Barcelona. Every time I walk down the street, ride the metro, try a new food, or see a new shop, I am amused. Each and every aspect of this city is fascinating to me. I LOVE to people watch and observe the different types of dress, body lanugage, or interactions between people. I have found that on the streets a majority of the people are dressed to impress.
Strolling down Passieg De Gracia ( The 5th avenue of Barcelona) there are many older couples on the streets, sporting fur, scarfs, dress shirts or suits- all very chic, hip, and cool looking. Women are seen in boots, scarfs and beautiful jackets. It is not common to see so many older people out and about in Michigan (where I am from). The elderly dress like bums in sweatpants and sweatshirts and hide inside there homes during the colder winter months. Also I love seeing the most adorable and precious children being pushed around in strollers are sitatuated comfortably in their little sleeping bags.
People here are on the go, moving, doing, going and seeing. I love that people are constantly meeting up with friends at cafe’s to sit back, relax and catch up while drinking a coffee or having a quick snack. Almost every restaurant has the option of outdoor seating- even if it is a bit chilly, you still will see people casually outside bonding with their peers. The life of Barcelona is found on the streets.
While wandering the streets of Barcelona I have come across many authentic restaurants and cafe’s. Before coming here I was what you could consider a picky eater and a bit unwilling to try new things. But I knew that when I would arrive in Barcelona, I had to leave this trait behind. I promised myself that I would not hold back and truely embrace myself in this new culture. I would taste, try, go, do or see any opportunity that was presented to me. If I was fortunate enough to be here for 4 months, I would have to take FULL advantage.
On day one of my Barcelona Travels, my friends and I headed straight to a Tapas restaurant, where we would be able to eat traditional food. Walking out of our hotel, we figured there was no time like the present to take a ride on the Metro. Being brought up in suburbia, I have not had much experience with public transportation. Climbing down the grimy stairs, I was a bit nervous to travel underground for who knows how long while having NO idea where I was going. My mother’s voice was stuck in my head about being extra careful while riding the metro for she has only heard horror stories about pick pockiting and being “taken”. I had to some how get that mind set out of my head, because I would soon have to be riding the Metro every day to school.
My friends and I safetly arrive at Placa Catalunya and step out on to the streets. We walked about 2 blocks before deciding where to go. We chose somewhere that had tapas, paella and sangria ( what we had been told were traditional items of Barcelona). We sat down at the restaurant, it was a suprise to me that only bottled water is drunk here, as well as the fact that wine is cheaper than water. Tapasare “small plates” of food- which come to your table VERY quickly and typically are hot. The most common types of TAPAS are patatas bravas- which are potatoes with a spicy red sauce and mayonese on top, and spanish omelette– which is like a potatoe and egg round circle thing served with a piece of bread.
(this is a typical photo of what you would see when you walk into a tapas bar)
I tried many new things at this first meal in Barcelona including : muscles, cod, paella (containing sea food), carpaccio, and patatas bravadas. I felt like I was on a television show like Fear Factor, but at the same time stayed open minded about the experience. I plan to continue to live in the present here in Barcelona, not letting a minute go by where I am living life to the fullest.
Here is a tourist guide of things to do in barcelona!!
Before leaving for BARCELONA, I spent a little over two weeks visitng my grandparents in Del Ray Beach, Florida. My grandparents live in Florida during the Winter months because MICHIGAN gets VERY VERY cold!! My parents,, my sister and I LOVE spending time down there because we get to be with our family, hang out by the pool, eat DELICIOUS food and relax. Our family family activity to do together is go to the GYM. We all encourage eachother to lead HEALTHY lifestyles by eating well and working out on a regular basis.
First we head to the aerobic machines – My sister loves the Elliptical, my dad the stair master and my mom and I like to walk/run on the tredmill. It is important to get your heart pumping.
We also LOVE doing family YOGA sessions. We find that it is a great way to stretch out and hit all of the muscles in your body. It is the perfect way to relax after a long stressful day of work or school.
With being in FLORIDA for so long, we were able to get down a routine of when we would go work out in the GYM. I knew that when I got to BARCELONA I would have to put in effort like I did before with my work out schedule. My friend Hannah who studied abroad here in BARCELONA told me about the 2 big GYM options – Holmes Place and Dir. CEA pushes you to joined Holmes Place ASAP because they have cut you some sort of deal.
To me Holmes Place was going to be such a scene, where all of the CEA students would go to work out/take classes/ socialize. I was going to the GYM to WORKOUT not to socialize. It was going to be my time to RELAX and WORK OUT. This is why my roommates and I decided to look into DIR – which turns out to be the BEST GYM EVER.
DIR- not only are there over 15 locations to work out, but they are closer to our apartment than the Holmes Place GYM. We walked into the door of DIR Seven , right off PASSIEG DE GRACIA and was instantly welcomed with big smiles. We were given a FREE training session, massage and BACKPACK ( which I now carry everywhere I go). We also can have unlimited hot tea and apples ( my favorite food). My roommates and I LOVE going to the GYM every day – we run on the tredmills, swim in the lap pool, or play raquet ball !! We also LOVE sitting in the steam room and just RELAXING after a nice work out.There are also a variety of CLASSES/ACTIVITIES we can attend. You can too!! Check out their website at www.dir.cat
To try and practice my YOGA skills here in BARCELONA – I attended the Dir Yoga class. To my surprise the class was only WOMEN and very small – 6 people! Back at home there is a mixture of men, women and children who do yoga, as well as middle school kids to grandparents. I also noticed that the women in the class were FULLY clothed in long sleeves, socks and pants. Back home people wear small shorts, no socks, men don’t wear shirts and women typically a tank top or sports bra. I stood out in the small yoga studio for being THAT American at the GYM. I also didn’t realize that this YOGA class was going to be taught in SPANISH. like HELLO LINDSEY! of course it would be – YOUR IN BARCELONA!! it was very very basic YOGA- was boring for me in comparison to what I am used to. My favorite part was at the end where the teacher played RELAXING music and tucked us into an orange blanket! I almost fell asleep!
i am excited to try another class at the DIR GYM. I am looking forward to being able to LAY OUT and RELAX on the SUNDECK at DIR SEVEN.
I would get a penthouse suite at the W south beach or Fontainbleau for NYE !! 
Technology is becoming increasingly 
barshawlona 
