It is so easy to just to see/do something cool, snap a picture, and say I will blog about them later. But then, each day, (when I am not meditating), I do like 50 more things, so I realized I had to start to blog a little here again! So here is just a dump list of so cool stuff. Sorry if there are any typos. I don’t really care to edit this right now fully.
Fireworks in Plaza de España
The People: I don’t think I have ever seen a metro as packed as it was that night. We had to shove our bodies in order to get inside the train. When we arrived at Plaza España, we had to shove to get out of the metro station as well! I’ve never been to NYC for the ball to drop, but I imagine, this is Spain’s version of that with crowds.
Eating Grapes: Anyways, midnight hit, and the tradition is to eat 12 grapes. Apparently, with each grape you are supposed to think about it and make a wish. I thought you were just supposed to shove a bunch of grapes in your mouth and make a ton of wishes all at the same time. I think it still works in the end.
Standing on poles: There were SOO many people in the Plaza. I couldn’t even really see fireworks to be honest. But there was this guy standing on a small yellow pole in front of me. I tapped his shoulder and offered him a grape. Then I asked if I could jump up with him. He said yes, and then all of a sudden I was holding onto this random guy on a tiny pole, soaking in the fireworks!
The Three Kings Parade
NOW THIS was cool. El Día de Reyes or the “the day of kings”, is the holiday on the 6th January, celebrating the three kings that brought gifts to baby Jesus. The day is nearly as important in Spanish culture as Christmas, especially for children. It is on the Día de los Reyes that the presents are exchanged!
Each year, a big parade marks the event. On one hand, it was sadly raining. On the other hand, turns out umbrellas are a stellar way to catch candy getting flung at you!
The parade was in Catalan, so I understood nothing that was said, but after some further research, I learned the parade has floats honoring each of the kings and the places they travelled from. At one point in the parade, pacifier collectors came around because toddlers are supposed to give up their pacifier for the baby Jesus. Another part is that parade had letter collectors for kids who had written down their wishes for the kings to help come true!
Similar to Santa, if kids haven’t been good… they get coal instead of sweets and gifts!
Open-Mic at a Dive Bar
I LOVE this little bar I found. They do open mics 4 nights a week, and the music is awesome. The guy who hosts it is awesome too. I want to be his friend. However, he speaks mostly Spanish, and my issue is… although I can conversationally speak Spanish, I am not “cool”. Like I don’t know how to joke and be sarcastic/ be myself.
Running into the Ocean
When I first imagined coming to Barcelona, I kind of pictured swimming and tanning and beaches. I forgot it was winter. BUT I still felt the need to run into the Ocean once. After-all, I brought my swimsuit!
Climbing Indoors (and outdoors!)
Two weeks ago, I made a gal pal who let me borrow her harness and go to the gym with her. Then, last week I made a friend who took me climbing outside last week and let me mooch of his gear! Very Thankful!!!
Tortilla de Patatas
Also known as a Spanish Omellete. It is potatoes, eggs, and then sometimes some other things (zuchinni, sausage, onion). It is delicious and is not reserved for just breakfast! One is from a local bar with STELLAR tortillas.
Hiking Monserott
My first Sunday off, I signed up to go on a hike with a local group! It was so fun, and it was also a really good challenge because the whole hike and socializing was in Spanish. My brain was more tired than my body aftewards. After the hike, we all went to a bar near the mountain and had some patatas bravas.
Friends Coming Through
Two lovely friends from Colorado happened to be travelling through Spain, so we got to meet up! Both my friend Grant and Yvonne and her boyfriend, Sam did a little adventuring with me. Both also joined for hostel dinner one night as well!
Salsa Dancing
Michel and I had a really fun outing to a little Latin Bar with Salsa dancing. I am obsessed! Also, I looked so stupid. Michel looked amazing. The instructor told me to move less and think more sexy. I’ll have to work on it. Here is a video you can laugh at.
Other Random Things
- Cooked dinner with a Hungarian Chef who told me he hated my accent.
- Tried busking and had someone steal my money
- Went to a local gym where I did some Acrobatic Yoga
- Had some really tasty non-alcoholic beer.
- Picked up a new favorite Spanish words to use everytime I don’t understand what someone is says instead of just “Sí”…..”Vale” which basically just means “ok”
Creating Space 
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