One Month Down!

So apparently I fail at updating this regularly...sorry! This past week was fabulous, with classes, nights out and a last minute weekend trip to Barcelona!

Classes are going well. It's crazy to think that we're already prepping for midterms. Wednesday it will be one month since I left, which is just crazy to think about. It's gone so fast! I've been doing a ton of reading for my literature classes, some of which I understand, some of which I don't. Oh well. On Wednesday we went to see another play for my theater class, this one called "El arquitecto y el relojero" (The architect and the clockmaker). It was a two person play centering on the theme of whether or not to preserve Spain's somewhat tumultuous recent history (Civil War, Franco, etc). The idea of it was interesting and I think if I had read the script, I would have liked it much more, but it was a ton of dialogue (because only two people...) and I couldn't understand all of it. So basically we were sitting there a bit bored and confused for two hours. Oh well, hopefully we'll be seeing a few good plays this semester! Haha. Art history is still going really well. I really wish I had taken something like this before, but I think part of why I like the class is first of all because of the teacher and secondly because we talk about all these styles, etc and then get to go see the actual thing the next class! So it really sinks in...

Anyway, enough about school. On Thursday night, I left with a couple girls from the program to Barcelona!! It was a last minute decision, but after I found out that Jessica (friend from high school) was going to be in town that weekend, I had to go. We did a whirlwind tour of the city during the two full days we had there, seeing everything from Gaudi's famous building to parks to shopping to yummy coffees on Las Ramblas. I love Barcelona! It's such a bustling city, but it really has an old world feel with its amazing architecture and laid back attitude. Plus, it has a beach! Sadly it wasn't warm enough to lay in the sand. Maybe later in the year...Anyway after our long days of tourism we unwound at some very cool bars. We went to one called The Fairy Bar, which had incredible decorations of an enchanted forest. So cool! (Check out my pictures to see.) I also got to go out with Jessica and her friends, which was fun to see how her program is working out and who she's met there. And always nice to see a friend from home :-)

Anyway this week is a short one (only two days of classes!) because early Wednesday morning the USC program is taking us all to the south of Spain. We are going to Sevilla for a few nights, then Granada and then Cordoba. I'm so excited because I've never been there and it sounds amazing (and also, I have to admit, because it's going to be warmer there...I'm over the cold weather). We have a pretty busy schedule, with tours, museums and meals (paid for by SC...yes!) but also some free time to explore so that should be nice.

I must get back to my art history reading, but I'll try and post more regularly. I don't know what my internet situation is going to be on our trip, but if I get a chance I'll keep you updated. I hope you are enjoying reading about my travels! :-)

Love from Spain!