BCN life

Getting used to life in BCN is somewhat easy, somewhat hard. Here is the easy part: meeting new people; partying with friends; enjoying places in BCN; discovering hidden bars, parks, buildings; falling in love with the city...The hard part is taking things easy. Things such as: impolite people who can run you over if you are not careful or are too polite; tourists who have no idea what, where, how and why at the very moment you are running to catch your train; people who decide that they've had too much to drink at 2am and the only place to pee is your street/door; banks.

Let's talk about banks. Again. I tried to go to the bank twice this week and open a savings account (yes, teachers need one, otherwise we don't know what to do with our money :). Here is how it unfolded. I went on Tuesday before work. Mind you that I gave myself around 40 minutes for this. Enough time? Wrong! The closest branch next to me is across the street and there are always people there. I waited patiently (or not) for about 30 mins. Finally I was able to sit down with a very nice woman who, surprise surprise, spoke ENG!!!!

Me: I'd like to open a savings account (give her the "libreta")
Her (looking at the libreta): Oh, but your main branch is not here. You have to go there.
Me (very puzzled): This is the same bank. I can't do it here?!
Her: No. Sorry.
After a few minutes of me looking miserable
Her: I can close the current account and open 2 new ones with this being the main branch.
Me (smiling): Great! Let's do it.
Her: OK, I need your NIE.
Me: You have all the info already. I'm a customer.
Her: No, I need the actual paper.
My NIE paper is the official doc I got way back in August. This is like asking for your actual SS card......
Me (looking at my clock): Well, maybe tomorrow. I don't have time today. Bye.

The next day I decided to go in the morning. Figured there will be less people. Wrong! This time I waited almost an hour and in the end just left. I figured I won't open a savings account now and I won't go to my initial branch. End of story for now.

I learn to smile though, take it as my BCN experience ad just remember that it is BARCELONA!!!!! :)

Halloween -- BCN way

Halloween in BCN! Who said it can't be fun and people don't celebrate?! Well, locals don't really dress up but when you have U.S. and British friends, it is a completely different story ;). It was the night of the zombies (as you can probably tell...). Started with a makeup, drink and munch on tons of chips party at my place and then moved on to a very cool club with music and dancing.

Vampires, zombies and Bret Michaels :)

Of course the fake blood

  This is the scariest (and prob most fun) costume idea I've had for Halloween.       Last year I was in BG and didn't really dress even though had a really good time. The year before (my last USA Halloween... sad face) was an awesome Halloween (animal society -- do you remember it?!:) and I was SuperGirl. It was a cool costume and completely appropriate for the way I felt before. Like Super Girl had wings and felt like I can take the whole world :). 

My bedroom....

This year it was zombie time!!! :) Turning the night into day (almost) I feel like a zombie some days. Well, let's not get into the details of blood......Talking about blood. There was fake red stuff everywhere in my place -- on the white walls, on the floor, on our clothes. Don't ask my about cleaning it....

Zombie girls in action

Was a lot of fun though! A lot of makeup (thank you Sephora!) was used, red wine, beer and other alcohol drank, chips and sweets eaten and most of all --- we had tons of fun!!!!! Needless to say, it was so hard to get all that makeup off my face (and body). Was in bed at 5:30am and it is another Monday off in Spain! 

Inspiration

What inspires you?! I got this bug in my head lately about inspiration in life and what makes us break the routine. Routines are good most of the time but as one person said not too long ago, we have to find ways to break them sometimes (sometimes more often).

Different things, people, actions, etc inspire me at this point in my life.

My friends inspire me. Those who are pursuing educational goals; those who are enjoying life to the fullest; those who are embarking on the hardest journey ever -- family and children; those who have stepped firmly on the ground and those who are flying up high.

My family inspires me. In a different way with its family routines and strange relationships; with its dedication; with its constant surprises and good and bad moments.

My students inspire me. The kids with their zest for learning and incredible energy; the teenagers with their amazing ideas and thinking; the adults with their daily life and experiences.

Traveling inspires me. Exploring new countries and cultures; getting lost in cities and wondering around discovering hidden treasures; getting immersed in new cultures and languages; taking pictures.

Volunteering inspires me. Donating your time and/or money to a cause you believe is worth saving; helping someone achieve a dream in their life; simply being there for someone who needs you.

http://www.kiva.org/

Nature inspires me. Standing on the beach listening to the waves and just looking at the endless horizon in the sea; admiring an incredible view from a top in the mountain; simply enjoying nature's amazing creatures and creativity.

Ever day life inspires me. People strolling around; children being children; beautiful art on the street by an unknown artist; flowers blossomed at unusual places.

What insipres you? What makes you move on and live every day as if it is a brad a new day?! When was the last time you thought about it?! :) Ideas in my head..................

Eat, Pray, Love in BCN

I have been slacking off a bit with the blogs -- be patient! Sometimes not too much happens; other times there is a lot but no time to write about it! One thing that I obviously can't do is -- make you guys comment....I know you are reading and as long as you are, I guess, that's enough :). Thanks to the regular folks who comment and thanks to all of you who read but do not bother writing a comment :).

So I finally saw "Eat, Pray, Love" in BCN in an OV (original version) movie theater. Asking what that is?! Well, in Spain the movies on the big screen are dubbed just like the ones on TV. Go figure. I guess people are not used to and completely against subtitles. So those like me, who do not speak Spanish and want to understand not just watch, have the option to go to the three (three!!!) original version theaters in BCN. There you can watch the movie in ENG and read the subtitles if you want -- what better way for a Spanish learning person?! :)

"Come, Reza, Ama" (Spanish translation) does a good job of portraying the main ideas of the book but as a devoted book lover, I recommend the book. Those who haven't read/seen it -- please do so! It is not a girls' only movie and I don't think there is a person out there who can't relate to some of the ideas mentioned in the book/movie. What also makes it genuine and thoughtful is the fact that it is a true story.

I read the book at a point in my life when it seemed like a life savior and I had many discussions with friends about the ideas  (dear, we drank some good wine over it!:). It was very interesting to re-visit the book (by watching the movie) again, almost 2 years later, and look at it with different eyes. It is still a wonderful piece of reality, life, finding oneself, looking for answers, being able to forgive and most importantly giving yourself an opportunity for more and better chances.

Thanks Liz for writing this wonderful book and giving people the strength to find themselves and learn how to be happy!

Mom

My mom is here! :) And brought me fall/winter stuff. I need it! Trust me, it's getting cold here.....Winter is coming again and another year almost over. Damn; it's going so fast!

Anyway, we are enjoying walks around the city, conversations, cosy nights in the apartment :). My brother continues to be the chef in the house even though my mom is beating him to some dishes he doesn't quite know yet. We had a lovely Saturday -- up in a cable car (awesome views of BCN) and then a nice uphill walk to Monjuic Castle. I visited that place one night back in August when somebody suggested we climb up there at midnight and have drinks at a cool bar. That was no walk! It was almost running for me (mind you, I still had heels), uphill, for 45 mins.....Didn't find the bar and of course the castle was closed. View -- too dark but still a great night!

Much less strenuous now and the castle was open. We could see the whole city and the weather was gorgeous! My bro knows how to prepare some amazing mushrooms and meat -- a treat after a whole day of walking.

            

Sunday was a day for a day trip to Montserrat -- mountain and monastery (ten centuries old) built in the rocks high up. After a Saturday night out and 4 hours of sleep, I was determined to get up at 8am on Sunday and catch the train (1 hour from BCN). My mom and I -- yes, my bro -- sleep is better than some monastery.....And it's better that he stayed! A hike in the mountain wouldn't have been good for him anyway.

What can I tell you?! The monastery is amazing, the views are breathtaking, and the hike -- well, 10km (one way), uphill to 1,230m in 1.5hrs -- not bad! :) Do not ask my legs how they feel. But it was worth it. Every part of it. The weather was great and we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

One thing you might notice -- quality of pics is not very good. Reason? I took my camera and realized that the memory card was at home! Mad at myself, I decided to use the iPhone (at least something!) and see if it's worth the money. Verdict?! Anyone? I think they turned OK. Can always be better but come on -- enough perfectionism! :)

OK, enjoy the photos (even though they are from my iPhone...and not that great), have a wonderful week and check back soon!!!

PS Who is going to be the 21st follower?!?!

Miss you

So a dear friend had a birthday yesterday, another has one today (Oct 13)  (Mimi and Tanche -- Happy Birthday! :), a few more coming at the end of the week (Dobby) and next (Alex); others are having a baby now (thinking of you, Moncadas!) and so on. The list goes on. These moments especially (and not only) make me want to be there with all my friends and it sucks so freaking much to be away! I knew it'd suck but maybe didn't have a clear idea of how hard it'd be. 

    

This period now reminds of a time about 2 years ago when things didn't seem very rosy. It's a very different feeling now but it's worse in a way. BCN is a lot of fun, met some great new people, love the job and the life here. But this still doesn't minimize the feeling of losing my friends. Or, if not losing, at least the fact that I can't even talk to you regularly, see you, go for drinks, dinners, etc. 

 

It's days like this that make me want to get on a plane and come see you all! Trust me I'd do it if I had a little more money than the basic survival stuff....Not thinking about it much helps sometimes but there are other times when it just comes over me like a hurricane and I can't stop it...So especially in moments like these I want to tell you all (and this is the reason for this blog) how much I miss you!!!  


 I am committed to use all kinds of technology to stay in touch and as hard as it can be to communicate sporadically and over the internet, I plan to keep my connections with you.

I've always believed in a few but really good friends and think I have some that I can call exactly this. So to put an end to this sad but very true and open (a little too open for me...) blog I will just say that no matter where I am, I will think of you and stay in touch! Enjoy life!!!! :)

Salsa/Jazz/Clubbing

Heated salsa

So I told you about meetup".com in BCN. On Sunday night decided to go with a few people from the cava fest to a salsa place. Completely out of my comfort zone -- went by myself, knew just 1 person (from the day before), can't really dance salsa but the bottom line is that I had a great time! :) The place is Mojito Bar and the name is very misleading because the mojitos weren't good at all! I decided to have one and the price was outrageous (at least for my finances now). 

Anyway, the place didn't have many people at first but slowly started packing. I met a few new people and danced some salsa. Most of the people there either took salsa lessons or were teachers themselves so the crowd was pretty good st it.As the night progressed I got better and lost the feeling of "poor-guys-who-have-to-dance-with-a-beginner". :) As one guy said: "I'd rather dance with a beginner". It turned out he liked to teach people like me who barely have any idea of what's going on.....

Sorry for the bad picture but this is what iphone does....My great salsa teacher in DC should be very proud of my moves! (Tanche, was almost like Havana!) :):):)

Jamboree live jazz

Last night was a live jazz night which turned later into club dancing. Discovered this very cool and apparently very good jazz place in BCN which is literally 2 mins from my flat! They had a tribute night and there were all kinds of musicians jamming together. Was really cool! Met my American and British friends there and what a night it was. After the jazz was over it turned into a regular dancing night club and then we finished off at another very cool place located on the same plaza. It is an apartment-made-a-lounge (think 18th St Lounge but not so glamorous and big). It is a very cool place for people to finish the nights. Drinks, sit down, chat...Turned the night into a day again and was in bed at 4:30am....(pic is again iphone..)

Today is a national day for Spain and we are off. Love these holidays! We have one in November too and then December comes with many many days off....:):):). Going to see a movie now and hang out with some more people from another meetup.  As you can see I really can't get bored here and there are tons of things to see and do. Mom is coming tomorrow! :) With a whole suitcase full of my clothes, shoes and goodies!