When I decided to pack up and run off to Spain for three weeks during student teaching, I can honestly say I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. In retrospect, I must have been out of my freaking mind. I had been deciding to travel to a country halfway around the world with no friends, no family, and absolutely zero experience in a country outside of the US to comfort me throughout this adventure. I was basically closing my eyes and diving straight into a foreign land with a completely new culture, and boy what an adventure it has been!!
Apon arriving to Spain I have had such a welcoming host family and mentor teacher to help guide me through this absolutely amazing trip. Having the chance to overcome the language barrier, crazy new culture and dreaded public transportation system, I would have to say that I am extremely impressed and proud of myself. I have had the chance to really wear my tourist hat this week, and I have seen some INCREDABLE sites! Some highlights from this week would be: Las Ramblas (a street downtown full of open markets, shops, and restaurants), A mediteranian coast, Sierra Montjuic, Barça's Stadium ❤️💙💛⚽️, Parc Güell, Tibidabo, and Segrada Familia.
But hands down, the best part about Barcelona is THE FOOD!!! Honestly I don't know how these people are so skinny, because the food is incredible and they are literally constantly eating. This was something that I had to adjust to, because in America we typically eat 3 meals a day with a little snack here or there... Well here you wake up and have first breakfast, then at school we get second breakfast, and don't forget a coffee break, then it's time for a two hour lunch break (like 3 course meal lunches), now coffee break #2, then finally after school we get a snack, oh and don't forget dinner literally 10 minutes before it's time for bed! This is a struggle. I am CONSTANTLY full. I'm not kidding, I have started to hide during meal time because I am still stuffed from the meal before, and no one is happy untill you have some sort of meal in your hands. LIKE HOW ARE YOU GUYS NOT FAT!! And the food is so amazing. PAELLA 😍, spanish omletes, coffeeeeeeeee ❤️, all the fresh fruit you could ever dream of, TAPAS!!!!, crousants, and sandwiches. I don't know what is the deal with the Spainards obsession with sandwiches but it is insane. Sandwiches all day everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But hey, I'm not complaining. Unless it's paté. I will complain about paté, because it is not peanut butter, and it does not taste like peanut butter. Stay FAR AWAY FROM PATÉ! Seriously.
With all of that said, and all of the amazing experiences I have had, I would be lying if I said I wasn't homesick. I just want to be able to share this experience with the people I love. I have gotten to see so many cool things, and taste so much incredible food, and I wish more than anything that I could share these adventures with Jesse and my family. I could show them pictures all day, but that is not doing justice to this city. On the bright side, this just means I will have to come back with them and get to experience this amazing place all over agian!!
I'll leave who ever is reading this (probably like three people) with one of my favorite pictures of Segrada Familia that I had the opportunity to visit today. Again this picture does it no justice, but it is a little peak at the amazing sites I am lucky enough to see!
For more updates about my trip follow my twitter (@MissOttaway). I have been trying to post once a night, but since I only get wifi at my homestay, I have been about a day behind! Still it's fun and more current, and I'm pretty funny if I do say so myself!
Later Y'all
Kiersten
@MissOttaway
