Barcelona, Baby!

Yet another absolutely incredible week! Well to start off, Tuesday a bunch of us found this shop called Taste of America. They have Dr. Pepper, Reece's, Gushers, everything my heart could ever desire! I stocked up, for sure! I don't even know why, but when I drank my Dr. Pepper I cried a little bit. I was just so happy! That's kind of embarrassing, but really it made my day.

Then, Wednesday we took off for Barcelona! It was basically a nine-hour-bus-ride of a day. When we finally got there, our hotel was a dump. Pretty much the hotel of death. The water wasn't working, the heat wasn't working, and it looked like a murder had recently taken place in our kitchen. What an experience that was! But our directors took us all out for ice cream, so it was well worth it. Check out this ice cream! They scoop it to make it look like a flower. Oh it was just what the doctor ordered after a long bus ride and a disappointing hotel room.



Thursday morning we woke up for a very LONG, but incredible tour. It started in the Parc Guell, a park designed by Gaudi. Everything that man does is amazing! The benches were made to curve back and forth for better conversation, the buildings are all super surreal. I felt like I was in Candyland!

After the Parc Guell, we found out we were switching hotel rooms. THANK GOODNESS! So we ran to the hotel got our stuff and then headed out to see the Sagrada Familia. Seriously, who knew Spain had so many mind blowingly beautiful places. Between the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra, Spain has most definitely stolen my heart and has my vote for the most beautiful place on earth. The Sagrada Familia was also designed by Gaudi. The front side tells the story of Christ's birth. There isn't an inch of this facade not covered in detail. I was in awe the entire time! 

After being so awe struck, the rest of the day was kind of a blur, I'll be honest. We went to the Picasso museum, ate some authentic Mexican food, and looked around at the mall. But Friday was our free day, and man did I have plans for that! To start out, we went to the Barcelona Cathedral. In the cloister of the cathedral, 13 geese live there in honor of a 13 year old girl who was tortured and killed because of her faith. The geese were funny; they would get right up in your face. 

Alright so it's mid-February. And after the cathedral, I WENT TO THE BEACH! The Mediterranean Sea! In all honesty, it wasn't that warm, but the fact that I wore a swimsuit in February is awesome, none the less. The beaches in Spain are different than they are in the US. For one, it's perfectly normal to be naked on the beach. We ran into that a couple times, and now I may be scarred for life. Also, Indian men come around every two seconds to try and sell you beer. So it's not so relaxing. But walking in the water and chilling by the sea made for a great day!

That night, we went to none other than Hard Rock Cafe, Barcelona. I got myself a big, juicy bacon and onion ring cheese burger! It tasted just like home! It was fantastic! Then a big group of us went out to another Discotecha. It was awesome! We all just danced around like crazies and had no one in the world to impress. They only listen to American music here, so that's always great. This particular discotecha was bringing back the nineties. We got a lot of Destiny's Child, BaskStreet Boys, stuff like that. it was SWEET! The next morning we woke up and headed back to Alcala. What an incredible week! 

Alright, alright. So two week later and still no blog post. I've been super busy these past couple of weeks, although I'm not entirely sure what I've been busy doing. So let's see if I can sum it up without writing a novel. two weeks ago we went to Segovia. Segovia is such a beautiful city! There is a giant aqueduct there, along with a huge castle. It's actually the castle Disneyland got it's inspiration from! You can totally tell from looking at it. After doing these touristy things, we met some high school kids from the town. They taught us this cute dance they made up and just laughed and laughed. They actually knew really good English! They were so funny, so excited to speak to Americans! 

 

Then that night I was supposed to go to The Sounds concert with a couple of girls and guys from the ward here. Well when we got there they wouldn't let us in without government approved ID. Needless to say, we are all down 28 euro for nothing. But Santi, a guy from the ward, was determined to salvage the night. He called his friend Mario and we all decided to hit up the Discotecas! I know clubbing in America is a little crazy, but really it was so much fun here! First we went to an Irish pub, which I guess is kind of like the pre-game here. You meet friends to go dancing with. But we already had our group of friends and didn't mingle with anyone else. At the pub there was a live band that played a lot of really great American music, "Down on the corner", "Sweet child of mine", stuff like that. Then we went to the real discoteca. It was so much fun! We all just danced and really had a good time!

The Irish pub

Dancin it up at the Discoteca!

Then this last Thursday, we went to the temple. Yes, I feel bad that the temple trip is right after the discotecas, but I swear they were just good clean fun! But really the temple was absolutely amazing. I've been wanting to feel comfort here and I thought that going to church on Sundays would be that comfort for me. But I usually just get so frustrated trying to understand it that I don't allow the spirit into my heart. But the temple was full of American temple workers. They gave the spiritual thought in English. There was just like a tangible spirit in the temple. It was exactly the comfort that I needed. It felt so good to just sit and soak in the spirit and not have to figure out what was being said. It gave me just enough spiritual recharge to make it through the next half of the trip! 

Friday we went to the art fair and then out to Carnaval. I can't even explain Carnaval. It's like a weird Cirque De Soleil meets Halloween. We saw this show that was so bizarre! I wish I had better pictures but just imagine this! 

Then Saturday we went to Cuenca, the city with the hanging houses. There are these houses that hang out over the edge of cliffs. Literally the balconies hang over the edge of the cliffs! I could never in a million years live there... I'm too afraid of heights! But they were really cool to see! Then we basked in the sun for a couple of hours. That's right. SUN! After our tanning sesh, we went on a hike through these narrow/rock formation type place. It was pretty cool. A lot of fun just hiking in the outdoors. It sure was good to be out in the open; I've been in the city for the past month and a half! It really has been an eventful past couple of weeks and I'm super stoked for Barcelona this week! 

Andalucia, you stole my heart!

WINDMILLS

Wow!! What a week! Seriously sometimes I look back at my life and am in awe at the experiences I am able to have. So grateful!! Tuesday morning we got on the bus for Andalucia, which is the southern part of Spain. We made a pit stop in La Mancha to see the windmills. For those of you who have read Don Quijote, you know what I'm talking about. They were massive! and so much prettier than the ones in America!


After our quick stop, we continued on to Granada, home of the Alhambra. Seriously, the Alhambra was incredible! Ancient Moorish structures and gardens everywhere. I have no idea how the architecture back then was so advanced. It's beautiful! My favorite part was the reflecting pool. Or maybe the gardens. I don't know I loved everything about it!

The Alhambra

Reflection Pool

So you would think that would be enough for one day, right? no! The adventures continue! We went to the Medina ruins after the Alhambra. To be honest all I can really remember about this place is how awesome it would have been to play hide and go seek in and how much trouble we got in for touching anything. But it was way sweet! like a giant maze!!

After the ruins, we drove to Cordoba. We got there kind of late and were all totally exhausted! I wish I had pictures of the hotel though. The funniest, dingiest little hole in the wall ever! I was loving it! The bedspreads were like permanently stained the color of sweat or something. haha but it was a good experience for me! After a good night's rest, we got up and went to the mezquita in Cordoba. Holy cow, Spain just keeps on bringing the beautiful buildings! This place looked exactly what you imagine Aladdin's palace to look like... but with a cathedral in the middle. Apparently the Christians took it over at one point and revamped it. Super misplaced! Also in Cordoba, they have beautiful flower pots all over their houses. It's winter so there weren't a ton out, but you can see a couple in this picture.

 These were all in the same building!

Hard to believe that I could top those days, but Friday was possibly the best day of my life thus far! I woke up, saw Christopher Columbus's tomb (who knew we still know where his remains are!) and found a Starbucks for some legitimate hot chocolate. We were super exhausted after a week of travel but still wanted to see all the sights so we took a horse and carriage throughout Sevilla. We got to see the bull ring, the Plaza de Espana, the Santa Maria Park, all from the comfort of a cute little carriage!

The horse ride got all rested up and we were back ready for fun. We went back to the park, rode this zip line thing (me and Chloe had the bright idea to ride spider!) and then rode paddle boats through the Plaza de Espana. It's a lot harder than you would imagine! I was so sore after paddling just around a little stream! Gotta work on my muscles more!!

After the paddle boats, we got dinner and headed to A FLAMENCO PERFORMANCE!!! One of the things I have been looking forward to all trip! Oh my goodness it was unreal! We were in this intimate little performance hall, on the second row. I could not believe the amount of passion the dancers had for their dancing. Their emotion was so raw; they weren't forcing a smile through it. Oh AND there was a man Flamenco dancer! Usually male dancers super turn me off, but imagine Matthew Mcconaughey out there in cute little Spanish dance clothes. Holy cow it was great! I wish I could've taken a picture with the dancers after, but they were quick to head out and stay away from the audience. Bummer! Anyway, nothing could bring down that day! Overall I absolutely loved Andalucia! What an incredible place!!

Behind me is the Flamenco stage. So cute and little!