The Beginning of the Beginning, Part 1

Unfortunately, I commited the wrongest of wrongs-- I did not update this blog for more than the first month that I've lived here in Barcelona. Now, I am righting--or should I say "writing" (ha.ha) that wrong.

I think I can say truthfully that I have changed since I've been here. Why? Read on.

A recap of the course of events that have occured: I left Washington, DC for Spain on January 4, 2007, landed for an hour in Madrid, and arrived an hour later in Barcelona, Spain on January 5, 2007. I had never ridden on a plane alone by myself before, much less traveled alone to a foreign country. How exciting...I hope I never forget the feeling I had as the plane landed on the runway in Barcelona. There was a sudden realization that I was embarking on 1. an experience that I had been anticipating and preparing for for months before, and had tried to imagine 2. an experience..of really LIVING in, not just visiting, a foreign country, 3. the period of time that has been the most significant in my life so far, and 4. an experience that I will single out for the rest of my life.

The photo to the left is of the inside of the upper level of Madrid's airport. Its undulating, organic ceiling is beautiful from the inside and out. The group landed in this airport again during our first field Trip through Southern Spain (more about this later)

The first weeked of Jan. 6th and the 7th was the group's "Spanish emmersion"-- we moved into our apartments, scouted out groceries, began to learn the neighborhood, and enjoyed Barcelona's Dia de los 3 Reyes (Three Kings Day, the city's biggest festival...by the way, as of now, Feb. 11, there are still streamers from the parade hanging from some trees)

BELOW....the photo on the left is the entrance lobby to our apartment building, the one to the right is our apartment building from one of Barcelona's main avenues, Gran Via.

Both of these photos are courtesy of Mr. Sean Owens. Thanks, Mr.!

We are so fortunate to be living on Gran Via. It's full of some of the city's best architecture, bars, cafes, metro startions, and activity.

To the left, our humble little dining room.

I share an apartment with four other awesome CUA archies. We definitely have our share of crazy, fun times together (Lola!)

We actually just reorganized our dining room/ living room, so our couch is in the alcove you see here. I'm not sure how I feel about the switch...

Above, photos from the Dia de los 3 Reyes parade.

What could be better than arriving to a parade? It was great.

Next: The Beginning of the Beginning, Part 2: Academic Schedule and Exploring the City