So after Valencia I was wiped out. But it was my last night in Spain and I had some unfinished business to deal with.
For example, as a part of the course requirements for Semester at Sea we have things called FAP and FDPs. Basically they are faculty created programs that you have to complete for a portion of your grade. One of mine was to dine at a Basque restaurant, and describe the experience. Thus my friend Liz and I headed over to one such restaurant and it was incredible. I’ll try to find the card I took from there with the name of it. Anyhow, they basically had baguettes and then put all of these different things on top of them. We decided not to ask what they were until after. The way the place worked you took what you want, and ate it and then they counted how many toothpicks you had on your plate when you were done, and then charged you accordingly. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. So good. And not too expensive either! Afterward we went to a local bar and had a couple of drinks. And then it was off to enjoy the famous Barcelona night life.
Well not right away. We did get sort of lost, and managed to once again miss private bathrooms in the state because we needed to use the facilities and were forced to buy a little snack in another place so we could. They were super nice there though, and told us we definitely went in the wrong direction, and would need to take the metro. Well suffice it to say the metro confused us as well, and then we opted for a taxi which ended up not to be too expensive. All of this took about an hour. But it didn’t matter since the club didn’t open until one anyway. We went to the famous Razzmatazz in Barcelona, and boy was it huge. Something like 4 or five different big rooms with all different kinds of music. There were also so many people from all over the world there! It was a very fun experience, yet I noticed that the majority of the music played was in English rather than Spanish or other languages. Overall a fun night, yet a long one. We got in around 5 safe and sound, and were proud to not have made fools of ourselves like some other students did. One of my primary goals on this trip in fact is to not be that typical disrespectful American, yes there are some people on this voyage who don’t care, but the majority of students I feel do want to be respectful and enjoy themselves in that manner.
Let’s just hope it stays that way.
Liz and I woke up pretty early the next morning though in search of a churro breakfast and free internet to book our plans for Italy. On the way to the churro place we got sidetracked by a potential lunch date with our extended family onboard. We were supposed to meet them in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, but we couldn’t find them at noon like we were supposed to. Why? Because at the time the traditional dance was going on there. I forget what it was called, but I did record it and it was very cool to see. Essentially for many many years a number of people gather every Sunday at noon to do this dance in a circle. It is rather expressionless, as well as rather simple to watch. Though I’m sure I’d have trouble doing it. Groups gather together in fairly large circles and just dance to the live band playing. It was such a cool sight to see and I hope to upload the video if I can soon.
After this we managed to get some churros and internet. Liz also got chocolate with hers. Me not so much since the very smell of any kind of chocolate has always disgusted me as many of you know. However, I got some sort of fruit drink instead that reminded me of a smoothie and it was also delicious. After me booked our hostel for Italy, Liz and I shopped for a bit. Then grabbed a fresh smoothie from a store so we could sit. And then returned to the ship in time for on-ship time, thoroughly exhausted. Yet, I could already tell I would miss Spain. Since I’m writing this post Italy I can say that Spain is definitely still my favorite, despite all of the incredible Italian foods and museums. It’s just something about the spirit of the country and its pure beauty. I love it. And absolutely cannot wait to go back there someday.
Well that’s all I have time for now on Espana. Hopefully pictures will come soon, because they really are amazing.
The next few entries will be about Italy!
Hopefully I’ll get them all done by Croatia, and will be caught up! Here’s hoping!
Ciao for now!
