I've only been here hardly a week now, but I've already learned so much stuff about Barcelona's culture, so I wanted to share some of the things I've picked up on so far.
People actually call it Barthelona. The accent makes "c" sound like "th". I thought it was a joke for some reason but they really do pronounce it like that. The Catalan accent is pretty strange. It's also an insult to say that it's basically a mix of French and Spanish. However much you may want to say that (and I agree sometimes when I listen to it), it's pretty insulting because Catalonians are very proud of everything about them; their food, language, traditions, etc. Tomorrow is actually La Diada which is the ULTIMATE Catalan pride festival, so I'm looking forward to the crazy stuff I'll see tomorrow.
I was also worried about how hot and disgustingly humid it was going to be here. So far, this is not true. I've been able to sleep soundly through the night without waking up in a sweat, and it's been a pleasant mid 70s every day. However, the last week of August and the first couple weeks of September are supposed to be cooler than usual because of all the rain that comes through, so I might hold off on that statement. Spaniards are SUPER sensitive to cold temperature, so once it hits the 60s, they start coming out in jeans and jackets, and I'm still just walking around in a t shirt and skirt, and everyone looks at me like I'm crazy.
I've read a lot in articles (I did too much research for my own good) that Spaniards can be racist so I was a little concerned coming here, even though the reported prejudice isn't even against Asians, it's against Arabs and the like. But you know, when you're about to live in a new country, you worry about everything. Or maybe that's just me. However, I haven't experienced any racism or prejudice here, and a vast majority of people just don't care what you are, as long as you're a nice person. I say vast majority because I'm sure there are racists out there and I can't speak for everyone, but I haven't encountered them yet. If I really think about it, it's not an unfriendly vibe that I'm feeling, but I definitely think people are curious. Prolonged, direct eye contact is normal here, so when I walk down the street pretty much 95% of people I pass by are staring at me. Like hello, I'm not the first Asian person you've ever seen in your life...
I'm not nearly as stressed about school here, but maybe I'm speaking too soon. Also, I'm taking a lot of art classes as opposed to the heavy science-based workload I always have back in College Park, so naturally, I don't have as much to do. The semester back at home is usually divided up into midterms, papers, and final exams, along with projects and assignments along the way, but the semester here is more like a few quizzes here and there and then a final project at the end. Pros: you don't have to do as much work. Cons: your final mark depends on only a few things, so you better ace all of them because you don't get nearly as many chances to boost your grade. Another weird and somewhat related thing here is that they don't have notebooks with regular lined paper. I've looked in all the stores around my apartment, and they only sell grid paper! So now I'm taking notes on grid paper...?
I definitely feel homesick at times. I miss my family, my car, my comfortable bed and room, being able to eat Korean food whenever I please (I found a Korean grocery store about 20 minutes from where I live so I stocked up on the necessities), but most of all I just miss the familiarity of College Park and actually knowing how to do mundane, every day things. It's a lot to take in when you have to sit down and figure out how to actually DO literally everything for the day. Like today I had to get to an ATM because I finally ran out of euros, and it was a ridiculous process. I would never have to deal with that at home, you know? It's not something I think about. But here, you have to learn everything all over again.
I definitely feel homesick at times. I miss my family, my car, my comfortable bed and room, being able to eat Korean food whenever I please (I found a Korean grocery store about 20 minutes from where I live so I stocked up on the necessities), but most of all I just miss the familiarity of College Park and actually knowing how to do mundane, every day things. It's a lot to take in when you have to sit down and figure out how to actually DO literally everything for the day. Like today I had to get to an ATM because I finally ran out of euros, and it was a ridiculous process. I would never have to deal with that at home, you know? It's not something I think about. But here, you have to learn everything all over again.
Anyways, here are some more pictures!
This is at Placa Reial. I love this place! It's right off La Rambla and I like it because it's a lot more peaceful than the craziness that is La Rambla, and plus, it's really beautiful. There's a fountain in the middle that you can sit on and just look around. It wasn't that loud, either. La Rambla is so loud that you can't really hold a conversation without raising your voice significantly.
Arc de Triomf! I came here with a friend from Japan I made in my Spanish class. The last time I was here, it was cold and rainy, so I didn't get to take a lot of nice pictures, so I definitely took advantage this time.
This is from last night, when I was down at Plaça Espanya. This is an arena that was used for bullfighting, but when it became illegal in Barcelona (good riddance) they turned it into a shopping mall. I didn't take pictures inside but it's pretty cool. They let you go up onto the top where there are outdoor restaurants and a nice panoramic view of Barcelona.
It's sooo beautiful! I can't believe it's free to come up here. The big castle looking thing in the background is the Palau Nacional (national palace). It's also the home of the National Art Museum of Catalonia. On weekends, they light it up really pretty. I'll have to go back with my parents when they come visit soon!
My first time drinking soda since I got here. I'm kind of proud of myself, but it's not even like I drink soda often anyway. Vanessa and I had dinner with our program director/mentor Helena. I absolutely love her, she's so fun to talk to and she has this really calming presence, like I feel so safe and comfortable around her. She also reminds me of a Spanish version of my aunt. It was funny because I commented on how hungry I was and she was like, "Well, it's only 7:30, we do not eat until 9:30 or 10, so you will have to wait!" I'm still getting used to that...
TAPAS! Pa amb tomâquet (bread with tomato and olive oil), Iberian ham croquettes, and patatas bravas. Everything is seriously so delicious here. I have yet to have a single bad meal. Melissa, if you're reading this, you better prepare yourself.
Mountain rice with Catalan sausage and mushrooms. Yeah, I know, it doesn't look very appetizing, but it was so good.
Iberian ham, fries, and egg. A super typical Catalan dish. After you eat the fries, you dip your bread in the yolk until the plate is clean. Helena said, "I don't want to see any yellow left on here!"
Dessert... I forget what they were called but basically it's tiramisu on the right and a lava cake on the left. Super decadent and by this point I was ready to just go to sleep right there at the table.
I'm finally done with my first week of classes. It's seriously been the longest week of my life. I know it'll get easier and better from here on, but it's been a roller coaster for sure. I think tonight is a relaxation kind of night.