Monserrat and Other Recent Happenings

Before I go into the excursion to Monserrat, here are a few pictures from La Boqueria. I went back this week, now that almost all of the stalls are open, and the candy vendors are amaaaazing! There were so many more than this too, with every kind of candy you can imagine (except dutch mints and lemon heads... :( but I guess I will manage for a year) La Boqueria sells every fresh food item you could need, and then towards the back there are vendors with little bars and stools where you can eat right there as they prepare it for you. There is a ginormous fish section too that you can smell from a mile away, that was kinda sad because they have all of the lobster and crab lined up on the table that were swimming just this morning, and are still kicking even after you buy them...

On Wednesday some friends and I went over to Rachel's apartment in Gracia to cook dinner. She lives really close to the mountains, so from her 18th story view you can see the entire city all the way down to the sea. The view was breathtaking!

We cooked a yummy dinner of pasta and salad and garlic bread, and then toasted to having each found great apartments (more on that subject in just a minute), started classes, and have truly begun settling into the city and feeling at home.

The view at night makes the whole city look so quiet and peaceful!

Yesterday we took out excursion out to the beautiful area of Monserrat. It is a monastery tucked into the mountains above Barcelona that avoided the cultural repression and strict policy of the Franco regime, and is one of the most authentically Catalan places that exist today. (Except for the thousands of tourists that flood the mountain everyday of course...) We spent sometime meandering around, but unfortunately only had and hour and a half and could not explore as much as we would have liked. There are gorgeous hiking trails all over the mountain, and tons more to see besides the actual monastery. Okay, here are some pictures:

A sculpture I have seen in lots of pictures, always with people climbing on the top, but I painfully restrained myself after seeing the giant KEEP OFF signs, but it was tough

This is the giant cathedral, it is massive inside. (note the group of people in the center raising their hands. This was entertaining because there were a few who were there mumbling (i'm assuming praying) with their eyes closed and taking it totally seriously, and then those who joined them to put their hand up, with one on the hip and then posing for a picture)

Inside the cathedral, everyone waiting for what was to come...

One of many beautiful stained glass windows around the church

And then, after we got a seat on the steps by the confessional, we watched as the priest came out and welcomed everyone in first Catalan, then Spanish, English, French, Italian, and German. He then read a passage and did a quick prayer all rotating in each language, it was pretty impressive. Although his English accent sounded like Count Dracula and I couldn't help but giggle. Then, the boys choir came out and sang three beautiful songs.

It was so incredible to watch and hear them, I will definitely never forget this, I got shivers and could have cried it was so moving. Unfortunately mid-way through the second song we looked at our watches and noticed that the bus would be leaving in 5 minutes, so we had to dash. I managed to take a couple more pictures on our sprint back though:

It was so great to get out of the city for a day, and not only be surrounded by nature, but such incredible and never-ending stretches of some of the most impressive terrain I have ever seen. We were precariously driving back down the curvy 2-lane road down the mountain to get to our next stop: a cava bodega. So cava is the same thing as champagne, but her if you say champagne, it means you are referring to that which is made across the border in Champagne, France. So cava is Spain's version. When we got the the bodega, we first had to watch an 8-minute zero-information plug about the winery before beginning the tour. We went down 4 levels to see where all of the cava is stored, and learned about the different processes. 

We hopped on these little motor car-tram things and went all through the underground halls which seemed endless. The smell was so strong, and it reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland, if that helps anyone...

The walls were literally dripping with who-knows-what, some black and white sludge, fungus, and mold. The smell and air was overwhelming, but it was so cool to see what time can do, and just how long these bottles have been in the depths, letting the years perfect their flavor and quality. 

Then, of course there was some tasting.

 

We had one with pink one, and one just regular (I was clearly paying attention during his talk...)

They both tasted not cheap. Is that a decent critique?

Anyways, we raided the girft shop and then headed back home. Unfortunately the skies began to open up like I have never seen, and began the crazy storm that did not stop until around 10am this morning. Right when I got home I went to an apartment appointment down the street and I LOVED IT! It is seriously my dream apartment in every way! I talked with the girls for about 2 hours, and now it's mine! It in on Gran Via, the street of the University, literally a street corner from the college front entrance. The room is huge, I have a king-size bed, a sofa, a large coffee table, and a full balcony over the street on the 3rd floor, and a yoga studio is on the 1st floor! I couldn't have asked for anything better, and I move in on the 1st! ALSO! I got the job as an English tutor for the family of 3 boys and I begin on Monday! I am very excited about this week, and everything going on right now, I am starting to feel very at home. I am meeting up now with some friends to go out to lunch and an art museum since it's still not great weather, and then we are going to try another discoteca this evening! I will write again soon, Much Love! Megs