Leslie Visits Barcelona & My First Barça Game!

This week has been so crazy and hectic! I had midterms on Tuesday and Wednesday, work all week, classes, intercambio, got told I now have a in-class presentation for Anthropology next week, and all the while I have had two lovely visitors camped out on my bedroom floor. Leslie and her friend Jen (also a UCSC slug) stayed here from Sunday afternoon to this morning, Thursday. It was so much fun to see her after all of this time, but unfortunately I had to leave them with the guide books to explore on their own while I attended class and studied for my exams. It wasn't until last night when I had some actual time to relax and enjoy their company. First we went out to lunch in the Gothic Quarter when I got out of class, and then did lots of shopping. I am having so much fun Christmas shopping already! Then we meandered about for a while, and then came back to my apartment to make dinner. Afterwards I took them to the cafe down the street to meet up with my intercambio friends, and although the Catalan barrier caused some problems, the Spanish girls were very interested in asking them about their studies and where they are from in California. Since every week we meet to chat at the cafe, next week they are all 3 coming to my apartment to cook dinner, and everyone is supposed to bring something traditional from their towns to prepare. I am excited to try some authentic food, but who knows what kind of 'authentic' creation I can make for them. Any suggestions? Anyways after the intercambio we met up with my friends Tamar, Alyssa and Joanna and all headed to the stadium for the Barcelona game!

I don't remember the name of the team they were playing (from the tip of Northern Africa), but the game was no competition. They won 5-1, and played mostly their less-known players. However, after the audience chanted over and over during the second half MESSI! MESSI! MESSI! and waving their arms like they were bowing down to the field, they switched in the player Messi, who is one of the most popular, and most talented on the team. Within the first 2 minutes that he was on the field he had an assist and then a goal. He was amazing to watch, and although we were in the boonies with our 11 euro seats, you could catch his flowing locks and be able to spot him on the field (the only one with long curly hair). It was freeeeeezing last night, so once the second half started we moved down to the better, more sheltered seats. Here are some pictures from the game:

This week was a lot of fun, but this weekend I have to play catch-up once again to get on top of my two Anthropology classes. However, it is supposed to be beautiful weather, which should never be wasted, so I'm sure there will be lots of fun breaks mixed in with school work. Hope you are all well! Love, Megs