Sailing the Mediterranean

Here is a picture of Anton (a spanish masters student from work), and Hoelger (one of the iaeste students that I´m living with). They introduced me to the very popular bar Xampaneria last Thursday. This bar is known for being extremely busy all the time, such that you can barely move. It only serves cava to drink (red or white sparkling wine), and lots of tapas and sandwhiches. You have to yell your order in spanish to the guys serving behind the bar. Below is a picture of Hoelgur and his spanish girlfriend Silvia.

Friday we went to a sort of student pub called Ovella Negra (black sheep) where the sangria is excellent. It´s very relaxed atmosphere was a nice change from the chaotic discoteques and clubs.

Saturday I joined a bunch of my coworkers for a sailing trip out of Barcelona harbour. It was free as the company has many customers there who use our products for coating the hulls of their big yachts. Unfortunately it was the only day so far when the weather wasn´t the greatest. As you can see in the pictures below it was very cloudy, and there was very much wind. It was a relaxing ride (but not very exciting), and the waves out in the mediterannean were substantial.

Afterwards we went out for lunch, and in the afternoon I met up with Australian iaeste student, Peter, who will also be working at Hempel with me. We dropped by the large, and very traditional roman catholic cathedral in the center of the gothic quarter in Barcelona, and I was able to snap a couple of pics of the beautiful sanctuary.

Sunday was spent shopping and then going to one of Barcelona´s two beaches. Week number 2 has begun!