Fin de Semana Espanyol

This past weekend was wonderful. Friday night I went with Bartec and Carolina (my two polish flatmates) by train North of bcn along the coast to a town called Mataro. We met up with about 25 other iaeste trainees, had some drinks on the beach and then went to a dance club until they kicked us out around 6. Two trainees, both of whom have been here since the beginning with me, live in Mataro, and let us sleep in the morning at their flat.

Then Saturday afternoon, my flatmates, a german friend named Uwe (pronounced 'Uva') and I went a little further up the coast to a small beach town people at work had recommended, called Caldes d'Estrac,... the beach was amazing! We just spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping and recooperating on the beach. It was really really hot, so being able to swim every 5 minutes was perfect. I just love floating around in the salt water. The water temperature was perfect (cold enought to cool you off, but warm enough you felt that you could stay in it forever) That night we just rested and relaxed back in bcn. The four of us get along really well, and I think a group of 4 is perfect for travelling together,... not too many or too few.

Sunday we went to Monjuic (a big park by my apartment), and visited a village pavillion called Poble Espanyol. This village is made up of a bunch of buildings containing restaurants, shops, and art studios which are themed after the many different regions of the country. We walked around, and then found a nice cafe to have a coffee,... then all of these spanish people sitting at a big table beside us just broke out tons of different instruments and started playing and playing. It just seemed so classically spanish. A hot hot summer evening, relaxing at a cafe, great scenery and company, good coffee and drinks, everyone is very relaxed, and then the music begins and people just start dancing. Those are the best moments, and at times like that I think that I could live here.

I really enjoy how lifestyle is so important to most europeans,... they unconciously make it a priority. I think in North America we more often make work a priority over our lifestyle, especially when we're young (maybe less so as you get older). I hope that I will be able to keep this focus in my life even after I return.

Anyways, the four of us finished off this fantastic weekend with a picnic on the Barcelona beaches Sunday night. Carolina is an amazing cook (apparently all Polish people are), so we ate very well.