Friday, May 25, 2012

Montserrat

Today we were fortunate enough to visit Montserrat, a Spanish monastery up in the mountains of Catalonia. The area was absolutely beautiful & the architecture and art inside the monastery was stunning. We even got to experience part of mass & hear a young boys choir inside! The sorbet limona gelato was super yummy as well :) 

View from the bottom

View while riding the ski lift-like machine

Another beautiful view
Left my mark on the top of the mountain ;)

Inside the monastery

Beautiful architecture & art

Steph & I on the rocks

1170-1970: for all priests from the region

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Dream Job

Inside the BROSMIND creative advertising studio. Owned by 2 Spanish graphic designers who happen to be brothers.

Monday, May 21, 2012

la boqueria de barcelona

Our first day of class & first trip to la boqueria on les ramblas! 










Such a wide array of colors & smells. I love it here. So beautiful & busy. 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

barca

Being in a place where absolutely no one knows your name & few speak your language can really be terrifying. The cab ride from Katie's hotel to my apartment made me extremely anxious; I'm still not quite sure whether it was the cappuccino italiano that did the trick, or the mere fact that I was on my own with a driver who only knew Spanish that made me queasy....

.....we also weren't allowed to check into our room until 5 pm, so getting here at 2 definitely didn't help....

Even though a sense of panic swept over me, I forced myself to take a walk & just enjoy the city. So now -- as I write -- I am sitting on the cutest park bench with doves skipping at my feet & roses caressing my "smell" buds (can that be similar to the taste buds???), and I am content!

Things I have noticed thus far: small Spanish-speaking children fascinate me, people still ride razor scooters, and the men wear too much cologne. Oh, and it's absolutely beautiful here!



Saturday, May 19, 2012

Here at last!


When we initially got off the plane and attempted to flag down a taxi, our huge grins & MSU T-shirts gave us away instantly. Bob Marley & luscious palm trees greeted us, masking our "study trip" as an elaborate vacation....

Monday, May 14, 2012