Barcelona was nice to visit, but similar to Athens… I do not think I will be going back. It might have just been my experience, but true to some of the warnings I received before going there, they do not like Americans. It is understandable as to why-- Americans are a pain. There is an influx of students that descend on the city for each semester who go there to party and many do not try to learn the language or interact with the Spaniards. Americans are loud and obnoxious, and of this I am guilty. We spent most of our free time walking in large groups around the city. Honestly, the only good part about the city was the beach during the day and the park that overlooks the city.
The nightlife was overpriced (15€ entrada con bebida) but was nonetheless fun and we danced until 4 in the morning. Luckily the friends of a Preshquita knew the name of a club promoter, Kike (Keekay, also known as sketch-ay) and we got in for free for the Valentine’s Day Party. Free Lollypops as well! Barcelona seemed like you needed a purpose to be there. It is more of a working city and for people who have money-- we Preshquit@s do not. From Barcelona we took the AVE (high-speed train) to Córdoba and our host parents met us in the train station.
My host “mother” is really nice and we get along well. The first day here we ate on the balcony that overlooks the Rectorado of the Universidad de Córdoba and the view of the mountains in the back. It is a great view to wake up to every morning. Her dog is fun as well. I am glad that there is a little puppy around to keep me warm. I know I had said it was not that cold on our tour, but it is freezing here in Córdoba during the evening. Everything is made out of stone for the summer months which are longer than winter… I just wished things would dry. I do not think my towel has completely dried since the first day I used it! Oh well. It will be warm soon enough and I cannot wait.
The first week here has been pretty busy. Between resting up from all the travelling I had been doing I went to some classes at the university. I have decided to take the history of Al-Andalus which is the Islamic name for this section of Spain. The professor talks slow enough that I think I will understand him! The classes taught by PRESHCO professor start this next Monday as well as guitar lessons. I get to rent a guitar through PRESHCO and they offer free Spanish guitar lessons which I think will be really fun. There seems to be a lot of interest in it also so it will be a great way to meet people. My host mom Olga and her boyfriend took me to and olive oil factory in the country and then Málaga for lunch Sunday. It was a great way to see the countryside and get another tour of Spain. I feel like I have been all over the country already! (I have just got to get to the Canary Islands now… It is warm there!). Today we went to the Mezquita in the center of Córdoba which was much prettier than I had thought. The beauty is just hidden inside the building. The building has a long history and was built upon and reused many times. As we were leaving the courtyard, they were setting up for a concert of some sort and “Imagine” came on. It was funny but a good way to remember the visit.
Córdoba is a nice city. Definitely a manageable size that I feel like I will get to know people. Not only Spaniards but also other Europeans because there are a lot of study abroad programs in the city… specifically Erasmus which is the inter-European study abroad program. The neighborhoods are quite interesting and I am glad I live in the Ciudad Jardin. There are a lot of cheap bars and restaurants here as well as a nice park where people walk their dogs. Also, I am in love with the Chinos-- their racially designated version of a dollar store. You can find anything here, but as a word of caution, do not walk in with another chino bag. I did this and the little boy of maybe 10 working the register yelled at me. They sell the same things in each store apparently and they do not want you stealing. Understandable, but it is different. And the sales here are great this time of year! Everything in all the stores is between 30-70% off. I have gotten to know the city a little through both my running and shopping with Preshquit@s (gender neutral). Tomorrow we have a trip to Medina Azahara.
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