Hi Family. I know I have been a little MIA this week, but it has definitely been a struggle of a week. I caught strept throat and have been really sick all week. But finally I am done with my medicine and feeling well just in time for the weekend. A lot has happened over the week, including a weekend trip! So here we go..
Destination: Munich, Germany.
Last Friday, September 24th, me and a crew of people ventured out to Munich for the yearly festival of Oktoberfest. Since we were late in booking our trip there weren't any hotels availble... so you are looking at my home! They had a huge camp ground filled with tents.. we stayed in the STOKE section which was designed for college students. They campsite was basically its own event/party. The staff was really nice but it just wasn't working for us. The first day Friday was super warm so it was fine, but it started to get really cold/pour down rain Friday night. All night my tent leaked, my sleeping bag didn't zip up, and I shivered. Some of my friends were staying in a Sheraton right next to the event grounds, and we happened to ask if they had any rooms... someone had just canceled! So we ended up moving to a hotel a LOT closer (we were about 20 km away at the campsite), warmer, and nicer. Camping was definitely an experience, and it was fun for one night. :)
Off to the festival! Friday night we were able to get into a tent at Oktoberfest. For those of you who don't know much about Oktoberfest, I will explain it. It is basically a huge carnival. There are about 15 tents for the different beer companies. Each tent has its own party basically inside, which is like a beer hall. You stand on the benches of the tables, and sway back and forth screaming German songs (and a LOT of American ones too!) And saying PROST to everyone, while cheersing. It is SO much fun, and so cultural. The men and women come in their typical German outfits, with kids and all. Saturday day we went to the carnival part of Oktoberfest as well as some of the outdood beer gardens for the different tents. It was so cold though... I actually thought it might snow. It stopped raining in the afternoon which was nice so we were able to enjoy the day. Saturday night (the 25th) a group of us went to downtown Munich to explore and have dinner.
Unfortunately my camera was stolen on this trip so I don't really have a lot of pictures. But Sunday the 26th, I woke up really sick. I slept until 3pm and just knew something was wrong. My tonsils were huge and I had a fever. I wanted to spend some quality time in the city and seeing some of the most famous landmarks in the world. So, I went to Dachua, the concentration camp. It was so moving, and very interesting. I know cool is the wrong word, but it was cool because I felt apart of the history, and was able to understand more of the war and put life into perspective. I went with my friend Jake, and we had the most amazing tour guide. He made us actually feel something inside of just explain the sites to us. Sunday night we went to the Hauf Brau House (my dad said I had to go there!), and just walked around it. Since I wasn't feeling good we went to dinner at a cafe right across from it. We walked around Munich some more and just ventured through the different streets. We saw a few churches, as well as their city center. Munich is gorgeous, and so clean!! We were back in Barcelona Monday night (27th). I was so happy to be home, in my bed, with my wonderful roommates. Since I was SO sick, I actually cried when they opened the door and hugged me. We are our own little family here in Girona 15. Monday night was rough, it was my first big break down here... I just wanted my parents!
Tuesday was an adventure! I finally got my cell phone as well as a package from my mom of all the things I forgot/miss about home! But then it was off to the doctors... I was really nervous about it, but it ended up being fine. The doctor was an older man, and it was a private practice in an apartment. The business has been passed down through many generations. He was super nice and caring. He is recommended through my program and wanted to know all about my family and life in America. He gave me his personal number in case I needed anything or had any questions and told me he would call my parents if they wanted to talk to him. He was awesome. Dr. Seval was his name.
Ok.. SO SCHOOOOOOL! I got a B on my first test! Yipeeee in Media and Politics. In my communications class we were all assigned a Spanish peer. We have to meet with them once every 2 weeks. On Thursday afternoon I met with mine, I have two. Gabrielle and Joanna. Gabrielle is 21, and Joanna is almost 19. They are in college at the University of Barcelona. We went to lunch, and sat and talked for 3 hours. They were so nice and so easy to talk to. We are going to go shopping together, and do some fun activities together. I had a great time talking with them and learning more about Spain. Our topic for the week was to discuss education. I am writing a paper about American's education vs. Spain's education, their similarities as well as differences.
On Thursday night I was invited to go out to dinner with my friend Leonard and his parents. It was so much fun. I met them at their hotel, and we had a bottle of wine and tapas in the garden. Then we went to the rooftop, which was so peaceful, with water, and flowers. The roof had a 360 degree view of Barcelona, and we watched the sunset. It was so incredible, we all decided not to take pictures so we could keep that perfectness in our heads. Then after the tapas, we went to a restaurant that was AMAZING. It had so much personality, and it is very famous. All the presidents have been there, as well as celebrities, and what not. The waiters all wore sailorish outfits too. I ordered veal with fresh vegetables. Leonard got kid-goat. I also tried duck, and I loved it. His parents were so nice, and it was wonderful to spend time with them. It is exactly what I needed, a little bit of home in a way.
Destination: Dali and Girona.
(Left is the entrance to the museum, and the right is the famous outside of the building. I am with my two roommates Lindsay and Betsy).
Yesterday, Friday October 1st, I went to the Dali museum as well as Girona for the day with my school. Dali was crazy, as well as interesting. The things he thought up and saw to be art were very intriguing. The little town was very cute as well. Dali loved LIPS, so there were some cool things with lips on them. (I got my mom and dad gifts!) Then we took the bus out to Girona. We walked around the city, the jewish part/midevil section. Then had gelato in a little square. It was a long day, but very fun and educational. Some of the pretties views!
The top is the view from the very top of the cathedral. The bottom is me with my two roommates Lindsay and Betsy on the bridge looking down most of the city of Girona. It was such a pretty city. Below is us in front of the cathedral. I cropped it because our faces are funny... we were not ready at all to take the picture, but it totally describes us!
Life is good in Barcelona! I am a little homesick, but I will get over it! Tomorrow night we are going to see the Barcelona "futball" (soccer) team play against Mallorca. It should be a good time! We are going with our whole program. We have a long weekend this upcoming weekend, so we will be traveling once again. It is really cheap to travel here, airfare costs nothing. My roommates mom is coming into town tomorrow morning, and bringing me a new camera! (I ordered one online and shipped to her house).
Miss you all! SOMEONE COME VISIT ME! :) XOXO.
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