Dreaming of Land- Barcelona

Apparently today is only the fourth day on the ship, but already a lot of students have seemingly lost track of time. With our loaded days, people can't help but think that they have been here for weeks. In reality, with the amount of reading a lot of us have been assigned, we've probably done about a week's worth of work already. It's tiring, but not overwhelmingly overwhelming. I sleep better at night...

Surprisingly, I've been on top of my game in terms of work. I'm supposed to read three chapters in my psychology book before next week; I've already finished two. (I think I read more pages these past two days than in all of Fall 2010 semester.) Elementary French has been quite an adjustment in terms of reading; the vowels and diphthongs don't match too well with the four languages I've tried to learn in the past (Deutsch, Español, English, Tagalog), and the fact you neglect to pronounce the consonants at the end of words just makes me angry. Fortunately, I am a linguist fluent in IPA, and I have a dictionary, so I can make my way through, albeit with a little more work than the other languages. Curse you France, but like so many before me, I will conquer you as well!

I've been quietly cornered into really planning out my time in Barcelona. We have four days in port, but last month I had already signed up for two Field Trips through Semester At Sea. I wanted the other two days to explore the city on my own, but I had to lose one of those. Due to a scheduling conflict in Morocco, I have to take an additional faculty directed practicum (FDP) while in Barcelona. But with this city alone, I'm still sure my summer will be better than most of yours.

I know a lot of people are taking the opportunity to run around on their own with this country, whether they are finding their way to Madrid, the capital, or to Ibiza, which I hear is a riot. There are also smaller villages here and there to see. But These field programs will be worth it.

The first day I'm taking an afternoon tour of Barcelona. This will be followed by a flamenco performance. Having a day like this should give me plenty of time to see any famous architecture Barcelona might have (well, from the outside at least). It's always good to knock out the sightseeing in one day. Obviously you know how much I'm a sucker for ethnic dances. Hopefully I'm allowed to take pictures from the flamenco performance to share with you all, maybe sneak a video in.

The second day is free. I haven't planned out anything with anyone, but hopefully I can find someone to run around the city with independently, maybe check out places to eat, markets to shop, and souvenirs to haggle. I know I'm not gonna spend (too much) money though, gotta work within the budget.

The third day is going to be epic. I'm taking a tour of Camp Nou, home of the EUFA Champion's League Champs FC Barcelona. They also apparently have a museum; will I see that trophy? Hopefully there's a gift shop too so I can get a Lionel Messi jersey. That would top off everything. Apparently there's also an FC Barcelona Museum. There should be even more trophies to gawk at!

I have to sit through the FDP on the boat with Doctors Without Borders on the last day. It would be cool if I was trying to be a doctor, but alas, I am but a linguist. I could have used the extra day for some personal experience, but I think one independent day should suffice.

Alright, tonight I'm attending an Esperanto seminar (*cough* Austin Wood *cough*). Maybe I'll learn some useful phrases. Then I'll watch Inception then lose an hour of sleep, ugh. I'll write more tomorrow.

Contact: afrancisco@semesteratsea.net (Really, I don't mind conversation. Talk to me.)