Don't worry- I found the Falafel restaurants in Barcelona

This week was very eventful in Barcelona. We ended up visiting the Museum of Catalan Art which was pretty spectacular. It was in this giant palace looking building (see photos) where they displayed art by Dali, Picasso, Miro and a ton of other Spanish artists.

I met a ton of people this week as some of the other study abroad programs have started so more and more students from the US are coming in- a lot from Indiana. The night life here has been super fun- the nights don't start until 11 or 12 and then end around 5 or 6 a.m. on average.

I am anxiously awaiting Anishee's arrival into Spain! We are planning on visiting 3 or 4 cities around Spain together including Madrid, Toledo, Seville, and Granada- and obviously Barcelona.

On Saturday we had an awesome day trip planned by our program which included a hike up mount Tibidabo as well as an 8 course meal at the top of the mountain (all pre-paid by CIEE). We hiked for about 2 hours up this gorgeous path where we passed the "hamptons" of Barcelona with beautiful estates and old architecture. Once we were at the top we ate at a restaurant called "Calcotadas" which literally means "onions." The entire meal was based around this grass root onion which is a specialty in Catalunya. They grilled these long stringy onions on a BBQ and then they taught us the proper way to eat them. Delicious is an understatement. Then they brought out this combination of wine and sparkling water drink and let us all drink out of a "peron" which is a type of glass that everyone in the restaurant could share because it never touches your mouth! (see photos to get a better idea of what I am talking about). This day was easily the best day in Barcelona thus far. We had a GREAT time at the top of the mountain and ended up going out to a club called Elefante with a bunch of friends.

Class has been going pretty well so far. I only have an intensive spanish course and a course on the European Union right now. My other classes will pick up around January 25th.

On a side note, I found a great falafel restaurant right near my house and it is delicious- they have that spicy red sauce that I love!

I will write soon!!!