1

I'm back in the states now, but I figured I should offically close down the blog- end it. So for 1, I'm doing the 1 most memorable thing about Salamanca:

I'll never forget the first night I was in Salamanca. My family said they were going to the plaza, and I could either come with or stay home. So I went with. We walked down crowded streets, filled with people doing January rebaja (sale) shopping, for a good mile and a half or so before getting to the plaza- and when we got there, I was absolutely in awe. I literally gasped and my madre got a huge smile across her face, and said, "it's pretty, isn't it?" pretty doesn't even describe it. It was breath-taking. And now, it's funny, because it's not just the plaza anymore. Now its where memories were made. All the times we met under the clock. The times we gathered at night. The times we needed to escape the centro so we went for gelato/yogurt in the plaza. Every day that we passed through on the way to and from class. The place where we waited for the lights to come on, and the place we sat on our last night as they turned the lights off. I spent my first and my last night in that plaza.  (Oh God- this took me to a Mensaka place...story is a circle...ends how it began...I literally just cringed)

But it was really cool to end the same way it all began. (thanks Jeff for possibly your MOST genius idea!) It was the perfect ending to the perfect life experience. I don't have a single regret regarding my Salamanca experience (except for possibly considering Costa Rica for too long before finally deciding on Salamanca). There are things that were hard, and there were situations that were flat out uncomfortable- but I think that it all worked together to help me get the most out of the experience. I mean I have memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime- and thats pretty darn cool, and makes every little difficulty of the semester worth it :)

So that's that, for the Spain experience. Thanks for following me through this experience, I really hope you enjoyed it and got to learn a little bit about Spain and maybe about me!

As for my immediate future; I'll be sticking around NH until mid-June substitute teaching and spending time with family and friends. Then in the middle of June, I'll be heading down to Nicaragua where I'll be working with two different organizations to develop and implement business plans. Life moves pretty fast- and it's all one big adventure. I'm nervous for Nicaragua, but soooo excited. I think the one thing I learned from my whole study abroad experience is that we can't let fear stand in the way- we can't let it keep us from doing what we want to do. Living means forgetting that there's a tomorrow- it means we take each moment that we're given, knowing that there's no guarantee for another moment. There's a quote that I love which says, "yesterday's a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissory note. Today's the only cash we have- let's spend it, but spend it wisely".

I'm planning on blogging from Niceragua, so I will post the address on fb when I start it, and e-mail it out to those of you who don't have facebook.

With all the love in my heart,
May God bless you,

Rachel

2!

How about 2 embarassing moments I've had in my Spain experience:

1. Sintra, Portugal. Scene: Rachel, David, and Jeff are basically climbing a mountain to go to the castle on top (it was like a hike in the woods). I had to go to the bathroom very badly. There aren't too many times that I can say that I felt like my bladder was going to burst...but this was an unfortunate time where I could say that...after a long inner battle, and then a long vocal battle as I debated with my friends whether or not to utilize nature, I decided my basic decision was between peeing in the woods or peeing in my pants. Conveniently there was this rock wall so I just de-trailed and took care of my bladder's needs. Anyhow- not fun- not classy. But it gets better. I turn to go return to the trail and there's an elderly couple on the other side of said rock wall. I don't know if they saw me or not. I booked it back to my friends and up the trail to evacuate the scene. embarassing.

2. In Madrid we decided to go to this Thai food place. (yum). We actually went there twice (on separate trips to Madrid). The restaurant is called Phuket. Now I don't know how you actually pronounce that- but I may or may not have accidentally said it at raised volume in the restauraunt in a way that sounds an awful lot (aka identical) to some pretty obscene english language. Embarassing.

3!

3 things I've learned while in Spain (about myself or in general):

1. How to navigate Public transportation systems. I mean, I can still grow in this area- but it's pretty cool for me to be able to walk into a subway and understand what the heck is going on- or to know how to take train to metro to AVE. And under time constraints. (granted we never left me in charge...just in case...but I really am capable now and do not always feel directionally challeneged anymore)--along the same lines, just setting up travel. Figuring out how to budget your time to make sure to leave enough time to get to the bus from your airplane terminal. Sometimes a doozy- but a good skill to have acquired.

2. That having a positive outlook is NOT synonymous with being naive. I came to Spain as a naive individual. I assume the best in all people and situations- and that's wrong. You can't always give people the benefit of the doubt and trust blindly. But that also doesn't mean you have to walk around waiting for bad things to happen. I read a sign here that said "a pessimist is simply an informed optimist". I mean- I don't like the word pessimist, and I think this quote is wrong. Rather it should be "optimist is an informed naivist"- because being optimistic and hoping for the best doesn't mean you have to be clueless. This lesson was a hard one to learn- but worth it.

3. You should never waste time being anything other than yourself. The fact of the matter is, that if people aren't going to like you for who you are, then why would you want them to like you in the first place? I'm someone who cares much too much about how others perceive me, and it took me a long time to realize that I can't be all things to all people. You're not gonna be best friends with all people- so just be yourself and be friends with who you naturally are friends with.

Paz y Amor!

4 (oops-studying made me fall behind)

4 things that I'm looking forward to about going home:

1. Not having people stop talking to me or literally walking away when I can't understand them...one of the most stressful things is when you are trying for all you are worth to understand what is happening around you. A stranger asks a favor and then walks away when they realize you aren't fluent. I'm going to love being able to fully participate in conversation again

2. Living on the american schedule (for however long or short a time that is)- I'm sorry- I love Spain to death, but you can only eat dinner at 11 PM so many times before you never want to do that again...The days are just so long- you wake up at 8ish eat breakfast then you do class and stuff til 3, eat lunch between 3 and 345 ish, go back to do work and whatever eat dinner between 10 and 11, and then get ready for bed. I like the schedule back home better

3. Being able to cook. I've missed that. But Maite is captain of that kitchen and I just wouldn't dare even ask to cook for them (I offered to make pancakes- boom shut down. repeatedly)

4. Seeing mi familia! It's been a lonnnnnnngggggg time. So I'm just excited and ready to go back

Amor!
Rachel

3.

5

So in 5 days I will be back home...which made me think I would reflect a little, so here I go with 5 things I'll miss about Spain/my Spain experience:

1. Being able to walk everywhere- do you know how amazing it is to be able to walk to anywhere you want- whether it be shopping, movies, restaurants, libraries (yeah I never used one of those), parks, class, monuments...ANYTHING! It's amazing!!

2. Bakeries EVERYWHERE--this is probably actually a blessing in disguise...but CROSSAINTERIA PARIS (spelt that wrong...), HORNO, Delicasstae(?), Mandala, Strudel...gonna miss those little guys. which brings me to my next point:

3. SPANISH COFFEE- I'm pretty sure that spanish coffee is composed of: espresso, milk, magic, and love. That might sound corny- but I think you can literally taste the love (the magic is hard to pick up on...but the proof that its there comes in the inability to replicate the cafe con leche from some of the aforementioned locations)- Delicasstae(?still dont know if thats what its called), Mandala, Javi Copa (yeah its a bar-and they know me as the girl who drinks coffee...you wanna talk about doing a number on your social reputation with strangers...try being the kid who goes into a bar 3 times a week and gets coffee...), Pancake, Cafe Toro...its been good times. sighhh.

4. Travelling- obviously, I don't have to stop travelling when I go back home, but I am going to miss being able to pick anywhere within decent proximity and being able to get there fairly easy. Im going to miss the ridiculous adventures of pulling all nighters in airports (I mean they were rough-but fun). I'm going to miss the process of choosing a location with friends to go to and then just doing it.I'm gonna miss Javier's crazy itineraries, that always seemed to piss everyone off except for me (call me crazy- but I like organized...especially when I had nothing to do with it), and I'm gonna miss the times that we go on our own trips and talk as if we're spiting Javier by not going to a Cathedral or by stopping and taking pictures. And I guess what I'm going to miss most about the trips, and spain experience in whole is my next point, which is:

5. Hanging out (almost every waking moment) with the friends I've made here- the good thing is they all go to Wake, so in the fall obviously all the friendships resume. But there's something about being abroad that makes it different. I came to Spain with a group of people who I considered aquaintences and strangers for the most part. But somehow, strangers and aquaintences became friends with whom I forsee life long friendships. This sounds super corny- but I feel like Spain kind of helped me to become myself, and for the first time I didn't have to put walls up, and people got to see me being me, with no inhibitions. I am so grateful for all the people who I have really gotton to know this semester and share this experience with. The people who stood and waited as I started hyperventilating and crying on the middle of the sidewalk outside the train station when everything felt like it was spiraling out of control, and helped me to realize that everything works out. The person who helped me to see that a 60 on an art test wasnt the end of the world (same person who helped talk some sense into me with my internship struggle- and helped me to reason logically). The person who would sit and talk on the corner for 2-3 hours after our strudel nights, and then talk to me for 15 mins more on the phone to make sure I got home all right. The person who would stay for lunch at the centro as we tried to motivate eachother to do our papers. The people who I walked to class with every day (except tuesdays). The people who were the "fearless leaders" on trips. The people who would be absolutely ridiculous with me. The people who could always be convinced (or really simultaneously decided) that it was a good time for a pastry, a coffee, a gelato, or a Carrefour trip. The people who I travelled with. The people who I could make snort laugh (whether they were laughing cuz something was funny or just laughing at me is of little importance).The person who maybe had some merit in suggesting that maybe we don't have to define everything, but rather, just live. The people who went along with my dumb matching outfits (intentionally or unintentionally). The person who had no problem embarrassing me in business class (pop lock and drop it) The people who woke up at ungodly hours for breakfast parties while travelling. the people who would dance Waka waka with me regardless of where we were (oh hey boat deck...). The person who made sure I didn't forget I had a jewish name (and who inadvertanly caused a tour guide to question me on Hebrew writing in Cordoba). The people who listened to me babble on and on, sometimes making a fool of myself, in general and in front of javier (I still dont know how you ask what the temperature will be). The people who listened to me sing, who listened to me make bad jokes, references, puns. The people who "educated" me on all kinds of topics. And just, the people who made me realize that when things seem bad and even unbearable, that we can rely on eachother- that friendship is enough to overcome and even heal each other of whatever's going on around us. I'm gonna miss these people- and yet I'm going to carry what I've learned from everyone in this group with me forever. And that's what I'm most grateful for :)

Life is goooooood

Fun fact: I am a craft-a-holic. But if I try and do a project that is too ambitious, I end up doing half of it and then leaving it. The amount of unfinished afghans, unfinished cross-stitching patterns, latch hook rug thingies, hats, pillows, etch arts etc etc is just mind blowing. For this reason, I do much better with smaller craft items.

Anyhowwwww....I spent this past weekend in Mallorca! Three musketeers with some irish persuasion! BOOM! (that sounds better with asian...cuz of the rhyme factor...but go with it) Let me tell you about an experience called: I spent the weekend in PARADISE!!! 2 days at the beach and one day on an excursion to the porto cristo and to the pearl factory and to the Caves of Drach... I'm pretty sure that every magazine picture of paradise is probably taken in Mallorca. Never have I seen water so clear and beautiful (with a wonderful bluish green coloring...sighhhhhh)

Everyone is so nice in Mallorca too! They all told us how fantastic our spanish was (I think they get used to the tourism, and so any spanish is nice for them to hear). They also would then continue to converse with you because they were happy with  hearing spanish. I loved it. LOVED IT!!! Unfortunately, in the German part of town, spanish really did no good. But german home baked pretzels certainly did us lots of good :)

Did I happen to buy some Mallorcan pearls?...No comment.

Oh, and on another note, EXCITING NEWS!!!! My internship search is all over. I have accepted my internship for the summer. Drum roll, drum roll: I am going to be spending 6-8 weeks this summer down in Nicaragua working to develop marketing plans for elderly homes :)  I am SOOOOO pumped. It was a stressful process trying to figure out internship plans while abroad, but let me tell you, all the stress was well worth it. It was so hard to turn down the internship I was offered in Winston a month or so back, but now, it kind of all makes sense. It all now helps me to remember that I truly do think everything happens for a reason. I wish I was better at remembering these sorts of things in times of stress, and not just realizing them after-the-fact. Oh well. Better late than never! I am so excited to start finding out all the specifics of my internship, and will certainly keep you all posted! (And hey, maybe even start a new blog...who knows.)

Anyhow, that's all for now. Off to my 12-pager (eek)

With muchooooo love,
Rachel :)

Heading off to Paradise :)

This week has been crazy. Absolutely crazy. So much stress in so little time. So much calling the states. I usually love being in Spain, absolutely love it. The time that I'm not loving it- the time when I need to call everyone and their brother back at Wake to try and figure out my internship situation.

Fun fact: I'm an outrageously indecisive person. Usually, this is fine, because I'm also a very accomodating person, and so it works out that I just end up going with the flow. When I have to make a personal decision- that's when the stress sets in...

I don't want to talk more about the internship dilemma right now- because I don't want to think about it right now during this period of waiting- I'll just update you once this decision has been made. Good things are gonna happen :) 

I also had 2 papers due this week- and then there's one more (of the 12-page variety eekkk) due next week. And then beginning next Friday come finals. How are we preparing for the weeks to come?... one last hurrah! MALLORCA! BOOM! (Which I'm basically assuming is going to be a weekend of paradise for rejuvinating before finals!)   :) 

So anyhow, I'll post again on Monday, and hopefully let you know about the internship then!

Hasta lunes!
Rachel

Yeah, I'm still alive in case you were getting concerned :)

Fun fact: I feel that I have officially reached the status of "coffee addict"...I'm debating whether that should concern me or not, and whether I should address it this summer or not...

So for the past week we were in Andalucia (Southern Spain) for our Spring break, and then I have been chilling in Salamanca since Thursday. Okay okay, I know there are a lot of places that I've said I could see myself living or vacationing...if I ever flee, and you're wondering where to find me, I've probably taken up residence in Andalucia. I am sooooo glad that we had a whole week there, rather than just a weekend! What makes Southern Spain so cool? Well- because of its proximity to Northern Africa there has historically been (and still is) a huge amount of Arab influence on the region, manifested in the forms of art, architecture, food, and probably other things...I just can't think of anything at this moment. Fun fact- Southern Spain (I think) is one of the only regions where the Bible was printed in Arabic (in vast quantities) because the majority of people didn't speak or read spanish.

We also saw a ton of Roman ruins, which was just so mind-blowing. Like Andalucia is just this amazing mix of paradise meets history meets art wonder meets artisan fair...aka: Rachel's dreamland. Before Andalucia my souvenier purchases consisted of one picture frame and 2 shot glasses. Oh boy am I glad that I didn't buy anything else earlier on- because Im not sure my suitcase could handle it...I know am the proud owner of an entire tea set- including pot, tray, and 6 glasses...a hand painted terra cotta plate, and a handmade wooden jewelry box. They have these handmade wooden end tables...I intend to own one of those in my life. They are UHHHH-MAZEEEE-INGGGG!!!

Oh I forgot to mention the fact that we were in Andalucia for Semana Santa (Holy Week). It is hard for me to try and explain the importance this week holds here. A whole week before Easter there are processions and main roads of cities literally shut down so that these processions can occur. They have giant floats of different saints, figures and Biblical scenes. These processions would last for hours!! One day, I forget the name of the city we were in, the processions began at 8:30 PM, and when we went to bed at about 2:00 AM they were still going strong.

Anyhow, we're gonna wrap this up with a little photgraphic display of the week:

Roman ruins

Mezquita de Cordoba

Flamenco dancing

Procession float

Bucket list check! (And crime...)

Nom nom nom :)

All right that's all for now! Happy Easter!!!

Love,
Rachel

Internship Update

fUN fact of the day: I give pretty good advice- but I am horrible at following advice

Let me tell you about my life these days...I got an internship offer with a company in advertising/sales down in Winston for the summer. Oh man, ecstatic is an understatement of how I felt in that moment. Can I just tell you, the feeling of applyin, getting through two rounds of interviews and then being chosen for a position you want feels really really great. That positive affirmation that someone has enough faith in you that they want you to represent their company...idk, that just, it feels good.

But um, there were a couple things about this internship that really weren't the best for me, and I was slightly blinded by optimism and happiness (not to mention living in Winston for the summer....oh heyyy), that I wasn't thinking necessarily about what would be best for my future career goals or for my internship experience. So today before lunch I rejected the position offer.

It never felt so bad to get something that I really really wanted. Oh yeah, something I left out...I had applied to 4 internships, and this was the only one I heard back from...so basically I turned down an offer, and have nothing to fall back on. The worst feeling is turning your back on a sure thing without having a fallback...from the hours of about 2 PM til about 10 mins ago I've been in a bit of a slump. (Did I consume upwards of 1000 calories in the form of tostitos and guacamole...I don't wanna talk about it!...)

The past 12 hours have been filled with a lot of second guessing and fear that I'm going to end up not getting an internship and not graduate on time and all kinds of crazy thoughts. Beautiful news though: my unsecure network internet is functioning tonight...So I checked my facebook and e-mail and everything, and I had an e-mail waiting for me that they will be conducting interviews this week for one of the other internships I applied for if I'm still interested. I turned that application in a few weeks ago, and thought it might be a lost cause, but in this moment, I feel so at peace. Who knows if I'll get this one...(I mean lets all keep our fingers crossed and maybe put in a few words with the big guy, if you do that) but, I just kind of had that overwhelmed conviction that everything happens for a reason.

Good things are in the making! We just have to wait patiently to find out what that means. (I'm really bad at heeding my own advice there...but I'm gonna try my best!)

Welp, I'm off to Andalucia tomorrow for our Spring Break (booyah) so I have no idea when I'll be posting again. So with all the love in my heart!!

Hasta Luego
<3 Rachel

The Porto Experience :)

Fun fact: I like having options...I hate making decisions.

So we spent this past weekend in Porto. Note: 2 AM buses are about as fun as they sound...so proceed with caution if you are intending to book one. Porto is so awesome!! In case the name doesn't make it obvious...it's a port town on the Atlantic (in Portugal) and can you guess what they are famous for manufacturing?...Port wines!

We spent Friday walking around the beach and the town...so quaint!!!

and then on Saturday took a ride down the river and went to a couple distilleries (is that what they're called?...I think so).  I haven't really liked the wine too much since we've been here...so strong, but this was fun and good wine :) 

That's honestly about all we did in Porto- it's one of those places that's more for relaxing and chilling out. And it was awfully nice to have a weekend to just veg. out and relax. :)

Some highlights: -minigolf: I didn't come in last place! HUZZAH!!
                           -natalie getting pooped on: I'm sorry Mrs. Hartmann, I know that's insensitive and all...but it was funny stuff:

Okay, I should probably get a move on with my essay...hasta manana!!

Abrazos,

Rachel

I almost forgot this was real life...

This has been one of those weeks where I kind of remembered that I'm not on vacation. Why? Internship search... I have been applying like no one's business, trying to secure something. I get really anxious though, so not hearing back sometimes makes me feel very nervous...I did hear back from one, though. Actually a couple hours ago I had the phone interview. I think it went fine, but I hear back from the internship next week, so I'll keep you posted!

I know the internship thing will work out (mostly because it has to) so I'm not overly worried. I'd just like to hear back and assemble all my options and then make a decision. (And soon, considering the whole needing to organize housing thing...)

This weekend I'm off to Porto, Portugal! And it's going to be high70s-low 80s! (Better buy sunscreen!) So that is looking like it will be a wonderful and relaxing weekend! (If only we didn't have to get to the bus station for a 2 AM bus...darnit!) Okay I better be productive with the remaining hour of internet!!

I hope you have a great weekend!!
Hasta Lunes!!
<3 Rachel

“I can’t use Francs! I’m not in France!!!”

Fun fact of the post: There are 27 countries in the European Union. I think three of them use their own unique currency: One of those is Switzerland. They use the franc. France on the other hand uses Euros. The quote which entitles this post is from the one and only Natalie, who made this intelligent comment after spending about 2 days in Switzerland and France and being fairly familiar with the way everything was working. This is why we’re friends J

Thursday night we landed in Switzerland. (And then crossed the border to our hotel in France…what what?) Random tidbit: crossing that border is basically like crossing towns in the states…I mean, they had a little booth thing, but half the time no one was there, so anyone really could’ve come or go to Switzerland and France as they pleased…I guess border control isn’t an issue here?

Friday morning we arose bright and early and had croissants in France (okay okay technically we bought them in France and ate them in Switzerland…but hey, French croissants: que guay!!) [side note: other highlights of food origins: we ate French fries in France, and Swiss chocolate in Switzerland…so that was cool] and then we headed into downtown Geneva and walked around to see all the best that Geneva had to offer. We ended up going to a botanical garden (love gardens) and also passed by the UN Headquarters. (that doesn’t look nearly as cool as you would imagine…its basically some big cement buildings, gated off and guarded).

And then in the afternoon we went to Montreaux (which is on the other side of Lake Geneva). That was absolutely amazing! Everything was just soooo beautiful. We took like an hour long walk along the lake over to a castle. During this walk we had the most gorgeous views of the lake with the snow-covered mountains and all kinds of flowers; it was just one of those scenes that looks like it came right from a movie, or a magazine or something. Sigh.

For those who regularly follow the blog...yeah, these are the pants...

Saturday quite possibly was one of the most memorable days of my life. We took a bus to Chamonix (France) where we took a cable lift thing (I don’t know what those guys are called…) up to the top of Mont Blanc (the tallest peak of the Alps, and I think the tallest mountain in all of Europe). The view from up there-sighhhhh- just indescribable. In every direction there were just mountain ranges of snow covered peaks. As far as you could see. It was just awe-inspiring.

Those people that you see are the skiers preparing to descend

All for one...one for all!!

Afterwards, we went to a glacier, and walked around an ice cave! That was so crazy- like, I stood inside a glacier…

Preparing to enter the glacial cave

This is glaciar...I know, it looks like mountain...do not be fooled!

It’s so funny, like I’m here doing these things that are just unbelievable. These are things that I would probably say, “that’d be cool to do someday”, but I’m actually doing them. That’s actually the same reason I started a bucket list…because why let fear or excuses stop us doing from the things we want to do? Speaking of bucket list though: the low of the trip:

All I had to do was touch the little bugger and I could've checked something off my list!! DANGIT!

Anyhow, on Sunday we didn’t have too much time, so we stuck around Geneva. We went and got starbucks (yummm…although I’m not telling you how much we paid for that lovely experience) and went and sat in a gazebo in the park area overlooking the lake and just spent a couple hours chatting and enjoying the scene.

But yeah, so that about sums up the trip to Switzerland. Oh no it doesn’t- I forgot to mention the unfortunate situation, entitled, “my debit card wouldn’t work, and neither would my ATM card”…should have probably checked on card functionability before heading to a new country…Stressful situation- I hate money…But I love my friends who make sure it all works out J (thanks!!)

Welp, time to head off to business class! Hasta pronto!

I love you guys!

Rachel

Catching up on Galicia trip!

Hey there,

So I never did talk about Galicia, which did seem like a very important thing to catch up on!! We spent the entire weekend travelling through Galicia (the province up in the Northwest, above Portugal). It was such a great trip! We did a lot of touring Cathedrals and what not. (which were beautiful, don't get me wrong...I'm a little bit cathedral-ed out at this point) I think Javier knows we've basically reached our limit with cathedrals... how do we know this? Well, he planned us a boat trip, which basically involved a few hours on a boat with mussels and wine. Oh heyyy. And we also went to a "chocolate museum" which basically translated to listening for 5 mins about the history of chocolate making in Spain, and then eating chocolate...so that was amazing. We also went to Coruna where I caught up with the lovely Kelsey Cappetta and Nora Marino. (oh heyyy) . Okay some Galicia pics:

Hercules Tower!

My first mussell...I know, attractive!!!

<3 <3 <3

 Let me tell you about the higlight of my Spain experience thus far: You may remember a certain goal I set a few weeks back, regarding learning the "Waka Waka" Zumba dance...Well friends, let me tell you, I did that successfully. The highlight...while we were on our boat, all of a sudden they start playing it. Boom. I danced the Waka Waka (full dance) on the top deck of this boat. Photographic evidence:

Waka Waka :)

  Javier seemed to flash a couple dirty looks my way...I think he may have thought I was slightly intoxicated...nope. That was a 1000% sober decision and dance...which normally I probably wouldn;t have the confidence to dance in front of about 25 people, but this was one of those opportunities that you just gotta seize! Wanna see what my mood is like at this moment?

Sheer joy and excitement :)

Why am I filled with sheer joy? I basically have a weekend with no work, to be spent with two wonderful friends in the lovely land of GENEVA, SWITZERLAND!!!!!! Oh heyyy!!!We're gonna hopefully knock some bucket list goals off! (Oh in case I didnt mention it, I started a bucket list...so far its about 40 items strong!) Additionally, we will hopefully be intaking massive amounts of swiss chocolate (yummmmmm).
Today, in this moment, life is perfect. Absolutely perfect. How did I get to be so lucky? I won't be posting again until Monday! So have a beautiful weekend!

Love,
Rachel

Hasta nunca pantalones de Saggy Butt!!

Hey there,

So before I talk about my weekend trip to Galicia, I'm going start with some advice, rather than a fun fact for the post: My advice is, if you are headed for an extended period of time to a place where you know you will be doing outrageous amounts of walking, you really should bring pants a size smaller than what you wear. I know you would probably think, hey I'm going to an established, commercial, and fashion-oriented country, so hey, I can just buy stuff there if need be...it's less fun than you might think.

Good news: I'm down two pants sizes from when I left the states.
Bad news: pants options. I think there exist 4 options for females who don't want to wear skirts or dresses:
1. tights under shorts- my opinion: dumb. It's not warm enough. And I think tights belong under skirts or dresses and not shorts.  (my afterthought: this would allow me to extend my no-shave timeframe by a good 2 months if I adopted this style trend...is that why people do it? Is the whole european female population ahead of me on that one?)
2. Skinny jeans (of the suffocating variety)- my opinion: There are pants that just no one looks good in. No one. It doesn't matter your size, shape, gender. If your pants are too tight that you have lost your ability to move in a normal manner, then you really shouldn't wear them.
3. skinny jeans (of the almost-breathable variety)- my opinion: I'm taking the 5th on this one...
4. cross-dressing- my opinion: the most desirable of the four, but also the least socially acceptable.

You are now reading the blog post of a proud owner of 2 pairs of the number 3 variety. These are the tightest pants I've ever owned. I would put a picture, but I'm hoping to lose another 10 lbs or so before anyone dare take a picture of me in those pants. (But honestly, Europe offers few pant-ing options, so its really not my fault!.)  --I just couldn't wear saggy-butt jeans anymore!! (and I dont know how much longer my friends could've tolerated me whining about my saggy-butt jeans)

I just re-read this and decided it's fairly long, and so I'm going to postpone my discussion of Galicia to tomorrow's blog! (because while I would love nothing more than to sit here blogging all day, I do have to finish reading a novel (only 60 pages more) before tomorrow)

Amor!
Rachel

Barcelona Pics :)

Catching up...here are some picture highlights of the Barcelona experience:

Have you seen "Home Alone"?....Pigeon woman in training...

La Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's famous cathedral)

Me and Sammy absolutely annihilating the best meal ever! Yummmm

Lost in the maze (more or less)

Park Guell (recognize this from Cheetah Girls?)

One of my favorite bench sections.

My favorite wall tile mosaic part...

More of Park Guell

This is beneath the benches you saw above

Las Ramblas (main road of Barcelona)

At the Water. Que bonito!

Oh, and my fun fact of the day: When I feel like I'm in physical danger I close my eyes and wait until it passes (which I recognize is not a good thing)...(yeah I have a story about getting pounced by this ferocious dog in the park)

But I'm fine. No permanent harm on that one, so all is well.

Hasta muy muy pronto (a causa de estoy para poner el post de Galicia :p)

Rachel