Vaya a la Playa

The view from the little hut we had drinks at. The skyscrapers are "little miami" as Claudia says.

Today was a great day. I think I finally adjusted to the jet lag, thanks to last night’s late night. I woke up at 13:00, I think. Then I went to find an ATM. But I don’t really have a list of locations close to mi casa, or internet. I tried one and it didn’t like me. Not surprising considering that I didn’t see the same symbols as on the back of my card. But then I found one on my way to the farmacia to get supplies like champu. So I did manage to get money. But I also decided that if I was going to take the metro all the way to the center that I may as well grab my swimsuit, too. Once that was done, I hopped on the CORRECT metro and went downtown. The area is very touristy, but I needed a phone. I went with the company that most of my peers chose, Orange. Weird name, but maybe you pronounce it differently in Castillian?

I managed to get lunch, which I’m not sure what it’s called, but it’s not almuerzo. Anyways, I ended up eating by myself in an Italian place. I ordered a calzone clasico which apparently means a calzone with ham, eggs over easy, cheese, mushroom and an unidentified yellow food which resembled a corn husk. It was rather strange and I should have gone for the half order of pizza. Next time! I also ordered a Fanta, which is the fruit flavored soda here. It was 11,50 euros, which isn’t great so I need to get better. I’m trying el supermercado tomorrow.

After eating lunch, getting a phone and some essentials, I met the friend of my Senora who is taking care of me for the week. Or rather, I should say she is taking care of Tiago for the week. I again made it on the metro (got on the wrong direction, again) to Barceloneta, which is the main beach. It is a nude beach. But most people seemed to still wear their bathing suits like in the U.S. It is quite interesting really. In the North West side of Barcelona there is an area which Claudia refers to as Miami. This is because when the Olympics were coming they gentrified an area and built skyscrapers right on the coast. It is interesting. She was quite upset because they had just built a huge skyscraper on the opposite end of the beachfront. It was made in the last year and is a big hotel. It is very Dubai-looking, with a curved facade.

The sea itself is very interesting. It was the perfect temperature, but very salty. I could float effortlessly with decent sized waves. Most interestingly, it is VERY salty. I didn’t try to taste it, but I could tell. I love the beach though. One transfer and I’m there from my house. Or a 15 minute walk from school! I’m planning to work out there almost every day just because I can.

After the beach we had a drink at a beachside stand with chairs and shade. It was wonderful. Claudia made an alfredo sauce for me. She’s part Italian so she explained that Pana (cream of milk), good parmesan (as in a block), and good Italian pasta are the secrets to a good alfredo. This is my favorite so I am beyond excited and can’t wait to try! Then we talked for a long time about design. She was originally a psychotherapist, then moved into jewelry and now works at a cyberstudio that does textiles, furniture and the occasional art installation. She is starting her own company soon, which is going to be fun to watch.

But for now, it’s midnight here so it’s finally an acceptable time to go to bed, which is good because I’m tired, but not dragging. I think my jet lag is at least getting better because I felt much better. You know you have bad jet lag when people you just met are making fun of you. I must have been exhausted. But I actually felt good when I woke up this morning, instead of the fog I had felt. I’ve also had a little bit of a cold, so maybe the sea air is going to help that as well.

I will start including words I learned today here at the bottom.

Bogota…….cheap
Ducha…….shower
Cochita…….stroller (little car)
Que mono!.......How cute!