The canary Islands and Barcelona

As the end of the semester is coming so close to an end, my mind wonders to what will happen this summer. What kind of people will I meet. I'm expecting the summer kids to be crazy wild just because this is Spain and it will be summer. I'm really looking forward to only spending a few hours a day in class and then going to the beach with my friends to sunbathe and drink and not have many worries. The weather has been nice here, although today it is very humid and actually a little chilly. I have been working on papers and have been studying for my finals that I have at the end of this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week. Next Wednesday is the farewell lunch and then that Friday I am leaving with a group of friends to go to Amsterdam and Greece for a week before I meet up with my mom and brother in Rome to spend a week or so with them.

Now, about two weeks ago I went to Tenerife with Colin for the weekend. Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands. We stayed in a nice hotel that was super cheap and about a 5 minute walk from the beach. We arrived late Thursday night and the following morning we decided to sleep in. I got up before Colin did and went out onto the balcony. It was so beautiful. I was able to see the mountains to the right and the ocean to the left. I just sat outside and loved every second of it. Once we were all dressed and ready to go we walked to the market and got breakfast as well as lunch and some alcohol to drink on the beach. Then we stopped at a gift shop and bought towels because we didn't have any. After that we made our way to the beach and baked for a long time. At one point I decided that I was way to burnt and needed to head back. Plus it was getting windy and there was sand everywhere and I was done with the beach. That was my girly self coming out and I told Colin that I had had enough. So we walked back to the hostel, took showers and napped for a few hours. Then we enjoyed our nice balcony view before heading for the market for dinner. We had decided before going to Tenerife that we would not go out that often because we are dirt poor from all of the traveling that we have already done. After a quick meal of none other than a peanut butter sandwich for me and chorizo and cheese sandwich for Colin, we were off to bed. We were getting up early to go to the Volcano.

Going to the volcano was something that I thought would be fun but didn't have that much interest in. Colin on the other hand was extremely excited to ride up the lift and go to the very top of the volcano. So we woke up at 7:45, got dressed grabbed delicious spinach pastries from the bakery next door and then went to the bus station. The tickets were 7 euros to get to the volcano. I thought that was really cheap considering and we hopped on. It was an hour long bus ride. I was a little mad at Colin because I told him to plan the Volcano trip and he didn't. So with that being said, once we got to the volcano he looked at me and asked how do we get to the top. I was a little irritated because I had no idea. So we went and asked someone. Well because it was too wind we weren't able to go to the top. I felt so bad for Colin, it was the only thing he really wanted to do. But we walked around the park for a little bit and then grabbed food at the little cafe there and then went to find out when the bus would return. It was about 12:30 at this point. The next bus didn't leave until 4:00. So after he apologized to me repeatedly, although I was really okay with it. He just felt bad because he knew I would have rather been on the beach but it was no biggie. We walked along some more trails and then I grabbed a diet coke and we sat for an hour and waited for the bus. Once the bus came I hopped on and after an hour we were back at the hostel. We took showers and grabbed a snack because we didn't really eat lunch. I ate celery with cream cheese and he ate a loaf of bread with cream cheese. Well I helped with that loaf of bread but it wasn't that big (I know what you are thinking). Then later we dressed up kind of nice and Colin took me out on a date. We went to a small touristy place on the beach and we split a half bottle of wine. I had mussels and Colin ate some type of pasta that he really like. We pretended to only speak spanish and the people, I felt like, were very very nice to us. We got some dessert that consisted of creme brûlée and I think Colin got tiramisu but I don't really remember. The following day was our last day and we got up at nine and went to the beach for a few hours. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy and we weren't able to catch any rays but we went back to our hotel to shower and check out. We still had a few hours to kill and found an open market with all kinds of stuff for sale. Neither of us bought anything but it was a fun way to spend a few hours in the afternoon before heading back to the bus stop to wait and go back to the airport.

Here are a few pictures of the canaries...

 

As we arrived back to Valencia, I was exhausted and sunburnt but I had to unpack and then repack for the morning because the study center was  headed to Barcelona. This was the second time that I had been in Barcelona. I went last semester after the study center went to Jaca. Well the bus ride was long and tiring like it always is but the room where I stayed was nice. Galen, Abby and I roomed together and when we arrived we all gathered ourselves and headed to Park Guell. It's an amazing park that overlooks the city and is full of Mosaic tiling and the famous lizard. I hope you know what I am talking about. After the park visit we were free for the day. I took a nap and then went to dinner with a few friends. Eric had made himself busy with the alcohol early in the day and by dinner time he was heavily intoxicated. It was Colin, Abby, Galen, Eric, Megan, Kevin and I and we set off for a hike across town for some tex-mex. Once we got to the place we sat down and ordered some frozen margaritas (except for Colin who was lame and ordered water). These were the strongest margaritas I have ever tasted. Honestly, I couldn't even drink it, it just didn't taste good. But it was still a very fun evening especially since we had Eric who not only was very drunk but dared the cook to make the soup he ordered the hottest soup he had ever made. It was really hot. I love spicy food and it was too hot for me to eat. But he ate it all. After dinner we met the rest of the program at a bar called Dow Jones. The bar runs like the stock market. When someone buys a drink, the price of the drink goes up. When a drink isn't being bought it's price goes down. And the best part was there were crashes and that's when the drinks were super cheap. So after the bar I went home and the next day we wet a few hours drive north of Barcelona.

We went to see the Dalí museum. Tuesday was my favorite day. The tour guide was great and I really enjoyed the paintings and just the entire day. After the tour we had free time for lunch and so a group of us went to a burger place. There was nothing vegetarian on the menu so I had some tea and ate some almonds that I had brought with me. Then we went back to the Hotel in Barcelona and I took a nap, again. That night it was my turn to find a restaurant and I wanted indian food. We found a place right off la Rambla. It was so yummy. And it was pretty cheap. I had cauliflower and peas in a spicy sauce with naan and a samosa. Yum yum yum. I really miss my favorite indian restaurant back home, raja india. I miss going there with my dad and my friends and just gossiping and talking about life. I'm seeing all these new seniors announcing where they are going to college and it makes me miss high school. which is weird for me because I hated high school, except for senior year. Anyway after dinner, I passed out on Colin's bed and he went out with some friends to a bar. The next day was when we went on a walking tour through the old part of Barcelona. I went on a walking tour very similar to that one when I went to Barcelona before, but the weather was actually very nice and I really enjoyed this tour. After the tour we hopped on the buses and headed for La Sagrada familia. Last semester we also went to la sagrada Familia but we didn't pay 11 euros to go in so I was excited to see the inside. When we got there we went on another tour that was just great. The guy was hilarious and I really learned a lot. La Sagrada Familia is unlike any other church I have ever seen. It is so modern and beautiful and I felt like I was under water (although the tour guide promised me I was supposed to be in a forest). After exiting the church we went back to the Hotel. Colin, Alex and I went shopping for a few hours. I needed a jacket because I was cold. Then a group of eight of us went to dinner and I had a delicious glass of vino tinto and some vegetable lasagna. The next morning we headed for Valencia but we first stopped in a beautiful beach town called Peninscola. Or something like that. We ate lunch right on the beach and then we had the option of going to the top of the castle and going on a tour or staying down by the beach and wondering. I chose to wonder with my roommate Alex. After finding yummy smoothies we headed back for the bus and finally made it home to Valencia.

Here are pictures of Barcelona and the last one is peninscola.

 

Las Fallas

This past week has been truly amazing and a week of constant movement. Every year from March 15th-19th there is a big celebration called Las Fallas. It comes from the tradition a long time ago when before spring, people would clean out their houses and through furniture out into the street and then burn it. As time went on carpenters would create figures out of the furniture and burn it. Now people spend hundreds of thousands of euros to build large figures called Fallas out of Wood, paint and styrofoam. There is a contest to see which falla is the best and then the night of the 19th at midnight they all burn. Well the winner burns at 12:30 am and the one at plaza del ayuntamiento burns at 1 am. But anyway the days before are filled with constant eating and drinking and setting off fireworks.

So Friday was the first day and we started the day off with a paella making competition. Different professors and workers from the study center made big paellas and then we ate them all. Everyone pitch in to make them and after eating they were judged and a winner was decided. They take about 2.5-3 hrs to cook. At two there is something called the Mascletá that happens in plaza del ayuntamiento. Mascletá is a five-ten minute firework show but it isn't really fireworks. It's more of a land sound show. Everyday a different person presents a different show. The rhythm is different everyday and it is so loud. Just a constant BOOM BOOM BOOM. It was so awesome, I went and watched it everyday during fallas and a few days before fallas started. So Friday I ate paella and saw Mascletá. That night I went to the light show and got my first churros covered in sugar from the street vendor. After the light show we walked back, ate dinner and then drank a few glasses of wine before going to the big fireworks at midnight. They were amazing. The 4th of July will never be the same. Valencia is known for its fireworks and it was unlike anything I had seen before. It was brighter, louder and more colorful than anything I had seen back home. After that night I went straight to bed because I was just so exhausted. The next day was Saturday and I went on a guided tour around the city to see the different falls. There are over 300 fallas in the city. I was a little disapponted by the tour but still enjoyed myself. After I got home I took a little siesta and then starting drinking like everyone else. After drinking too much I walked to the firework show and enjoyed myself with my friends but then came back about 2 am and crashed. Sunday was a wild day and there was always noise. Whether it was the constant playing or bands or the bang from fireworks, it never stopped. That afternoon, Colin and I went to the riverbed and enjoyed mojitos and then later went to get bunuelos from the best place it town. Monday I didn't have school but we had a class activity where we went and at bunuelos and saw the winning fall. The rest of the day I spent just wondering through the city and then taking a big long siesta. That night that fireworks where at 1:30 and where to last an hour long. But during the afternoon I tried chocolate covered churros. They were pretty good but the bunuelos were by far my favorite. The fireworks that night were so cool. They were so big and sparkling and they lit up the city. I never really did much partying but I just enjoyed being with my friends and not worrying about anything for a few days.

Tuesday was pretty cool. Yet again, I didn't have school. I got a loaded potato for lunch. Side note. The guy that I ordered it from, I decided couldn't speak Spanish and I thought it was kinda funny. Anyway I got a loaded potato, took a siesta went and saw the offering. It's the virgin Mary covered in flowers that Falleras (women and children) and falleros (men and children) brought her. There was a big long parade and it was really cool to see. Each pueblo had a big wreath of flowers for the statue and each woman had a bouquet of flowers. The women are dressed in beautiful dresses and the men in traditional clothing. That night I played a few drinking games, sticking to vodka cranberry and then went to see the trojan horse be burned. It was awesome!!! It's this huge figure that just burns and burns and burns. I also had to chocolate covered churros filled with cream to chow down while watching it take place. Afterwards I was off to bed and the next morning it was as if nothing had even happened. All the venders were gone and the city was clean as  always.

I'm leaving for the Canary Islands tonight and won't be back until Sunday night and then all next week I will be in Barcelona with the program. After that I have two weeks of class and then three weeks of summer vacation before the two summer sessions start. August 1st is going to be here before I know it. Talk to you soon!

pizza pasta gelato and love

Hello all, well I guess I should say hello few, for I doubt there are truly many people that read my blog. I realize that I hardly post things but perhaps an update on my time in Italy is necessary. But first I must share how I am feeling. At times this is quite awkward because I know my parents and some family members read my blog and I'm a rather quiet person when it comes to how I'm feeling. But what I said in the very beginning that not only is this blog for you to hear about my life in Spain but it is a journal for me to process.

Sometimes I hate who I am. Either I smoke or one night I drink too much. Other days and more often than not it's as simple as I ate too much. and let's such say this Italy did help with that haha. As I've said recently on facebook, I'm trying out veganism. Of course in italy it was nonexistent, but really who isn't going to eat cheese when they are in Italy? I know that I am going to and that I did. But I did stay away from milk, meat and fish so go me! I'm back to it now and I like it a lot. I've bought crazy kinds of foods and follow different blogs and try different recipes all the time. And now I have a new toy, a hand blender, perfect for making hummus and smoothies. The plus, is that it works really well. I love it, I may have woken up a few people this morning after a run, yes mom, your daughter went running, not walking, running. Well I woke them up by making a smoothie and a lot of people had a wild night last night, 15 euros for all you can drink, I did not participate. Instead I fell asleep on Collins bed at 11. LOSER but whatever I don't care. Ok so who wants to hear about Italy?

Colin and I ventured to Italy for nine days. It all started on Friday very early in the morning with a flight from Valencia to Milan. When we landed in Milan it was below freezing and snowing. As it being "spring" break, I was not very pleased. we easily found our way to the hostel and headed for the main square. As we exited the metro to the main square with the big cathedral we were bombarded by men with bracelets. There was a slight mishap but we soon were on our way to find an ATM for Colin. He came with no money. It was also 2 and time for lunch. So after walking around for about 45 minutes we finally picked an ATM and got lost on some side streets, stumbling upon Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and all of the other famous designers I could think of, we found a place to eat. I spent 9 euros on a cup of water and a tiny plate of pasta that was heated up in the microwave. Spring break was not starting out well. We then went back to the cathedral and walked around it and walked to an art gallery. We decided not to go in the art gallery because it was too expensive and headed back to the hostel. After a much needed nap we found an area near the hostel to eat but it was 9:30 and everywhere was closed...odd. We found a pizza shop and ordered a huge pizza. We found a grocery store, got some orange juice and then were headed back to the hostel. I think we devoured this pizza in 10 minutes. It was huge yet so yummy and so needed. The next morning we headed to the train station to go to Venice. I am not a fan of Milan but Venice was a different story.

We were in Venice for two days. The first day it rained but the second was beautiful. The first day we walked to our hostel, which took us 2 hours, we got a little lost and then started walking around. We found a place to eat. I had a caprese salad and colin had alfredo pasta. We then set out for the big plaza. I should add that we ate lunch that day at 4:30 so perhaps it was more like an early dinner. It started to rain and was pretty cold but I luckily had a big jacket and my head was covered. Poor colin got soaked. We found a pretty bridge on our way to the plaza and took some pictures. It really is cool how there are no streets in the town. And the houses are beautiful. We then walked to the plaza and just took pictures. We saw some cool church in the distance and decided that we would try and venture there the next day. We didn't really have anything planned for Venice. As we made our way back, we found a grocery store, and the cheap, poor college students that we are decided that we should get breakfast and lunch for the next day as well as some cheese, crackers and boxed wine for the night. We went and grabbed dinner at yet another crappy place where the food was not great but it was cheap. It was there where we decided once in each city we would treat ourselves to a nice expensive dinner! I was excited. We were sharing a room with two other people and when we came back, rather early, to eat out cheese and crackers they were asleep. So we sat in the hallway and enjoyed each others company. Eating and drinking and laughing at each other. The next morning we sat on our beds and ate breakfast, I had a huge bowl of fruit while my lovely boyfriend devoured two pastries. Soon after we walked to the other cathedral. We again got lost but eventually found it and went inside. It was really pretty and I took a few pictures. We also sat and listened to part of the mass since it was Sunday. We then headed back to the hostel for lunch. After lunch we walked back to the big plaza since it wasn't raining and took more pictures and walked around some more. We made another pitstop at the grocery store to grab fruit because I thought that I needed some. We then hopped on a boat and took a ferry ride to the murano issland. We were going to go to a glass blowing factory but we couldn't find one and we got there kind of late. We went through a factory. I bought some earrings made of murano glass and a gift for my mom and then we hopped on a ferry back to the main land. haha main land. That night we wondered looking for a bar. We found a place that had glasses of wine for 2 euros. Talk about cheap. After drinking too much we walked back to a more expensive dinner, made fools of ourselves. Colin knocked over a drink I couldn't stop laughing. I was too drunk but hey, it was fun. I had walked around all day and was tired and it was nice being able to spend too much money on a dinner and treat ourselves. The next morning we were off to Florence. We grabbed some really good pastries and coffee and then found our train.

Florence was by far my favorite city. We arrived right around noon and our hostel was very easy to find. It was in a great location too. I loved Florence because we got to see so much but nothing was too far off a walk. We arrived on Monday and therefore all of the museums were closed so we went and grabbed lunch. I ate this delicious tomato basil with bread soup. It was so good. We then took a walk up a steep street to get to the highest point in Florence. It was really pretty you could see the mountains in the distance and the entire city. Afterward we went inside different churches. That night was really fun. FSU has a campus like here in Valencia and one of Colin's friends goes there. He had told Colin the best place for pizza and a pasta and a good local bar. So we went to the bar, had a couple of drinks and then went looking for the pizza place. It was closed on Monday so we wondered around and found a small restaurant. I had probably drank too much at the bar but I didn't care. This restaurant had the best wine I've ever had and I tried something called black cabbage pasta. It was delicious and after we ended with a lovely glass of some type of liquor that we dipped biscotti in. The next morning we had some breakfast from a little coffee shop and decided to spend a few hours in Pisa. We bought tickets, got on the train and then we were off. While on the train we got a train fine of 5 euros, whose ever heard of validating your ticket? TOURIST TRAP! But whatever it was only 5 euros each. Honestly it was cool to see the leaning tower but that was it. After that I was hungry and ready to go. We had some sandwiches from a shop got back on the train, validating our tickets this time, and headed back to Florence. When we got back to Florence we went to a museum and say Michelangelo David. We wanted to go to another museum but stopped for yummy gelato and by the time we finished, it was closed. So what did we do you ask? We went and found the best Pizza in Florence that Colin's friend told us about, Gusta pizza and went back to our room to eat it. Our room had a desk that we set up as a table with two chairs. After eating the pizza, that was pretty good, we went and got cheese, crackers and wine and made a make-shift bar in our room. The next morning we headed for Naples. A town full of food that I will never forget.

We were only in Naples for a day. It took us for ever to find our hostel and after using hands gestures and maps with locals who didn't speak any english, we ran into an american girl that took us there. We was from Maine and had been traveling around Europe since October. This hostel was nice. We shared a room with ten people but the beds were comfy and the people were all nice. The only thing I hated was that there weren't any mirrors. But I survived. We didn't really have any plans for Naples, we just wanted good pizza. We went to a museum and walked around for a bit. Our main thing that we wanted to do was go to Pompeii but we got to Naples too late. This museum had some stuff from Pompeii so that was really awesome to see. After that we walked around looking for food but everything was closed so we skipped lunch. We went to a castle. I should add that we walked for at least four hours trying to get to it and my feet were killing me. After walking around the castle for a bit we thought that it was time to drink. It was probably 6:30 by that time. We walked for another hour or so and I decided that I needed gelato. I got the Nutella gelato. It literally tasted like I ate a jar of nutella. it was so good! Holy shit. We walked around some side streets and found a bar. After a few drinks Colin asked the bartender where the best pizza was. He told us and damn was he right. It was right around the corner. I ordered a bottle of wine for 8 euros, talk about cheap and we each got a pizza. These pizzas were huge and I ate the whole thing. Talk about a delicious pizza. I've never had a pizza so good. So after this we walked home and went to bed. I was way too drunk but it was so fun. It was such a far walk too. I can remember just counting the number of poles we walked by because my feet hurt so bad. The next morning we were off to Rome.

Rome was amazing. It's hard to put Florence in front of it but there was just something about Florence that I fell in love with. We trained all through Italy. It was really nice and since we booked our tickets in  advance it was relatively cheap. Our hostel was really close to the train station and was easy to find. I did find it kind of funny when we checked in at a laundry mat but it was fine. This hostel we shared a room with 3 other people and there were mirrors so we were set. haha. That day we grabbed lunch at the grocery store and then headed for Vatican City. It was the pope's last day being the pope so we thought it was the perfect day to go. First we went and saw the Sistine chapel and walked through that museum and then we were going to walk through St. Peter's Basilica. As we were starting to go toward the Basilica, a ceremony on big TV'S started playing. So we stood and watched the pope leave. We even got to see his helicopter. ALthough we didn't see him, we saw his helicopter and I thought that was pretty cool. After he left, we went into the basilica and then decided to walk around. We went and saw the pantheon. By the time we found it, it was getting dark and we decided to go find the Trevi fountain. The fountain is beautiful but kind of in a random place. I made the usual tourist picture and then we headed back to our room. We were staying by the train station so I guess you should know it was a really long walk. I was so happy to see my bed. We looked up the best pasta restaurant in Rome and after another long walk, found it. It was 9:30 and crazy busy. We sat down finally and ordered our food. Colin got a big pizza and I a spicy red pasta. It was worth the wait. It was so freaking good. The pasta was omg amazing and I had a glass of red to go with it. We then made our way back to the hostel and fell asleep fast. It was the first time we were able to sleep in. So that next morning we slept until 11 and didn't get going until 1. We got breakfast for free. I had a pastry stuffed with nutella. It  was so good and then we walked to the Colosseum.  We walked around all of the ruins and the Colosseum. It was really cool to see the these things in real life. After that we walked back to the hostel to eat lunch and look up a place for cannolis. I had never had one and was ready to try. We found a place that wa close to the Colosseum. So after feeling really dumb for walking all the way back there we found the place. I had a cannoli filled with ricotta cheese and pistacchio's oh yummy. It was so good. I'm not going to lie we might have gone the next morning for another. We then walked to find gelato. We knew there were good places by the Pantheon and we were meeting my mom's friend, Julia, and her family for drinks and dinner. We found gelato. I had some more fantastic Nutella gelato and then we met Julia and her daughter Emily and her friend Megan and her son son Harry. Julia was great. She pampered us with drinks, a yummy dinner where I ate a gorgonzola pasta and a taxi cab back. We crashed and the next morning did our shopping. I found stuff for my dad and brother and Colin got stuff for his family. We then went and go more Cannoli's and then headed for the airport.

Italy was so fun and an amazing experience. If you haven't been I highly recommend that you get there once in your life. I'll be back in a little over a month when my mom and brother come to visit. Fallas is starting this week, so look for more updates, here are some pictures, Enjoy!

 lovely view of Venice

 best pasta in Florence

 pizza in Naples

 make a wish!

 best pasta in rome

 that's the Cannoli!

Morocco... in Pictures

I've been looking through my blog and noticed that I have too many words and am lacking in pictures. So all you get to know is that Morocco was amazing. It is a must see place that I can't wait to go to again. So here is my trip... in pictures

 My first glimpse of this beautiful country, can't wait to go back

 Wait, we have money?

 Kittys everywhere

 Some beautiful scenery of Morocco

 These crazy camel guys, smile, arms up lets run (all in an accent of course)

 The atlantic, is that America in the distance???

 My best friend and me

 This salad was to die for

 reminds me of Spain

Enjoying a wonderful meal and time together

Yummy green tea. Morocco Whiskeyy

Saying that I had fun was an understatement. The food was so amazing and authentic, unlike anything else and the hostel ummm amazing, I paid super cheap to stay in a super nice hotel where I was served and pampered.