I’ve become a master in the art of picnicing. Almost every day contains a picnic here or there.
Sunday a group of us went to the Parc de la Ciutadella for a lazy afternoon in the sun. There happened to be a huge festival going on, though we bypassed most of it to find a quieter spot on the edge of the mayhem. A sunny green lawn by the Cascada (a three or 4 story set of stairs with a central cascading fountain) became our nesting spot. We had the benefits of sun and shade and were close enough to the action to catch the music. A picnic of bread, cheese, fruits, veggies and cookies unpacked, we passed the time chatting, reading, sunning, sleeping and playing hackey sack. (I haven’t played since high school…and it’s easy to tell, but I’m getting better.)
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Helen, Katarina & Xenia in front of Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf

The group consisted of Katarina, my old flat mate, Xenia and Helen -all of whom arrived at the same time as me -and Florian (Flo) and Armin from Austria, 2 guys who arrived last week. Couldn’t ask for a more pleasent group of people -Katarina is sweet as always and Xenia quick to smile. Helen is a master of comic timing, her expressions are classic. Flo and Armin are ridiculously fun…in the escaped from the circus kind of way -every day with them brings a new game or distraction.

Armin, Marloes, Flo, Katarina, and Helen -Plaza Reial

We spent a pleasant day maxing and relaxin, topped off with coffee in a local cafe. The Barcelona football team was playing that night, and Flo and I stuck around to watch it. I’ve become a huge Barca (pronounced Bar-sa, like the first sylabul of Barcelona) fan, replacing my baseball addiction with football. (Barca is Spain’s version of the Yankees at the moment, well on their way to the championship title.) The locals yelled and screamed, jumped up and down and so forth, and I happily joined in. It was a great game and Barca won 4-0.

Parc Ciutadella -Cascada tower

The next day the same group, minus Xenia who was still in class, headed to the beach. I feel so spoiled being able to walk to the beach from school in minutes. The sand is a bit rocky, and the beach relatively narrow, but the water is warm enough to wade into and the sun delicious on my April skin. I got a bit of a burn on my legs which saw the sun for the first time since the end of last summer in New York, but not too bad. My arms are face are so brown some of you wouldn’t believe it’s me.

It was another wonderfully relaxing day, happy in the sun, getting my Vitamin D dose. Flo and Armin were a bit more active, doing acrobatics off the dunes and even managing to attract spectators.

Armin & Flo clowing around

I never know what time it is here. My brain can’t get around the fact that the sun dosen’t set till after 8, and the sky is light till 9pm. I often think it’s 3 or 4 in the afternoon and it’s 8pm. I called it a day and headed home a bit earlier then the others, tired from the sun.

Me @8PM sunset -pre-tan -with hippie hair

Yesterday was movie day at school. I have to talk to Tere about finding better dubbed flicks! This week we watched At Frist Sight with Val Kilmer…haven’t heard of it, have you? It’s was 2 hours of sappy crap, with many shots of New York making me a bit homesick.
Afterwards, while speaking to Patrick, the recptionsit at school, I met my new future flat mate (I’m moving again on Saturday, to the city center again, to an apartment with puppies, yay!) Her name is Vanessa and she’s quite nice. She insisted I go out with her to meet other students from school. We headed to Neuba (the place with super cheap drinks) and met about 10 other students. Again, we picnic-ed, this time at the terrace tables. The bar’s kitchen was closed and the staff had no problem with out impromptu meal -so different from New York. We enjoyed our 1Euro (giant) beers and I got a chance to get to know some of the newer students. Another fun night.
Picnics are the way to go…everyone brings something to share, they bring a group together, and it’s easily cheaper then eatting out. I’ve become a big fan. I’m sure tomorrow will bring another…