Anxiety

Today for the first time in a long time i started to feel pressures and anxiety. For the last couple of days i have been asking myself why i have come here to Europe in general. I have been trying to figure out my goals while I am here but was having trouble until today. I know the answer was to figure out what I want to do with my life and where should I go next, but that answer isn't cookie cut clear and many people go a life time not knowing that answer.

What i do know is that i came here for an adventure. Stories I will be able to share and be proud of. But for me an adventure is hard to define. I am beginning to realize that i am far more simple than i once thought. I don't need to spend a month climbing a mountain to seize that sensation. It is the simple accomplishment of completing something that i feel many of my peers miss out on. While I am at Clemson i try to do something everyday that deferentiates me. Typically that has revolved around water skiing, mountain biking or kyaking. Activities that other people always talk about trying but never commit.

I watched part of a film last night, "the Motorcycle Diaries," that made me releaze my desire for an adventure. The film was much like "Into the Wilderness" where two men take nothing but what they can carry, hop on a motorcycle and set off across South America. I was thrilled about this idea of adventure but the majore sensation happend to me this morning as i rode the metro to school.

It has been two weeks since i have been here and i originally thought i was in love with city life. The easy of traveling within, plethora of cafeterias, people and bars. But today on the metro i fell into panic. I realized that i want out. Not for long, but just out of the hustle and doing something that separates me. What i want is my bike. I love the control of deciding where i can go using my own power, not restrained by the metro stops laid throughout the city. This is most likely what i love so much about cars. I want to travel and backpack, rough it a little, lose electricity even if its just for a day.

When i was living in Greenville or Clemson i knew i was in the right fit, where I had all the conveniences but within 5-30min i could be doing something different/exciting outside city life. With my 3 day weekends i find it hard to travel to a little known area. I have booked many trips to major cities such as Paris, Rome, Geneva and Munich. I hope that this will give me my sense of adventure. But what i really want is to go to somewhere and ride or hike little known area. Its hard when I have never traveled, especially Europe, and don't understand the ins and outs. So with my little weekends available I believe i am going to go to the bus stations here in Barcelona and just get on a bus and see where it can take me. Go skiing.

So inclusion I am glad that today I started to feel what it is i want to do, know what it is, and what I need to do to enjoy my life and my stay here in Europe. I am going to love living on the side of a lake this summer.

Inside The Segadra, Finally

Yesterday I finally went into the Segadra Familia. It was absolutely incredible. Whats amazing is the construction going on now. This building started in 1988 and construction was stopped for some time during the dictator Franco. Some amazing facts is that Gaudi outlined how to finish the building before he died. There is no completion date. An un-calculable amount has been spent.

This is Gaudi's workshop

Rear Window

This is my back view from my appartment. Its really interesting to me. For anyone that has ever seen the Alfred Hitchcock movie 'Rear Window' will understand. On any given moment of the day you can look and see some sort of activity across the way. I enjoy city living going to small fruit stores and bakeries daily.
Our awesome patio with no chairs :(

Around town

Awesome last few days here in Barcelona. Thursday night was my favorite night out at club Opium. Friday took a nice stroll around park Guell with Rob and Brett followed by Mondos. Saturday took another walk about through park Guell with Ryan, Jazmine and Marc. Snapped some of my favorite shots that day, mainly of the people. I love park Guell for its panaramic view of the city and the intense sunset we were able to witness. Sunday everything is closed so just stayed in a booked some flights. My schedule is starting to look pretty packed. Bunch more to say but i have to get to Salsa class.

Futbol!

Tonight we went to a futbol game, Madrid vs FCBarcalona. Seeing the sport live and the passion is fantastic. The continuous action is much more my style. Excellent time.

What Salsa Pants?

Wednesday: Another fantastic day. My apartment couldn't hold back from another great late night Tuesday that led to 3.5 hours of sleep before making the morning commute to class. Fortunately i was able to complete more in class and between than any other day. I finished off Clemson approvals and documents to ensure the transfer of credits. After that i got my 2 hour siesta before Salsa class.

Yes Salsa class. Since my goal is to try everything offered here I was given the oppertunity to go to my first dance class. It actually has always been a slight fear of trying a dance class but that was eliminated in the first few minuets of class. It was 5 spainards, 4 male classmates and 3 girls classmates in attendance with a fantistic Spanish speaking dance instructor. We were able to master the simple step. Which was a disastor for myself at first. Once the nerves relax and hips started moving it became easier and much more fun. Since it was such a great time I commited to class twice a week for the next 6 weeks ;) hopfully ill be able to start looking better on the dance floor. Unfortunatly they said it would be 3 months untill we recieved partners, quite an involved class.

Parc de la Ciutadella

Today was second day of classes. I am done at noon which gives me time for a quick nap then an adventure. As i continue to knock out the top ten i went to Parc De La Ciutadella. It was vacant. Nothing has bloomed yet and many of the fountains are drained. It will be a great place in a month or so. We also found a local bar that served great sea food. Bought some fried squid :)

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. Unfortunately all my classes are at the Sarria campus which is 30 metro minutes away from me. What is sad about that is i can see the other campus from my window. Class seemed similar to the way a Clemson class would be organized. The focus is on group work and progress, there are no tests. So i should do just fine. Its are waking up at 8am each morning though.

The Better part of the day is Rob, Rea and I grabbed a futbol and went to a local playing field. It was a urban, hardpacked dirt field inbetween local buildings. It was just like and addidas commercial people were litterally walking by and jumping into the game. Some of the kids were absolutly sick. I am absolutly bringing my camera next time to get my first action shots.

And on another note i have been on the metro 6 times today :p thats going to get old fast. Alright off to meet marc to go to the Dow Jones Bar.

Nights Shots

Took some night shots last night. Came out fine for spending just a few minutes.

Castell De Montjuic

Saturday we got up hopped on the metro with no destination and ended up taking a Gondola up to Castell De Montjuic for a fantastic view of both the city and the sea. I have too many pictures to even post. Its amazing on how much you can travel using the Metro.
How Barcelona makes some bank
Top Ten Barcelona Baby. Thanks Allison!
Great shot, washed out a little though
View Towards the city

Great candid
The castle thingy
View of the lift up to the top

Parc Guell

Parc Guell is a exclusive park designed partially by guidi that failed. It was designed to have 6 houses built but since it was too far from the city center no one purchased the homes. Now it is a public park displaying guidi's work.