I'm Coming Home, Tell the World I'm Coming Home!

My sister gave me this luggage tag as I was packing my bags for Barcelona 4 months ago.

I burst into tears and pretty sure begged my parents not make me go. 

I wanted more than anything, for someone to say,

 "Sorry you can't go.

You have to stay in the comforts of your own home, surrounded my your loving family and wonderful friends, in a country where you speak the language and feel safe and comfortable."

I was terrified. 

Terrified for a lot of reasons

Missing my family, friends, unsure of what my plans were, how I would make friends, not speaking the language, where I would live, etc.

But mostly I was scared because I knew that no matter what my experience was in Barcelona, 

I would not be quite the same person when I returned. 

Because experiences like this change you.
Probably not enough for anyone else to notice. But I do.

See ya in California!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Malaga

 {Tinto de Verano...even better than sangria!}

Back from a long weekend in Malaga.

My computer is not being nice and keeps blacking out. I have so many more pictures to share!

Between Malaga and Seville I am OBSESSED with Andalucia.

I want to move there.

Everyone is so nice, no one speaks English to you, the food is soooo cheap and good

 and it's just so Spanish!

{I'm in the process of packing my bags for California!

2 days!

and holy crap i have a lot of stuff. how did that happen}

Poble Espanyol

 Kari and I visited Poble Espanyol while she was here.

Poble Espanyol is basically a pretend village with different sections representing the different regions of Spain.

It is so nice to just walk around and see the different architecture from the different regions.

I really felt like I was in Seville when we were in the Andaulician part.

I definitely recommend Poble Espanyol if you have an extra day to spare in Barcelona.

It's 10 euros to get in but you can spend the whole day wandering around, checking out all the gift shops, watching the glass makers (which was really really cool)
and then enjoy lunch in the sun, Spanish style :)

During the summer there's also an outdoor disco at night!

91 going on 30

 I was lucky enough to be in Prague for my Great-Aunt's (my grandma's sister) 91st Birthday. 

On her birthday she made a huge feast for about 15 of her children, grandchildren + boyfriends +me.

At 91 she made my favorite Czech foods of Smazeny Rizek(breaded chicken), brombary(potatoes) and polevka (soup)

and five (yes 5) different desserts.

She also takes public transportation everyday to the supermarket and carries 10lbs of groceries home.

She says the rolling carts are for young people, so she carries her groceries home in a bag.

To be honest I was trying to keep it together a lot of the day, 

because she reminds me so much of my Babi. 

And I was missing my Babi and my family a lot,

 but was very happy to be surrounded by extended family. 

They also have a really nice tradition

(it may be a Czech tradition or just a family tradition and I think it's mainly for older family members)

where everyone gets in a line and one by one shakes the birthday persons hand, gives them kisses, wishes them a happy birthday and gives them their gift.

It was really sweet and a tradition I'd like to start in my family.

I'm hoping I still have that much energy, spunk and good looks when I'm 91. 

Can Paixano {La Xampanyeria}

 Can Paixano{La Xampanyeria} is a small bar in barceloneta that everyone recommends. It's popular with tourists and locals. 

You get cups of cava for 1 euro! 

After your first cup you have to order something to eat. They have tapas and sandwiches were are really very good{and not the slight bit healthy}.

There are no chairs or tables, you just stand, eat and drink and throw your trash on the floor. 

Go early because after 7 there are so many people you feel like a sardine. 

And since I really really need to learn Spanish in the next 10 days... 

Can Paixano {La Xampanyeria} es un bar pequeño en barceloneta con cava para 1euro. Es muy popular con lugareños y turtistas. No hay mesas o sillas. Solamente necesitas estar de pie  y beber. Después de un copa de cava, necesitas comer algo. Hay tapas y bocadillos. Es normal tirar su basura en el piso (es muy difícil para la maestra en mi). Llega temprano porque después de 7 hay un montón de gente y sientes como una anchoa.

I'd rather not discuss how long it took me to write that.

correct away!

Cadaques

Cadaques

A small fisherman's village three {windy} hours north of Barcelona on the Costa Brava.

Also where Dali's house is. 


Walking along the sea wall with Kari, Gabby and our Spanish friends, taking millions of pictures, paella lunch looking at the clear blue Mediterranean, pitching ourselves that this was a real place and we really were here.

It really is as beautiful and charming as it looks.  

Make New Friends

Justine from Viva La Jussie shares her pretty pictures, 

adorable doggies, and fun times with her boyfriend.

She shares photography tips and tricks 

and recently started attempting film photography, 

which is now officially on my summer bucket list!

Blog. Twitter. Pinterest. 

...

Jessica blogs at Dreaming of Dimples.

She is a sweet California girl and self-proclaimed wine enthusiast.

She writes about her life with her motor-cross riding husband and

talks very openly and honestly about their struggles with infertility and IVF. 

I especially recommend reading her post on Infertility Etiquette.

Blog. Twitter. Pinterest. Facebook

...

 Amira from Shades of Gray is a librarian in training.

(for real! she's getting a Masters in Library and Informations Sciences!) 

She and her hubby live in California with their adorable little doggie.
They like to travel, go on adventures, eat really delicious looking Mexican food
(clearly you know what i'm dreaming about)
and have a really cute love story. 

Blog. Twitter. Facebook.

My Barcelona To-Do List

I have exactly 13 days left here in Barcelona before I get on a plane back to California.
I'll have stayed 4 of the 6 months I had planned on being in Barcelona.

That means I have 13 days to cross of the rest of my Barcelona Bucket List. 

I've already done, seen, and eaten a lot in and around Barcelona, but of course there is always more.

But these are the top things I really want to do before I leave:

+ Montserrat

+ Rent a bike and ride around the city

+ Get a on a boat 

+ Swim in the Mediterranean Sea (it's still been too cold, so please warm up!)
+ Paddle Board on the sea

+ Castelldelfels
+Day trip to Girona
+Cava Tasting
+Day trip to Tarragona
+Santa Caterina Market
+Casa Mila
+Montjuic Magic Fountain
+ Learn to cook Paella


oh yeah and become fluent in Spanish...