May 27 (Thurs) - 1st week Barcelona

[Paella mixta - mixed seafood with rice]



Whew. What a week!

Tuesday, Dan and I woke up and were at the beach in the morning before we had to go to class. The Barceloneta beach was way less crowded than it was on Sunday and on Monday (there was a holiday on monday). Once again, there are always topless women in sight, as toplessness is openly accepted on Spain's beaches. My classmates even say that there were nude men walking around in on the beach that was not the customary "nude beach." It is so weird to us, but no one else seems to notice there are people without their clothes on!

There are people walking around on the beach constantly trying to make a buck (Euro). There is a pack of Asian women who ask ("massa-he, massa-hey, massage!?") several times an hour if we want a 5Euro massage on the beach; theres some guys who sell snacks; theres guys who sell beer---and we were approached several times to buy some marijuana! The beer guy said "cerveza, beer...(then he whispered when he was beside us) hashish?" I couldn't help but laugh. No, gracias.

We were out there in the sun for 3 hrs and although it was warm, it was windy enough that we could not feel the usual burning sensation that accompanies overexposure. We really did not think we were getting any sun even though there was not a cloud in the sky. I couldn't tell that I was turning red. Three days later, my back is barely red anymore--and luckily, I don't think I'll peel!

Orientation for school was in the evening. We had a short introductory session about the rules etc and then we had a little get together on one of the school's patios afterward. They served tapas (small bite-sized foods) and drinks (soda, water and beer--and maybe wine?). Yesterday, I saw the school dining area serves wine for lunch. Incredibly, the vending machine outside the cafeteria serves not only soda and water, but also BEER! The drinking age is 18, but I don't think it is really much of a problem here for younger people to get it on their own.

I have bought a local Spain prepaid phone plan from the "Macy's" of Barcelona, called El Corte Ingles. Many people here do know quite a bit of English, but still, I try to continue practicing my Spanish as much as I get a chance to. It has been 2 years since I last used my Spanish skills, but slowly I am getting back into it again. :)

Our 2 classes run from 9:30-12:50 Mon-Fri. I really like my first class in European Union law because we are learning the basic framework of the EU and its laws. I've never learned, until now, the details of EU law. I also like EU law class because the professor is Spanish and is knowledgeable from practicing law throughout the European Union. My International Contracts class is so-so...it seems like we are doing excessive reading and not covering that much during the class. Still, I am interested in learning about at least the basic points of the law behind doing international business.

Tonight, the school program reserved a tapas bar so the students could meet each other a little and get a taste of Spanish wine and tapas(the snacks). I was suprised that we have so many international students in our law program. We have law students from Italy, Germany, Canada, and Mexico as well as the United States. I am interested to learn more from them about the differences in their law programs from those in the United States.

After the meet and greet, Dan and I walked through las Ramblas district with some of our classmates. We stopped at an Italian ice cream place and I bought a scoop of banana and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The chocolate tasted amazing, it was like eating an ice cream chocolate bar...

Some people I talked to before coming to Spain said that the people here don't like tourists--but who likes any visitors who come to your town to party and be obnoxious?! The interactions I've had with the locals so far have been good. The younger and older people are very nice and try to help if I ask. I enjoy going to the small shops around my neighborhood and looking around and asking the shop owners random questions... This whole trip is a learning experience.

Finally, I think I should get to my reading for tomorrow's classes so I can be prepared. I'm excited for the weekend because I plan on actually getting my camera out again to take some more pictures! I haven't been carrying it because I dont want to take it with me on the Metro with the chance of getting it stolen on the way to class. Yesterday, Dan and I witnessed a pickpocket trying to snatch someones wallet, but he ended up dropping it on the ground on the subway. I am definitely keeping my valuables out of my back pockets and only carrying a small amount unless necessary. I do still feel safe, though. And I don't think the pickpockets hurt people usually...people say the "good" pickpockets do it so you don't realize until 5 mins later that your wallet is missing.

Good night!