The holidays + home sickness = emotional Tayler

Passaig de Sant Joan. Yay Christmas time!!!

Everything feels just a little off. My internal clock is still in the USA. Internally, Im expecting thanksgiving dinner, but obviously, that is not a thing here. This time of year, I will be planning a week-long vacation (more like a work-cation) to get ready for my finals. Here, everything is rushed together without a break. oh how I need a break. I believe that I successfully went though the various stages of abroad emotions... The honeymoon phase; everything is perfect. The get used to everything phase. The everything annoys me phase (that was a rough couple of weeks). I think now I am so busy with classes that I'm not worried about anything else.  

I think what makes this time harder for me is the fact that I am not going home for Christmas. I'm dreading the last two weeks when I hear, "I cant wait to go home" and "when I get home...". I just have to remember that my time here is so precious. And that I am so, incredibly lucky to be spending time in Europe and with cousins in Germany.

To get into the holiday, some of my classmates family invited us over for thanksgiving potluck. i plan on bringing my moms delicious sweet potato pie. i have helped her make it dozens of times...hopefully it will be a good amateur version. BUT ; none the less, its Christmas time!! Everyone is getting ready for Christmas, which is almost a month away. I think what is my true saving grace in all my emotional-ness, is my host family. They are so loving and caring, I feel a little wrong being sad (or whatever it is Im feeling). They take such good care of me. 

bad pic. but ice skating in Plaza Cataluyna 

La Sagrada Familia y Montserrat

A few Pics I managed to get off the camera!! 

Quick tips for Barca... Part 1.

Here are a few quick tips from my experience (of a month) for surviving Barcelona. I'm sure there will be more coming! 

1) The metro system is very easy to navigate; just so hot that you'll melt by the time you get to your destination. Wear layers and strip when you go through the turnstile. 

2) Pack a lunch on Sunday's, as this is a day of siesta and local bars and (well everything) will be closed. All that will be open are a bit overpriced for the tourist. 

3) Using a travel lock on the zippers on your bags and backpack will deter theft! Scientifically proven in my month long test! 

4) have napkins with you... Always. You might run into a public bathroom without toilet paper. 

5) When looking for bathrooms... Look for signs "servicios". I have yet to see a sign for "baño" 

6) Don't be afraid of dogs, they are not dangerous here. They are rarely on a leash in residential neighborhoods and are now allowed on the metro.Don't think you can run and show them your love either. Respect the hound. 

Will you protect me on tourist day?!

Will you protect me on tourist day?! 

When going anywhere new, my first reaction is to take a picture. But with the fear of being pick pocketed, and my fear is a severely irrational one, I didn't succumb to the tourist urges. Adriana, our resident director, offered to protect us during tourist day! So on Wednesay, 17 of September, our crew strapped with cameras, backpacks, giant water bottles, and metro cards set out to see some if the most beautiful landmarks that Barcelona has to offer. La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batiló and Parc Güell all astonished and left me in an awe. This is truely la ciudad de Gaudi. Needless to say, I felt whipped out afterward. 

** pics to come! 

Adiós / Hola

Today is the day. I'm all packed- which was an adventure all by itself- at the gate, waiting to take off. I'm saying adiós to Chicago for a while. I've had my farewell breakfast and innumerable hugs and kisses to my family. There were only a few tears, not by me unfortunately, but I suspect that will come later. 

I'm excited to get the first stretch over with. I travel by myself all the time. But so far, nothing of this caliber. I can do twenty-five hours on a bus, without a second thought. But never over an ocean. So far, I've been in good spirits, joking with the airline staff and tsa agents. I just hope that I'll keep up this positive attitude into the semester. 

My greatest hope ( for today): I get to my destination on time and without delay; although the Chicago weather doesn't look so good. { we are the Windy City for a reason} 

My greatest fear ( for this hour): losing my luggage.

Hola Barcelona... I'll be there soon!! 

Mi aventura

I feel as if I've never packed for a trip in my life. I guess since everything about this trip is new for me, and my family, I've got little clue what I expect and how I'll react once I arrive in Barcelona. I decided to go to Barcelona this fall for one reason! An adventure!! 

I've never been to Europe. Neither has anyone in my immediate family. So visas, international airfare, and a 7 hour time difference is all new (and intimidating), (and exciting) for my family. I hope that this trip ignites the drive for travel and exploration in my family and friends, because I have the feeling that once I he the travel bug - I'll be hooked!

I chose Hollins University to take advantage of its study abroad options and this semester in Barcelona is perfect for me! Having the  opportunity to take part in the Barcelona Fall 2014 program is such a huge blessing, but has also brought up a whirlwind of emotions. I always knew I'd study abroad. I just never expected it to impact so many people around me. My friends at Hollins have become family, since I'm not able to visit home very often. So not being able to enjoy our junior year together will be the most difficult aspect of my time abroad. No matter the various emotions; whether it's fear (of getting lost), or anxiety (over getting to know our host families), one emotion trumps all. Excitement! For all that is to come. I hope to learn and soak up as much as I can, and truly immerse myself in Barcelona's rich and ancient history. And there is only one way I know that will happen... Netflix doesn't work in Spain.

Also, (I think Barcelona will be the oldest city I've ever been to).