My new haven here in Barcelona is officially La Boqueria. La Boqueria is a market that cascades with fruits and vegetables, sells meats, fish, candy, you name it. Located off of Las Ramblas, Karrie, Katelyn and I pretty much hit it up everyday, if not twice. Our new love for guacamole is a daily necessity now and it is forcing us to learn how to cook and truly use the foods Spain has to offer.

     Now that the Boqueria is out of my system I must share about this week. The rumors are true, Barcelona’s nightlife is unbelievable. Even Penn State could not have prepared me for how Europeans go about partying. As an advertising major, I must admit that I am impressed by the promoters here who get this market of abroad students out and into clubs. Promotions through Facebook have targeted just about every American student here and offer a great bar or club every night to meet people and party (as if we went abroad to do anything else like learn). The clubs get good at the earliest 1 am and stay open until 6 am. It’s incredible! So my favorite night has officially been established and Thursdays at the nightclub “Sutton” is so far incomparable to the rest. A stage filled with go-go dancers, VIP tables everywhere, and a dance floor with platforms of coarse featuring my girls and I. I am already convinced Barcelona was made for the three of us!

    However, I cannot ignore the other bars I have made it to because they are not far behind in comparison. Shoko is a fantastic bar located right on the beach where I enjoyed a couple rum and cokes while dancing on a patio on-looking the Mediterranean. Just a typical Monday night here! Right next door is Opium Mar, which claims the same incredible beach view has an insane dance floor where techno music that I am learning to love pumps all night long. My life here in Barcelona has already started a soundtrack. Three songs come to mind when I compile a playlist to get ready for a night out. These songs would be Juliet “Avalon”, Fragma “Toca’s Miracle” and Alex Gaudino “Destination Unknown” whose video is oddly risqué and would never run in the states, check it out! One more bar that Karrie, Cabibbo and I have acquainted ourselves with would be Pippermints, a very casual bar where one can buy a 72 ounce beer or mixed drink, they’re crazy big but surprisingly one is never enough to share!

After just a week we have already found the host of our late-night-eating fests. I have been introduced to the world of schwarmas. Let me explain a bit how delicious this sandwich is, actually scratch that, it is beyond words. As anyone can find numerous restaurants in Barcelona featuring this Middle Eastern sandwich, I will forever vouch that this restaurant conveniently located below my apartment is the best.

I suppose I could get a little into the food of Barcelona since I have quickly learned that they’re eating schedule is unlike the United States. The attitude of Catalans and Spaniards is very relaxed and based on the fantastic outlook on life of enjoying each day as it comes. They take enjoyment out of every meal and find any excuse for social gatherings and drinks. The daily regiment of the common Barcelona resident begins with work from about 9am-1pm followed by a lunch break of four hours, two for lunch, el menu del dia, which includes an appetizer, an entree, a dessert, and a glass of wine. The following two hours are for socializing over cervesas (beers). Then it’s back to work from 5-9 and a light dinner concludes their day around ten or so. Depending on lifestyle this could be time for bed and downtime or post-dinner leaves enough time to take a quick nap and get ready for the exciting nightlife guaranteed every day of the week.

More about the delicious food. The infamous dish offered at every restaurant is called paella and because Barcelona is host to one of the largest harbors, fish is their prime ingredient. Paella comes in so many variations I have only tried two but I imagine every one tastes just a little bit different. It is a bit like risotto for all you Italians out there, but truly a Spanish marvel. Paella is either rice or fideau noodle base with saffron, fish stock, vegetables, chicken, shellfish, pork…there are a million variations I am convinced.

Walking the streets to class or just to wander, I notice signs of “tapas” bars at every corner. Curiosity lead us to one this week and we tried about seven kinds. Tapas are Spanish appetizers of small portions encouraging customers to try a variety. From a small fish fillet on a baguette to a caprese salad, there are lists upon lists of tapas and every bar has their own modifications to traditional tapas.

Food and drink is truly the binding force behind this city. There is no such thing as a to-go drink or meal, of coarse Starbucks has shown its face throughout the city but I think that a paper cup and lid is more obvious that we are American than flip-flops and a North Face. The intent is for every meal to be enjoyed. Drink your coffee with a friend before class or work, and have a beer or two before returning. This is the type of society I am made for. No one should be cooped up in an office when it is gorgeous outside nor should the city rise before 10am. I have always lived by the motto that no one should rise before the sun. Forget Buffalo I should have been raised in Barcelona!

please read on for more entries. - Entry #3

Filed under: Studying Abroad Journal