I knew this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster but I was not prepared for how much of one. You hear a lot more about the fun exciting times people had when studying abroad, not their scary ones. It is incredible how much independence and confidence you must have on a trip like this. It would have been funny if I was able to use the internet the past two nights at my house because of the drastic change in the tone from the last two nights to today. Fortunately, I have kept a written journal and I verbalized how much I hated being here, which will be interesting to reread later. I think I am finally out of my slump because I did not get lost at all today. (Being lost when the city is dark and you dont speak spanish is the scariest thing that could ever happen-- ever, really. With that being said, Barcelona is a VERY safe city. Obviously it is a huge city so theft and other petty crimes are common but it is not often that people are killed or raped. Most of the crime happens from kids- during the day- on the metro- etc.) My first day here was a Sunday and the next two days were a holiday, los reyes, people eat cake that has a metal crown in it and a lima bean and when you get your piece if it has the bean you pay for the cake and if it has the crown you are "king of the cake!" I dont know.. the traditions here seem very wierd to me! Anyway, my first three days were not that fun because everything was CLOSED it is considered more important then christmas. These "kings" come in on a boat to the port and parade around Barcelona and a almost a million (literally) people follow them around the city. Apparently the kings that brought gifts for Jesus were more important than Jesus himself. Today all of the stores opened, people were out, it wasnt raining, I got a cell phone and the internet cord I needed, and I started class. It was an amazing day and I know I am going to love it here-- I already do. Tonight is my friends 21st birthday and we are going out probably to las ramblas. My host mom came home and sat on my bed and talked to me for a long time. She really is very patient and wonderful. My spanish is getting much better already, but I still have to act out a few words with her which is hilarious for both of us. I am getting so used to it that I have even stopped myself from starting to speak in spanish with my american friends. Tommorrow my senora is taking me to the library so I can rent movies in Spanish to help me learn faster.
I already am getting a grasp on the way the city is laid out, and the metro system. Hopefully in four months I will be a pro for when you visit!