This is my first student exchange ever and I am super excited. Since I chose Spanish as my second language (besides English), professor gave us an option on going to Spain for a week; learning more Spanish (you always learn more in real life than textbooks) and besides the draft for the presentation that we're going to compose in this one week, which is going to be grated, we're going to gain lots of experiences, make new friends and get familiar with the life in Spain. Myself and other ten from my class are departing on Tuesday. We are first going to ride with a bus to Venice, from which we are flying to hot Barcelona. Here is a list of things that are planned for the upcoming week:
Now at first I didn't think on going on this exchange since I'll miss out a lot in school and will have to catch up which won't be easy. But then when I got to real thinking I said to myself: 'While I'm constantly saying why I tell myself why not." And that is kinda how I decided that I'll experience and live up more in Spain by meeting new people, learning new habits, getting familiar with new lifestyle, experience new traditions than sitting in boring school. And there's a quote (of course I always find a quote for everything) that goes something like that (and I don't remember the author): "Do it or don't. No matter what you decide; you'll regret it." And that's somehow true, but no matter what I would have decided I would have it good any way: if I go (which I am and so far I don't regret anything) I'm going to experience whole new country, bunch of new people that I'll never forget and don't let me start about the experiences and memories worth remembering. And if I stayed I would still see my crush everyday, so I wouldn't be so sad either, but I still think that the choice I made was the best one. What do we have from life if not to travel and explore? It's the best thing ever.
- Parc Nou Museum: from what I can see from the Google photos, I am overwhelmed by the beautiful nature surrounding this gorgeous park.
- Croscat volcanoes: I always wanted to see volcanoes from up close and I'm thrilled and freaked at the same time since I've never seen a volcano before. It's going to be a trip and a half!
- La Frageda factory: I think it's important that we see some attractions from the industry part, too. Well, I might not call it an attraction, but I think it's going to be interesting to see how it all works.
- Dali's Museum in Figueres: now this is my ultimate favorite attraction we are going to see: I've been wanting to go there for some time now! Fun fact: my mom and dad went on their honeymoon there and we've got lots of pictures, I simply can't wait!
- Cadaqués: the beautiful sea city with little white buildings and turquoise sea; perfect for a afternoon trip! Cadaqués has a special place in art history, too; many artist have visited this beautiful town for their own inspiration, vacation or work such as: Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Marcel Duchamp, Richard Hamilton, Antoni Pitxot, Melina Mercouri and Maurice Boitel.
Now at first I didn't think on going on this exchange since I'll miss out a lot in school and will have to catch up which won't be easy. But then when I got to real thinking I said to myself: 'While I'm constantly saying why I tell myself why not." And that is kinda how I decided that I'll experience and live up more in Spain by meeting new people, learning new habits, getting familiar with new lifestyle, experience new traditions than sitting in boring school. And there's a quote (of course I always find a quote for everything) that goes something like that (and I don't remember the author): "Do it or don't. No matter what you decide; you'll regret it." And that's somehow true, but no matter what I would have decided I would have it good any way: if I go (which I am and so far I don't regret anything) I'm going to experience whole new country, bunch of new people that I'll never forget and don't let me start about the experiences and memories worth remembering. And if I stayed I would still see my crush everyday, so I wouldn't be so sad either, but I still think that the choice I made was the best one. What do we have from life if not to travel and explore? It's the best thing ever.
DAY #1:
So we first went with a bus to Venice from where we flew to hot Barcelona. I remember being all dressed in black since it was like 9C in Slovenia. We just landed; were all tired and annoyed and couldn't wait to just lay down and relax. You can be pretty stressed out from all the check-ins and putting your belt off and back on again, I knew that before since I traveled a lot through swimming, but I am pretty exhausted every single time I fly.
Anyway, we landed and then we waited for our partners from Spain to arrive. The funny thing was that they waited for us on the wrong terminal so they had to go around the whole airport and we waited there thinking if they might have forgotten about us. But their teacher called our and said they were waiting at the wrong side and are now coming. We were all pretty anxious about how our partners will look like (well we've seen them on the pictures before, but it's always different in person) and how will they respond to us. Then, a few minutes later, they arrived from across the hall, holding a sign saying: "WELCOME TO CATALONIA!" They were all so sweet and they even brought us food, imagine that! I instantly knew which was my partner, she was so nice and she accepted me immediately. I mean, she had to, but she was also willing to do every single thing for me, you could see from space that she is very good with people. A few minutes passed regarding their worm welcome, then we were headed to the big shopping center in Barcelona - the Maremagnum Center. It was huge and there were so many cool shops we don't have in Slovenia. There was also Starbucks Coffee and I sure bought a nice Vanilla Frapuccino. We were then guided to the famous La Rambla which was full of all possible kinds of people: the confused, tired but happy and excited tourists, the busy locals and street artists. The street was very wide and surrounded by these gorgeous buildings. We passed the opera house, the wax museum and many famous restaurants I wish we had time to visit.
We then stayed in Barcelona until about 7:30 when we were headed to the little town called Olot, where all of our partners lived and where their high-school was located. We arrived very late, about nine o'clock. The parents of our partners picked us up and finally we just crashed in our beds and fell asleep instantly.
Anyway, we landed and then we waited for our partners from Spain to arrive. The funny thing was that they waited for us on the wrong terminal so they had to go around the whole airport and we waited there thinking if they might have forgotten about us. But their teacher called our and said they were waiting at the wrong side and are now coming. We were all pretty anxious about how our partners will look like (well we've seen them on the pictures before, but it's always different in person) and how will they respond to us. Then, a few minutes later, they arrived from across the hall, holding a sign saying: "WELCOME TO CATALONIA!" They were all so sweet and they even brought us food, imagine that! I instantly knew which was my partner, she was so nice and she accepted me immediately. I mean, she had to, but she was also willing to do every single thing for me, you could see from space that she is very good with people. A few minutes passed regarding their worm welcome, then we were headed to the big shopping center in Barcelona - the Maremagnum Center. It was huge and there were so many cool shops we don't have in Slovenia. There was also Starbucks Coffee and I sure bought a nice Vanilla Frapuccino. We were then guided to the famous La Rambla which was full of all possible kinds of people: the confused, tired but happy and excited tourists, the busy locals and street artists. The street was very wide and surrounded by these gorgeous buildings. We passed the opera house, the wax museum and many famous restaurants I wish we had time to visit.
We then stayed in Barcelona until about 7:30 when we were headed to the little town called Olot, where all of our partners lived and where their high-school was located. We arrived very late, about nine o'clock. The parents of our partners picked us up and finally we just crashed in our beds and fell asleep instantly.
DAY #2:
The second day begun with exploring the school in Olot. The parents always drove us to school around eight o'clock and there we met with our friends; Spanish or Slovenian. Many from my class also attended this exchange and this time too many of us signed for Spain (the limit was five per class, but there were ten of us so), but the teacher let us go anyway. So we arrived to the school and our Spanish partners had to go to class, because the professors just won't let them skip class (we were pretty sad about that news). Anyway, so we first went around the whole school; to see where the school playground is, where is the park and the gym and later the principal himself welcomes us again to their school. Then we went for a tour of the inside of the school and visited some classes. It was pretty awkward because we just stood there like stupid trolls and they were looking at us just like we were some trolls. But we managed some conversations and the time passed quite quickly. So came the time for aerobics; no one was pretty fond of that part of the day, but we tried and did our best (it is good for your health, though). We later on enjoyed the warm weather on the grass in the park.
We then, in the late afternoon, visited the Parc Nou Museum, the official Olot museum of volcanoes and geographic shit like that. It was pretty interesting actually, the guide was talking in clear Spanish and I understood quite a bit. The nature was beautiful, even though I got a bite from this dumb midge that was obviously pretty angry.
Later that day my Spanish partner, Carla, invited all of us to her house and there was some long walk to her house, but we got to talking and it went fast. We hang out, maybe studied (for like about five minutes) and laughed at our awkwardness. But it was fun and we got to know each other pretty well. The day was full of activities so we were pretty tired in the end.
We then, in the late afternoon, visited the Parc Nou Museum, the official Olot museum of volcanoes and geographic shit like that. It was pretty interesting actually, the guide was talking in clear Spanish and I understood quite a bit. The nature was beautiful, even though I got a bite from this dumb midge that was obviously pretty angry.
Later that day my Spanish partner, Carla, invited all of us to her house and there was some long walk to her house, but we got to talking and it went fast. We hang out, maybe studied (for like about five minutes) and laughed at our awkwardness. But it was fun and we got to know each other pretty well. The day was full of activities so we were pretty tired in the end.
DAY #3:
The third day was a very busy day. We went to Croscat volcanoes and visited the beautiful natural park. Every hill you saw was once a volcano and it was awesome to look one from up close, too. So we went separately, some parents offered a ride to the edge of the town, where the park is located. We there sat under the shadows of big oaks in for about fifteen minutes so the Spanish teachers could find us some guide to take us there. She managed to find one so we went. The walk was fantastic and the landscape was amazing. There were fields everywhere and the landscape was similar to Tuscany for a second at the beginning. We were walking on the path under the tree rings that surrounded the path and the sunlight was shining on us through the uncovered holes. It was magical. We arrived in about 15-20 minutes, including the occasional stops to explain some natural elements. It was very educative. We enjoyed the still-very-summer sun and air. We headed back after an hour and we went to the next volcano after a small pause. The path up was pretty steeply but we managed to reach the peak and the goal we went for was worth the effort; inside the huge crater there was this small stone church which had written names and love quotes all over its front door. Although the doors were chained I could manage to take a photo of the inside of this little chapel.
Then we continued our journey to the La Fageda factory where we took a look at the famous dairy in Catalonia. It has its famous reputation by hiring people with mental disabilities and, of course, the yummy products. They own their own cows and even have their own gardens and little forests where they get all the sources to great products.
The day itself was pretty adventurous and I really learned a lot. I hope to visit the factory one day soon!
DAY #4:
Friday was my absolute favorite day. We first went to gorgeous Figueras to see the awesome theater-museum of the one of a kind genius, Salvador Dali. We had a short tour around the whole museum which he designed. I saw him in the whole other perspective than so far and I was really surprised by what he had going on in his head, but I must say ... He was a genius. He devoted many of his work to Gala or they were about her. 'They were a team,' the guide said. 'They were like a shell and the soft core inside. He was the core.' We then went outside and took a tour around the city; I took lots and lots of photos. The city was fascinating and very beautiful.
In the afternoon we were headed to the beautiful little seaside town, Cadaques, just about thirty kilometers from Figueras, where Dali found his inspiration and the landscape of Cadaques is often accompanied in his paintings. We had three hours of free time and were totally free to explore the town on our own. My friend and I started exploring right away. The city center is filled with cute cafes and little tourist shops. The shore was all around us and the summer breeze was our guide. It was like summer all over again. Then we stopped in this little park near the center and very up close to the shore, where we ate our lunch. We never wanted to leave.
We came back to our "hometown" very late in the evening. We took lots of pictures that will remain a good memory forever.
In the afternoon we were headed to the beautiful little seaside town, Cadaques, just about thirty kilometers from Figueras, where Dali found his inspiration and the landscape of Cadaques is often accompanied in his paintings. We had three hours of free time and were totally free to explore the town on our own. My friend and I started exploring right away. The city center is filled with cute cafes and little tourist shops. The shore was all around us and the summer breeze was our guide. It was like summer all over again. Then we stopped in this little park near the center and very up close to the shore, where we ate our lunch. We never wanted to leave.
We came back to our "hometown" very late in the evening. We took lots of pictures that will remain a good memory forever.
DAY #5:
Our exchange was coming to an end and we were really sad about it. We really got used to our new family, the lifestyle and especially the food and the weather. We didn't miss the cold Slovenia much! I mean, I was pretty homesick and missed my family, but I could stay here for the whole summer long, no problem. So the day started with a picnic in the school cafeteria where all families and partners were gathered. Men were starting the barbecue or playing basketball at the schoolyard and we, women, were setting up tables and organizing, cleaning and preparing the food. It was a laugh. After the meal we had some sort of old traditional dance class where this band taught us some dances from not only Spain and Catalonia, but from all over the world. It was pretty fun actually, now that I think about it. It was freezing cold though, but we had a really good time and were getting to know each other even more. We really had a bond. After a energetic hour of all sorts of dances, we went for a portion of freshly made chestnuts and hang out. We sang and shared memories. It was a good day.
After this we went to our homes and later went out together. We went to the light festival that is special for Catalonia. We were just walking around the city, chat and had a great night. I couldn't sleep that night, thinking of facing reality in two days.
DAY #6:
We had Sunday left for a little further exploration of mystic Barcelona. We went around cathedrals, saw some awesome and worldwide known boutiques, we went to Starbucks and Hard Rock Cafe and then waited for the bus to arrive in the famous Placa de Catalunya park. It was amazing; we just sat there on the steps, drinking our Starbucks coffee and eating our snacks and just enjoying everything since it'll be gone in just few hours time. We then went on a bus and take a final photo in front of the Museu Nacional d'Art. I miss those times. I'm very glad I went and I will never forget those people.
I must say that my first impression from this exchange is how the people from Spain are taking everything easy. They don't argue, they solve problems right away and they don't stress over small things. I wish I was like them, but I believe anything can be learned. They really love each other and show that love through everyday actions like through greetings or saying goodbye and stuff like that. They're very passionate and thoughtful, they're sweet and they like to help, open-minded and artistic. I liked the locals from Barcelona the most; how when you walked down the street they just said hello and how you're doing today in a non-bully way and how they were actually so opened up that you didn't know if it's a prank or they're doing it because they actually wanna know how you're doing. And they actually do wanna know how you are because they just kept the conversation going like we were some old lost friends united once again. It was magical and I took lots of experiences from Barcelona. You see all kinds of people there and I was just fascinated.
I gotta say I'm gonna miss Spain in general, not just my 'hometown' or Barcelona that we visited the most. It was the whole atmosphere and energy those people, buildings and food, too, gave you. It was everything combined and creating such unforgettable memory that I will hold forever in my heart. It's really magical, actually, staying over for a week at some strangers' house (of course, they were normal people, since our teachers checked) and being on your own. You learn a lot and mostly, I learned patience, helping out and being generous. They give and give all the time, even if it's just around family. They take care of each other and are aware of the important things around them they could loose anytime, so they're really living in the moment, but still not, you know, in that partying-hard way. They are surrounded by the people that love them and give love in return. They are some people to look up to. Can't wait to go back there.
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