E1 - Arrival in BCN and Fiesta de Saint Joan

Hello All!

Turns out that finding time to write is difficult here in Barcelona. This city is all I remember and more. I've arrived during a week of festival, although the actual day of celebration wasn't until Friday night. More on that later.

For starters, the formalities....my flight was uneventful (good thing) my apartment is better that I imagined. I've yet to actually meet my roommate, but I've gotten to know 2 Mexican friends of hers (staying here in her absence) very well. The good news about the apartment is that it is in a very quiet area at night....the bad news about the apartment location is that it is in very quite area. Yes, it is both good and bad. Not much to do locally here after dark but the Metro station in only 1 1/2 blocks away and there are all night buses within 2 blocks.

I've gotten to spend the past 2 evenings with Eliza, Carlos and baby Orlando. He is the easiest baby I have ever met and am enjoying greatly the long stretches of time Eliza allows me to hold him. Catching up with her is fantastic and the back and forth between Carlos and I is fun. They always seem to have visitors from all over the world, and those of you who always razz me about knowing someone everywhere would see that I can't compare to their list.

I've lucked out with my apartment in more than location and quality. Turns out that an Irish friend of mine lives barely 3 blocks away, and on my way to the beach. He was so great my first morning/afternoon here. He came by to pick me up, take me for a much needed cup of coffee and breakfast and then gave me a quick orientation of the area. He really is a great guy and I am really lucky to have him so close. On Friday he and I cooked Chicken Korma in his apartment, what a fantastic and fun meal it was. He is also a local DJ and fellow computer fanatico.

Ok, so that was just the basics of my days so far, I know it was boring but now for the real fun. ..>..>

Friday June 23rd was the Fiesta of Saint Joan. On the night of June 23 each year, neighbourhoods in Barcelona organize celebrations with bonfires where people burn old furniture and unwanted items and hold firework displays. Bands play and people dance the night away. Traditionally, everyone eats a special kind of cake called coca, made of pine nuts and dried fruits. It was originally a pagan festival that celebrated the summer solstice (shortest night/longest day of the year). But even though the actual day of celebration wasn't until Friday, the city has been booming with fireworks since I arrived on Wednesday. This festival is a great example of what attracts me to Barcelona, as it is full of symbolism and everything having to do with this celebration "is part of the transformation, where what is present in our everyday lives take on new meaning." (read that somewhere, not mine, but I don't remember where)

I left Eliza's at 2am and the metro was packed with hot, sweaty, rowdy teenagers, 20 Somethings and a smattering of older people. I don't think any one could possibly imagine how many people I mean by packed but sardines come to mind. Everyone, including me, on the way to the beach. Yes, 2am.... I was making my way to the beach. Hundreds of thousands of people on all the beaches in Barcelona. People dancing and tweaking as far as the eye could see. Everyone having a good time, and everyone setting off fireworks. I may suffer from shell shock for the next few days but it was worth the experience. I found myself dancing with a group of French guys and girls at one of the DJ tents closest to my apartment until about 4:30am. The beach party goes on until 6am, but I just couldn't go any longer.

The walk back to my apartment at that hour somehow felt safe, and I think it says a lot about priorities in this city on a night of celebration. The guys staying in the apartment got in an hour later and I didn't actually get to bed until about 6am. ..>..>

Now that a good part of my day has escaped while I slept, I have to rush around and finish my errands. Going to a friends birthday party tonight and Sunday I am on a mission with the two Mexican guys sharing my apartment. Turns out that one of them, Victor, is here chasing a girl and his friend and I are going to be the set up crew for all the events he has planned to win her back. Including having hired a Mariachi Band (not easy to come by in Barcelona) to serenade her in Placa Catalunya. Or better known as the very center/heart of this romantic city. I'll have pictures to post soon. For now here is a not so good quality, a little too drunk to focus in the dark, picture of the Fiesta of Saint Joan.

This is going to be a good 8 months in Europe, I know I will miss you all but I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and support. Besos!