Hola de España

March 10, 2014

Hola de España! With less than a week left of our term abroad, we are doing all we can to see, taste and live Barcelona. What an incredible opportunity we've been given! It has been the trip of a lifetime.

We have experienced much since Katie's blog. We've had the opportunity to see some of the famous architecture of Antoni Gaudí, like La Sagrada Familia, which was the most beautiful place I've ever been.

The intention for this basilica was for it to appear as a rainforest inside and Gaudí achieved this and more. I have never seen anything like it before. I am rendered speechless by how his buildings appear to be moving, like waves especially with La Pedrera. 

Next, a visit to Monserrat! It is a mountain in Spain famous for its incredible view, and yes it was breathtakingly beautiful. 

After we explored for the afternoon and took lots of pictures, we drove to Freixenet, a well-known vineyard that specializes in cava, the "champagne of Spain". We toured the facility and learned about the entire production process (in Spanish of course) and it was very interesting!

It's incredible all of the fun and historic excursions that the Dartmouth program offers us. We always ask, "Are we really in school?" The answer is a definite yes. I have never learned so much in three months in my life. At the end of the tour we got a free tasting of the cava!

This weekend my parents came to visit and I showed them the beautiful city that has been my home for the past three months. 

They fell in love with it like I did! We went to dinner with my loving and hilarious host mom, Carmen, and I translated the entire conversation. 

I am amazed with how my Spanish has improved and I am determined to continue. This has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have met so many friends and made the best memories. I will miss it greatly. ¡Hasta pronto Barcelona!

Alli Brady '16