Sea and Cuisine

After IES Orientation, the first couple days of classes, and finding my way around the city, the first tourist-y thing I did was the sunset sea cruise with some friends. It was great to be reunited with friends, but during the "sunset" sea cruise, the sun was bright, the waves were rough, and there was no complimentary wine like the advertisement promoted. Towards the end, Michael and I went to the first floor of the boat to take a siesta. My tummy was not enjoying the waves. 

After the sunset sea cruise, Katerina Popov, Michael Aaron and I went on our own adventure to find a foreign cuisine for dinner. We found a small resturant on near the shore called La Flor de Norte. We each decided to order paella, which is a traditional Spanish dish that consists of white rice, green vegetables, meat or seafood, beans and seasoning. Although Michael has never tried shell fish, he is allergic. Yes, you heard me right. It's on my bucket list to take Michael to Red Lobster for his first time hehehe. Anyways, due to his imagination, he ordered the carne (meat) paella plater while Katerina and I ordered the mixed carne and pescado (meet and seafood) paella  platter. 

Seafood and meat? Sounds good, right? Well, it was. When eating the unique cuisine, I thought I was eating chicken as the meat and calamari, shrimp, and mussels as the seafood. When asking Katerina what she thought was in it, she said there was also lamb. Lamb?! I have never eaten lamb, so I could not tell. It tasted like chicken.

When I got home, I showed Esther, my host Madre,  a picture of what I ate. She asked if I knew what was in it. I told her my thoughts, but she shook her head at me. My stomach dropped.  When examining the picture, she said I ate...

arroz = rice

verduras = vegetables

mejillones = mussels

calamares = calamari 

gambas = shrimp

pollo = chicken

conejo = rabbit

costilla de cerdo = pig rids

That's right-- rabbit and pig ribs.  Well that's just great. I will admit I like to try new things, so I wasn't too grossed out. I was more shocked than anything. The rabbit was already in my stomach, so there was no going back. Overall, it really did taste like chicken. 

Con un conejo en mi estómago,

RachRobes

Home away from Home

The moment I walked in the Garcia Rodriguez apartment, I knew I was home. Not only was I familiar with the layout and ambiance, but I noticed that my face was everywhere! You know you're home if you see pictures of yourself everywhere, am I right? Well, I was not expecting to be this much at home. To the right of the entry way, there are The Robillard Family Christmas Cards from when Maria was with us in 2009. Maria is actually featured in the 2009 Christmas card on the top. It writes, "Seasons Best Greetings Love, Anne, Steve, Jackie, Rachel Robillard & Maria from Barcelona". I thought the Christmas cards were the cutest, until I put my bags in Maria's room. Next to her bed, there are pictures of when Jackie and I were in high school in 2010. My Mom must have sent those pictures in the Christmas cards? Who am I to say that's creepy because I have pictures of her next to my bed still, too :) In addition to the pictures, you would think I was still in the U.S. since there are patriotic sunglasses, flags and a Ricky's BBQ cup. Maria got her fare share of souvenirs when she was in Texas! It's safe to say I am Home away from Home.

I am glad I'm in Spain, I am glad I am in Barcelona, and I am glad that the Garcia Rodriguez family is hosting me yet again. I am looking forward to maintaining our ever-lasting relationship and adding new pictures to Maria's wall.

Con amor,

RachRobes

Sprite Be Back, Alright

After the flight attendant took my trash, including my Sierra Mist, I got over my Sprite fetish and ended up treating myself to a water with lemon once I escorted myself off of the plane. During the hour-long layover in Miami, my friend Michael Aaron and I went to TGIF, even though it was Monday. We each ordered chicken tenders with french fries for our last American meal for this summer. It was quite delicious if I do say so myself.

When boarding the plane to Barcelona, Michael and I were able to sweet talk Michael's seat buddy to exchange seats with me so we could sit together.To my surprise, it worked. Thanks again, lovely lady. Once we got cozy in our spots, I noticed Kimberly S. and Christy Green coming our way. I saw them each at security at DFW and we chit chatted until our flight to Miami, but once we landed in Miami, Michael and I were hungry hippos, so we went our separate ways. As I was saying, they were coming towards us and said their seats are right in front of us. What are the odds?

After roughly 45 minutes while in the air, the beverage cart began its route. I was prepared to order tomato juice, when all of a sudden... Oh my goodness gracious, is that Sprite on the cart? In fact it was. Not only was there Sprite, but there was Sprite Zero, too. I graciously asked for the Sprite. Day made. I have noticed international flights are the way to go. There is more leg room, complementary blankets and pillows,  dinner and snacks provided, and more soda options, such as the satisfying Sprite. Life is good and now I'm going to nap for 5 hours until my flight arrives to Barcelona at 9:30am.

Buenos noches,

RachRobes 

Sparkle, Sparkle Sprite

My favorite part about plane rides is the complementary soda. Man, I have been craving a Sprite since I woke up this morning at 8am. Okay, fine. Since 8:15am since I pressed the snooze button a couple of times. Anyways, I really wanted a Sprite. When the flight attendant asked me what I would like to drink, I politely answered, "I would like a Sprite please." She nodes then looks for the beverage on her cart. To my surprise, she handed over a Sierra Mist. I stare blankly as I reached over the sleeping man beside me to retrieve the drink. I place the foreign beverage down on my tray table. I pop it open and fill the substance in my cup of ice. I take a sip and yuckity yuck yuck... that ain't no Sprite-flavored drink. The lady didn't even ask me if I wanted a Sierra Mist as a substitute. I would have said no and got some tomato juice or something. I hate tomatoes, but I love me some tomato juice.

But really? A Sierra Mist? Why does American Airlines  have Sierra Mist over Sprite? I wanted a sensational Sprite. I understand American Airlines has had some financial issues, but for heavens sake, keep the Sprite. Whatevs. I just wanted a Sprite. I guess I'll treat my self to a real Sprite once I land in Miami.    

De tristeza,

RachRobes

Sit back, Relax and Enjoy the Flight

Squeezed between two grown men, I am sitting in the middle seat. To top it off, the lady in front of me has had her seat reclined since before the plane took off. What a rebel move. Oh man, now the man behind me is playing footsies with me since he has stretched out his legs like a giraffe on his tippy toes. Regardless, these subtle setbacks are not going to damper my day since I am on my way to Barcelona, Spain to study abroad through IES Abroad and UT Study Abroad for two months.

Wow, I cannot believe the time has finally come. After an entire year of planning and coordinating my trip, I will be in Barcelona in 13 hours. As I earn seven college credit hours, I will be studying Spanish and International Marketing at the IES school in the center of Barcelona. While attending school, I will be living through independent hosing with my host family: the Garcia Rodriguez family. During the summer entering my junior year of high school, I studied abroad to Barcelona, Spain through the Rotary Club. While learning a different language and culture, I lived in Barcelona for three weeks with the Garcia Rodriguez family. After the three weeks, Maria Garcia Rodriguez, who is my age, came back to Texas with me for three weeks to also learn a different language and culture in America. It was a wonderful experience, and I now have a second family in Barcelona. I have not been back to Barcelona in four years, so I am looking forward to rekindling my relationship with the Garcia Rodriguez family.

Friends and family have asked me if I am scared to be traveling over seas all summer. Every time someone asks, I shack my head and grin. Although I am traveling to another continent, country, city, I am not the slightest bit nervous. I am going to be living with my second family, and I know I will be welcomed with arms wide open.

Hasta luego,

RachRobes