Sobbing in Sandals. Or: How to Survive Spain for Six Days
But I thought my first days would be tough in a I-miss-my-family-and-friends way. Not in a everything-that-could-go-wrong-has-gone-wrong-dear-God-F-my-life way.
I had trouble with my student aid check, my Spanish bank account, and my NIE/TIE (second half of the visa process), just to name a few.
Meanwhile, I was navigating a foreign city without wifi or a smartphone because I had cut off service to my American cell phone provider.
Helloooooo, stress.
After one particularly long day, my new roommate, Rachael, found me fighting back tears in front of my computer.
She gave me a pep talk and then said, “Maybe you shouldn’t check your emails when you’re exhausted and it’s 2am and you’re already emotionally vulnerable and have had a glass of wine…Maybe you should just go to bed.”
Touché.
#lessonlearned.
To make a long story short, my mom helped me through several things (and probably deserves a medal) and – while the stress still lingers – most of the issues are resolved or are in progress.
And since this blog is called “Humor in Heels,” not “Sobbing in Sandals,” I’d rather focus on some of the good/interesting things that happened:
My apartment is beautiful.
These pics are of the living room, dining room, and my bedroom.
My roommates are awesome.
Rachael John – Singapore
I have friends in the States who would consider me a go-getter and a bulldozer. But I am a lost lamb compared to this girl.
Juliana Zuragury – Brazil
This pic is at the Magic Fountain. Rachael and Juliana are in white (Rachael is on the left). The guy is an ESADE student and the two other women are Juliana’s friends.
I went to the Magic Fountian.
The Magic Fountain is similar to Vegas: the water changes texture, height, and color, dancing to the music. It was beautiful and romantic.
I’ll upload video when I can.
I Met Other ESADE Students
A large group of people went to Opium, a night club, and I met a large amount of ESADE students there’s the first time.
Unfortunately, due to pounding techno music and complicated name pronunciations, I actually have no idea who they are and will have to re-meet them later!
Agua
You need to buy water in Barcelona. This continues to blow my mind.
The city claims that the water from the tap is safe, but a couple of ESADE students tried it out and became ill.
I decided to pass on that particular experience.
I’m actually really curious to learn more about this water situation since it’s the biggest piece of culture shock that I’ve had this far.
In the States, I carried a water bottle around with me all of the time. Despite limited access to good water, no one seems to do that here.
Instead, they buy disposable water bottles from any of the many little shops along the street. And then they toss the plastic away.
This seems terribly wasteful.
I haven’t figured out why there isn’t a better, bigger solution to the problem. Perhaps I will learn more later.
My six days in Barcelona are complete. Now I am heading to Valencia and Ibiza for a trip with some of the other students.
Hopefully, luck/karma/divine intervention will turn the tide in my favor.
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