Sunrise

Sunrise at Barrio Predralbe en Barcelona!

ESADE!

Is she going to ESADE as well?

My 3.76 EURO Lifesaver!

Orientation 101-the plug

It's my first day of orientation. The school is tiny considering I am coming from one of the biggest campuses in the world (UBC). I met all my fellow classmates today, there are only 89 of us. Going to spend the rest of 18 months with them. I am excited. It is quite a good mix-20% Spanish, 22% European, 12% Asian, 12% North American, 20% Latin American, and the rest.

I finally got my cell phone set up. Lorena and I walked around Placa Catalunya for almost 2 hours and visited all the electronic/computer shops trying to find an adaptor (VDE plug) for the laptop. I think we had enough of market research of all the electronic, appliance, and computer shops in town. Finally found one on Antoni in a hardware store. So tired, so hungry but it's all worth it for that darn plug. Seriously, the plug is definitely something we cannot live without. No plug = no laptop = no internet = no life :)) and it has to be 2 rounds + 3 (2 flat + 1 round)!!

Deja nos tu recueto!

Some local's dedication to Starbuck's first anniversary.

So I gave in to the evil empire with my first chai lette. (with my fellow classmate Lorena from Guatemala)

Starbucks Invasion!

I cannot believe I actually slept in. I must be tired. This is the first time that I have slept more than 10 hours straight. Felt great. Since there is a cathedral right beside the apartment, Jodi and I decided to go to the afternoon 1:30 mass. We got there around 1:40pm and it was already the end of the mass ("la paz de contigo) How bizarre, not sure if we actually missed it entirely. So we decided to take a grand tour of the school. It was a nice walk going to ESADE, passing by all these nice/posh apartment along the way. The neighbourhood "Pedralbes" is also known as the "Beverly Hill of Barcelona".

Just in front of my school, I met the first fellow classmate Lorena from Guatamala!

So three of us went for a walk to Le Corte Ingleis and L'illa just to wander. Well, apparently, nothing is open on Sundays in this city (at least this part of the city). The only thing that is open in this barrio is the most infamous import "Starbucks". So there I was, the most reluctant supporter of the evil empire, had given in and bought my first Freza Chai Lette there. Since this one particular Starbucks has just been opened for a year. People posted their memories on the bulletin "Deja nos tu Recuertos". I have to say that their Chai Lette wasn't bad at all. The only thing that can be improved at the place is wireless internet :))

Guess what, they even have a map published to show all the Starbucks in Barcelona. There are total 10 of them in the city. I am sure by the time I finish my degree here, the number will be doubled or tripled. There are 2 in my neighbourhood alone. So there you have it, Starbucks invasion in Barcelona and it's still expanding!

Life is Good!

Life is Good when you have CLEAN underwear!! (my bloody baggage finally arrived-no more commando style!!)

some other funny signs

Me?

Owned by a Cat

This is dedicated to my friend Amy, who's owned by a cat.

wandering around barcelona

Jodi (my roommate) and I wandered around the Catalunya and Port Vell in the afternoon. There are quite a few neat shops here. We went to get groceries for the next few days. It totally reminded me of my backpacking days in Italy: buying bread, deli, and cheese & making sandwiches to save a few bucks eating out. I am excited about apartment hunting, it is going to be great. I cannot wait to get settled in and start putting my stuff away.

Funny how relaxed I am feeling considering I still haven't got my delayed luggage and still haven't had a place to stay permanently.

Mi Primera Comida en Barcelona

My first meal in Barcelona: "Rolling" con Pollo (shawama wrap: they call the wrap "rolling" here)

From the 14th floor on Eduardo Conte.

Hola Barcelona!

After 14 hours of flight (YVR-Seattle-Copenhagen-Barcelona), I finally arrived in Barcelona. I met an interesting girl on the plane, who is from Portland but has been studying in Denmark in the past 6 years because of her Danish boyfriend.

While waiting the information of gate in CPH, I met several seamen from the Phillipines. Very tough life as seamen, they are going on a 6-month trip starting in this tiny village up north in Danmark called Aalborg. (note: the currency in Danmark is DKK, not EURO)

My flight to Barcelona was delayed for about 2 hours so I finally landed in BCN around 7:30pm. Funny that the Spainair decided to bump off one of my luggage in CPH (so I have no summer clothes and clean underwear with me at all) and will deliver it tomorrow morning. What a bumber. I am just glad that I arrived at my friend's apartment in one piece. It is a very nice & cozy apartment on the 14th floor overlooking Zona Universitaria. Think I am going to crash tonight!

taking off

It was my last day (for a while but not for good) in Vancouver. Had breakfast at Sophie's and then wandered around the 4th avenue. We dropped by the Iona beach by the airport to watch planes taking off and landing.

I am taking off, not sure how I am going to land but I know it is going to be a full 18-month!

Visado Espanol!

I finally got my bloody student visa TODAY, one day before I am taking off for Spain! Here it is, after travelling from Toronto to Kerrisdale to White Rock and to Langley, My BLOODY STUDENT VISA!!

The Mexican is Visiting y Tacos muy Ricos

Mi amigo Francisco y yo en Gastown.

The most authentic taqueria in town: Tacos Mexicos Ricos (Hastings & Richard)
proven by the "authentic" mexican as well :)

Sharou, the Photographer

My photography buddy Mish has been "documenting" my life as a "photographer". Check out Sharou's Life as a photographer on Flickr. www.flickr.com/photos/geekygirl

Me :)

Idaho Peak, Kootenay (July 30 '05)

Caribbean Festival (July 16 '05): Three is a company! (The Namibian, Pia, & Me)