A Snapshot of September

September came to an end and I want to share some highlights from my first month in Spain along with my favorite places in Barcelona, Spain thus far:

1. Feeling the gust of wind from the train at Virrei Amat. That was scary at first. The noise and the feeling that I was going to fall forward or maybe fall backwards because of the strength of the wind.
2. Going to La Escocesa, after an IES Abroad Barcelona Student Success Coordinator recommended this place to me. La Escocesa is an artist-led contemporary visual arts organisation and residency space. They offer workspaces and resources for the development of artist projects. I really enjoyed viewing sculpture art, seeing how poetry and visual art can be married, and also seeing an exhibition inspired by an artists’ life with a chronic illness. She said during the exhibition that “pain is the companion” and I couldn’t agree more.
3. Getting my 90-day metro pass with some friends that I just met in the study abroad program. I am so happy that we went as a group and afterwards we took photos at a photo booth in the metro station. This was a first for me, having a metro pass because in the states I take uber’s everywhere. Let me just say, the metro is better! Wait, also with these same friends, we went to Flying Tiger Copenhagen which is a Danish store chain which sells toys, stationary, home decor, and craft materials. 
4. The trip to Tarragona was amazing. I lucked up and got a hotel room by myself. After I unpacked, I went to the beach with some friends and we saw other students from the study abroad program and we all swam in the ocean together. That moment was very soothing, and cinematic and reminded me that we are all a part of something greater than ourselves. That night, I ate dinner and enjoyed a bath and listened to music. Also, in Tarragona we had a Castell Workshop and this was interesting. The castells is a human tower performance that links back to the 18th century. They are performed during diades castelleres (gatherings) and this Catalan tradition relies on “careful preparation of roles, structure, and physical effort.” 
5. Wine tasting at a place called Entrevins was fun. We tasted about five to six different wines and I was like okay, enough is enough. But this event was very fun because not only did we taste wines but we were instructed to pour red wine on a piece of paper. It turned blue because of the alkaline substance (paper). Not only did I learn about the science of wine but I also learned that I do not like red wine, rather, I prefer white wine.
6. Hiking in Montserrat National Park was great. That morning on the bus trip I had a very deep conversation with one of my study abroad friends about recovering one’s artistry, spirituality, mindfulness, and dreams about the future. We stayed close that day and while hiking talked about our love for our aunts, family trauma, and on our way back to Barcelona, Spain we listened to music together. This was an eye-opening and beautiful day for me which was very inspirational.

Favorite places of mine: 

1. Llibreria Ona and Backstory Bookshop (I purchased Bluets by Maggie Nelson, When I Dare to Be Powerful by Audre Lorde, and The Character of Rain by Amélie Nothomb) from the second bookstore. So far, I am reading Bluets and love Nelson’s multiplicitous interpretations of the color blue.
2. Curtis Audiophile Cafe & Record Store (I went one night and almost spazzed because the DJ started playing Watching Me by Jill Scott). I love Jilly from Philly!!!!
3. Jaç Hi-fi Cafe and Kafenion Barcelona. Something is in the air in both of these places because the way that I lock in on work and get things done is amazing.
4. Herbolari Llansà. My throat was hurting one day and I felt like I was coming down with a cold and I visited a herbal medicine store and bought liquid medicine called “Pinosan” and it contains reishi, propolis, eucalyptus, pine, licorice, vitamin C, fig. It worked. Whatever I was coming down with was knocked out of my system!!
5. In terms of art centers, I love Casa Batlló, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, PH21 gallery Barcelona, and La Virreina Centre de la Imatge
6. When it comes to restaurants, I do not have a favorite place. Honestly, I love everything that my homestay mom makes in the kitchen. She can cook!! Tortilla de patatas is something that I always talk about. It is my favorite. Also, my homestay mom cooked bacalao one night and I tried it for the first time and liked it. My mom said “eww, you like bacalao” lol. My mom is Black and Puerto Rican and bacalao is a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine and she hates it.
7. Razzmatazz. In the U.S., I never partied but honey, this nightclub is amazing. As described on their website, “the night takes many forms.” There are five different rooms and music styles. Some of the music styles are indie-pop, electro-rock, techno, house, afrobeats and rap. Normally, I am a R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Soul girl. But I love techno and room 5, the rave. 
8. Hotel España. The main floor is accessible to the public and their photography book collection and art history books are insane. I looked through a lot yesterday and they let me do it. The bottom floor is accessible to the public and you do not have to be a customer to be helped. I love it!