I’ll admit, even in the states I am pretty much as white as it gets (although I am technically 50% Mexican); my skin tone during the winter is more or less 100% transparent (thanks Dad). In the states this just means an excessive amount of sunscreen gets used for outdoor activities, but overall I fit in. I am a middle to upper class white girl. I have never had to think about the fact that I might look different, or get treated differently for my skin color.

It’s taken me a while to get the motivation to write a post. Not because I haven’t had a great time in Paris, but because I’m trying to capture it’s magic every single minute possible. And unfortunately, soon my study abroad journey will be coming to an end, and every time I make a draft for a blog post I find it hard for me to believe that soon, I will be back at “home” in the United States.

            I am so, so embarrassingly behind on blog posts. I can’t believe that the last time I posted was when I first started class here at UCT. I am now roughly six weeks into the semester and SO much has happened since then. School has unfortunately picked up so trying to juggle classes and homework on top of doing everything I want to do in this city before I leave, I have been a busy bee! And for the record, yes, I do actually go to class (much more often that I would ideally like to be honest)!

This past week, I got the honor of showing my parents and my dad's boss around my city of Buenos Aires. Knowing that they all came from the cornfields of Indiana to Argentina for a half business (and a little more than half pleasure) trip- I had to be on my best tour guide behavior. Not only was this quiz time for me, but it was also time for me to watch as they went through cultural shock just like I did- and let me tell you, it was pretty funny (even though they are all world travelers).

This Sunday my host mom took Mariana, Sammy and I to her cousin’s farm, Finca Daysi. Before we left for the farm, I had school work to do at La Loberia beach. We are working on mapping the populations of sea lions and marine iguanas on San Cristobal Island.

As my time in Barcelona comes to a close, I've started thinking about my experience abroad this semester. Barcelona has been my home since the first week of January. Over these past four months, I have formed friendships with waiters, storekeepers, roadside vendors, and Spanish students. I've discovered incredible restaurants, parks, markets, and bars. I have become a professional in navigating the city's transportation system and main squares.