Hola!

Things have been crazy lately with an impromtu trip to Amsterdam and final exams next week, hence the late update!

Thursday

GoPro and I went with the crew to the Magic Fountains of Bareclona in Montjuic Parc after the sun went down. When people told me it could be equated to the Bellagio water show in Las Vegas they were WRONG... this fountain was absolutely huge and had an amazing light and sound system. "2,600 litres of water are pumped through this great fountain per second in three concentric pools which have a water recirculation system". We walked down to the bottom and stood up close to the fountain, getting totally soaked in the process, but its always a good time and a greatly captured photo with mi meyor amiga de espana GoPro.

Friday

Mariella, GP, and I woke up at like 4 am and headed to the BCN airport for our flight to AMSTERDAM at 7 am. When we walked out of the airport we were greeted with the huge IAMSTERDAM sign. It was weird being a "tourist" in Amsterdam and actually needing a map, figuring out the public transportation, not understanding a word of Dutch (so all street signs ex. Haarlemmerweg), and dealing the hustle and bustle of the tourist hotspots and long ques. But alas it was all worth getting to see one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen in only three days. We arrived at Femke's apartment that we would be renting, she was hospitable and the apartment was flawless. The view from the back windowsill was beautiful. We walked around Amsterdam and had our first offical Heineken in the mother land! The canals and house boats snaked throughout the entire city and it was amazing. We took a canal tour where we were able to see many different parts of the city in a short amount of time. That night, we did some walking around the city looking for the infamous Red Light District. We got very lost and about 20 minutes after we had given up and were trying to get home, we see all the windows dark up ahead with glowing red lights. We found it alright... there were hundreds of prostitutes in the windows lining the streets. They stood in doorways to entice customers, they open the door to settle the exchange, and then they go inside the room right off the street and come out when it's over. It was very shocking to see legal prostitution going down right there on the street. There were risque shops and places where you could watch live porn shows (gross), we got weirded out and left ASAP.

Saturday

On Saturday we visited the Rijksmuseum, "The Rijksmuseum, which in English means - The State Museum, exists for more that two hundred years and today belongs to the most breathtaking museums in the world." I was able to see the actual canvas of Rembrant's "Night Watch" and many artifacts central to dutch history. Me and GoPro's favorite part of the museum that contained the history of dutch drinking games and the collection of firearms. That night, we went on a guided beer tour where we were able to try different kinds of foreign beers at three local places! We also got to see the original first building where Henikein was made and they still have the original equiptment on the counter for display. After the beer tour, me and GoPro went to Vondelpark, where it is legal to smoke and even have sex... which we didnt partake in of course. There are several large, strange statues within the park and at night people gather all over the park to drink a few, listen/play music, etc. Me and GoPro listened to some guys rapping amongst other interesting things.

Sunday

On Sunday we woke up early and headed to the Anne Frank House, without tickets we waited in line for well over an hour (in the pouring rain) but it was totally worth it. We watched informational videos and were able to see real artifacts from the Frank family, including the original diary. Then we walked the city streets and stopped at a cheese museum and a flower museum, before finding a place that sold real absynthe and the shop owner told us about how its made and such. Then we went to a large outdoor market before heading home to pack up and get to the airport!

Monday

On Monday, GoPro and I skipped class to go to Monsserat, a huge mountain in Spain. We had to take 3 different forms of transportation just to get there. We headed up one of the trails, unknowningly starting out on what would be a 5 hour round trip hike. We almost turned back a few times, but we made it to the highest point with a 360 degree view of Spain where nothing around us was taller than the point we were standing on. Then we found the staircase to heaven statue and we climbed up for one of the most amazing pictures I've ever seen.

Wednesady

Kaskade, a popular DJ in America, was playing at Opium and we all got tickets. We went to the beach club and had a great time, until I realized both of my phones were gone... I looked and asked everyone, but I finally gave up. The concert ended at 6 am and everyone went out to the beach to watch the sun rise. Luckily, Jase had been calling my phone, and an Australian girl found it in the club and called Jase! She told him how I could get my phone back from her, which I did the next day! There are still really good people in the world who may surprise you!!

Tuesday and Thursday I just went to school and did homework/hang out with friends, nothing too exciting! Here in Barca you pretty much have to take a break after a few days of touring and city life.