BaRCeLOna: Top 10 moments

I just got back from Barcelona yesterday, and I am going to sort through the hundreds of memories to pick out the winners:

1. Overnight bus ride (1am-9am)--The sleepy Asian man who sat next to me had his ringer set to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...it went off constantly and he NEVER woke up to answer or turn it off. Isn't it ironic that a lullaby kept me awake all night? Also, an angry French man paced up and down the aisle yelling at the bus driver, and then yelling at his reflection in the window...I am almost glad that I couldn't sleep so that I could witness the tirade.

2. At 7am on the bus, we were driving through the mountains to Barcelona and the sun was rising. I could see the horizon for miles in the distance and I felt my heart be still. God was so alive and vivid to me in that moment, and it felt like my breathing was syncronized with His.

3. Mambo Tango-- Sweetest Hostal in the world. We (Natalie, Jen and I) stayed there for 3 nights and there were 10 people in our room. It was totally different living out of a backpack and having guys sleep by me...guys who snored like it was a competition to break a window via sound wave. The Hostal was owned by a family from Argentina who came to Barcelona on vacation a year ago, and then decided to stay and buy a hostal.

4. We walked to the beach when we got their and bought a box of Sangria and soaked in the sun. I have no tan to prove that this actually happened, but it was awesome to be sitting on a beach in January and stare out into the sea.

5. One night I was mesmorized by chocolate covered oranges in one of the store windows, and my nameless travel companion wanted to see how much they were worth and she smashed her forehead into the window which had been invisible to her just moments before. She ran away terrified and I had the best laugh of 2008 thus far.

6. Barcelona is the home and canvas of Gaudi...He is the master arquitect who created Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Casa Batallo. It was really inspiring to see someone's dreams and aspirations manifest into the breathtaking structures that he created. Looking at his creations made me want to be more daring and passionate about what I am doing in my life. for serious.

7. After a chill night of eating kebaps (cheap, fatty, life-altering), and drinking Mojitos (equally life-altering), we went back to the hostal to watch a movie and then go to sleep. However, this all changed when 6 guys from Ohio were in our room and getting ready to go out. They invited us to come with them, and the relaxing movie night got the Ki-bosh. It was super fun to be with loud Americans (the sterotypes are so true) and I enjoyed speaking english and dancing to 80s hits.

8. We climbed up the top of Montjuic...which is where the Olympics were in '92. It was beautiful and the spirit of the Olympics is still in the air. I am currently thinking of moving to some obscure country, declaring citizenship, and then getting really good at some sport so that I can go to the Olympics for free. Also, on our journey up the mountain we met a guy from Korea who was studying in England. He was super funny and awkward and he tagged along with us even though he had no intention of climbing a mountain.

9. I met awesome people from Australia, England and Poland and I learned so much them about the world. Most people were traveling on their own, which deserves major props. I am realizing what a cool time of my life I am in right now! I am also learning how to be a great sponge.

10. Realization that I am me and that I have purpose. yea, this is pretty huge.