Finalmente Espana!

Hola de Espana!
Today we arrived in beautiful Barcelona! I wanted to cry when I got here because I couldn’t believe that my dream of coming to Europe was finally coming true. It is so amazing to have not seen land for ten days and then having this beautiful historic place be the first thing I see.
Yesterday we stopped for fuel in Gibraltar. The total process took about 6 hours from the time we stopped to the time we left. The night before we had a cultural preport lecture on Spain which further explained some of the misconceptions and actual ways of living. Last night, we had a logistical preport lecture which focused more on the things to watch out for, traveling in groups, and what today was going to look like.
Danielle and I were so excited that we couldn’t sleep and I think we finally fell asleep somewhere around 4/5am! Today I went to Montserrat and my day started out quite hectic. I woke up at 8am and was very proud of myself that I woke up early enough to go to breakfast, the American consulate lecture, and get ready. Unfortunately, I thought it would be a good idea to watch the lecture on the TV in our room and then decided to take a quick nap since I did not have to leave until 10:45. Apparently in my sleep I decided it was a good idea to change the time my alarm was set for and therefore set it for when I needed to leave. I woke up and realized what time it was and had to frantically run around trying to get myself together. Luckily, there were many people that were running even later than me, so I made it in time...whew!
Once I got to the bus pick up, I found out that I actually knew a couple of the people going so we were able to stick together. The bus ride was a little over an hour long and our tour guide was able to point out little villages to us on the way up the Mountain. Montserrat, for those who do not know, is a Spanish monastery in the gorgeous mountains of spain. There is a monastery for women and a monastery for men. The women's monastery practices complete silence!!
The monastery we went to was the mens monastery in which we did not actually get to see where the monks lived, but rather the beautiful chapel that they worshiped in. Montserrat is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. The view of Spain from up there (2,000ft) is simply breath taking and the story that the chapel told with its intricate and delicate designs, beautiful metals and sculptures as well as paintings moved me to tears. So much work and dedication went into the building of it in the late 19th century and the fact that it is still in as magnificent shape as it is, is truly incredible.
When we left the basilica chapel, there was a little market of local farmers selling their cheese, honey and fruit. We were able to try the cheeses and honey and every piece and taste was so amazing. I really wanted a peach but when I realized it was 4 Euros (apx $6) for one peach I had to turn away. I think eventually I will have to get used to the sticker shock if I want to eat.
I found a little ATM/ bank near by and used the ATM machine to get some cash. The ATM gave me 2 50 EU which was unfortunate because I was really hoping for some smaller bills. I then went to the teller (there was only one) and asked him if I could get smaller bills. He could not understand a word that I said. I was a bit hesitant to use my Spanish as much of Spain speaks Catilaian not Spanish, which is much like French. I decided to try anyways and was able to tell him what I wanted and we even had a joke in our conversation. He was trying to see if he could pull one over on me, I think just to see if I knew enough spanish, and asked me if I wanted one 10 back, I laughed and said NO, I want 5! He laughed and gave me the correct amount of change. Every person I have come in contact with here so far has been very friendly and most will even try and practice their English back to you, or are fluent in English.
Tonight Danielle and I are going to the flamenco show and traditional Spanish dinner and afterwards we are meeting up with a big group to go to local bar/dance club called Razmataz. The time of everything is so different here! Dinner is at 8:45 and the clubs do not open until 1am!
Having a great time, will put up pictures when I have a chance to go to an internet cafe, though the pictures will not be able to give justice to the beauty I saw today.

Will write again soon, off to tapas in a bit.

Adios mis amigos!