Submitted by Lauren Barrese on the 2016 winter session program in Spain and Italy sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice…
Week four in Spain and our voyage abroad leaves us in Barcelona. Leaving Seville was definitely tough. Seville was quiet, quaint, vibrant and by far my favorite city in Spain that we have visited thus far. A five hour bullet train from Seville to Barcelona was an adventure in itself. Sitting in coach 10 was roomy and filled with the students on our trip. Half-way through the ride, we ventured through the first few cars to the first which was a cafe. There were tall tables to look out the windows while eating your food or sipping your coffee to appreciate the mountains and open fields that Spain had to offer. Arriving in Barcelona later in the night made me realize how similar it was to New York City. All of the other cities in Spain we have visited had little cobblestone alley ways and steep hills lined with cafes and boutiques. Barcelona was different.
Barcelona had wide concrete streets with designer stores and large restaurants. It was different, in the best way possible. I enjoyed the mix up of atmospheres and the Catalan language. In class, we learned that Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, one of the seventeen regions in Spain. This has become a prominent issue in today’s Spanish politics. Catalonians have their own language, culture and history that differs from the rest of Spain. They identify themselves as Catalonians, not Spaniards. They do their best in attempting to secede from Spain, claiming they have different ideals and standards and have the resources to become their own prosperous nation.
Out of the places we visited so far in Spain, my favorite would have to be Park Güell. This was a park designed by Gaudi, a famous artist who is known for his mosaic tile art and his appreciation of nature and his incorporation of it in the modernity of his art. We toured the top of the park which allowed us the opportunity to see the top of the city and we then ventured to the bottom part where we winded through pillars which drained the rain water to the underground water bank.
As we approach “the middle of our sandwich” to the journey of a lifetime, I am happy to be experiencing these cities through the culture, history and action packed adventures they have to offer, but I am also looking forward to being reunited with those I love and miss at home. Being able to learn with a hands on approach by touring the cities, museums and places we learn about in lectures and in our readings makes you understand and appreciate the material more. Two more days left in Barcelona and then off to Rome we go!