Journal Entry June 26th 5:23 pm

5:23 pm 26th?

I think it's the 26th but I'm not sure. With no school or work to keep me on track and wierd sleeping patterns to really confuse me I don't even know what day it is!

It is the day I finally found my school. The day I walked down Las Ramblas. It took me only 15 minutes to get to the school today. After that I walked down La Gran Via De Les Cortes Catalanes until I came to La Rambla. The guidebooks are right it is the place where all the tourists are. I heard Chinese, Italian, German, and English (both American and British) mixed in among the Spanish and Catalan. There are different sections on La Rambla; the performers, the artists, the bird and rat sellers, the cheap tourist junk, etc...

I think my favorite part was La Boqueria (Mercat de St Josep) it was wonderful! So much noise! So many people! So many stalls!

I bought Zuma (which is apparently fresh fruit juice) I tried strawberry/orange and strawberry banana they were both phenomenal. I also bought a container of freshly cut fruit (strawberries/melons/kiwis) just like the ones I got in Mexico when I went to visit Ana.

I also found some stuff I would never be caught eating; eel, squid, snails, clams, oysters, and (worst of all) pig's head! The candy stalls helped to make up for the aweful sights and smells of the meat. It was so bright and colorful and sugar-coated; it looked like something out of a child's fantasy. Next time I go I think I will have to try some.

So I was thinking.... legally I can only stay in Spain for 3 months on my visitor's visa. What if I stay here right to the latter end of the second month and then go to France for 3 months!? Then maybe Germany or Italy!? I could turn my year in Spain into a personal mini-European tour. I can work and live in each country for a while and get to know each place and its people before I move on. I'm not sure my parents will like the idea much but I do! I guess I will decide based on job opportunities and rent options here.

9:03 pm

I've decided that I am going to try and make myself a little more brave everytime I go out. So first I went in the Buddha store down the street and bought a drink, today I did that and went to the market. I think next I will either go to the supermarket or the Brasilian Cafe at the end of the road. I want to make myself get over my silly fears and really start living.

P.S. I think the baby a couple apartments down took his first steps today! It was beautiful to hear his grunts and failed attempts followed by the cheers of his whole family. (It was almost as loud as the tumult yesterday during the Futbol Soccer match).