Back from Barcelona!

Happy Independence Day everyone!!!!
I am sad that I was unable to spend the weekend in Perry Park.  This was my first time not being there for July 4th, but I was able to skype my parents!

My weekend in Barcelona was PHENOMENAL! The 6 of us boarded the bus at 11pm Friday night.  We almost missed the bus but I used my spanish skills and we found it just in time! The ride was rather bumpy and I was not able to sleep more than 2 hours. We arrived in Barcelona at 730am Saturday.  We got dressed and tried to freshen up in the bus stop restroom... lets just say, it was the nastiest bathroom I have ever been in my entire life! but we managed and made it out alive! We walked to the Sangrada Familia which is a large church that was designed by an artist named Gaudi.  Gaudi had a large influence on the city.  The church has been under construction for decades.  Gaudi died during the building process and the church has never been finished.  Then we walked to el Parque Guell which also has many structures designed by Gaudi.  We had to hike up a LARGE hill but it was worth it, the park was amazing. We took advantage of all the illegal vendors and admired all of the beauty the park had to offer.  After spending a few hours at the park we walked back down the hill and grabbed some tapas and cokes to regain energy.  After lunch we walked to the Casa Milá which is another interesting building desgined by Gaudi.  It is curved and very complex.  Today it is a museum and apartment complex.  Then we walked to a metro and headed to the hotel.  After checking in we got ready and headed to the BEACH! I was beyond excited.  We had such a fun time, I felt like a little kid again... I was a little surprised to see that most women do not wear tops on beaches in Europe.. a little awkward, but we ignored!
After beach time we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner.  We went to Las Ramblas which is the busiest and most popular street in the city.  We ate dinner a an amazing itialian restaurant and spent a few hours walking the street.  My friend Bridget and I stayed back while the others went out.  We went to a ritzy restaurant and had a drink and tapa and then headed back to the hotel.  We got up the next morning, had an icecream, and boarded the bus for another 7 hour ride.  I once again was unable to sleep but this time it was because of the adorable 9 month old baby that cried THE ENTIRE WAY HOME... I was so happy when we arrived back in Madrid!
The weekend was so amazing.  I was exhausted though! We walked about 8 miles and I had a 55 pound backpack on my back the whole time! also the bus rides were pretty exhausting.  But, I am so glad I had the opportunity to go! It was wonderful!
Today we are all decked out in our UC gear.  I have class from 1-7 as always and then me and my girls are heading to TGIFridays for some REAL American food! I am excited.  Then I am heading back to my casa because I have a skype date with the Shackelfords! Mamaw and Papaw are going to my parents house tonight, I am so excited to get to talk to them! I miss my family so much!
I am over half way through my trip now and I cannot believe it.  This experience has been life changing for me and I feel so blessed to have been here.  I am going to soak in all I can in these last three weeks!
I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends in a few weeks, but I will be sad to leave!
I will get to talk to Michael THIS WEEKEND. I cannot believe we have not talked my whole time here... it has been the hardest part of this entire trip.  I cannot wait to talk to him! It will make my last few weeks here even better!!!!!!
As much as I love it here, it is not home.  I am soaking up this experience as much as I can because when I return home I will be starting a new chapter of my life. I cannot wait to marry my best friend and begin our lives together.  This trip was the best thing I could have done before starting my new life.  I feel so blessed and I am so happy!

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL 4th of July!!
I will post pictures from Barcelona later tonight!

Love and Miss everyone!!

Jess