Dos Semanas!

It has been two great weeks here since I started my journey abroad, and just like the last anniversary I will include a few more things I have learned in this past week!

• Whenever there is water on the sidewalk don't step in it. It might not be water, when people walk there dogs here they are allowed to let them use the bathroom right on the sidewalk...so avoid all "puddles" when possible
• Europeans love scarfs...A LOT
• Soccer is like football in America, when FC Barcelona is playing the world stops...expect delays
• The police are "meaner" here, don't mess with them.
• Watch your belongings in the METRO

The assignment that was due today for studio went ok...our criticism was that we were too ambiguous in our diagram of the site. This is an easy fix, all we have to do is bring our focus in and be more specific in our approach...I'll let y'all know what is decided when Mallory and I know haha. We have some site visiting to do this weekend.

In our materials class we went on a walking trip to Mountjuic or "Jew Hill". The area has been renovated to include parks and multiple public spaces. One of the oldest castles in Barcelona (and one of the oldest in Spain) sits atop this mountain...dating back to the 17th century when it was used for executions and a citadel. What is even more interesting is that this is one the sites where the FIRST measurements and calculations where made to determine the current meter as a unit of measurement. Also on this mountain are the 1992 Olympics stadium and sports complexes...this is quite a site to see; I can vaguely remember seeing one of the sports arenas for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (shout out to Aunt Sandra) and these venues are very beautiful for their architecture and the vistas they provide. This area had to contain the most parks and public spaces that I have ever seen in one concentrated area...it is stunning how everything flows from one space to the next. We also got to visit another famous architects work, Mies van der Rohe (check him out on wikepedia! But basically he is known for his contributions to the modernistic style of architecture). We visited his pavilion here in Barcelona, this was interesting because we did a small study project on this exact work in my sophomore year of college...it was great to finally see it in person.

There were many opportunities for photography in this area so I included some of the more "artistic" shots I took today in many of the spaces.

That Mateus wine was very good...my professor knew what he was talking about...

Here is a view of the main entrance to the Castle...

Here is a view from the outside of the castle walls...gives me an "Irish" fields feel.

This was a very captivating fountain I saw in one of the public areas...I tried some black and white photography.

 Another interesting fountain shot...in black and white.

 Terrace...traditional Spanish style design

If this does not scream Spanish Mediterranean...then I don't know what does haha!!

 A "hidden" tree down the "less trotted" path!

The Mies van der Rohe Pavilion...