API Student Contributor Colin in Barcelona

Colin Beacom is an API student contributor to our Tumblr blog, and will regularly report on his adventures in Barcelona, Spain.

Friends, acquaintances and anybody who might not fit into that group for whatever reason, welcome to another installment of my daily life. As far as lives go, I think I am really killing it, in the sense that I am really enjoying my days and appreciate all of the people that are making that happen and those who have helped in any way whatsoever to make sure of that. I certainly miss the ones back home and we shall be reunited in under 3 months, also known as, scary soon. Before I go any father, I would like to wish a very happy birthday to my farther! Or something like that. He is currently on a business trip and so any celebrations will have to be postponed until his return stateside where I hope to maybe skype him as a birthday present (so thoughtful, right?). Or toast him. Happy birthday, Dad.


All of the classes are now in full swing, and to celebrate, we went to a place called la Xampanyeria. That is my attempt at spelling it in Catalan, but I could easily have made a fool of myself. Anyway, we went after a class that I have together with some friends and met up with a few more and headed over. I love this place. It was very packed when we got there and it sounds like it is that way always and so that is just one sign that this is a wonderful place. If you ever go, the chorizo is more essential to taste than the essential amino acids are to consume (you probably get a few of them from the chorizo anyway, so it is a win-win). The croquetas were good, but not much different from anywhere else. In the awkward syntax of a non-native speaker, I recommend you to go there.

Now that we only have about 3 months left my friend and I have started a bucket list for Barcelona. Correction: she came up with the idea, brought it to fruition, and let me tag along on it. Thanks, Jill! This list includes many a touristy locale that, for the most part, we are saving until family gets here for visits in hopes of them paying for our entrance fees. We have until April 22nd to make all of this happen, because Jill and myself (and my Dad and step-Mom) are then going to be flying to Ireland. We will see if they still want to hang out with us there or if they kick us to the curb after hearing us whining about how much we are going to miss this time of our lives. So, we will have a debrief in Dublin where we try to learn English again, in order to ease our way back into reverse culture shock. More good news, my Mom just announced that she will be coming to visit me on March 25th! So, I will have some planning to do for sure. So far all I can think of is telling them to always keep any bag you have zipped up tight and close to you.

Over the past week there have been several demonstrations, but I always arrived late and can’t figure out what they are demonstrating about. You can follow the sound of fireworks to find the throng, but sometimes it is tricky to read the signs. I also was able to confirm something that our bike tour guide from waaaay back in September said about a very ritzy hotel allowing you to go in and up to the beautiful and hidden rooftop terrace that overlooks a beautiful, but sad plaza. I wasn’t necessarily intending to be so romantic, but sometimes you end up above it all, dancing under the visible stars with someone special. So thanks, tour guide, you gave an excellent recommendation. Allow me to reinforce the greatness of bike tours and encourage you to take one whenever possible.

So, I will leave you to ponder all of that. Until next time,

Colin Beacom