Hello, friends! Sorry it's been so long since I wrote last. As it turns out, finals week is rough whether you have four tests after nine weeks of classes or one test after two weeks of classes. Imagine that. My week has been a little slower as I've spent most of it writing papers and studying for tests, as evidenced by my FitBit reminding me that I only managed to take 10% of the number of steps I usually would. While others were out enjoying the nightlife, I was working in my room like, "Make it a double."
For those who are curious, I have recently written a short review of the documentary En construcción, a film focused on the construction of a new building in Barcelona's Barrio Chino (a.k.a. El Raval); a mini-essay on the work of art I would create if I were to spread a message about modern issues using Spanish history before 711; and a critical review of ¡Libertad!, a play about hypocrisy and racism in turn-of-the-century Spain. If you're interested in reading these essays or checking out the works they're based on, feel free to comment below or send me a Facebook message!
I finished my final for La civilización en el Mediterráneo Occidental 1 less than an hour ago, which basically translates to "Holy guacamole, I survived!" Afterwards, I went to the Student Activities Office for information on volunteer groups available to UPF students. I'll be e-mailing said groups later tonight, so cross your fingers that there are opportunities available to me.
The UPF offers some great opportunities to explore Spain and Barcelona in ways I wouldn't get to if I weren't an exchange student. Last Saturday, the Voluntariat Lingüístic de la UPF took a few of us to Montserrat. Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain home to Benedictine Abbey and the Virgin of Montserrat. We were provided a coach bus there and back, a guided tour, and a ride on the Sant Jeroni funicular, from which we hiked to the top of Sant Jeroni, all for just 18€! My favorite parts were the views, the market of locally produced goods, and the bride we were lucky enough to see. We picked a good day to go. :)
When we got to the top of the funicular, our group leader offered two hikes: one he described as simple for anyone in good health, and another he said was reasonable but more challenging. We were told the two groups would meet up in about a half an hour, on the main path to Montserrat's highest peak, Sant Jeroni. As anyone who knows me could predict, I of course took the harder path. And it was no walk in the park. About half an hour in, our guide announced proudly, "Here we are!" I glanced around, disappointed. There wasn't much to see as the trees still blocked our view and we weren't very high up. I picked up a baseball-sized rock (the only souvenir my mother requested) and prepared to head down. This was my fatal error. We were nowhere near done.
The group hiked upward for another two hours. With my long legs and unusually quick pace, I managed to stay at the front of the group, but my inhaler got almost as much of a workout as I. I repeatedly cycled through the five stages of grief: denial (This isn't so bad! I feel great! I love this!), anger (Why in the hell did this guy say we were done? We were clearly not done.), bargaining (If we could just finish in the next few minutes, I would get in better shape and never complain again about physical labor.), depression (This was it. I was not going to make it. I stared into the abyss and accepted crying to death.), and acceptance (I had made the decision to do this and I was going to do it well. It might be difficult, but I had this.).
Somehow, I survived to make it to Sant Jeroni, 1,236 meters (~4055 ft.) above sea level. I was the first UChicago exchange student to take the more difficult path and make it to the peak. I was so proud. The reward was views of Barcelona all the way to the Mediterranean.
Between dragging the several pounds heavy rock up the mountain and being stressed about finals, I spent a good portion of this week pondering the benefits of being a goat. My dear friend Blackadder had the right idea.
That's all for today. Tomorrow, I leave for Fez, Morocco! I'll be back on Monday and will have another post up by Tuesday, so check back soon.
Until next time!