Andre (from Brasil, lives a few doors down from me) and I took an early train on Saturday to meet two guys from school and see some of the surrounding area of Girona, mostly including the coast. We spoke Spanish (and a little Catalan) all day, and took some great photos. The beaches and coast towns were deserted; it was the first "cold" day in Catalunya (in comparison, it was raining in Barcelona, and snowing in Boston) so no one was outside. A lot of French and English people come there in the summers on vacation. You can see why.
Drove up a big, steep hill in the minivan. There was a small restaurant and church on the top. Someone was even getting married.
Allegedly, France is thatta way. The brown blemish in the hillside is a house. Heaven knows who lives there. It looks inaccessible.
The most beautiful church I have been to in Europe this year. The ones in Italy from many years ago are still winning, though. The stonework was all done by hand, and if it were possible to take photos inside and post them here, you would understand why. It is the largest church (height, width, length of ceiling) to not use columns to support it. All made by hand. Did I mention that?
The view from the top of the old wall.
Onyar River
The two Catalan guys who showed us around are really great people. They had been bothering Andre for weeks to come out to Girona, if only to prove that their beaches were better than Barcelona's. We learned a lot about Cataluyna and the Catalan perspective on the independence movements that are taking place. Politics in Europe is complicated because of all the history. Catalunya has been Roman, French, independent, Spanish, and almost Arabic (I think). They have their own language, which until Saturday was not all that prominent. In Girona, however, almost everyone speaks Catalan. Even the two guys (Gerard and David, by the way) said they have notable Catalan accents when they speak Castellano (Castellano = Spanish). In conclusion it was a great day full of information. A great, exhausting day. Andre and I slept soundly on the train ride back. Have I mentioned how efficient the Barcelona public transportation systems are? Well, let me tell you. They are quite efficient. Too bad they don't make any money (why is this always the case?).
I have two papers, two projects, and five final exams over the next four weeks! It's also supposed to rain and be cold all week! So who knows if I'll do anything but study.
Or watch movies.
Oh! And I made a traditional Catalan dish, all by myself! Well, it's the simplest thing in the world, but still.
Olive oil, tomatoes, salt, garlic, good bread.
Toast bread in oven. Rub garlic across surface. Smush tomato across surface. Add olive oil. Add salt.
Consume.
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