Tarragona and Montblanc

6-30-2012

Today I ventured out to the two ancient cities of Tarragona and Montblanc. But, the first stop on the bus was to see the ancient aqueduct of the Roman Empire.

Many years ago, the Roman Empire spread into many parts of Europe, including Spain. The aqueduct that they used functioned as a way of getting water into and out of the city. But, pretty much like everything the Romans did, it is constructed with beautiful architecture and design. The aqueduct is made up of two huge arches stacked on top of each other. It was amazing how intricate the architecture was and even more amazing when I considered the types of primitive materials that the Romans were using. After the stop at the aqueduct we proceeded on to the quaint town of Tarragona. It is a coastal town built during the 9^th century. The town itself is fairly run down with many small tourist shops scattered throughout. But, the center and masterpiece of the town is the giant cathedral that looms over all in the center of the city. Originally a synagogue, then turned into a mosque, and finally a cathedral built on top of the other two, it is made of intricate architecture and laced with symbolism in every curve.

Once I toured around Tarragona and sat periodically in under the palm trees shade (sidebar- I still get excited about seeing palm trees. It is such a refreshing difference from the evergreen forests that are prominent back home) I proceeded to the Medieval town of Montblanc. One of the highlights of the trip was a wonderful 4 course meal at El Cortijo, a local Spanish bar in Montblanc. The courses included 1. Salad- containing hazelnuts, fresh green olives, corn, tomatillos, and delicious leafy green lettuce. 2. Bread covered in 3 different types of melted cheese 3. Crème de Catalan- essentially the Spanish version of Crème Brulee. 4. Café (that is, good Spanish coffee.) The meal was just the perfect break from the exhausting heat and walking around that Tarragona required.

After the meal, I walked around Montblanc for a bit, watching the locals and taking in all of the medieval ruins. One of the coolest parts was the remains of a castle that was located in the middle of the city. There was one turret left standing (I use this term loosely because it was very much starting to crumble) that jutted out of the rock. It was quite the breath taking view of the entire city. At this point in time my camera died, but I have a couple pictures I will post as soon as I get internet. After the castle, I wandered around the giant cathedral in Montblanc. The stain glass windows of this chapel were the most intricate designs that I have ever seen.

Finally, I boarded the bus and ventured on home. I spent the night on Las Ramblas, wandering around, doing some shopping, and just taking in the general splendor that is Barcelona. For dinner my friend and I stopped in for some beers at a local bar (there were no English translations and none of the waiter spoke English, which made the experience much more authentic.) The picturesque day ended with a nice walk back to the beach, a taxi driver stopping us on the bridge and saying he would give us a free ride because he was going down to the port anyway, and them him speeding and getting pulled over by a cop as he dropped us off. Overall, quite the amazing day!!

 

 

The Wonderful Mediterranean Sea

Fish, coral, minnows, sea fans, and seagulls were just some of the wonderful aquatic animals that I saw today while snorkeling in the picturesque Medes Islands. My favorite memory was when I was just heading back the boat to take off my goggles, snorkel, and wetsuit, when I looked down and saw at least 600 fish all about half a foot long. They were swirling in a tight ball, frantically swimming around and around. Then, all of a sudden, the broke rank as a giant rockfish (2 feet long) bolted through the middle of the pack. They’re dense mechanism thrown off, they were all in it for their own safety and preservation from the predatory fish. It was an intense and fascinating scene to watch from the surface of the water. This was the most exciting of the aquatic organisms that I saw as I was snorkeling today.

The Medes Islands are locked on the north side of Barcelona, on the coast of the Mediterranean. The water was particularly salty due to the lack of fresh water flowing into the Sea.  There were many fish that swam to and fro in the rocky outcropping of the Medes islands. It is a different sort of ecosystem then that of a coral reef. There are much less colors, but lots of green, leafy plants that sway gently to and fro on the bottom of the water (named “Posieden’s Gardens” for the mythical Greek god of the sea.)

Well, it is definitely time for bed because tomorrow I get to tour Tarragona and Montblanc.. I will let all you rabid readers know how that goes J

 

Monserrat and Barcelona- Day 1

Nestled about an hour out of Barcelona proper is a magnificent piece of artwork. There are rocks, scaly looking, as they climb up the walls of the sky. Imbedded in the rocks is a monastery. A monastery made before the 10^th century. The architecture is beyond words. When entering the monastery (which is also a big pilgrimage destination for Catholics) there is a sense of peace that immediately envelopes every sense of your being. There really aren’t any emotions or descriptions that can be used to describe what I felt as I entered the great chapel, when I saw the beauty of Barcelona from 2000 feet up, as I walked along the path dotted with religious sculptures from many different artists and many different styles, and especially as I gazed into the beauty of the architecture and the sculpture itself.

Monserrat (the monastery I just gave a detailed description of) is home to 76 Benedictine monks. They have all taken a vow of silence and walk around passively on the grounds, in the mountains, and in the chapels. There are many tourists all over the grounds but there is an air of reverence that is inescapable.

Once I arrived back from the breathtaking monastery, I proceeded to tackle the wonders of Barcelona. Barcelona, home of pick-pocketing, is full of tourists and natives, all walking around in the scorching heat like it is normal (most likely because it is to all of them not from rainy ‘ole Oregon.) I proceeded to mill the shops with some of my friends, popping in and out, attempting to use what Spanish I remember from middle school (basically “si,” “gracias,” and “no habla espagnol,”) and taking in the general splendor of it all.

Barcelona is an ancient city that has so much old architecture and art scattered through it. Gaudi is one of the prominent painters/architects who helped put the city together and there are many examples of his influences everywhere.

Around 2000 we stopped in a pub to watch the Eurocup Semifinals between Spain and Portugal. With the help of some beer and many tapas (delicious Spanish food) the evening was quite enjoyable. Going into overtime and into a shootout, Spain managed to win the match. This sent the entire pub (full of native Spaniards) into raucous cheering and the streets of Barcelona were soon full of enthusiastic fans celebrating the victory. Arriving home at 0030, I am now ready for a nice cold shower, some band-aids for my blisters and some nice sleep until 0800 tomorrow morning when I will be going snorkeling J

Overall, it has been an incredible first day off the ship and in Barcelona. 

 

 

I SEE LAAAANNNDDD

Last night at 2020 the MV Explorer passed through the Strait of Gibraltar. Looking out from the observation deck, I could see North Africa on the right and Spain on the left.  Everything is covered in mist and paints the most romantic and mysterious picture.

Today I have conquered two midterms and the excitement that is Barcelona is pressing heavy upon me. Yesterday I attended a “pre-port cultural briefing.” Essentially, it was a time when a professor from Spain discussed what to do, what to eat, and how to fit in with the Spanish culture. It was very insightful and succeeded in getting me pumped and excited to see land and experience Barcelona at its finest. The high for the week is 82 and the low is 76, so there isn’t much more I can ask for.

On the docket for tomorrow is a tour of Montserrat (a Catholic monastery built around 253 B.C. that still houses around 80 monks.) The architecture of this building is incredible and considering the time period that it was built in, it is magnificent. After that, probably a walk on Las Ramblas (essentially the main street in Barcelona) and then lunch and dinner (they eat lunch around 3 and dinner between 9 and 11 in Spain.)

 

Two more days until LAND!

Well, I am officially ready to see some nice green trees, brown dirt, shrubs, houses, and everything else that land offers up. The constant rocking of the boat and giant storms in the night have lead me to appreciate the wonders that I took for granted on land. Today I saw a huge humpback whale about 30 feet from the boat! It was huge and magnificently graceful. I stood out on the deck this evening, looking out at the various boats on the horizon and feeling the ridiculously fierce winds of Gibraltar. Around 2000 we will be going through the Strait of Gibraltar (the entrance into the Mediterranean between North Africa and Spain. This first sighting of land is accompanied by historically strong winds that whip through the straight out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Barcelona is so close I can almost taste it. J After two midterms tomorrow, it will be right around the Gibraltar corner!

 

Saturday School

Event of the day: at 0645 I was out on the 6^th deck doing some yoga (as the sun was coming up) and saw two ships off in the distance. They were about ¼ of a mile away and were either Spanish or Portuguese fishing boats (my marine biology teacher filled me in on this when I asked him what sorts of ships would be sailing around the area that the ship is currently in.)

I have had 2 midterms thus far and have 2 more within the next 3 days! It is certainly a fast paced school while on the ship, with immense amounts of very interesting reading every day (for instance- today I learned about all of the different types of Spanish foods that are good to eat and which ones to avoid.) In addition, it is very odd having school on Saturdays and Sundays!

As of 1200 today the MV Explorer (the ship that I am sailing on) has gone 2,214 miles and there are only 4 more days until we hit the first port: Barcelona. I am so very excited to be able to see land again!

 

Day 3 on the ship

I have now gotten used to the constant rocking back and forth of the boat. I haven’t taken motion sickness pills all day and have successfully completed the second day of classes. Tomorrow is my first midterm (so soon!)

By far and away, the coolest thing thus far is the wildlife that can be spotted if searched for hard enough while on the ship. I made the mistake of reading out on the deck yesterday in the afternoon and got very fried when I fell asleep (the sound of the ocean is so soothing!) Last night after dinner I was studying on the deck when I noticed a large number of people congregated on one side of the ship. When I went over, I saw a gorgeous whale swimming along the ship. It was spouting water into the air and then majestically swam away from us. Seeing the huge and beautiful mammal swim away gave an epiphany of how expansive the ocean is and how utterly small I am. It made me realize how fortunate I am to be able to participate in such an incredible experience.

Speaking of such magnificent animals, in the evening I was stargazing with a couple friends on the 7^th deck (observation deck.) Out of the corner of my eye I saw this shiny object that appeared to be floating in the water. In examining it further, I saw a very distinct dorsal fin and realized that it was a shark!

I am going to go out and whale watch on the deck for a big. Cheers!

First Day of Classes!

The morning started off with a new found friend doing abb workouts at 6 am on the deck (it makes it a much more entertaining experience when the deck is shaking back and forth.) Then came breakfast and after that I was on to classes for the day. Out of the three classes I am taking aboard the MV Explorer, the Marine Biology class I’m enrolled in is by far the most entertaining thus far. The teacher who teaches the course is the most eccentric teacher I have ever met.  He loves the ocean, absolutely everything about the ocean, and for the last 45 minutes of the class he directed everyone to the deck to look for flying fish (which I saw- they look like tiny humming birds from far away!)

I talked with my waiter today, found out he’s from Jamaica and has been working on a cruiser for 27 years. (He also has a really cool accent, sings to himself as he walks around with orange juice, and says “ya man” to everyone he meets.)

Overall, it is like being back in school again, plus scenery of constant blue, the faint smell of salt, and the constant rocking backing forth. J

The Monotony of the Sea

Well, today is the first full day at sea: the water is 79 degrees and it is about 22 miles to the horizon. The weirdest part thus far has to be hands down the constant rocking motion that is present on all levels. The ship (not a boat) is going about 20 knots (roughly 21 miles per hour) on the open ocean. Because of the relative smallness of the ship compared to other cruisers, there is more motion that can be felt throughout all decks. This leads to passengers being more prone to sea sickness (thank God for meclyzine.)

Today has been a day full of orientations. For instance, now I know what to do if there is a fire (wear a lifejacket) and that if I am not careful to watch my fingers when I’m shutting the huge metal doors to my cabin that there is a fairly good chance I could “chop off my finger at the first joint” (as the lovely British Captain put it.) I also learned what the “aft,” “starboard,” “port,” and much more seaman jargon.

Tonight I go through another time zone change (1 hour ahead) which puts me now 4 hours ahead of western Pacific Time. I am counting down the days until I can see land again!

Monday: AAAAAANDDDDDDDDDD I’M OFF!

AAAAAANDDDDDDDDDD I’M OFF!

The waves are bumpy, the waiter has an awesome accent, and there is an incredible amount of vegetarian food (really good fresh tomatoes!) In short, I am going to have the time of my life. I was nervous/excited/ and full of anticipation when I boarded the boat. As I wandered around to the various checkpoints telling me about medical supplies on board and what to do if the ship starts sinking (tip- wear a lifejacket…) The captain has a British accent and every time he makes announcements via the intercom I smile. This is looking to be like quite the adventure and can’t wait to see where I end up in 2 months! J

Bahamas- day 1 out of the country

Today is the day before I leave. The Bahamas are incredibly beautiful, touristy, and the hotel I am staying in with my wonderful mom and her friend has the weirdest artwork ever. Exploring the island today was pretty crazy, especially since driving means adjusting to the whole left-side-of-the-road-thing. (Except- the Bahamian people, trying to prove their "independence and individuality" decided that having cars that have the driver on the left and driving on the left side of the road was a good idea. –Which it is not because you can't see oncoming traffic when you are going to pass people. )

One of the adventures my day involved was exploring the National Lucayan Park. After a 440 m walk through the local mangroves (mosquitoes galore) we came upon a gorgeous white sand beach - the prominent feature of the park.  Fun Fact: this beach is where the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were partially filmed. The ocean seemed to stretch for miles and miles turning varying shades of aqua/blue/turquoise. It was absolutely breathtaking to behold. In addition, the water was perfectly warm, with a cool and gentle breeze that blew as the waves gently rubbed up against the shore. I can't imagine a more gorgeous, relaxing, and perfect experience (especially with such amazing company!)

Tomorrow I will be boarding the MV Explorer and beginning the amazing adventure that the next two months hold for me. Thanks for reading! J

Getting so CLOSE!

11 more days until I leave for the beautiful Bahamas!! :)