Costa Brava Weekend Recap

Hello Everyone,

I apologize for not getting this post up sooner, but I've been extremely busy this week. My schedule's jam packed Mondays - Thursdays, so I think I'll be posting/blogging on Fridays and doing weekly posts instead.

OH and FYI - I'm completely recovered! No more sick Alexis writing on this blog. But now, I have a weird skin rash... I'm hoping it's due to the drastic weather change - it's gone from super hot to extremely tolerable.

Anyways, as you all know, this past weekend I went to the beautiful Costa Brava with IES. This was a mandatory study journey for all program participants, so we didn't pay a penny (well at least directly that is) Since we did so much, I'll break it down by day

FRIDAY

La Jonquera & Catalan sweets
We met at 7:30 at at the Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona near Placa Catalunya and took a 3 hour bus ride to La Jonquera, a small border town (between France and Spain) where we toured the Exile Museum, depicting the exile of thousands of Spaniards during the Spain Civil War. Unfortunately, we were short on time, so I had to rush through the exhibit to be at the meeting place on time. After the museum, my friend Alysse and I had a few minutes to spare so we found a darling bakery and I bought some traditional Catalan carquinyolis (basically, it's almond biscotti but with a hint of orange/citrus flavor). I only bought 4, gosh I wish I'd bought more! I bet they're delicious with a hot cup of coffee or in my case, hot chocolate/tea.

Carquinyolis - A Catalan Delicacy

A Taste of Southern France

Before leaving for my trip, I made it a mission of mine to go to Southern France during my stay here in Barcelona and I'm so glad IES included the trip to Collioure in the itinerary.  My friends Alysse, Jessica, and enjoyed a delightful lunch of salmon sandwiches, crackers, and fresh goat cheese on the beach! It was too beautiful for words. The water was significantly colder than Barceloneta (Barcelona's main beach) but still refreshing compared to California's beaches. After the beach, the warm Mediterranean weather made us crave some gelato, which in my experience, is better than what I had in Italy. I ordered a scoop of Raspberry gelato and it had REAL raspberry morsels in it...ahhh, I'll never forget that Gelato.

Coilloure, France

downtown Coilloure, France

Beautiful beach in Collioure, France

Collioure, France

Quaint streets in Coilloure

More quaintness!

the BEST Gelato ever...Chocolate, Raspberry and Coffee (from left to right)

While in Coilloure, we also checked out Antonio Machado's grave (he died there shortly after fleeing Spain). It was kinda depressing, so I won't bother putting that photo up.

Off to Girona...with some delays on the way 
Next on the itinerary was our trip back to Spain and visiting the ancient city of Girona. Well, about half an hour into out bus trip back to Spain, our bus broke down on the side of a French road. Fortunately, we were surrounded by wineries and beautiful country sides (so it was a nice view) but were stranded for about 2 hours until the next bus came to take us back. We arrived at Girona around 7:45 pm, had a DELICIOUS dinner at the hotel, and went straight to bed after a long but wonderful day in both Spain and France!

SATURDAY
We woke up around 8:30 am and a had a scrumptious, hearty breakfast at the snazzy 4 star Hotel Carlemany. Then, we walked off the breakfast during a tour of the ancient city of Girona. The streets are mostly cobble-stone and extremely narrow, as if we were going back centuries in time. We toured the Arab baths, city walls (like the Great Wall of China but instead Small Wall of Girona...still impressive, though!) and Cathedral. Take a look at the photos below.

Girona, Spain

ancient Girona

Cathedral in Girona

Alysse and I in Girona's Cathedral

View of Girona from the City Wall

City Wall of Girona

Girona

Arab Baths

the beautiful city of Girona...reminds me of Venice, Italy a little bit.

Trip to S'Agaró Beach
 After the city tour,  we visited S'Agaro Beach. It was absolutely stunning. I don't even think words can describe it. I even went cliff diving in the Mediterranean! It was incredible, I'll never forget such an amazing trip to the beach. I think the photos describe the experience better than I ever could.

Some Good Ol' Retail Therapy 
Alysse and I were so in love with Girona, we knew we had to get postcards! Leaving the hotel, we explored the nearby area looking for some postcard shops but were unsuccessful. But on the way, we stumbled upon a really cute and trendy shop for young women's clothing called Shana. We found adorable light scarves for 2 Euros!! I simply couldn't decide between a cheetah print one and a lovely royal blue jersey one, so I bought both. My mood spiked instantly because the prices around Barcelona depressed me significantly... Europe is very expensive but it's nice to see a Forever 21-ish alternative in Spain!

Alysse and I did eventually find the postcards, I think the little dose of retail therapy helped us orient ourselves much better...hahah! :D


A Midnight Stroll

After retail therapy and writing out the postcards, we had a fabulous dinner at the hotel and we're in another food coma. So, in the evening, Jessica, Alysse, and I had a midnight stroll around Girona. All I can say it was enchanting - small cafes and restaurants occupied by locals, and the light from the Cathedral reflected on the river dividing the ancient area from the modern one. It was just breathtaking. See for yourself.

Cathedral in Girona at night

deserted part of ancient Girona.

Alysse (in her new scarf, Jessica, and I (in my new scarf) during our midnight stroll

The restaurant scene is buzzing in Girona at midnight!

More busy restaurants in Girona

SUNDAY

Trip to the Salvador Dali Museum
We woke up later than usual (around 8:45 am) and got ready for our trip to the Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain.  It was so quirky and imaginative. I've never really considered myself an art conoisseur, but I had so much fun at this museum - Dali was such a creative genius. Check out some of the art below!

When looking at this painting, you see Dali's wife (the woman)...but Dali created this such that when you take a picture of it, it looks like Abraham Lincoln

We headed home early and Bianca and I just relaxed the remainder of the afternoon.

For all the photos from my adventures, please check out my Barcelona 2011 Album.