Well kids, the time has come. The University of Dreams program in Barcelona, not to mention one of the best summers of my life, came to a poignant but perfect close yesterday with a dressy farewell dinner of fideua y ensalada in Eixample, followed by drinks and dancing at various bars around the Plaça Urquinaona. We laughed, we cried, we told embarrassing stories from the summer. We laughed some more. The staff told us how proud they were of us and surprised us with a hilarious slideshow of photos from the summer, certificates, and University of Dreams t-shirts, which I am wearing as I type this. The idea of a reunion is already in talks. Vegas, anyone? I think we deserve it.

The End of My BCN Week Journey

I should also mention that last weekend, my office threw a big release party at the fabulous 7 Sins bar for the newest BCN Week, which was just as well, because it had been my last day of work there the previous Thursday, and I had only just finished all my listings write-ups, photo editing, and, most notably, the full page investigative report that I’d taken on all by my big girl self – complete with layout, photos, captions, and thoroughly-researched essay. I was floored when I saw it at the party, and even a little incredulous, because it was only days before that I’d busted my butt to get done on time and get it to Lena to send along to the publishers!

I was so impressed with the whole issue, really, and if it is nerdy to read a paper from cover to cover while at a dance party, then call me nerdy. That is one paper I am proud to be a part of, and I will continue reading it for as long as it is in publication! Actually, I’ve already agreed to keep contributing to BCN Week from a distance, and ¿quien sabe? Maybe my family there will be able to help me find a permanent job in Barcelona in the near future… I am foaming at the mouth thinking about that possibility.

Ugh, this city and this internship have spoiled me!

From now on, I don’t think I’ll be able to be separated from Barcelona, or my friends or “family” here, for long periods of time. Anyway. I’ll have you know that I eventually did put down the paper to cut the rug with everyone for a while. A while turned into several hours, and when we emerged from 7 Sins, the sun was up. You know, just another night in BCN, y’all. Keepin’ it real. Some folks in this town are always “keepin’ it real” in such a way, with or without the successful release of a new issue of their magazine, and they still do okay for themselves!

Last night was the farewell dinner of course, but since a few of the participants and I were still around this evening, we decided to go to the weekend fountain show at the Plaça Espanya in front of Montjuïc, which I’d somehow never been to in all my two months in Barcelona. I am not going to attempt to sully this dazzling experience with too many words, but I will say that it was the only way to end our summer here. Now, just enjoy the photos.

As for me, this is the end of a chapter, and right now I’m going to go dream about it in   anticipation of the one I’ll be starting tomorrow.

Adéu, Barcelona. Hasta muy pronto.

Kelly Doyle-Mace was a runner-up for the 2009 World Traveler Internship and chronicled her prize for the STA Travel Blog – a spot as a University of Dreams Intern at BCN Week in Barcelona, Spain.

The Candy of Barcelona

Oh, and candy.

God, I feel I should dedicate an entire post to the candy alone. Spain has an obsession with it; on what seems like every street in Barcelona, there is a candy shop (the biggest chain seems to be “Si o Si”). They’re a lot like the “Sweet Factory” in America, but better, because the candy is more one-of-a-kind and somehow tastes less processed (although I’m sure it would do just as good a job of rotting your teeth as American candy does).

The gummy candies are my fave. Such neon color, such delicate tanginess, such perfect texture to the bite. I don’t know what it is about Spanish gummy candy, but it is so much better than other gummy candy. I’m technically not a kid anymore, and when I’m in the States, I rarely touch the stuff. But here? I’m going through a baggy a week. I will happily rot my teeth – I just gotta have it! Especially when the lady at “my” candy shop in the metro station at the Plaça Catalunya is so sweet herself. Every time I walk into the shop now (usually to kill time while waiting for my train back to Bellaterra), she addresses me with an “hola, reina” or an “hola, guapa” or “hola, querida” or “hola, vida” and I just feel so special. I mean, that is just what people DO here – Barcelonians are so warm and friendly and familiar even with strangers – but I still think the terms of endearment are great, and I believe we need more of that kind of thing in America.

Kelly Doyle-Mace was a runner-up for the 2009 World Traveler Internship and chronicled her prize for the STA Travel Blog – a spot as a University of Dreams Intern at BCN Week in Barcelona, Spain.

Streets of Barcelona

Tibidabo is a mountain in the north of Barcelona and its view of the city is even better than the view from the Park Güell. At the very top, there is a fascinating church, the Temple de Sagrat Cor, a sight to behold. Tibidabo is like Montmartre in Paris so of course I fell in love. Oh! And there is a little gem of an amusement park there; if you’ve seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona, you know the one.

Speaking of VCB, you’ll not be surprised to know that I’ve been thinking about it all summer. I’m a huge Woody Allen fan and I had seen it just before arriving in Barcelona. I loved it and recommend that anyone planning a trip to Barcelona watch it before going, so you can have as much fun as I’ve had in trying to find all the places featured in it (like that little restaurant terrace outside the MACBA where Vicky, Cristina, and Doug eat one afternoon).

I think it casts such a gorgeous light on this already gorgeous city, and I’m sure it has boosted tourism here significantly. I wish I could have a summer like Cristina’s…but it’s harder than you’d think to find a middle-aged well-to-do couple willing to put you up in their enormous Spanish mansion, then to meet a handsome and talented artist who by the way is played by Javier Bardem, and have him fall in love with you upon first glance. It’s also harder than you’d think to look like Scarlett Johansson. So, my summer has been slightly less cinematic than Cristina’s. But no less passionate! It just so happens that most of my passion revolves around tapas.

Kelly Doyle-Mace was a runner-up for the 2009 World Traveler Internship and chronicled her prize for the STA Travel Blog – a spot as a University of Dreams Intern at BCN Week in Barcelona, Spain.

The Dail Museum

I am typing this entry from the bus on the way back from a mind-blowing University of Dreams weekend excursion to Carcassonne, France, and Figueres, Spain. I should mention that yesterday was the 4th of July, so it was a bit nuts to be in France with a group of Americans visiting from Spain.

Still, I was more than happy to be revisiting my first European love, France, and to work my way around the castle grounds of Carcassonne (I was quite popular this weekend for that reason). I’d never been to Carcassonne before but had heard nothing but good things about it. The good things were real. Carcassonne is a medieval city in the southwest of France, not terribly far from the Spanish border, and you know, aside from all its outrageous history (which we got to learn about during our walking tour), it should be noted for how photogenic it is.

So we spent Saturday in France (bon anniversaire, America!), and Sunday in Spain – in Figueres,
where we visited the Dalí museum. And now I would like to start a new paragraph, for dramatic effect, because what I am about to say about the Dalí museum deserves your attention.

THE DALI MUSEUM IS THE MOST AMAZING MUSEUM I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE OMG.

And guys. I’m not just talking about the works of art on display. I’m also talking about the museum itself.  I have now seen the genius and craftmanship and sheer MAGNITUDE of Dali’s artistic output, and I have developed new feelings towards Dalí: feelings of DISBELIEF.It is literally unbelievable how much amazing art this man made in his lifetime.

So, sorry, Sal ol’ Pal, but I have my doubts about you. Better turn those melting clocks back in time so you can make something more reasonable that isn’t simply going to blow everyone else’s art out of the water or make me want to throw it all away to become a curator in your museum and live and breathe your art every day. DAAA DALI IS SO GOOD! I DON’T CARE ANYMORE! I WILL SING IT FROM THE HILLS! DALIIIIIIII IS SO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!

Kelly Doyle-Mace was a runner-up for the 2009 World Traveler Internship and chronicled her prize for the STA Travel Blog – a spot as a University of Dreams Intern at BCN Week in Barcelona, Spain.