Barcelona, here I come! (June 26)

Today was the transition from school to fun. I woke up, took my two other midterms back-to-back, and was freeeee! I didn’t even know what to do with myself. And to make it better, it was TACO DAY at lunch! Hands down the best meal I’ve eaten on the ship. Possibly even better than the first breakfast…it’s debatable. Maybe they can tie. After lunch, I ended up just talking to Michelle for a long time, then when Kelsey finished she joined. It was weird being able to relax without having to go to class or study! Then I got an hour nap in before dinner. After dinner was the Logistical Pre-Port mandatory meeting where we learned about traveling tips, safety, and the processes that would be going on for getting on and off the ship, etc.

I get to get off first tomorrow…woo-hooo! I’m so glad I did the Amazing Race. Kelsey and I are planning on getting off the ship and going straight to the money exchange ATMs before the lines get ridiculous. Then we’re going to shop around a little bit and hopefully meet up with some others once they get off. Then from 1-5 pm, I have a City Orientation trip (though SAS) I signed up for. I’ll be on a bus most of the time, driving through Barcelona seeing the main sites. We’ll get out at La Sagrada Familia, and also get a walking tour at one point. Of course I’ll have more details AFTER I do it! I’m super paranoid about pick-pocketers, so I will be bringing hardly anything. Just the essentials! All my money and cards will either be in my money-safe pouch under my clothes, or in my bra. Hey, they told us to! That way if anyone were to try to reach there I would notice immediately- and freak out and scare them away. I also went to another meeting after the pre-port meeting just for girls- giving extra tips.

I’m about to go to sleep and when I wake up, we will be IN BARCELONA!!! I’m excited but a little nervous! I think just because I’ve never really traveled on my own. Tomorrow won’t be too bad because I have the city orientation, but for the 3 days afterward I don’t have specific plans. I should get to sleep- I have to wake up pretty soon! By the way, I am 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. So all of you in San Diego, it’s still the afternoon for you! That’s crazy.

**** NOTE: Oh, and if you want to email me in the next few days, you should send a copy to jtaft22@gmail.com AND to jtaft@semesteratsea.net because I don’t know when I’ll be on/off the ship. :)

I can’t believe I’m in the Mediterranean.
Goodnight, and see you in the morning Barcelona!!!