The summer has all but past so I will now take some time to give a state of the Derek address.

So where to begin? I realize its been awhile since my last blog, but it hasnt been due to uneventfullness. Only three months since then but I cant even remember where or who I was when that was written. Have I changed as a person drastically? Aside from the tan, Id say probably not too much physically, but hopefully I have made some steps mentally and emotionally. Coinciding with the change of seasons, it is also my one year anniversary here in BCN. A year ago I came here as an adventurous, hopeful, and probably completely oblivious as to what I was to embark upon.

As is the case with life, we all have our ups and downs and I think at the moment I am actually building my way out of a little rut that I had been in. There is no place like where you grew up, no way to recapture the feeling that only 'home' can bring, but for all intensive purposes, this is now my home. I think with that comes a feeling of contentment, a feeling that there is always tomorrow, a feeling that there is no need to continue to push yourself further than what is comfortable. Home is comfortable, you know your home, you dont have to ask questions. But that is the problem, I recently noticed how comfortable I had got in my own routine, and lost the adventurer within me. I realized that by being so comfortable with my daily routine that I was cheating myself of so many possible experiences, so many possible conversations, so many possibilities. I dont know when or how, but it struck me with such force that I havent been able to get it out of my mind for a week or two now. You know how when you first get a puppy, it has an endless amount of energy and exuberance, never ceasing to run, and play, and entertain? And then as time goes on, that slowly fades and eventually dies completely? But, if you take that old dog and move to a house in the country with miles of green hillside to roam and birds to chase and shady trees to rest under, you see the puppy within once again. Well, im not sure I ever became the old dog, but I definately feel like the rejuvinated puppy.

I have recently fallen in love with the city all over again. I had a rare weekday off and took an impromptu walk through the Barri Gotic, literally one minute from my house. With a guide book to aid my steps and knowledge, I began to see an already amazing part of the city as something much more. Barcelona was known as Barcino 2000 years ago and the remnants of Roman culture are scattered throughout the city. Many street names still reference the city that this one was eventually built on top of. On my way to work I walk past a tiny street (that nobody knows about accept tour guides I would imagine) which houses 3 roman columns dating back 2 thousand years. An apartment has been built around it (although previously I think it was a building to protect and monitor its safety) and thus these people have Roman ruins within their complex. I heard a tour guide mention that there is one column that has actually been built around. So some people have a Roman column protruding through their apartment and up through the roof. After I walk by this street, I walk around the backside of the originally Catherdral built in the 13th and 14th centuries and then eventually proceede through one of the two main gateways that led into the city of Barcino with a portion of a re-built aqueduct still in tact as well as two oppsoing watch towers. Really cool. If I was a history buff, Id cram more of this down your throat, but Ill stop there.

This past weekend, the city festival known as La Mercé occurred. Apparently the Sant of Mercy disbanded a plague of locusts and since then, this festival has commemorated the event as well as the transition from summer to fall. Personally, I think it is just another excuse for the Catalans to throw a party. Numerous live concerts scattered throughout the city, many taking place in plazas that have been existence for hundreds if not thousands of years. I think the contrasts that can be found here are part of the reason that it is such a universally loved city. Like no other city that I have been to, seemingly opposite characteristics co-exist in complete harmony. The city is old and exudes culture and history, but now you can´t help but feel its youth and life. Even the elderly here live an active life, staying out until the late hours, taking advantage of all the city has to offer. You can't find another city that is so laid back, yet so cosmopolitan and eventful. Its true that even in a city as big and busy as Barcelona, eventhough many from around the world have moved here, the pace of life is that you might only expect in a small pueblo outside of a main city. People don't take coffee to go, they sit down and enjoy it. Who cares if Im five minutes late. People don't eat and drive, why not just eat the food I buy where I buy it? The list goes on, but the fact remains the same that the people here really know how to appreciate la vida buena. At the same time, there are a neverending amount of things to do, places to go, and new places to explore. Anyway, back to La Mercé...Parades, human castle building, and a fountain/firework/music show that would put be the Bellagio to shame highlighted the 3 day festival. I spent much of the time with some new friends and have recently made some progress with my Spanish. I feel as though I am progressing through a long plateau and that the language is beginning to slow down a little and I´m beginnning to blurt things out without having to construct it in my head beforehand. Don't get me wrong, Im still a long long ways from where Id like to get, but its nice to finally feel like im getting somewhere.

I was hoping that my mom would be able to visit me at some point in October, but when those plans fell through, I decided to still take some time off. As of now, the plan is to visit my friend in Madrid for a day or two and then head over to Portugal, a place that I have wanted to see since I arrived but never had the time to do so. I am looking for any firsthand advice from those that have gone or if you know anybody there, please let me know. As of now, where I go is still up in the air. Being the alcoholic that I am, I think I'll head to Oporto for a few days, if for no other to drink some good wine and of course, Port from Oporto-should be a treat. Im not sure if Ill go to Lisboa or not as I tend to like smaller cities. I think Ill head down to the south, the algarve, which is known for its innate beauty and picturesque beaches. Im contemplating a trip out to the island of Madeira, where, coincidentally enough, Madeira (another after dinner drink) is produced.

Aside from visiting a good friend in Madrid, the reason for stopping by Madrid is that I am planning on moving there for about a month and a half from early November through Christmas. At first I hesitated when offered the oppurtunity to work in our other Sant Jordi Hostel, but after a little thought and sparked by my renewed adventurere within, I saw what a great chance it is to learn about a new city, to have new experiences, and to give myself a change of pace. I will have more responsibility down there and will most likely choose to live in the hostel, but otherwise, I am really looking forward to it.

As far as how I long I plan on staying.....not sure. I know now that I will stay through the holidays and am tentitavely planning on travelling with my mom and brother sometime in the spring, most likely March. So that puts me here through March and afterwards, well I haven`t got that far yet. I know I need to plan for the future, but I am having an amazing time living in the present and have had difficulty with the idea of leaving a place that has given me so much. I only know one person who left without ever looking back (you know who you are-you are smart, brown haired, attractive, and like to run) and I guess for me its really haired to think about the day that I would actually DECIDE to go. I would love to hear from you all, read a state of the _______ address, so please send me at least a quick email about what you are up to and any pertinent gossip. At least post a message to this page if the idea of writing an email seems too daunting.

Im lazy with photos, so I will either add some to here in the next few days or post them on my facebook account.

Venga
Adeu