Bona tarda,

Sorry that my last email ended so abrubtly. Aparently, you’re only allowed on the university computers for one hour at a time. This letter is going to be breif as well because Im in another internet cafe and
only ahve 10 or 15 minutes left. I really need to find a steady source of internet.

Last night ruled so much. Me, mi companero de cuarto Mike, and a few cute girls from the dorm went out to a street party in Sants called La Fiesta Mayor de 2003. There were probably 10 streets back to back lined with dancing crazy people. Each street had a different theme and a different band playing and everyone in the whole area of town was out dancing until around 4am, even the older people. I dont even know how to describe to you adequitly how awesome this party was. I just really had a blast. Probably the best part of the evening was the gigantic foam party in one of the streets. Ive been searching for an apartment all this week with Juan. We already visited one near La Sagrada Familia which had nice location but was a bit sketchy. Have two more visists to make monday. I actually
ran into some guy in an office today who has a piso for rent with 2 French, 2 Argentinians, and a spanish student already in it. Im going to check it out today at 4:30.

This weekend Im heading up to Cabrils again with Juan to go to the beach with his family. Thats about all I have time to write for now. Kepp those emails coming. I love reading them. Until next time…
adios.

Gabe

Woohoo!!!

Barcelona is awesome. Just to let you know I havent read any of your emails because i only have 15 minutes on this computer in this cafe. So sorry if I dont answer your questions here. Tommorow Im going to the University and will have unlimited time to read everything.

I don’t even know where to start because Ive done so much these past fews days. When I arrived, Juan, a very distant family member (my cousin’s brother in law) picked me up from the airport and let me stay in his house for a few days. He is probably the best host I have ever had and wanted to wait on me the whole time. He made me tradicional Catalan dishes every night, showed me how to get around the city, and taught me some other very important things.

On thursday I arrived at the Col.legi Mayor de de Sant Juan and met up with all the other american students. Its kind of bad that I have to stay there because we speak english the entire time and I really need to practise my spanish. The spanish I was taught is a lot different than the spanish they speak here. Its sometimes very hard to understand because the accent is different and they speak Catalan as a primary language. But most of the times Ive been able to communicate well enough with my terrible accent, bad grammar, poor vocabulary, and all around broken spanish.

Ok ok ok. Time is running out so Ill give you a short overview of what ive done this weekend. Friday I met some Argentinian couple randomly and we went to a futbol game together. FC Barcelona played Boca Junior (the best Argentina team I hear) and it was one of the best experiences I have even had. Oh my gosh it was so amazing. The fans are just as intense as you hear on TV. I loved it and Barca won in overtime in a shootout. The Argentinian couple was so awesome. They taught we a lot of really cool things about Barcelona and explained all the Boca chants. They even offered me a room in their pisa for 400€. Its a bit expensive but its across the street from the university and right on Passeig de Gracia. I told them Id think about it.

I just ordered 15 more minutes so I suppose I can write a bit more.

Yesterday night after I took an excursion with the other american students to La Sagrada Familia, La Perdrera, Parc Guell and other toursty places I left with Juan to Badalona, a small suburb outside of
Barcelona, to visit his mother and father. They were so nice and welcoming. They went above and beyond what anyone would probably do in the United States by offering me a place to stay, wash my clothes, do my laundry, eat dinner, everything that I could possibly ask for. I politly refused but I think Ill return every few weeks to sample some of their hospitality.

After dinner In Badalona we went to Cabrils, further up the coast, and visisted Juan’s father and mother in law and family. His girls are probably the cutest things I have ever seen. This family was very kind
as well. We went to the beach for a good part of the day and then returned to take a siesta and play a card game that I cant remember the name of. It was a very good time to practice my spanish becausew none
of them spoke any spanish at all. The girls tried to teach me Catalan. Ill put up a picture of them later.

Ahh no more time. Ill write you again tommorow. Soryy fpr the spelling mistakes. This keyboard will take some getting used to.

Adios
Gabe

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope it comes as no surprise to any of you, but in approximatly two days I will be leaving home on the greatest adventure of my life. On monday I depart for Barcelona, Spain to study international economics for an entire calendar year at the University of Barcelona (www.ub.es). When I first arrive I will stay with my cousin’s brother in law, Juan, for a few days until the university dorms open up. After a month in the dorms I will need to find my own housing, which in itself will be another adventure Im sure.

Its quite difficult preparing and packing for an entire year abroad and I would like to thank all of you who have helped me in any way these past few months. The support I’ve had, especially that of my parents, has been extremely encouraging and welcome. In fact I doubt if I would have even had
the guts to go if not for my loving and supportive parents. Again, thank you.

Im not sure of any of my contact info as of yet, but as soon as I am all of you will be amoung the first to know. You can always email me at this address, but just dont always expect a prompt response. I may have to learn to use the expensive internet cafes or slow university computers, but I will always appreciate and answer your emails. As many of you know as well I have a website, www.gabrielfrancis.com where I have been posting picture journals of this summer. I’ll do the best I can to update as often as possible so check the site every once in a while and cross your fingers for
some insights on my life on the other side.

Also, I watched a very interesting independent film early this summer that I think all of you should check out. Its called L’Auberge Espangnole (french for Spanish Pudding) and its amazing how many parellels it has to my current situtation(, minus all the promiscuous sex Im afraid). I think all of you will get a great insight into the times I have ahead of me as well as be able to watch a great movie. Its not yet on DVD and may not be in theatres anymore, but keep an eye out and at least read some reviews.

I suppose thats it. I probably forgot to give you all a crucial pice of information I was hoping to impart but since Im very tired and I leave for San Francisco early tommorow Im afraid it will have to wait. Keep an eye out for emails, I’ll write as often as I remember and am able. Oh yeah, come visit me! You’ll have a free place to stay in Barcelona.

Adios and Adeu,
Gabe