America vs Canada

Now, I apoligize in advance....I am having trouble with my computer. So no pictures, but as soon as I get it working I will post pictures.

Day two in Barcelona. We were all pretty tired from the day on the train previous. And our new hostel room had lovely thick covers that blacked out the room. So we got one of the best night sleep of our lives. This day we dedicated to the beach, to get the best tan possible before winter was in full force.
Our hostel is on Las Ramble, which is one of the busiest streets in Barcelona. Its a long strech of street with a center area to stroll down. Las Ramble, is a lively street filled with entertainment from one end to the other. A popular form of entertainment is live statues. You look to your left and see a stone statue of a man riding a bike. Well isnt that lovely. Then he starts peddling and tipping his hat to you. The first time it happened we were quite startled. Their make up and outfits were so incrediable, you really could not tell them apart from a statue.
Later on in the night you can find magicans, bubble dancers, break dancers, clowns, etc etc etc. As I said, filled with entertainment. However, my favorite was the scammers. A guy is knelt down on the streets, he has a little white ball and three boxes. You give him 50 euro, there is a white ball under one of the three boxes, he switches them around, if you are the one to guess which one the ball is under you get 100 euro. If would take any person with an average IQ to figure out its a scam. There is two people that stand beside him and are clearly working with him. As the guy switchs around the boxes, he lifts them a bit so you can clearly see which box the ball is under. Then the guy working with him, who "is just a bystander playing the game" clearly picks the wrong box. But what?! How could that guy get the box wrong! Then a real bystander puts in 50 euro, and the ball magically disappears and they can never get the box right. It is actually hilarous to watch, and amazing people actually play it.
The beach was quite the hike. However, along the way we walked along the various ports and markets, and parks along the way. Its a beautiful walk, just happens to be a really long one. To ease the pain, we found a starbucks and got a HUGE coffee! Thats enough to make anyone happy. While we were there we met an couple (roughly our parents age) from Texas. They were having trouble figuring out how to use the Ipod their son got them before they left on vacation. They just wanted to send an email. Stef, who also has an Ipod helped them out. We sat and talked for awhile, she was so friendly. She told us that she thinks what we are doing is great! And she was so grateful to have someone help her. Then she took a picture of us (probably for her scrapbook) and said she would email us a copy. It was so nice to talk to them, and I hope when our parents travel they find girls to give them the same kind of help.
The beach in Barcelona is sandy, which from our previous beaches...was a lovely surprise. instead of winching on every rock...your feet sink right into the sand. Now, we are always vigliant on keeping our belonging close. Pickpockting is well known around Europe. However, sometimes when we get to a city...you know that it is REALLY bad there. There are signs everywhere telling you to watch your belongings. The starbucks has a special clip under the table to hang your purse. And the first thing the recption at the hostel tells you is to WATCH YOUR STUFF. Amsterdam was like that as well. So, we didnt bring anything of value to the beach.....including my camara. (insert pout face)
The waves were quite high at this beach...but the water was cold. Winter is starting to hit in Europe....I just dont want our summer to end. There are guys that go up and down the beach singing "Water, Fanta, Coco, Cold beer" all day long. Rumor is they are actually drug dealers...they just use that as a front. And ladies who do 5 dollars massages, and ladies who do the hairbraids as well. Christie and Stef got the temporary tattoos on their feet. They look amazing...they seem to be enjoying it. Maybe a permnant tattoo to come???
After dreading the long walk home and whinning about it the whole way....real sorry sacks arent we? We made it to the hostel. Our room had some new guests in it.
The American Triad of Stupidity.
Now, before I begin let me explain that these are very nice girls and i am not intending to cruely make fun of them. These three girls are from the States and are overseas studying in Belguim. Two of the girls are studying communications, however as their kind friend pointed out to them " Its only for people who dont know what they want to do." This girl was studying psychology and sociology. And at one point I heard her enlightening tale about her professor in beligum who was a recovering drug addit. " He has first hand expirence of what its like to be a drug addit. Right down to going to jail and ran-sacking houses."
Now, at first the valley girl accent was cute and all....but after awhile its like nails on a chalk board. Countless conversations about how Amsterdam was so dirty and dangerous, how did we ever survive, added by how hard it is going to class and what a drag, as well as the one girl telling every tale like she did it bigger and bettter then all....added with the valley girl accent, it was enough to make you want to vomit. One night, it got to the point we all just put in our music to drown out the noise. Sad part is, I dont think they could actually be that stupid and function in life. Pretty sure they think its cute and the boys will like them more. Sad.
Now, we met a Canadian girl who was also 20 years old, studying in Amsterdam and taking psychology as well. Erin, was smart, friendly and great company. She had a brain. Put her next to the American girls, and you see that the American education system has failed them. Canada was being represented much better then America. Canada 1, America 0.
Alright, enough Canada rules and America just isnt as lovely rant. Fortunatly, our sanity was saved by a Dutch man named Iggy. Iggy, is an illustrator from the netherlands who recently hiked through France. He is a well travelled guy and his stories are so hilarous its enough to make you pee yourself. While Iggy entertained us, we provided him with a new love Urban Dictionary. Iggy is at the very top for favorite people we have met in our travels. (btw, Iggy if your reading this I hope you enjoyed your shout out.)
After spending some time with the new people in our hostel, we went to find ourselve a traditional spanish meal. We ate right on Las Rambles on the patio. However, in Europe mostly due to lack of space....most times the resturant is on the other side of the street of the center. Hence, the server has to cross the street, dodge cars and while carrying five plates of food. Impressive. We got Pallela...I think thats what its called. A rice and meat dish. As well as some tapas....which are small plates of food. Everything from cheese balls to sardines. It was a good meal, of which i enjoyed the chicken pallela the most.
After we got ready for a night on the town. Of course, partying does not ensue till very late hours in Barcelona...130am.We got a free vocher for a club down Las Ramble...which makes for a quick walk there from our hostel. This place was huge. Tons of lights and music and dance floors. It made for an eventful night into the early morning hours.