How do you say...mmm...dodgy

Hola de Barcelona! First and foremost, let me say...the blog from last night doesn't even touch the excitement that happened after we blogged. Literally, 3 minutes after we posted that blog (while sitting in the game room), several of our roomies/fellow hostelers came in and initiated conversation with us...super exciting. There were the Canadians mentioned in the last blog, an Australian, a German (nicknamed by the belligerent Canadians as Germany--I was called "Yellow" all night because I was wearing a yellow dress), the new roomie from Oklahoma who was drawn to us because OK apparently has a lot o' country people too, and so he loved the fact that we were a little country, and last, but definitely not least, the tri-linguist from Milano, Italy, Christian (and we're already FB friends, whhaaa!). The Canadians were looking for people to play pool against, trying to recruit Erin and I for a North America vs. the world competition, we did not get involved, however I felt a bit of tension because the Canadian guys were rather obnoxious. (and already blindingly drunk haha). Mental image: they're about 18, just out of high school and cannot legally drink in Canada. Also, we did play them in foosball, and won by a long shot, deal. Anyway, convo began with the usual introductions but soon became about 8 of us sitting around discussing wordly things like how to learn all the languages of the world, how rolling cigarettes (extremely common here, moreso than buying a pack) is much more cost effective, and the different rules of Pool varying by country. Erin and I showed our language prowess, her Spanish and my German, and soon became major contributors to deep convo, hopefully recanting all the negative stereotypes of North Americans that the Canadian kids were living up to. We moved the conversation to several rooms, it lasted for probably like 3 hours, we even ventured outside to find a pub, but were unlucky. Christian, who apparently had taken to Erin (he enlightened me on some better Spanish phrases to use while ordering, etc. and tried to help me with some Italian...failed), introduced us to staff at the Hostel (he works here too) and we soon became insiders, talking even with the guy working that night from Venezuala. It really was quite the deal, and tons of fun to hear everyone talking to each other in like 5 different languages, Christian of course being the central to everyone, speaking Spanish, English, Italian, and a little German. Lots of fun, we're basically life-long friends with these people now (sort of). Which in Hostel terms means awkward waves and hellos throughout the day, whenever you pass each other, even in the shower with no curtains, which is a whole different story (talking to "friends" with their butts all exposed, chatting as if they aren't stark naked, crazy).

Anyway, today started with a late start where we scrambled to get ready and get to the train station to get our ticket for tomorrow's trip to Switzerland. We stopped by the Camp Nou, the soccer stadium for FC Barcelona (Steve=kid in a candy store...I have pictures). The stadium itself is huge, and is just filled top to bottom with FCB stuff. I didn't actually go in (we tried to sneak but got caught by a guard) but I went into the gift shop, which had the most soccer stuff in one place that I've even seen. They had these soccer balls that were decorated with their team logos from around the world, like Celtic, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc. If I didn't have Erin I'm sure I would be broke now, having spent all money on soccer balls, shirts, blah blah (cause like in the US, stuff in gift shops being so much more expensive). Anyway, we took the metro to the train station only to realize we were at the wrong station and the one we needed was across the city-very frustrating. By this time, it's already about 4 and we hadn't eaten or accomplished anything so far we saw the soccer stadium, thank you very much...here comes the downfall of the day (or possibly even the trip-we'll see as it goes on): As we're leaving the train station, we spot a McDonalds...and we were starving...so...we sucked it up and went to a McDonalds in Barcelona! Yes, I know...but before you judge, let it be known that it was the only type of fast food and we are familiar with the menu so knew we wouldn't have to sit for 10 minutes and decipher the menu options. Anywho, before I came here, I said I would never go either--oh well. It was honestly the absolute best happy meal I've ever had. I had the Big Mac meal, because James of course they didn't have a 5 piece chicken nugget meal, I swear the McDonalds on Gervais is the only one with that option. I literally inhaled my meal, and sat satisfied in American gluttony, it was fantastic. Also, let me add a quick side note to say that I've never been so excited that the guy behind the counter spoke English She literally talked about this for almost an hour, randomly saying how she was SOO glad, every several minutes...as we were standing in line I was panicking on how I was going to order en Espanol-the meal names are the same, but the food is in Spanish. And it was extremely difficult; for example: a cheeseburger was not hambuergesa con queso--it was some horrendously long word. Anndd, they have two types of fries (the usual and potato wedges) that also have their own, very odd names. This was after we watched one Southern American man struggle to order in Espanol (he was not so lucky to get an English speaker) and embarrassed himself by yelling and pointing-horrible. Anyway, the guy behind the counter saved a 15 minute obstacle, whoo hoo!
After being extremely satisfied, we trekked to the other train station and got our ticket without MUCH trouble, I'll let Steve rant on that. Much trouble? HA! we get there, go up the window, to a woman who claimed she spoke English, which to me just meant that she knew what we were asking, but responded with the Spanish word over and over again. After we struggled with this for a few minutes we found out that we had to pay almost 110 dollars to reserve our ticket, on top of using the Eurail pass. No tell me, why do I have to pay 400 dollars for a rail pass, when everytime I use it I have to keep paying? I mean lets be honest, I would have just saved the money from the pass and bought the tickets straight up. But, after fuming for 20 mintues, I received a nice hug from Erin/Yellow, and was fine (Lies-in actuality, we walked outside and ate candy gummies until he was ready to walk again). We were then in the neighborhood of Las Ramblas(gothic district with lots of shops where I could spend tons of money if I had it and antique buildings) so we wandered around briefly (we're going back tomorrow) and made our way to the Montjuic castle and gardens. It's a castle on a hill that overlooks the city, including the beach. It was absolutely breath taking (and entertaining to roam around). To get up there, you either walk (about an hour) or take the air gondalas (here called telefericas)...we chose the latter to save time since it was getting near 8:00. Luckily, Stephen saved my camera that had a temporary break down--for anyone who knows anything about me, I was already anxious about how I was going to get it fixed, get a new one, borrow one, etc. Literally, our time at this castle was almost ruined because of the Camera issue. She sulked the entire way up to it, and half of the time walking around the castle, pressing the on button, only to hear the piercing chimes of the "lens error" message. I swear everytime we heard it I thought we were on the verge of watching the camera fly over the side into the water. Luckily, after some coaxing, the lens came out, and the cloud over Erin's head was immediately lifted. Fanstatic, self-timed photos! Crisis averted for now, it's working fine (hopefully that won't jinx it).

Anyway, we have no great meal story today because we again ate noodles and cheese for dinner, but oh well. Tomorrow's agenda includes waking up early and going to do a more in-depth visit of Las Rambles and the market and then spending 11 hours on a train, overnight, in a seat (they were out of beds), and we had to leave our neck pillows in Cambridge because we didn't have room for them..those would be very useful as of now. I anticipate this train ride to by uncomfortable, but not too bad because unlike airplanes, the train seats have a bit more space (thats as long as you don't have two spanish businessmen sittting across from you, invading your personal space at all times).
Last note: thanks for your comments! and pictures are coming very very soon. My USB picture adapter should be in Switzerland waiting for me. Deal! Oh, and the title of this is from the incredibly helpful Hostel receptionist who did a quick, very thorough lay-out of Barcelona. He was talking about Las Ramblas and the pickpocketers and said, "They move very fast. It can be a bit...mm...how do you say, dodgy, in the (h)evenings." Hilar!