This is my last post before I leave Barcelona to go on our Mediterranean cruise. I am not sure if I will have a chance to post again before I return to Minnesota.
We slept in until about 8 am this morning and organized our packing. I wrote my blog post in Word, because I am having problems the internet connection in the apartment. We headed off to breakfast, the four of us with five vouchers for breakfast. Since my brother and sister-in-law arrived a day later, we ended up with 2 extra breakfasts that we took as take out. We made a trip to the store to stock up on Spanish chocolate (it said no added sugar, so we ate a whole bar yesterday to make sure my friends would actually enjoy my gift). I bought five big bars and I hope they do not melt before I return!
Sigrid (my sister-in-law ) and I shopped at a store--in my younger days we would have called it a "variety" store, but one of my Spanish instructors referred to it as the "Chino." These stores are run by people of Chinese descent. Sigrid stocked up on scarves and socks, etc for the trip. Back at the apartment, we finished packing and drank the "cava" that the University of Tarragona gave me. We sat on the terrace again just enjoying the end of our stay. We will now get ourselves off to port terminal. Hasta luego--nos vemos!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My internet connection is very spotty at this apartment so
even though I would have liked to review the website for the Universidad
Oberta, I can’t. Instead my husband, my brother and I go around the corner for
breakfast. The apartment includes the breakfast but since they have no room, we
have vouchers to go to a nearby bar (it is more a bar than a restaurant). There
we can get coffee, juice, and a croissant, donut or muffin (it’s not called a
muffin, but it’s like a muffin). My sister-in-law was enjoying catching up on
her sleep and so we took her breakfast back to the apartment. It was time for
me to go, so I walked to the metro, transferred to another line at the “Clot”
stop and then transferred to the tram line for the last leg of the journey
along the southern part of the Diagonal Avenue.
The building for the Universidad Oberta was a busy place,
but their offices were only on the second floor. Anna Zuniga came down to meet
me and then showed me around the technical processing area, pointed out the IT
services area and then showed me on her computer the website for the Universidad
Oberta. It is a totally online university that opened in the 1990s and they
have a well-developed website for their students. They use Open CourseWare for
their portal and include everything each student needs to succeed. At one point
I asked Anna what she thought about MOOCs—a recent proliferation of mostly free
online courses. She thinks they are a current fad that might be useful in some
cases. However, the support and quality of online courses offered by
institutions like Universidad Oberta make it unlikely that MOOCs will threaten
them.
I left Anna and returned to the apartment. The others had
walked to Passeig de Gracia and looked at the Gaudi houses. They arrived back
at the apartment a bit later and we set off in search of paella. We took the
metro to Barceloneta by the port and soon found a restaurant. We sat outside
and had the seafood paella from the menu del dia. This means you can pick an
appetizer, an entrée, a drink, and a dessert. We had sangria for four, shared
various appetizers, seafood paella for four (in one large pan) bread, and ice
cream for dessert. The waiter was impressed that we managed to finish the
paella!
We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering along the
beach, just enjoying the day and the scenery. We ended up at the bottom of the
Rambla and strolled along with a crowd of people. We saw living statues and
took a few pictures. At the top of the Rambla we stepped into the Triangle
shopping center and used the ATM, stocking up on Euros for the trip ahead. Then
we took what I assume will be the last metro ride of the trip and came out of
the metro with the Sagrada Familia church looming over us. It is quite a sight!
We arranged our transportation to the ship for the next day
and then spent the rest of the evening doing laundry and getting ready for the
cruise. We had CNN on, watching the sad scenes from the Boston Marathon and
wondering what demented person or group is responsible.
We emptied out our refrigerator so we had fruit, wine, beer,
cheese crackers and other miscellaneous items out on the terrace. Just another
lovely evening in Barcelona! Tomorrow we are on to Phase four of my trip: The
Cruise…
Monday, April 15, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
I was up early today for a library visit--the Universidad Autonoma which is located in Bellaterra, a half hour ride on the train (to the north? my sense of direction is not that great!) I arrived a few minutes early and took some pictures of the entry before asking for Joan Escofet, Director of Library Services. I found him on second floor. He had prepared a full day schedule of meeting with his staff for service overviews and then I toured three libraries. I was very impressed with their formal plan for constant improvement of library services and their ISO certification. The libraries I visited were light, well organized, and very well used by the students. I enjoyed my visit and meeting the librarians. They were all very nice and welcoming. While we were talking at lunch, I told them my next journey is the cruise that leaves Barcelona on Wednesday. They had many suggestions for places to go and see and we even discussed Donna Leon's mystery books (set in Venice). I had a great day in Bellaterra.
I was almost back to Barcelona on the train around 5pm when I received a text message from my sisiter-in-law that they were in a taxi on the way to Eric Vokel. I arrived a few minutes after they did. We spent some time catching up and then went for a walk by the Sagrada Familia. We ended up on the Gaudi Avenue and sat on a patio having drinks and tapas. The Sagrada Familia loomed down from us--it was quite a sight!
We ambled back to the apartment, stopping for a few more provisions (wine, cheese, crackers, beer,,) and sat out on the patio for a couple of hours enjoying the evening. (sorry, Minnesota!)
I have a short visit to the Universidad Oberta tomorrow morning and then it is time to turn my attention to cruising!
I was almost back to Barcelona on the train around 5pm when I received a text message from my sisiter-in-law that they were in a taxi on the way to Eric Vokel. I arrived a few minutes after they did. We spent some time catching up and then went for a walk by the Sagrada Familia. We ended up on the Gaudi Avenue and sat on a patio having drinks and tapas. The Sagrada Familia loomed down from us--it was quite a sight!
We ambled back to the apartment, stopping for a few more provisions (wine, cheese, crackers, beer,,) and sat out on the patio for a couple of hours enjoying the evening. (sorry, Minnesota!)
I have a short visit to the Universidad Oberta tomorrow morning and then it is time to turn my attention to cruising!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Mike was already awake when I got up this morning—I hope his
jetlag does not last too long. We went down for breakfast and then went out to
look for the Santa Maria del Mar church. We had walked by it yesterday, but it
was not open so we were hoping that (on a Sunday) it would be. We walked to the
end of the Rambla and then along the Passeig de Colon. I pointed up the main
Post Office to Mike but he did not seem too interested! We angled back up
towards the Placa de Catalunya and found the church and it was open. It dates
back to the 1300’s and is done in the Gothic style. It is very beautiful and
worth seeing!
We checked out of the Residencia and dragged our suitcases
through the metro to our last residence in Barcelona, the Eric Vokel Suites
near the Sagrada Familia in the Gracia area. We have a 2 bedroom apartment with
kitchen/dining room/livingroom, 2 bathrooms and a terrace. My brother and his
wife will arrive tomorrow. After checking in, we walked over to the Sagrada
Familia and sat outside in the sun just enjoying the day. Later on we walked up
the Gaudi Avenue and stopped at a small restaurant for churros and chocolate.
It was a low-key day but the weather was beautiful and we enjoyed everything
(especially once we reached our apartment!)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Today is my sister's birthday (happy birthday, Pat!) and the day I went to meet Mike at the airport. As you know, he missed his connection in New York Thursday evening, but not because of weather. There was a problem with a seat in first class (not one that anyone was sitting in) and they had to file reports and get someone to work on it. Then they had to de-ice the plane again and wait in line for take off. So by the time they arrived in New York, the doors of the plane to Barcelona were closed. He spent the next 24 hours hanging around the airport until the next Delta flight to Barcelona. Fortunately, he called our daughter-in-law, Lisa, who emailed me that he was coming a day late. So on Saturday I used public transportation to go meet him and made him use public transportation coming back. He is tired, of course, since in addition to normal jet lag, he spent an extra day traveling, but he is very happy to be somewhere there is no snow!
After we got him checked into the Residencia, I took him to the Boqueria (market) for a glass of fresh juice, (he had pina colada and I had black raspberry coconut). Then we hiked up the rest of the Rambla. I showed him the historical building of the University of Barcelona that I saw yesterday. Well, just the outside since it is closed on weekends. We stopped a the same sandwich shop that Lola and I stopped at for Iberian ham sandwiches and beer. Mike is interested in going to the Picasso Museum so we walked down that way so he could see where it is. We continued down to the old port and sat watching boats and sailboats and people. I believe the tourist season has started again or maybe just the nice weather brought everyone out. We walked back up the Rambla and saw probably 5 fake statue street performers. There were also guys who were trying to sell some obnoxious noise maker (one that they constantly demonstrate) and the usual shops and vendors along the way. There were lots of flower stands today too.
We walked back toward the hotel stopping at the church to check the time for tonight's service and going back to the room so Mike can rest a bit before we do anything else. After showering and changing clothes, he lies down for a while and is soon asleep. After he wakes up, we go out and try to decide what we will do for an evening meal after Mass. We check out a few places and then go to Mass. It is the same church I attended last week and this service is also in Spanish rather than Catalan. I like that because I at least have a chance of understanding in Spanish! Afterwards, we walk out and decide to stop at the grocery and just make sandwiches. We have fresh strawberries (which Mike says taste like summer strawberries), ham and cheese on a warm baguette of bread, olives, and chocolate for dessert. Mike is now lying on the bed thinking about brushing his teeth. I don't think he will be awake much longer. Tomorrow we leave the Residencia for a three day stay in an apartment where we will be joined on Monday evening by my brother Mike and his wife. My days in Barcelona are numbered!
After we got him checked into the Residencia, I took him to the Boqueria (market) for a glass of fresh juice, (he had pina colada and I had black raspberry coconut). Then we hiked up the rest of the Rambla. I showed him the historical building of the University of Barcelona that I saw yesterday. Well, just the outside since it is closed on weekends. We stopped a the same sandwich shop that Lola and I stopped at for Iberian ham sandwiches and beer. Mike is interested in going to the Picasso Museum so we walked down that way so he could see where it is. We continued down to the old port and sat watching boats and sailboats and people. I believe the tourist season has started again or maybe just the nice weather brought everyone out. We walked back up the Rambla and saw probably 5 fake statue street performers. There were also guys who were trying to sell some obnoxious noise maker (one that they constantly demonstrate) and the usual shops and vendors along the way. There were lots of flower stands today too.
We walked back toward the hotel stopping at the church to check the time for tonight's service and going back to the room so Mike can rest a bit before we do anything else. After showering and changing clothes, he lies down for a while and is soon asleep. After he wakes up, we go out and try to decide what we will do for an evening meal after Mass. We check out a few places and then go to Mass. It is the same church I attended last week and this service is also in Spanish rather than Catalan. I like that because I at least have a chance of understanding in Spanish! Afterwards, we walk out and decide to stop at the grocery and just make sandwiches. We have fresh strawberries (which Mike says taste like summer strawberries), ham and cheese on a warm baguette of bread, olives, and chocolate for dessert. Mike is now lying on the bed thinking about brushing his teeth. I don't think he will be awake much longer. Tomorrow we leave the Residencia for a three day stay in an apartment where we will be joined on Monday evening by my brother Mike and his wife. My days in Barcelona are numbered!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
I was up around 6 am this morning--making a plan for how to check out of my room, store my luggage, go the airport to meet my husband, and come back to check into a double room. I started to read my email and found out from my daughter-in-law that my husband missed his connection in New York and will not arrive until Saturday. I was disappointed but it does make moving from room to room in the Residencia easier. Check out time is noon and check in time is 11 am so I figured that would work out perfectly. I got everything into bags and settled down with the computer to work until time to check out/in. About 10:30, the nice young man at the front desk called to tell me that my double room was ready and I could come down and make the switch. So with a minimum of fuss I was soon installed in my new double room, just a few doors from where I started out earlier. The young man at the desk inquired about the second person and when he found out that Mike will not arrive until tomorrow, he adjusted the bill to one person for this evening. I would not have even thought to ask!
To begin with I wasn't sure I would like staying in the Residencia, but have found that I like it quite a bit. While it is not as posh as some hotels, it has everything I need. It is quiet and clean and very close to the action in Barcelona. I consider it a "green" sort of place, because they try to keep costs down by asking you to use towels more than one day and they have some of the hall lights on sensors. I actually feel quite special walking down the hall with the lights turning on as I approach. In addition, all of the staff here are very nice. I have to turn the key in at the desk whenever I leave, but when I return, whoever is at the desk remembers my room number and hands the key over without my having to ask. The security doors are usually open during the day and later on I push a button to have the door opened. I have felt secure and at home here.
Since I did not have to make a trip to the airport today, I stopped at the "Boqueria" market to get a glass of fresh juice (strawberry/coconut today) and then headed up the Rambla to the University of Barcelona. The part of the University of Barcelona that is located just up the Rambla from me is the historical campus of the University and houses the Mathematics Faculty. It was built in the neo-gothic style between the years 1863-1889 by the architect Elies Rogent who also designed the Placa de Universitat.
The campus is completely enclosed so when they close the doors, no one can get inside the grounds or the buildings. The grounds are quite nice and I spent about an hour wandering around inside and outside. I have a picture of the outside of the front of the building and the inside of the library. There were quite a few people using computers in the library, but I am not sure how many were using materials. They did have new materials too--although I guess you would not know it from looking at this picture. (sorry for all the glare)
Later on I was buying souvenirs and had already agreed on a price (like she gave me a great deal, right?) and the storekeeper asked me if I lived in Barcelona because my Spanish was very good! I decided it was a compliment because, as I said, we had already agreed on the price. I dropped things off at my new roomy room and remembered that I had not yet scoped out the location for my last library visit next Tuesday morning. I checked Google and my maps and hopped on the metro for a quick trip (or so I thought). I got off the metro and went the exact opposite direction that I should have gone. I knew where I was so I wasn't lost, but it took me quite a while to figure out where I wanted to be. When I did, I felt pretty dumb because it is an area I am familiar with, just had not noticed the street before. I had fun anyway, doing some people watching and taking another tram ride. I am counting on the fact that transferring from the tram to the metro only counts as one trip! With my luck, I will be a trip or two short on my 10-trip metro card at the end of my stay here.
I returned to the Residencia (the girl at the desk already knows my new room number) and spent some time looking through my packed bags for things I need the next two days. Grrr. I refuse to unpack again for just two days! Well, that is about it for today. My blog is updated and I discovered I get lots more channels on TV in this room. Do you suppose I just did not know how to access them in the other room? I am watching the Disney channel--Sofia the First in Spanish.
To begin with I wasn't sure I would like staying in the Residencia, but have found that I like it quite a bit. While it is not as posh as some hotels, it has everything I need. It is quiet and clean and very close to the action in Barcelona. I consider it a "green" sort of place, because they try to keep costs down by asking you to use towels more than one day and they have some of the hall lights on sensors. I actually feel quite special walking down the hall with the lights turning on as I approach. In addition, all of the staff here are very nice. I have to turn the key in at the desk whenever I leave, but when I return, whoever is at the desk remembers my room number and hands the key over without my having to ask. The security doors are usually open during the day and later on I push a button to have the door opened. I have felt secure and at home here.
Since I did not have to make a trip to the airport today, I stopped at the "Boqueria" market to get a glass of fresh juice (strawberry/coconut today) and then headed up the Rambla to the University of Barcelona. The part of the University of Barcelona that is located just up the Rambla from me is the historical campus of the University and houses the Mathematics Faculty. It was built in the neo-gothic style between the years 1863-1889 by the architect Elies Rogent who also designed the Placa de Universitat.
The campus is completely enclosed so when they close the doors, no one can get inside the grounds or the buildings. The grounds are quite nice and I spent about an hour wandering around inside and outside. I have a picture of the outside of the front of the building and the inside of the library. There were quite a few people using computers in the library, but I am not sure how many were using materials. They did have new materials too--although I guess you would not know it from looking at this picture. (sorry for all the glare)
Later on I was buying souvenirs and had already agreed on a price (like she gave me a great deal, right?) and the storekeeper asked me if I lived in Barcelona because my Spanish was very good! I decided it was a compliment because, as I said, we had already agreed on the price. I dropped things off at my new roomy room and remembered that I had not yet scoped out the location for my last library visit next Tuesday morning. I checked Google and my maps and hopped on the metro for a quick trip (or so I thought). I got off the metro and went the exact opposite direction that I should have gone. I knew where I was so I wasn't lost, but it took me quite a while to figure out where I wanted to be. When I did, I felt pretty dumb because it is an area I am familiar with, just had not noticed the street before. I had fun anyway, doing some people watching and taking another tram ride. I am counting on the fact that transferring from the tram to the metro only counts as one trip! With my luck, I will be a trip or two short on my 10-trip metro card at the end of my stay here.
I returned to the Residencia (the girl at the desk already knows my new room number) and spent some time looking through my packed bags for things I need the next two days. Grrr. I refuse to unpack again for just two days! Well, that is about it for today. My blog is updated and I discovered I get lots more channels on TV in this room. Do you suppose I just did not know how to access them in the other room? I am watching the Disney channel--Sofia the First in Spanish.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
My appointment today was with the Politecnica Library in Barcelona. I was to meet my contact, Marta , at the Architecture Library and then we would go on to the larger main library at the Campus del Norte (across the big Diagonal Avenue to the north as you might suspect!). I walked right into a student demonstration of some sort. It was complete with headstones and memorial candles announcing the "death" of UPC. I believe they are protesting cuts to education in Spain and, indeed, both librarians I spoke with today mentioned the crisis in funding for education. I hope things get better for them soon.
I encountered Marta just outside the library. I was a bit early and was about to sit down to wait a few minutes before presenting myself inside, but she met me right there. I briefly met the head of the library and then sat down with Marta Vivancos and Marta Serrat Brustenga. How is that for helping me out? They both have the same first name! Anyway both of them had prepared presentations of their library and the services provided. We discussed libraries in general and services specifically and then we walked around the building. The libraries at most universities in Spain are set up differently than the library at my university. The concept of a main library is not generally used in Spain. As the Martas explained to me, they have twelve department libraries at UPC, each with a director and staff. They would like to combine libraries but there is a lot of resistance to the idea from the different departments who want the library very near the departments and the staff who work in the libraries.
As I mentioned I started out in the Architecture Library so all the resources there pertained to architecture. The building has many windows and a skylight so the natural lighting is fabulous. Of course, in Spain where it can get quite warm, this can be a problem and they are hoping to get some sort of shades. There is a circular opening in the floors to let the light from the skylight through and the opening is surrounded by computers. This library also has a Factoria to help faculty only (not students)with technology but Marta said that it is getting used less and less because the faculty is generally quite saavy on their own. On the other hand the Factoria at Pampeu Fabra was also for students.
After my tour of the Architecture Library, Marta and I crossed the Diagonal Avenue and hiked up a hill to the North Library. We passed many of the UPC campus buildings along the way and others from the University of Barcelona which has some buildings in the same location. Marta had a meeting so she turned me over to Miquel Codina, the head of the North Library (I hope I have that title right). He had a personalized presentation ready for me and when I asked a few technical questions, he called in Javier Clavero, a Tecnic Informatic (TIC). Javier has used PHP to automate room reservations and computer availability. He is also doing mobile versions of the most needed web pages. They are also using QR codes for many things. We both agreed that QR codes are quite useful even though I just read that they are dead (MSU started using them this semester). I was given a tour of the library.
UPC has a somewhat unusual entrance--it was explained to me that it was changed by the architect. I don't have a good idea what it was like before. You walk into the entry area; off to the right is the first floor of the library and off to the left on the other side of the entry is the elevator and stairs. When you go to another floor, you use a walkway between the floor access and the library building.
The group study rooms are located in the walkway on two floors. Within the library they had traditional study spaces in tables and chairs and tables with dividers for small groups and individuals. They have the same sort of arrangement as we do at our library; the higher you go, the more quiet it is. First floor is totally noisy with cell phones and groups. However, no food or drink (except water) is allowed in the library. Strolling along taking pictures, I tripped over someone's laptop cord which was strung from a table over to the wall. I was going to plug it back in but Miquel said it wasn't allowed anyway and handed it to the student. Both institutions I visited this week assured me that there are usually more students using the library, but my visit was early in the semester before the students got busy with projects. To me it appeared that plenty of students were in each of the libraries I visited.
On my way back to the Residencia, I stopped in at the L'illa Mall and wandered around for a while. I took a tram ride back to the metro stop and rode back downtown to the Residencia. Tourist season is in full bloom now and I am loathe to walk the Rambla these days with all the people around. I just went right back to the Residencia.
By the time I got back to the Residencia, Miquel had sent me his presentation. In return, I thanked him and sent him a picture of the MSU Library with 3-6 inches of new snow! I spent the evening packing because on Friday I move to a double room--my husband is due to arrive. We were concerned about the snow but I had checked his flight throughout the day and it looked like it got off on time. Later on my sister-in-law called me on my Spanish phone service and by the time I dug my phone out, the call had ended. (in my defense this was the first call I received in Spain and it took me a minute to recognize the sound as a call) I ended up calling her and we set our plans for the day she and my brother will arrive. So this is my last night alone in Barcelona.
I encountered Marta just outside the library. I was a bit early and was about to sit down to wait a few minutes before presenting myself inside, but she met me right there. I briefly met the head of the library and then sat down with Marta Vivancos and Marta Serrat Brustenga. How is that for helping me out? They both have the same first name! Anyway both of them had prepared presentations of their library and the services provided. We discussed libraries in general and services specifically and then we walked around the building. The libraries at most universities in Spain are set up differently than the library at my university. The concept of a main library is not generally used in Spain. As the Martas explained to me, they have twelve department libraries at UPC, each with a director and staff. They would like to combine libraries but there is a lot of resistance to the idea from the different departments who want the library very near the departments and the staff who work in the libraries.
As I mentioned I started out in the Architecture Library so all the resources there pertained to architecture. The building has many windows and a skylight so the natural lighting is fabulous. Of course, in Spain where it can get quite warm, this can be a problem and they are hoping to get some sort of shades. There is a circular opening in the floors to let the light from the skylight through and the opening is surrounded by computers. This library also has a Factoria to help faculty only (not students)with technology but Marta said that it is getting used less and less because the faculty is generally quite saavy on their own. On the other hand the Factoria at Pampeu Fabra was also for students.
After my tour of the Architecture Library, Marta and I crossed the Diagonal Avenue and hiked up a hill to the North Library. We passed many of the UPC campus buildings along the way and others from the University of Barcelona which has some buildings in the same location. Marta had a meeting so she turned me over to Miquel Codina, the head of the North Library (I hope I have that title right). He had a personalized presentation ready for me and when I asked a few technical questions, he called in Javier Clavero, a Tecnic Informatic (TIC). Javier has used PHP to automate room reservations and computer availability. He is also doing mobile versions of the most needed web pages. They are also using QR codes for many things. We both agreed that QR codes are quite useful even though I just read that they are dead (MSU started using them this semester). I was given a tour of the library.
UPC has a somewhat unusual entrance--it was explained to me that it was changed by the architect. I don't have a good idea what it was like before. You walk into the entry area; off to the right is the first floor of the library and off to the left on the other side of the entry is the elevator and stairs. When you go to another floor, you use a walkway between the floor access and the library building.
The group study rooms are located in the walkway on two floors. Within the library they had traditional study spaces in tables and chairs and tables with dividers for small groups and individuals. They have the same sort of arrangement as we do at our library; the higher you go, the more quiet it is. First floor is totally noisy with cell phones and groups. However, no food or drink (except water) is allowed in the library. Strolling along taking pictures, I tripped over someone's laptop cord which was strung from a table over to the wall. I was going to plug it back in but Miquel said it wasn't allowed anyway and handed it to the student. Both institutions I visited this week assured me that there are usually more students using the library, but my visit was early in the semester before the students got busy with projects. To me it appeared that plenty of students were in each of the libraries I visited.
On my way back to the Residencia, I stopped in at the L'illa Mall and wandered around for a while. I took a tram ride back to the metro stop and rode back downtown to the Residencia. Tourist season is in full bloom now and I am loathe to walk the Rambla these days with all the people around. I just went right back to the Residencia.
By the time I got back to the Residencia, Miquel had sent me his presentation. In return, I thanked him and sent him a picture of the MSU Library with 3-6 inches of new snow! I spent the evening packing because on Friday I move to a double room--my husband is due to arrive. We were concerned about the snow but I had checked his flight throughout the day and it looked like it got off on time. Later on my sister-in-law called me on my Spanish phone service and by the time I dug my phone out, the call had ended. (in my defense this was the first call I received in Spain and it took me a minute to recognize the sound as a call) I ended up calling her and we set our plans for the day she and my brother will arrive. So this is my last night alone in Barcelona.
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