cursa de cortes ingles

on may 6th i completed the 29th cursa (race) de cortes ingles (a popular depatment store here). i didn't do it alone though. amanda and i went with our friend, irene and matt was there (but WAY ahead). this year there was over 53,000 people participating..that is right. a LOT. it is a course of 11k that takes you through the city center, up the side of montjuic (big hill that forms side of city), in the olympic stadium (around the track) and back down to the main plaza. i couldn't begin to descibe the energy we felt as we ran and walked along with 54,000 other people that we attempting to accomplish the same goal. it felt like something you want to get lost in. and stay. mmm...why isn't more of life like that? ohh...and the proceeds went to a good cause called casal raval. check it out by clicking here. i'm thinking about getting involved there.

Deu n'hi do

so lately i've been trying to brush up on some catalan. i mean i took lessons briefly last year and have lived now for two years in a city that is literally drenched in the language but just in the past month i have been making more of an effort to speak it with friends and make strides to learn it. i'm even going to an catalan/english discussion group on thursdays. and trust me, i am relieved when the second hour comes around and my head clears a bit! :) the above phrase (title) was taught to me last week by my new friend, cesar. as far as i can tell, it means something like "yes!" or "wow!" but has no direct translation into spanish or english. for some reason i love that...it reminds me just how complex and interesting an animal a new language is. some things can't just be traded from one language to another...one just has to dive into the culture and world of another to begin to understand their language. anyways the diving in is a slow process...but worth it. i'm enjoying the fall.