Extracurricular activities

Other than studying, eating, and drinking, Jeremy and I maintained quite active in the sports department. I introduced Jeremy to "Wednesday fútbol" where my male classmates will meet after school for a quick game of soccer. I did not play but was the official and sole cheerleader.

At the end of the year, we held an championship tournament (medals and trophies included). Here are the players representing 11 different countries:

And the MVP goes to.....

The tournament champions: Jive Turkeys (4 countries represented)

In addition to soccer, I created a running group that met up 3-4 times per week. The goal: the Barcelona Half and Full Marathon. Despite the stress from classes and from trying to balance group work with 5-6 different work teams, all my runners did exceptionally well. I'm so proud of each and every single one of them!

Partial group picture (don't know where the other runners went...) after the Barcelona Half Marathon

runners and spectators

The 3 brave ones to tackle the full marathon

Pratyush and Aaron still smiling

All 3 finished (first marathon for Yann and Pratyush)

Running group dinner

Jeremy convinced Pratyush and Fabien to do a night trail race (very roughed trail race). Despite Jeremy's and my constant reminders to bring a headlamp, these guys thought it was more important to bring two 2-liter bottles of beer instead. The beer was drank on the train before the race, the guys raced without a headlamp, and we all finished with no broken bones! Also noteworthy, we graduated the night before so have been out partying late. The following day we had a group BBQ and spent all day in the sun drinking and eating. We arrived at the race 5 minutes before because we got lost. Things that one should never do before a race, but sure was the funnest race we've ever done.

Butifarra and drinks provided after the race

enjoying MORE alcohol: red wine mixed with some sort of hard liquor

Amazing that I still got 2nd despite all the crazy things I did before the race. The next day I received an email from the race director - who was shocked that I beat a very well known trail runner - asking about my running history. I mentioned that I've done track, road racing, a few marathons, and some trail races. The following week an article comes out saying that I was some elite representative from the US! = )

The guys decided to put my new trophy to good use

Last term at ESADE

In a flash school is over, I have my MBA, and our time in Europe is about to come to an end. The last term went by faster than ever. After a rested winter break, I was back to school for 3 more months. Everyone in school was busy with classes, projects, and finding a job. I was having a good time helping my group of runners get ready for the Barcelona Half Marathon and Marathon and trying to squeeze some time out of the class work to enjoy Barcelona and my remainder of the time with my friends.

February rolled around and everyone in the running group competed in the half marathon. Everyone did exceptionally well with PRs for those who have run one before. In March, 3 of them successfully completed the marathon and the next day the city was greeted by the biggest snowstorm in 20+ years. The city was completely paralyzed with all traffic coming to a halt. Some classmates had to walk 3+ hours home from school in the freezing and wet snow. Jeremy and I were the lucky ones who were able to take a bus before traffic turned into a nightmare so Jeremy spent the rest of the day making a snowman with a group of 7 year olds. Between all of this we managed to squeeze in some class field trips, trips to small towns with friends, and many trips to local restaurants and bars.

Class field-trip to La Fageda (socially responsible organic AND delicious yogurt)

Yes, my professor allowed me to invite Jeremy along to meet the cows

Perfect ending to the field-trip: delicious lunch Spanish style (lots of wine! and yes, my professor was there)

The snowstorm that paralyzed the city of Barcelona

Jeremy's pride and joy. Sadly, the snowman did not make it through the night. He was decapitated at some point. Suspect still unknown....

Dinner and drinks with friends:

Trip to Colonia Güell with some friends:

Calçotada: typical a popular Catalan winter event where spring onions (calçots) are consumed

getting the calçots ready

Butifarra (Spanish sausage) - one of the most important dishes of Catalan cuisine

Morocco: Marrakech

Happy to get out of Fez, we took a train to Marrakech.

We first stopped by our Riad in Marrakech - a place run by some very friendly locals which made our experience here so much better than in Fez.

The medina in Marrakech was smaller, more modern, and in general less chaotic than in Fez. Although we were still harassed we actually enjoyed Marrakech's medina.

Eating some tangines (tangines are cone-shaped pots that are used to steam / roast lamb and other traditional Moroccan dishes)

We celebrated New Year's Eve at the Riad with a Canadian, a Brit, a couple from New Zealand, and our very friendly Moroccan host, Hossein.

The main plaza of Marrakech - Djemaa el Fna

As we were walking by I snapped a quick photo of these snakes being "charmed." Immediately a man pounced on me demanding payment. I gave him the equivalent of 1 euro which is significant money in Morocco (you can buy lunch for the equivalent of 2 euros at a diner). Yet he sneered back at me, threw the money in a pot and said, "that's nothing." More Moroccan hospitality. Needless to say, this was the only photo I took of any street performers.

View of the city of Marrakech from an old palace.

Marrakech traffic - complete anarchy....

Djemaa el Fna at night - walking through this square was a surreal experience. Food stands galore, Berbers dancing on stage, street vendors, and a myriad of street performers. There were story-tellers spinning tales using live chickens as props; fortune tellers prophesying using a variety of animal body parts, incenses and who knows what else; snake charmers; dancers; and magicians.

Susan trying a bowl of snails for only 1 euro.

We dined on the balcony of a restaurant overlooking Djemaa el Fna

Street vendors selling roasted chickpeas and lima beans - actually quite good (we tried some).

Taking a field trip into the mountains

A traditional Berber home

Old Berber women cracking beans to make oil.

Our guide on the mountain trail kept pointing out these "natural refrigerator."

Looking down at the town below with our new New Zealand friends.

Eating dinner back at Djemaa el Fna

Berber musicians