The Mediterranean Sea

Maybe it's the fascinating name "Mediterranean", plus the stellar reputation that has been embedded in my mind ever since studying it in school back in Taiwan... It's difficult to describe exactly how I feel, but knowing that I am physically at famous sea that is so rich in European history and culture sent thrills all over me.

Within the first week of being in Barcelona, I have gone to the sea at least three times. It was amazing to know that the beach is just about a 15 min walk from the heart of the city (and from where I take my classes). Barceloneta, the massive beach that most people in Barcelona go to, has slowly transformed its scene. It is still a beautiful sandy beach that curves along the coastline, but it has been overcrowded with tourists and merchants selling drinks and beach blankets (often at the expense of a quiet, relaxing sunbathing afternoon).

The sun sets at about 9:30 pm in the summer, so after my Spanish class ended at 8:30 pm during the weekdays, some of my classmates were keen to spend their evenings at the beach and I would tag along every once in a while.

The sky was awash with pale pink, blue, lavender and yellow that blended together so softly and seamlessly. It was like gazing at a vast and tranquil watercolor painting. Seagulls glide smoothly over the top of our heads, and in the far distance, I could make out paragliders floating gently over the surface. On land, people of all age sit causally on colorfully patterned tapestries, with some umbrellas and lounge chairs popping up here and there. It was amazing to dig my toes in the sand and submerge my ankles in the cool, lapping waves, rising and falling in rhythm.

Playing volleyball on the sandy beach was a new experience for me. Not that I hadn't done it before, but it was surreal to think that this activity is the local's favorite pastime, a hobby that is so easily accessible whenever people feel like it. Growing up in Taipei City, "going to the beach" was never an easy and accessible thing to do (surprising to others, it was considered more of a luxury and a special occasion than an everyday thing). Thus, it was astounding for me to see elderly couples strolling around, families jogging with their dogs, little Spanish chicos kicking soccer and young adults playing volleyball in their swimsuits...right on the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. This was not a view that I was used to seeing growing up.

That one time when I went to the beach with a friend I met through my study abroad program, I suddenly struck up a conversation with two guys sitting next to me. The younger boy did not know how to speak English, so there were a lot of guessing and google translating involved, which made the situation very amusing and frustrating. The older man spoke English in a heavy Spanish accent, and told me that he once lived in Lexington, Massachusetts for several years (that was where I stayed as a kid too! I blurted out, stunned in disbelief and awe). It amuses me to realize that not only tourists but also the locals here would go about their way to sit at the beach and let time trickle by, staring at the sea and enjoying the temperate Mediterranean climate.

By now, I have already lost count of the number of times I have gone to the sandy coast of the Mediterranean. I ran to the Bogatell beach near my house in the area called Poblenou one sunny Sunday morning, drenched in sweat from the baking sun beating relentlessly down. I returned to the same location another night with some close friends from the program, and we splashed in the water with glasses of beer in our hands. The beach at night gave off a different feeling, more mysterious and serene but not necessarily eerie. I remember that a FIFA world cup soccer game was playing that very moment, and as we heard the roar of the people at a nearby beach restaurant, we ran as fast as the sand would allow us to towards the nearby screen, slipping and stumbling.

My study abroad program hosted a mini volleyball tournament after FIFA world cup officially ended. It was such joy to chill on the patterned tapestries, chat with classmates that I normally don't talk to during the school week, and play a friendly match of volleyball between four countries (though our team- France-got defeated with a mortifying score and I somehow slammed my face into the flying ball). Team Spain won in the end, which was a much better outcome in my opinion.

It was a lovely evening at Bogatell beach.

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My last day in Barcelona started off with me waking up at 6: 15 am and deciding to catch the sunrise at the Bogatell beach right near my apartment. I slipped on my running shoes and ran straight down the street that I live on, and within a 15 min I could see the palm trees and vast sky as its background. The streets were dead empty and quiet as I ran past closed shops and restaurants. The sky was just a faint shade of pink when I arrived, and I originally thought that I had missed the sunrise. Ah well, I thought, might as well take some pics of the pinkish sky, so I headed in that direction and walked right up to the rocks.

I located a big gray asymmetrical rock to sit on and snapped some photos, but then soon after I spotted a neon pink and orange thing peeking out from the far end of the horizon. Oh my god THAT'S the sun! I suddenly realized, my camera snapping madly away.

The astonishingly bright orangish yellow blob with a scarlet circular halo rose fairly quickly, within a matter of minutes. I could see the entire circular shape now, hovering just above the horizon and dipped in a unnatural blinding color of candy-apple red.

I was alternating between my camera and video every few seconds to capture this ethereal moment, but of course the pictures can never do it justice.

I watched the waves lapping softly against the rocks below, sending thousands of ripples scattering across the surface with the brilliant sunlight bouncing and glittering in rhythm. I've learned to appreciate the sea so much more ever since coming to Barcelona. The sound of the ocean delivered a calming sensation so effortlessly it was like magic, and it made me wonder what life would be like for the people here who have this breathtaking view in the palm of their hands.