No matter where in the world you may be studying, I think that most college students can safely agree that there is very little better in life than a cancelled class. The time that you were originally planning on spending in a stuffy classroom is suddenly completely open and yours for the taking, as happened to me this afternoon.
My immediate train of thought was that I would be able to go home, take a nap, put in some time on Facebook, and while away the rest of my day. But before I had even taken two steps down Plaza Catalunya, I had to stop and remind myself that I’m in Barcelona.

I’ve been here for two months and have two more left, but it all just seems to be going by extremely quickly- too quickly. I’m sure all of you know the feeling; it’s the beginning of the semester, and before you know it, midterms are upon you, then finals. Once I get into a routine, the weeks just slips by without my noticing it at all. It’s even more profound abroad because there are no classes on Thursdays (I know, nice, right?) and Mondays turn into the weekend within the blink of an eye.

Realizing I don’t have that many free afternoons left to just be in and enjoy Barcelona, I forgot all about going home and instead walked down Las Ramblas and through the Gothic Quarter, to the Picasso Museum. Afterwards, I got some mango gelato and sat on the sunny steps in front of the Barcelona Cathedral to just read and people watch.

And you know what? I really think it is only afternoons like this that have the power to make time slow down. As soon as I get back, I am going to have to test this theory in D.C.