One of the most popular pre-events of Agora Zaragoza was “AGORAPHOBIA” organised by AEGEE-Barcelona and as it has been shown from pictures that were published on the Facebook page of AEGEE-Barcelona as well as Facebook profiles of the participants and organizers, and from their big smiles, it was really successful!
When my airplane landed I could not wait to go to the hostel and start meeting forty AEGEEans! Tired enough from my flight, but felt really fresh when reaching the dining room I heard the sounds of participants and organizers! They were laughing, they were talking… they were happy for being in Barcelona and let the event begin! How did it officially begin? By important and funny, and at the same time AGORAPHOBIC introductions from Nacho López del Blanco (organiser from AEGEE-Barcelona)! And what do AEGEE people need to start coming closer? Ice-breaking games of course! The group got out in Barcelona streets and played some funny and energetic games! Next stop – party! What else? The spirit was drinking beer, dancing, making crazy moves, funny AEGEEans, laughter and amazing time!
Next morning even if it seemed difficult to wake up, the sunny day and the thought of the first walk in Barcelona made it much easier! First stop: “Plaza España”! That was the best way to see how beautiful this city is – by walking in Barcelona’s big streets, watching the amazing edifices and the awesome water fountains. It was so nice to start “getting lost” in Barcelona! And what was the best price for being exhausted by walking so many hours? Paella! Some of the organisers had already gone to a big area, a bit out of the city, where people usually go to eat with their friends and being entertained. When the rest of the group reached them, cold sangria and some snacks were there waiting for the hungry participants. After having enjoyed one of the best paellas, three Spanish guys decided to entertain everyone more by playing songs in their guitars (David Martín Pérez, and El Juli Pallares Garcia, organizers from AEGEE-Barcelona, Ander Fernández, participant from AEGEE-Bilbao) and that is how that lunch turned out awesome! What was next? The AGORAPHOBIC night city tour! Did the participants dare to go? They did! Did they regret it? NO! People were all asked to get dressed in dark clothes and have candles… The meeting point was outside of the cathedral of the old town of Barcelona. That was the beginning…Two weird ladies (organisers) started to unravel a story… a scary story that was coming alive in front of the participants’ eyes!!! Some scary people (the organisers) were presenting a scary deadly story in parallel with the visit of the old town… In the aftermath their performance was great and made the night really worthwhile!
The next bright day in Barcelona started. What was first? Some weird but at the same time really interesting activities about trusting others, familiar and non-familiar. But the most impressive activity was the one that the group had their eyes covered – each sat at the opposite side of another person and had a material between them (something like clay) that could be formed in any shape. By cooperating with the other person the result was awesome. Everyone made some really nice objects. The event continued with the bike city tour. Two hours riding a bike and at the same time visiting the impeccable city of Barcelona was a fantastic experience!
The sense of riding a bicycle in a marine area with people full of AEGEE spirit along with the freedom that accelerating the bike offers was one of the moments of the event that will not be forgotten. Such a unique feeling that still feels hard to describe. The rule of the night was to be dressed frighteningly as it was the Halloween period! Everyone’s scary face made the night priceless! Spanish terror night was an amazing experience as participants had the chance to taste traditional drinks and food, all prepared perfectly by the organisers! After having a great time there eating, drinking and laughing, participants were ready to terrify the residents of Barcelona in a club! Full of joy, enthusiasm and energy, happy AEGEE people danced till dawn!
“Para bailar la bamba, Para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia, una poca de gracia para mi para ti y arriba y arriba y arriba y arriba por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere” This is how the last day in Barcelona started. Why? AEGEE-Bilbao had stolen the flag of AEGEE-Praha and here was the punishment. Participants from AEGEE-Praha had to find five random people during breakfast and persuade them to sing “La Bamba” in front of everyone so as to take back their flag! And they made it! The three participants from AEGEE-Praha (Lucie Zágorová, Pavel Jíša, Milena Jurigova) who were singing and dancing with the strangers, along with the guitar escort of Ander Fernández (AEGEE-Bilbao) made the day start with plenty of positive energy. Now it was the right time to start walking on the streets of the city! The group was walking for a long time but did not care as they were lucky to be gathered in an amazing city and make new friends.
The day passed by talking, laughing, watching incredible Barcelona, getting crazy and capturing mad moments that will remain the best souvenir! The last city tour culminated with a visit to a university where participants obtained knowledge about the first steps of cinema. Interesting even for those who are not passionate about this field! AGORAPHOBIA ended with a Suit Up party. The last night everyone was looking even more sexy in their fancy clothes! Drinking, dancing and partying with the most excited people made the night!
And it is always difficult when the departure day comes! Difficult to say goodbye to your new friends, but their warm hugs, their smiles and their “See you again” promises make it less hard to leave and make you feel blessed for having such an experience with these exact people, their exact smiles and positive energy that made you happy everyday!
Written by Dimitra Fratzeskou (AEGEE-Peiraias)