The down side: getting lost on the way to pick up said cookies from your friendly neighborhood Correos. This would be my night... My madre wasn't home when I got in from class at 7:30 this evening and I knew that the Correos closes at 8:30. After about 20 minutes of desperately hoping she would walk in the door, I gave up on fruitlessly trying to study for my exam tomorrow, Googled the address, and set out to find my package. I got as far as the big street before the final turn onto the little street where the Correos was located, and to this second I still don't know where I went wrong, but when you have someone whose sense of direction is as screwed up as mine, and as many roundabouts as Spain has, things are bound to go wrong. I ended up wandering aimlessly around streets that did not look familiar in th slightest and even began to look scary at one point. It was 8:13, and I was lost. I started to panic. I searched frantically for some street sign or building that looked familiar; nothing. Finally, around 8:17, I asked a nice looking old man walking his dogs. I figured he would be safer than a person my own age and nicer than a woman, regardless of age. I was correct in my assumption. He just so happened to walking in that direction and pointed out to me (in very slow and polite Spanish, because I was so obviously scared, lost, and American) the way to go. I thanked him profusely and set off at a quick trot towards the park which I finally recognized from the last trip to the mail center that I taken with my madre. I arrived at 8:25 sweating profusely, arms akimbo, with Medusa-esque hair. The man behind the counter was also very nice and after laughing a bit at how he couldn't pronounce my name correctly, he set about to find my package. He looked for about 8 minutes and when I was starting to feel my stomach drop at the thought that maybe I went to the wrong post office, he finally found it under the other envelopes he had been looking at for minutes. It was brightly wrapped in my mother's signature wrapping-paper style. How could you miss a bright floral box? As I exited the building, I tried unsuccessfully to rip off the multi-layered tape that covered the box. I still didn't know what was inside, and I got lost trying to find my way home again due to the round abouts and the fact that the streets sometimes (but not always) change names from one side of the round about to the other. In this case, my street changed names about halfway down and I was panic stricken as I couldn't even find where it connected to the round about on the map. I finally got myself oriented and FINALLY managed to get the tape off. There in my hands sat staring up at me a box of Thin Mints, all for myself (and my madre, of course). Winning. I could have cried. It was so tempting, and I was so exhausted from my hour long venture, that I promptly ate 3/4 of a sleeve. I walked in the door of my apartment triumphant and with a slight stomach ache, but I was happier than I had been all day.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Girl Scout Cookies!
That's right everyone... one of the best things about Springtime has officially arrived. Those delicious cookies will make anyone's mouth water and they come a plethora of flavors so there is something for us all to enjoy!
The down side: getting lost on the way to pick up said cookies from your friendly neighborhood Correos. This would be my night... My madre wasn't home when I got in from class at 7:30 this evening and I knew that the Correos closes at 8:30. After about 20 minutes of desperately hoping she would walk in the door, I gave up on fruitlessly trying to study for my exam tomorrow, Googled the address, and set out to find my package. I got as far as the big street before the final turn onto the little street where the Correos was located, and to this second I still don't know where I went wrong, but when you have someone whose sense of direction is as screwed up as mine, and as many roundabouts as Spain has, things are bound to go wrong. I ended up wandering aimlessly around streets that did not look familiar in th slightest and even began to look scary at one point. It was 8:13, and I was lost. I started to panic. I searched frantically for some street sign or building that looked familiar; nothing. Finally, around 8:17, I asked a nice looking old man walking his dogs. I figured he would be safer than a person my own age and nicer than a woman, regardless of age. I was correct in my assumption. He just so happened to walking in that direction and pointed out to me (in very slow and polite Spanish, because I was so obviously scared, lost, and American) the way to go. I thanked him profusely and set off at a quick trot towards the park which I finally recognized from the last trip to the mail center that I taken with my madre. I arrived at 8:25 sweating profusely, arms akimbo, with Medusa-esque hair. The man behind the counter was also very nice and after laughing a bit at how he couldn't pronounce my name correctly, he set about to find my package. He looked for about 8 minutes and when I was starting to feel my stomach drop at the thought that maybe I went to the wrong post office, he finally found it under the other envelopes he had been looking at for minutes. It was brightly wrapped in my mother's signature wrapping-paper style. How could you miss a bright floral box? As I exited the building, I tried unsuccessfully to rip off the multi-layered tape that covered the box. I still didn't know what was inside, and I got lost trying to find my way home again due to the round abouts and the fact that the streets sometimes (but not always) change names from one side of the round about to the other. In this case, my street changed names about halfway down and I was panic stricken as I couldn't even find where it connected to the round about on the map. I finally got myself oriented and FINALLY managed to get the tape off. There in my hands sat staring up at me a box of Thin Mints, all for myself (and my madre, of course). Winning. I could have cried. It was so tempting, and I was so exhausted from my hour long venture, that I promptly ate 3/4 of a sleeve. I walked in the door of my apartment triumphant and with a slight stomach ache, but I was happier than I had been all day.
The down side: getting lost on the way to pick up said cookies from your friendly neighborhood Correos. This would be my night... My madre wasn't home when I got in from class at 7:30 this evening and I knew that the Correos closes at 8:30. After about 20 minutes of desperately hoping she would walk in the door, I gave up on fruitlessly trying to study for my exam tomorrow, Googled the address, and set out to find my package. I got as far as the big street before the final turn onto the little street where the Correos was located, and to this second I still don't know where I went wrong, but when you have someone whose sense of direction is as screwed up as mine, and as many roundabouts as Spain has, things are bound to go wrong. I ended up wandering aimlessly around streets that did not look familiar in th slightest and even began to look scary at one point. It was 8:13, and I was lost. I started to panic. I searched frantically for some street sign or building that looked familiar; nothing. Finally, around 8:17, I asked a nice looking old man walking his dogs. I figured he would be safer than a person my own age and nicer than a woman, regardless of age. I was correct in my assumption. He just so happened to walking in that direction and pointed out to me (in very slow and polite Spanish, because I was so obviously scared, lost, and American) the way to go. I thanked him profusely and set off at a quick trot towards the park which I finally recognized from the last trip to the mail center that I taken with my madre. I arrived at 8:25 sweating profusely, arms akimbo, with Medusa-esque hair. The man behind the counter was also very nice and after laughing a bit at how he couldn't pronounce my name correctly, he set about to find my package. He looked for about 8 minutes and when I was starting to feel my stomach drop at the thought that maybe I went to the wrong post office, he finally found it under the other envelopes he had been looking at for minutes. It was brightly wrapped in my mother's signature wrapping-paper style. How could you miss a bright floral box? As I exited the building, I tried unsuccessfully to rip off the multi-layered tape that covered the box. I still didn't know what was inside, and I got lost trying to find my way home again due to the round abouts and the fact that the streets sometimes (but not always) change names from one side of the round about to the other. In this case, my street changed names about halfway down and I was panic stricken as I couldn't even find where it connected to the round about on the map. I finally got myself oriented and FINALLY managed to get the tape off. There in my hands sat staring up at me a box of Thin Mints, all for myself (and my madre, of course). Winning. I could have cried. It was so tempting, and I was so exhausted from my hour long venture, that I promptly ate 3/4 of a sleeve. I walked in the door of my apartment triumphant and with a slight stomach ache, but I was happier than I had been all day.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sevilla, mi amor...
It's official... Sevilla is my favorite place in Spain (aside from Alicante of course!). I absolutely adore that city, and wish I could go back at least once or twice a month while I am in Spain. It's absolutely gorgeous and literally the picturesque Spanish town. I am enchanted by this wonderful place that encompasses both big city and small town with the small, winding, clusterfuck of streets that are typical of old European cities. The flamenco aspect was hard to miss, too. Although we didn't get to see a performance, we got to see so much other cool shit. I was just awestruck by all of it. La Catedral de Santa Maria de Sede:
This mammoth Church was constructed in the 15th century, after capture of the sit by the Christians. It was built on top of a Moorish mosque (as many Christian churches were during this time) and for this reason part of the Cathedral still has a Moorish influence: the Giralda. This famous tower is so unmistakably Muslim in construct that you have no difficulty distinguishing it from the rest of the Gothic Church. The Christians couldn't let it go unscathed, however: on top of the Giralda they tarnished it's magnificence with a gigantic Gothic style belfry complete with trumpeting angel. It is currently the third largest Catholic Cathedral in the world, and also doubles as the resting place for Christopher Columbus. Reales Alcázares de Sevilla
I literally almost couldn't breathe the whole time we were in this place... I was so at peace and felt so serene. Although I'm sure that's what the architects had in mind when they designed it lol It was originally built as a palace for the Almohades, a Moorish group. Subsequently, other monarchs (including the present day Royal Family) have added on to it with their own ideas, and resided there as the official Sevilla residence. Its gorgeous, thats all I can say.
seal on the outside wall
inside the gates.. this is some of the original Muslim architecture. It's been around since the 1400s!
another entry way... there must have been like 4 lol
The famous Courtyard of the Maidens. It is very scenic and the Muslim use of water was a way to connect God (Allah) with the architecture. There are fountains everywhere!
a duck pond :) and more water lol
Duckies!! and another fountain... lol
this is an overview of the gardens, there had to be like 16 of them. this view reminds me of the Jungle Book haha
one garden... they were gorgeous!
these flowers smelled like BUTTER!!!
El Parque de Maria Luisa/Plaza de Espana:
This famous landmark was originally built to host the 1929 Worlds Fair in Sevilla. It encompasses the whole southern end of the city in roaming gardens of differing themes and a massive structure which captures the attention instantly. It's gorgeous and as you can see, the gardens have a wide range of both styles, and wildlife haha
PEACOCKS! this is a female, but beautiful all the same :)
Just as a side note, all of these photographs are made possible in part by Tyler Cole. I feel I owe him some credit due to the fact that my camera is currently waterlogged. We used his to capture the majority of the weekend :)
All in all, I had a great time. This weekend is St. Patty's Day and Valencia for las Fallas (although I won't actually get to see the grand fiesta on Saturday). I am curious to see how St. Pat's goes down... I get the feeling it's not quite the same as in the States... I'll let you know though. I bought a green shirt just in case ;)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
I hate Carnaval...
Okay, so overall, Carnaval was alright. The music, the dancing, the costumes... it was all over the time and insane! Like nothing you could ever imagine because that just doesn't happen in the US. However, my night was marred by one slight complication: I got pushed in the Mediterranean by a drunk Spanish girl who was mad at me for taking a picture of her boyfriend after he jumped into the sea. Long story short, we were down by the port hanging out and this girl and her boyfriend walk by, fighting. His friends come along and are holding hiim back from her while she is like screaming at him. All of a sudden, he jumps into the port. Just straight up int the water. So all the stupid Americans run over, thinking its a joke. I take a picture and I feel someone poke my chest... it's one of the guy's friends who is telling me in angry Spanish that I shouldn't be taking a picture, it's not funny. I start to apologize and tell him I thought it was a joke, honestly, when I get pushed backwards off the ledge and do a backflip (on accident) into the water. According to my onlooking friends my head was about an inch away from cracking on the cement ledge. I am not sure how it happened, and the only reason I know it ACTUALLY happened is because my phone was glowing from the bottom of the sea and my camera is currently sitting in a bucket of rice while I PRAY it dries out. I'm not holding out hope lol The people that were with me pulled me out, I changed and showered at a friend's house (I owe her some NICE alcohol haha), and then I put on a happy face and we went back to Carnaval. The rest of the night was fun... but honestly, you've never had a buzz kill until you get pushed into hypothermia-capable water. Yupp, any buzz I had goin' on before was floating away into the Mediterranean like the tampons from my purse...
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Carnaval 2011!!!
So, this week begins Carnaval, the week-long celebration in Alicante that is equivalent to what we know as Mardi Gras. The concept is the same: people are celebrating big time (and in style) before Ash Wednesday, otherwise known as the beginning of Lent. For the next 40 days, no one is allowed to celebrate, eat meat on Fridays, and in olden times, they had to fast the whole time. Today, we are basically just reminded that now begins the time of mourning for Jesus' death and we await his resurrection. We are expected to give something up as a reminder of this also (if you are Catholic, it is required; if not, its just recommended haha). Carnaval is thought to come from the Latin "carne" meaning meat, and "valle" meaning farewell. Bascially, farewell to the flesh, which is the whole sacrificial part. It is more Roman based, rather than the French based Mardi Gras.The difference between here and the States' version of Mardi Gras however, is that here, they dress up. And I'm not talking masks and beads. I'm talking full out Halloween type costumes. Literally, I have been told by multiple sources that if you are under the age of 50 you are expected to disfrazar (dress up). Everyone has a disfraz (costume). Even the small kids, who, instead of trick-or-treating for candy, just dress up during the day and play in the Rambla (the big main street) which they close off and fill with food and music. There are live bands, dancing, and of course at night, drinking. It is basically one big street party and literally you will be mocked and shunned if you are not properly attired. I have heard that anything goes: American ideas, Spanish ideas, whatever. As long as its a costume of some kind haha When I went costume shopping (there have all sorts of stores here for that, just like at home) I saw everything from Marilyn Monroe to Strawberry Shortcake to Disney Princesses. More common though were more general outfits, the cowboy, the Roman/Greek, all sorts of slutty costumes, the usual lol I was planning on a toga outfit to begin with because surprisingly, that is something I have never been. I ended up finding a cool costume that was super cheap. That the other nice thing here: while Halloween costumes in the States tend to be rather expensive (and its cheaper to put your own together), here they are cheap because EVERYONE does it. Mine was only about 12 euros, which is between 16-18$. I am really excited for this :) Its Halloween all over again, except more alcohol, more food, and more people! Every city does the celebrations differently: some have big parades, some just had open street parties (like Alicante), and others have skits or performances. This is a picture of the Carnaval Queen, who is kind of like the head of the parades we have at home, but super jazzed up.
This was Alicante last year during Carnaval. It is a view from the Rambla where they have the main celebrations. They strung the lights last week and I can't wait to see it all lit up!!!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunny, high of 75
Yupp, thats how the weather has been here for the past week or so. It is supposed to cool down a little bit this week but honestly, I could care less. I was at the beach all weekend and I plan to return as soon as I can :) Barcelona was amazing... very big, very busy, very bright. All the buildings were beautiful, like I can't even tell you how incredible the architecture is there. A lot of it has credit due to Antonio Gaudi, whose works were the theme of our trip. We saw a lot of his famous houses in Barca, and then traveled to Parque Guell where lie his other masterpieces. We got to see La Sagrada Familia, his life work which yet remains unfinished more than 50 years after construction began. Its breathtaking... like I really have no words that can describe it except that there are no words lol We saw the Cathedral of Barcelona, which I was awestruck by. It gave me the chills to be standing inside that place. We got to go out on the two nights we were there too. The nightlife is similar in that everyone goes out super late, but that is where the similarities end. Everyone gets so much more dressed up there, and the clubs are huge! We had to take a metro to get to the other side of the city where the clubs were, and honestly although it was fun and very interesting to see such a new big place, I prefer Alicante and it's very own Barrio. Smaller, but there are so many different options that you can't go wrong and there is something for everyone. We also went on a wine tasting (called a bodega) on the way there. The bus was about 6 or 7 hours, and so it was nice to get off the bus for a little and stretch our legs... and drink some famous wine haha This place is called Cordoniu, and it was the first winery in Spain. The history was amazing, and the wine was delicious too :) It was so wonderful to get back to Alicante on Sunday night and fall into my bed... I hope to be falling onto a towel in the sand for the next few days!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Barca Barca Barca!
So we officially have about 2 days until we head to Barcelona. I am thrilled... we leave at 7:30 in the AM on Friday morning and drive for about 6 hours. The weekend will be so insane. And I don't just mean partying, cause honestly that will be amazing, but I am there to see the sights, not get drunk off my ass. I think there are a lot of the kids in our program that might not agree with me, but whatever. There is a phrase in Spanish "Vale la pena". It literally means Is it worth the hardship?, and in English we would say Do the means justify the ends? I am finding that this phrase applies a lot to the things and people in my life here. There are too many examples to explain that properly, but for example, Barca. Would it really be worth it for me to go out Tuesday night to Beer Pong, Thursday night until the wee hours when I have to meet at 6:50 AM, and then take a 6 hours bus ride when I already get carsick to begin with? And on top of all this, I have a minor head cold. To me, I don't vale la pena, and I know that I will be much happier if I do things my own way than giving in to others just for the sake of the crowd. Regardless, I definitely and super emocionada (very excited!) to head to the city... I have heard such wonderful things and although we won't get to make it to the Barca - Bilbao game, we will get to visit the Sagrada Familia, the amazingly inventive and beautiful cathedral designed by Antonio Gaudi. His masterpiece yet remains unfinished, but the work continues and I can't wait to see it. The vale is definitely worth the pena where that in concerned...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Una mes
So it just occurred to me that tomorrow marks one month that I have been here in Spain, in Alicante. It seems unreal, and does not feel like a whole month at all. That sounds so cheesy, I know lol Like when you are in middle school and you have been dating someone for a month and you're like, "Omg, I'm in love!" But really, I'm in love with this place... there are things that bug the shit out of me. Like the fact that my house is ALWAYS 100% of the time colder than the outside temperature. Or that when I think I'm getting a great deal when something is on rebaja for only 10 euro, I am actually spending almost 20$. And of course, walking everywhere is hard for a girl who doesn't wear tennis shoes unless she is working out. But honestly, the amount of things I dislike are very few compared to those que me encantan (that enchant me). I love the people here, they are so friendly. And even though I hate having to take the bus to class everyday, I love to people watch for the half hour long ride. And of course, who DOESN'T love el Barrio? That bar district could top Columbus's any day of the week by a long shot... the weather, the beach, the food, the sangria, mi madre, my new friends, even the school work... I really do love this place. Even after only one month.
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