Once again I've found myself so busy I've forgotten to write. What have I been doing you ask? Well why don't we just talk about this last weekend for starters! Last week my lovely fiance Stephanie and our friend 'Lil came to visit me. It was strange for a second having familiar people from home with me in a place that I've become so comfortable in, but I got used to it. As they had decided to come visit during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona we had made plans months ago to hop a train up there and check it out.
If you've never experienced the running of the bulls or any of the other craziness that accompanies it in this city wide festival... you need to. It's not a question or a suggestion, it is simply something you need to do. There are attractions for everyone and tons of street shopping, which I'm sure could entertain anyone. If all else fails, a park bench and some people watching of the million people dressed in the same white shirt and pants with a red sash around their waist and a red bandanna tied around their neck is a never ending source of entertainment!
The Friday that we were there we managed to get up at 5:30 to go watch the running of the bulls. We made our way to the bull ring, a good decision on our part because they have giant screens that show the whole run and you see people pour into the ring in front of the bulls. After, they let young bulls into the ring and let them go to town on those crazy enough to challenge the bulls mite. I must have taken 150 pictures of people getting tossed around and yet nobody was seriously injured. After meeting up with our friends (my roommates), and a healthy nap, we decided the best course of action would be to make some mixed drinks in two liter bottles and head to the park. We ended up sitting at the park conversing with people from all over the world for around 5 hours. 11 o'clock came and it was time for fireworks! Despite the location we chose to sit in and the tree that partially blocked our view, that was one of the most spectacular fireworks shows I've ever seen.
Sadly after leaving, getting home, and getting the girls packed, we got up at 5'clock and I got them off to the airport for their plane headed back to the States. Besides missing them, the saddest part was what they were about to miss.
Sunday night Spain went head to head with the Netherlands in the World Cup and emerged victorious. If I thought the debauchery of Pamplona was entertaining I was proven wrong by the city wide celebration after the win. I literally saw a city of 4 million people become best friends with each other simply because they had one thing in common, they lived in Spain. I watched the game with a group of friends at our favorite watering hole and after the game we headed to Plaza Espanya. The city had set up giant screens in the plaza to show the game on. By the time we got there, it appeared that there were around 4000 people. Everyone was chanting "Yo soy Español, Español, Español!" This continued on for around an our until the party was broken up by riot police in full riot gear. I've also never been in a situation where thousands of people started running in every direction. It was a little intense to say the least but at least I once again got some great pictures! Since the metro was closed I decided to start walking towards my house in hopes of finding an available cab on the way. Little did I know, I would end up walking all the way home, all 5 miles. I did see an available cab in front of my house while I was digging for my keys though, so that's nice. Even though I didn't get home until around 3:30, the sounds of firecrackers, car horns and people shouting for joy could still be heard as I headed up my stairs. I am still asking myself, "What are the odds of being here for this?"
As usual I will end this with the link to my Photobucket account. This time you might want to put some time aside as I've added around 300 pictures between the World Cup album and the Pamplona album. http://s917.photobucket.com/home/c_mcke0987/allalbums
10 days until the big bird home and I must say... I will miss my second home.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Soy de Barca
I have found myself in a very comfortable place lately. I can no longer even fathom the idea of getting lost around Barca and I ALWAYS feel like I know where I need to go or where I am. I have, on multiple occasions, given directions go Spanish tourists. And finally, and maybe most importantly, I've finally figured out the business hours around town. I am a Barcelonian!
We (my self and my roommates) went out last night to watch the Spain v. Portugal world cup match. We started out at a place called Ryan's Pub which is in the Gothic section of town. I had heard they had great food, a rumor I most certainly confirmed. The entrance was very different as we had to walk up an incredibly narrow alleyway to get in. As one of our new roommates put it, "This is SO like Digon Alley!" The only downside was the fact that the AC was broken and there were hundreds of bodies crammed into every nook and cranny. We made it to half time and left to find a more comfortable vantage point in a different location. We decided to head towards home and catch the game's conclusion at a local bar with local fans. As soon as we got off the metro we heard an eruption of excited yelling from the apartment windows all around us followed by triumphant car horn blasts and explosions of every type of firecracker imaginable. Spain had scored. We settled down again at a bar across the street from home and watched not only the game but the locals who would not be content with only one goal. To their dismay an other goal was not delivered, but a win is a win. As the seconds ticked away people got up, walked outside, and the chanting, flag waving, car horn honking, whistle blowing, firecracker fun started all over again. And this was a game on a Tuesday night to get into the quarter finals. The craziness might just be inexplicable for the next game.
Spain will be playing for a finals bid on a Saturday night. I will be doing my research between now and then. This game will be watched somewhere that we will get strange confused looks for pronouncing half the words out of our mouth wrong. Some place where a moment of concentration is needed to understand the curse words bombarding the TV.
On a different note, a new set of classes have started. Photography isn't as much fun as I had hoped but in fairness we haven't really taken pictures of anything yet. Advanced Spanish is proving very helpful but is also proving to show me just how much I still don't know.
One last thing... I've been forgetting to put this up but here is the link to my photobucket account. Please keep in mind that I'm about as vigilant with updating that as I am with this blog. Just click on the link below and enjoy!
Chris' Photobucket Albums
Until Next time! Ciao
We (my self and my roommates) went out last night to watch the Spain v. Portugal world cup match. We started out at a place called Ryan's Pub which is in the Gothic section of town. I had heard they had great food, a rumor I most certainly confirmed. The entrance was very different as we had to walk up an incredibly narrow alleyway to get in. As one of our new roommates put it, "This is SO like Digon Alley!" The only downside was the fact that the AC was broken and there were hundreds of bodies crammed into every nook and cranny. We made it to half time and left to find a more comfortable vantage point in a different location. We decided to head towards home and catch the game's conclusion at a local bar with local fans. As soon as we got off the metro we heard an eruption of excited yelling from the apartment windows all around us followed by triumphant car horn blasts and explosions of every type of firecracker imaginable. Spain had scored. We settled down again at a bar across the street from home and watched not only the game but the locals who would not be content with only one goal. To their dismay an other goal was not delivered, but a win is a win. As the seconds ticked away people got up, walked outside, and the chanting, flag waving, car horn honking, whistle blowing, firecracker fun started all over again. And this was a game on a Tuesday night to get into the quarter finals. The craziness might just be inexplicable for the next game. Spain will be playing for a finals bid on a Saturday night. I will be doing my research between now and then. This game will be watched somewhere that we will get strange confused looks for pronouncing half the words out of our mouth wrong. Some place where a moment of concentration is needed to understand the curse words bombarding the TV.
On a different note, a new set of classes have started. Photography isn't as much fun as I had hoped but in fairness we haven't really taken pictures of anything yet. Advanced Spanish is proving very helpful but is also proving to show me just how much I still don't know.
One last thing... I've been forgetting to put this up but here is the link to my photobucket account. Please keep in mind that I'm about as vigilant with updating that as I am with this blog. Just click on the link below and enjoy!
Chris' Photobucket Albums
Until Next time! Ciao
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
I'm terrible at blogging
Where did the last 20 days go? So much has happened in the last couple weeks that time has kind of flown by. The nice thing about not having time to write anything down in the last two weeks is that I have plenty to talk about.
To start things off, the weekend before last we went on a group trip to San Sebastian. I would imagine someone would be hard pressed to find a place more beautiful. Mountains leading in to the sea, a tiny green covered island, and an amazing pedestrian only narrow street old section of town. Could life get better than that? Even the ride to San Sebastian, despite being on a bus, was beautiful. Shortly after leaving Barcelona we passed by Montserrat, if you haven't seen it you haven't lived. Next came a couple hours of Spanish countryside, rolling hills covered in fields and windmills. Then came the mountains. A bus ride with views like that takes no time at all.
After getting back home and unpacking we got back to "normal" life for a day. While sitting around talking, my friend Meghan brings up the fact that she's going to Dublin the coming weekend. Without much effort I was able to be convinced that Ireland would be the way to spend the weekend after my birthday.
Tuesday, my birthday, was very fun. I was spoiled by all my wonderful friends here. First we went on a program provided catamaran cruise off the coast of Barcelona. Great views of the city and the mountains behind it. After the cruise we went to a few Irish pubs for some Ireland practice. We went to a touristy pub for dinner and drinks where I found what very well might be the biggest burger in Spain. While the hamburger isn't exactly Spain's signature dish, it was my birthday and I wanted a burger!
Thursday night Meghan and I left for Ireland and after a 20 min metro ride, hour bus ride, 2 hour plane ride, and another 20 min bus ride we had arrived. Meghan's friend Kevin met us close to where the bus had dropped us off. We walked back to his flat and got settled. We were so excited to be in Ireland and Kevin had such entertaining stories that we found ourselves still awake at 4:30 am. At that point I had looked at my watch and looked out the window to see the sun rising. Summer solstice in such northern places are odd like that. The sky wouldn't get dark until 11:30 and would start to light up around 4. The next day we walked around Dublin trying to find the Guinness Brewery. This was one of the first times my sense of direction had failed me miserably. After asking a very nice bar tender, who even flagged us a cab, we made it to the Brewery. I had NO idea how massive that place is. Seven floors devoted to the making and history of Guinness. When people say that Guinness tastes different in Ireland, they are not doing it justice. It was SOO much better. We ended the night by visiting a few of Dublin's iconic pubs. The next day we went to have some lunch and ended up stumbling across a street band that was so good we stood in awe for a good 20 min. After that we decided to go check out the Street Performer World Championships which was being held in Dublin that weekend. I cant even describe the acts we saw and do them justice so I will finish by saying... WOW! After another combination of cabs, buses, planes, and metros I left Ireland behind me with loads of great memories and a great new friend.
And that was my week in summery. Tomorrow is my last day of classes for this session of my program. Which means that I should end here and avert my attention elsewhere.
To start things off, the weekend before last we went on a group trip to San Sebastian. I would imagine someone would be hard pressed to find a place more beautiful. Mountains leading in to the sea, a tiny green covered island, and an amazing pedestrian only narrow street old section of town. Could life get better than that? Even the ride to San Sebastian, despite being on a bus, was beautiful. Shortly after leaving Barcelona we passed by Montserrat, if you haven't seen it you haven't lived. Next came a couple hours of Spanish countryside, rolling hills covered in fields and windmills. Then came the mountains. A bus ride with views like that takes no time at all.
After getting back home and unpacking we got back to "normal" life for a day. While sitting around talking, my friend Meghan brings up the fact that she's going to Dublin the coming weekend. Without much effort I was able to be convinced that Ireland would be the way to spend the weekend after my birthday.
Tuesday, my birthday, was very fun. I was spoiled by all my wonderful friends here. First we went on a program provided catamaran cruise off the coast of Barcelona. Great views of the city and the mountains behind it. After the cruise we went to a few Irish pubs for some Ireland practice. We went to a touristy pub for dinner and drinks where I found what very well might be the biggest burger in Spain. While the hamburger isn't exactly Spain's signature dish, it was my birthday and I wanted a burger!
Thursday night Meghan and I left for Ireland and after a 20 min metro ride, hour bus ride, 2 hour plane ride, and another 20 min bus ride we had arrived. Meghan's friend Kevin met us close to where the bus had dropped us off. We walked back to his flat and got settled. We were so excited to be in Ireland and Kevin had such entertaining stories that we found ourselves still awake at 4:30 am. At that point I had looked at my watch and looked out the window to see the sun rising. Summer solstice in such northern places are odd like that. The sky wouldn't get dark until 11:30 and would start to light up around 4. The next day we walked around Dublin trying to find the Guinness Brewery. This was one of the first times my sense of direction had failed me miserably. After asking a very nice bar tender, who even flagged us a cab, we made it to the Brewery. I had NO idea how massive that place is. Seven floors devoted to the making and history of Guinness. When people say that Guinness tastes different in Ireland, they are not doing it justice. It was SOO much better. We ended the night by visiting a few of Dublin's iconic pubs. The next day we went to have some lunch and ended up stumbling across a street band that was so good we stood in awe for a good 20 min. After that we decided to go check out the Street Performer World Championships which was being held in Dublin that weekend. I cant even describe the acts we saw and do them justice so I will finish by saying... WOW! After another combination of cabs, buses, planes, and metros I left Ireland behind me with loads of great memories and a great new friend.And that was my week in summery. Tomorrow is my last day of classes for this session of my program. Which means that I should end here and avert my attention elsewhere.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Getting Settled
I have arrived! It took me about 3 days to get settled and shake the jet lag. So much was going on that I feel like have been here for weeks already. This would be fine if I hadn't been so tired all the time.
My three new roommates and I get along great, we are a little Spanish family. We have a profound love for our new home, food, and Spanish wine (and beer).
The apartment is wonderful. We have two front balconies from which we can see La Sagrada Familia and another church that is also very pretty in a completely different way. The apartment is very large by Spanish standards with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Wood plank floors and very European french doors and 6 foot tall windows complete the decor. The only downside it that we are on the 4th floor and we do not have an elevator but at least we will be in good shape when we are forced to leave.
School is close enough to walk to on a nice Spanish day but far enough to justify riding the metro when we are feeling lazy. Class sizes are nice but class times are not. Getting up for a 9 o'clock class when your body tells you it's 3 a.m. is more than exhausting. The good news is jet lag fades.
My three new roommates and I get along great, we are a little Spanish family. We have a profound love for our new home, food, and Spanish wine (and beer). The apartment is wonderful. We have two front balconies from which we can see La Sagrada Familia and another church that is also very pretty in a completely different way. The apartment is very large by Spanish standards with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Wood plank floors and very European french doors and 6 foot tall windows complete the decor. The only downside it that we are on the 4th floor and we do not have an elevator but at least we will be in good shape when we are forced to leave.
School is close enough to walk to on a nice Spanish day but far enough to justify riding the metro when we are feeling lazy. Class sizes are nice but class times are not. Getting up for a 9 o'clock class when your body tells you it's 3 a.m. is more than exhausting. The good news is jet lag fades.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Final Post From the States
Tuition paid... check; clothes, shoes, computer, camera, chargers, books, meds, harmonica.... check; passport... double check.
This is what goes through my head on an hourly basis throughout the days leading up to my departure. Do I have everything I need? Do I have too much of everything I "need"? Am I packing something that will accidentally get me flagged by airport security? Ah yes, the neuroses of an international adventure!
Sad to say that I was unable to fit everything into carry on sized luggage. So I will be checking one small roller bag filled with my non-essentials (in case I arrive and the bag doesn't). I'm sure you were all very worried about this so there you have it, my bag situation is finalized.
I am happy to say that my tuition is fully paid for as of today. Now I wont get to Spain to find out I am to be a mere tourist for two months! For those of you who have never had to deal with a large financial payment from your University Financial Aid Office... I envy you. They made me earn my money that is for sure!
Friday, May 7, 2010
What a deal!
After reviewing my itinerary for this trip, I've come to realize that I'm getting a lot more for my money than I had originally thought.
Original Plan: I had planned on getting to Spain and getting settled. I would asses my course load and begin planning. I would love to see as much as possible in the time that I have. Things on my list: Pamplona (With Stephanie and Lil) Valencia, Madrid, San Sebastian, and if time allowed a multi night trip to Morocco. Very doable in my opinion given the two months I will be there.
Original Plan: I had planned on getting to Spain and getting settled. I would asses my course load and begin planning. I would love to see as much as possible in the time that I have. Things on my list: Pamplona (With Stephanie and Lil) Valencia, Madrid, San Sebastian, and if time allowed a multi night trip to Morocco. Very doable in my opinion given the two months I will be there.My Discovery: After getting the itinerary I found out that there are many included excursions including: Over night trips to Madrid and San Sebastian, many museum trips, and a mini cruse that just so happens to be on my birthday.
NEW PLAN! I will take the time between my first and second sessions to see both Valencia and Morocco at the same time. Given the extra time this break offers me and the extra money I am "saving" by having already paid to see the other cities with my tuition, there shouldn't be much in my way of being able to check everything off of this list.
Europe and Africa here I come!!!
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