The Iberian Experience: Part IV

I started writing this awhile ago, but I haven't gotten around to finishing it. Sorry for the delay.

We hit up Barcelona last weekend, a world-class city on the eastern coast of Spain. I can tell you right now that our time there was far too short and I would of appreciated just one more full day to capture the essence of what is known as the cultural capital of Spain. Nevertheless, we did see a lot.

Parc Güell was an amazing park outside the center of the city. The architecture was meticulous, due to the brilliance of Gaudi, and the views were breathtaking. After this we made our way to the palace and watched a fountain regale us with lights and music. For dinner, we ventured to the harbor and lavishly dined on fish and wine on AU's money. Trust me, the taste increases 10-fold when you con the con-man. The next day we headed to the site of the '92 Olympic Games along with more expansive views of Barcelona on Montjuc. We witnessed La Sagrada Famila in all its unfinished glory and traversed the cobblestone streets of Gothic Bacrelona to touch the ancient Roman ruins. My favorite part of the day would have to be the Picasso Museum, which contained a large compilation of his works. It's amazing how much an artist can change his direction and style over his lifetime. After what I would describe an evening of drunk ranting, a few of us headed to Mediterranean shore to take part of the Barcelona nightlife. We found ourselves in a small room where the temperature was -5C and everything was frozen solid. No it wasn't a sequel to Hostel, it was ICE BARcelona and was a shitload of fun (at least compared the stories others would recount of others "adventures").

The program director seemed to have pack nearly all of our traveling for March and April, so I spent this weekend enjoying what may be my last weekend in Madrid until May. Thursday night was a shitshow due to Katie's senora blowing up on her and her roommate for pregaming in her house with two other girls. However, when looking at all the evidence it makes no sense at all since they asked permission to have people over, asked permission to use her glasses for drinks, and made the conscious effort to keep their voice at a minimum. I think we are all confused and surprised by her reaction and it definitely left a dark cloud over the rest of our weekend. Regardless, we made it to Kapital (six-story club) on Thursday, a Hawaiian bar on Friday with massive drinks in a smoking volcano, Saturday was the basketball game between MMT Estudiantes and Tau Ceramica, and I just came back from the Prado this rainy afternoon.

Random Musings:

So I still need a haircut as its been over a month and my hair is getting harder to handle. But I plan on holding out until after our week in Morocco.

Due to the language barrier, I find myself more rude then I mean to be. I'd like to know what is going on in people's lives, but I seem to lose the right words to say to start or even continue the conversation.

Planning Spring Break is difficult to say the least. When it's finally confirmed, I'll spread the word.

There are pros and cons on living with a host family as has been evident this weekend.
Pro: culture and langauge immersion
Con: social customs may not only face a cultural gap but a generational gap as well.
And I can go and on. I'm grateful I took a cross-cultural communications course, but a class can never beat an actual experience. I've learned so far, it is all about changing and broadening one's perspective, or you can never be happy anywhere.

More pictures have been uploaded, www.changbang.smugmug.com

Hasta Luego,
Chris

PS: I was attempting to treat you with a video from the Barcelona Fountain, but I'm having trouble uploading it (and I want to go to sleep). I'll figure it out because I want to post videos in the future.

The Iberian Experience: Part III

Before we begin, for those reading this through facebook, I don't particularly understand why the HTML showed up throughout the text in my last post. It may be because I posted through a Spanish computer, so until I can resolve it, I'm going to try to keep it simple.

Right now I'm listening to new Jack Johnson album, Sleep Through the Static. It's pretty good and a bit more mellow. It still remains excellent "chill music." Ultimately, Jack's Hawaiian sound reminds me of LOST, as they film in the 50th State. LOST of course has been on mind since I've been downloading the new episodes from iTunes. It's nuts and drives me crazy with all these new questions and mysteries but I love it! If you are a late comer to LOST, there are two excellent FREE recaps on iTunes that will no doubt prepare you for Season 4 without having to watch the past three. It may be even more satisfying to go back and watch how it all plays out.

Ah, well I realize I haven't been talking about Spain at all, so enough plugs for American media. Everything is going well and I'm much more comfortable in Madrid. There is still much to see, so I need to use my time wisely, such as not sleeping in until 14:00.

Speaking of sleeping in late, the Madrid nightlife is extensive when compared to major cities back in the States, but also quite expensive. Since my weekends are long, (starting Wednesday or Thursday night) a lot of money unnecessarily goes to bars and clubs. In Sol, the party center of Madrid, it's imperative to look for promotions and free shots to get started because after about 2, drinks can be between 5-10 Euros. Convert it if you want, but I'll tell you right now that's too expensive to get drunk. And unfortunately, I can't flirt my way to free drinks, so in lieu of stretching out my bi-monthly allowance, I will buying bottles of wine and liquor at the grocery to pre-game properly. All the Madrilenos do it (on the street) and my host brothers advise it, so us Americas are fools not to every time.

So I haven't gotten a haircut since my arrival in Spain and for people who know me, they know I can't stand long hair. Well, honestly, as unruly as my hair may be, it's a tons better then mullet fad among the Madrid youth. Yeah, that's right mullets. What the hell? And no, before anyone asks, I don't plan on growing a fro or a mullet.

As expected, people are changing. For some program participants, the initial excitement is over and culture shock/homesickness is starting to set, others have found their social niches, and some seem to be waiting for the "Big Thing," whatever or whenever that may be. I believe that people and groups will inevitability change every week and I don't take any drama too seriously. Don't get me wrong, everyone is great (I mean that), but I will do my best to remain neutral. It's my trip to Spain and I'm in charge of my happiness, no one else.

So I'm slightly worried about this language thing. By all means my comprehension has improved, but I'm afraid it won't get better than that. I'm waiting patiently for it to 'click,' for the language to flow out of me (albeit with limited vocabulary), and just a generally understanding. I want to be confused for a Spaniard and not because I'm wearing Chucks. Perhaps I should only talk to Katie and the other students in Spanish, as annoying as that may get.

Oh yea, I posted pictures.

The picture you see to your right is of Segovia, Spain, an hour from Madrid. Yes, that's snow on those mountains.

Until next time,
Hasta Luego,

Chris


PS: Damn, I didn't realize how long this was getting, but I just remembered something. As is our American duty to watch the Superbowl, we headed to an Irish bar to witness the Giants crush the Patriots and something amazing happened. As Jordan Sparks sang the National Anthem, everyone in the bar sang along. Sure by that time I was drunk, but it was moving experience nonetheless, a sense of patriotism hardly seen. Of course, ironically, I never want to hang out with that many Americans again.


PPS: Oh yea, Friday night I witnessed a woman giving a man oral gratification at a club. Yea, I don't know if that's normal here.