The Iberian Experience: Part VII

It's been awhile but it's been busy.

On a stateside note, American played a great game against Tennessee in the first ever showing in the NCAA basketball tourney, but unfortunately lost control in the final 5 minutes thus ending the game with a score that doesn't reflect AU's effort.

As for my birthday celebration, I would like to thank everyone that came out, brought snacks and drinks and such. Katie worked really hard to put it all together and I appreciate those that showed up and got to enjoy her efforts. I'm serious though, she put on a grand show that I don't think anyone has ever done. Unfortunately, I did not adequately prepare for what I was to consume with only toast and a slice of tortilla to eat the entire day. As a consequence, within a short time, I did stupid things I don't remember and was quite belligerent. Enough so for me to send an apology out. Nothing to that extent has ever happened to me and I'll be sure to never let it happen again. My b.

Class didn't start up again until Tuesday giving us an 11 day-spring break but by Thursday we were out of Madrid again. We made a road trip to Aranjuez, the location of a one of the Royal Palaces, which I think might just be a museum now. Regardless, it was interesting and a great break from classes we clearly weren't ready to start again. However, the real adventure started the next day when we hopped on a plane to our next destination in the east.

Portugal was a great time with plenty of sightseeing, great food, and a nightlife that might be crazier than Madrid. It must be that sea air. It just gets into people sometimes. Lisbon and cities we toured were stunning and the beaches were gorgeous.

I often had the opportunity to take some great pictures from some pretty decent heights in order to capture the greater Lisbon area.

When history's strongest earthquake in Europe hit Portugal in the 1750s they had to rebuild much of Lisbon and in doing so they decided it was just easier to just copy other structures from all over Europe (and world). This continues well into the twentieth century with the April 25 Bridge, which is an almost exact replica of San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge.

We also enjoyed lively dinners. Our first night, our waiter showed us magic tricks and softly caressed the face of one of the girls, but his best magic trick was that the wine wouldn't stop. I'm not sure if that trick cost any money, but it was great nonetheless. Our next night we enjoyed live music show and some traditional dancing. If anyone remembers what the name of the show was called, let me know.

All the traveling I've been doing and all the traveling I'm going to do has got me thinking I need to start taking advantage of what Madrid and Spain has to offer. I need to suck it up and be a tourist as much as I can, before I run out of time. Nevertheless I need to soon pack for my next stop: Brussels

Hasta Luego,
Chris

P.S. Don't forget: www.changbang.smugmug.com

The Iberian Experience: Part VI

After some needed downtime I can begin to write about my outer-Iberian Experience also known as Spring Break and more popularly in Spain as Semana Santa. After much deliberation and delayed purchasing, we decided on venturing to the Emerald Isle, Ireland. It should be obvious that we aren't on the Iberian Peninsula but hey you never know.

Of course like almost all my adventures, they all begin with an oddity. Due to problems with Iberia's check in process (See Part 1 for more airport drama), our flight to Ireland on March 13 was closed. Of course Katie and I wouldn't have this since Iberia was at fault. They staffed three out of eight check-in desks for over a hundred people waiting on line. Of course, Katie and I weren't the only ones who lost their flight, others were in rage throughout the line, kicking over the ropes and poles between the lines. But after about two hours of being pushed around to different desks we found a manager who tried his hardest to find a connecting flight for the evening but with no luck. However, he did put us on a flight the next day (which was surprising since everyone else told us nothing was available until March 17) and gave us a voucher for a swanky hotel in Madrid (with free meals and wine).

Of course since we missed our first day in Dublin we had to make up for lost time when we arrived. We quickly unpacked and headed to the Temple Bar to start off our night in Ireland. The Temple Bar area is very much like Sol or for those in DC, Adams Morgan. There's nothing like hanging out with a bunch of drunk Irish. You kind of feel like you are going to be swamped in an angry mob. The next day, though short on time, we made it out to the Guinness Storehouse. I suppose it used to be a storehouse but now it was a massive seven floor museum in the middle of the brewery. It was grand fun and we got a free pint of the black stuff as we peered out from the Gravity Bar, which features an almost 360 degree view of Dublin.After Dublin, we took the long train ride to Killarney in the southwestern part of Ireland. A quaint little town with many youth enjoying the festivities of the St. Patrick's Day weekend. The next day we did a tour of the Ring of Kerry and enjoyed the landscape and picturesque sights. It was a rather long day and I was glad to party up into St. Patrick's Day that evening. The next morning we nearly got stuck without transportation when I found my account empty. Luckily Katie had some on reserve and we left Killarney to Galway.
Galway was a hell of a lot more livelier than Killarney and we arrived I'm sure everyone we encountered was drunk. It was 2:30 in the afternoon. We later found ourselves entangled in the madness and found celebrating St. Patrick's Day on St. Patrick's Day was getting rather expensive and when we had to resort to plastic, we made our exit. The next day was an all-day tour of Galway, much like the Killarney tour except this one had an abundance of sun (unlike that persisting perpetual cloud ). Sweet glorious sun. The Cliffs of Moher + Sun = crazy delicious. We also saw some caves and drove over underground rivers.
Unfortunately we had to drop Cork and the Blarney Stone due to a scheduling conflict, so we headed back to Dublin to get to the airport. With empty pockets and wallets, we just roamed the town, took a look at the historic Trinity College, picked up souvenirs, and of course took pictures. No issues on the plane ride home, which was a relief.

With no money, I'm staying here for the rest of break but hey my 21st birthday is on Saturday and American University is at the Big Dance so there's plenty to do. I can even watch my hair grow (two months w/o a haircut and counting).

Hasta Luego,
Chris

PS: I was recently offered a job with the State Department and if all goes well with the security clearance, I should be starting this summer. I would like to thank Dave, RJ, and Noah and anyone else who helped get my official transcript to the office. I'll be the first to admit I miss my brothers. Way too much estrogen here.

The Iberian Experience: Part V

First and foremost, shoutout to Anna who couldn't make it on our past trip. I'm sure everyone would agree it would have been even more entertaining with you around.

Speaking of past trips, yesterday I came back from a 6 day trip to Marruecos (Morocco). Marruecos, in the north of Africa and on the western coast, is nothing like the Africa of your imagination. Very much like Egypt and the rest of the Middle East, it was many shades of brown and tan. Nevertheless, it also was very green, mountainous, cosmopolitan, suburban and so on. It seemed as if I would fall asleep and wake up and see a different country outside our windows. The trip was plenty long enough, and we drove throughout the country, but we didn't stay in any one city for long. It was analogous to the "Best of Chicago;" a taste here, a taste there, never the entire meal. Regardless, I enjoyed my first adventure to Africa.

Marrakech: This was our first stop in Marruecos. Our hotel was amazing and generally well-received. We came to find out, every hotel we stayed at, save for the desert, had a pool, but none of us had any swim wear. We received an interesting tour which provided the basics of Moroccan/Islamic culture and how to handle ourselves in the city. The main plaza of Marrakech was massive and filled to brim with locals trying to sell everything. It was an opportune time to learn how to haggle and I bought a pair of sunglasses for a fourth of a price. On our afternoon off, Katie and I went back into the plaza which turned into a marketplace for food, delicious food. Before dinner even began, we were stuffed.

Ouarzazte and the dunes of Merzougha: Thus began our all day drive to the desert. The trip was tedious but we did enjoy pretty great views of the countryside on the tight winding roads wrapped around mountains. From little villages plastered on the side of mountains in the middle of nowhere to flocks of sheep munching on a multitude of green grass. Eventually, things started getting sandy and when we made a stop in Ouarzazte (more specifically Aït Benhaddou). It was pretty cool as we had to cross a river on donkeys to get to the casbah and we learned that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been the location for films such as Lawrence of Arabia and more recently, Gladiator and Alexander. Our guide was rather interesting and so was our tour.



After off-roading for a period of time, we made it to what seemed to be the desert (at least what we could make out in pitch black darkness). After an amazing dinner presentation, we got ourselves situated in our haimas, which were pretty much tents made of cloths and rugs. I took the opportunity to star gaze and thousands slowly appeared into view as my eyes adjusted. It was remarkable and got me thinking too deep. I woke up the next day to the roars and groans of camels. Soon enough, we were riding the beasts in order to watch the sunrise on top of the dunes. Well worth the twelve hour trek to get there, even with all the sand in my shoes.
Fez and Tanger: We were warned that Fez was an archaic city, but upon entrance, it was by far the most cosmopolitan city to be seen. The streets were wide complete with street lights, stop signs, and lines in the road. However, our scenic tour of the city validated their warning. It was very much a labyrinth of tiny roads and small buildings filled with people selling everything alive and dead. You are on the ball if you think Disney's Aladdin; of course without that whore, Jasmine. We spent our time exploring the industries of Fez including a tannery, a metal workshop, a carpet place, and a fabric shop. Our tour guide was on his game trying to improve his local economy by bringing us around to spend our money.
There wasn't much to see in Tanger, it was really the airport there was important, but our hotel was on the beach and we got to see a glimpse of the city on Morocco's north coast.

Spring Break is coming soon and hopefully I'll be heading to Ireland. I'm excited as I've never been, regardless if its cold.

More Pictures at changbang.smugmug

Hasta Luego,
Chris