So it's my last day/night in Madrid. Kind of hard to believe 3 months are over, but time must go on I guess. It's been a great week filled with final exams and goodbyes. Some people from our program have already left, so it's kind of a weird feeling. Last night we had one last get together in the streets of Madrid, a Botellón. Botellónes are kind of a tradition here where young people gather in plazas to enjoy a few drinks and each other's company. It's cheaper than going to a bar...and it's actually a lot of fun.
We met in a plaza near our house with a bunch of people from the program and had a good time. Although the cops came and broke it up, it was definitely worth it. (don't worry Mom, no one got into any trouble, we just had to quickly vacate the area and find an establishment to go to).
I have met a lot of really great people on this trip, both from DePaul and all other parts of the world, and I've also learned a lot about myself. I've gained a lot of confidence and surprised myself a few times. I have some great memories here and a lot of experiences I will take with me forever. I'm so grateful for this opportunity, I cannot even begin to describe.
Although I'm really sad to be leaving Spain, I'm looking forward to the next chapters of my life. I'm anxious to see where life leads me. Spain has definitely captured a piece of my heart, but I know God has better things yet to come for me, and I can't wait.
I'm excited to see everyone when I get home too! I will see you all TOMORROW!!!
Less than 7 days left in Madrid :( but I still have 4 final exams standing in my way. The reality of leaving is finally starting to hit me a little bit. Last week, one of our roommates left, it's a little weird without him here. I think we're all starting to realize it's coming to an end...some are happy, others are sad. Right now, I'm somewhere in the middle. On one hand, I'm getting homesick. I'm really anxious to see my family and new dog for the holidays, etc. On the other hand, I'm definitely going to miss Spain.
The other day we were talking about the things we're going to have to get used to again in the states. For example: tipping at restaurants, not being pushed around on the metro, not saying metro, new daily schedule, going back to work, not staring, waiting 20 minutes for the el or a bus in Chicago, etc etc. It's gonna be weird. It's amazing how much you can adapt in 3 months. One thing I don't think I'm going to change when I get back is the eating schedule. This 9 o'clock dinner thing is really working for me. The Spanish schedule is perfect for my life...for sure.
Some things I'm looking forward to in Chicago: REAL pizza and Chicago hot dogs, Christmas and everything that comes with is, NOT being pushed around on the el, my family and friends, being 21 in the US, Chavo, baking, NOT seeing pig legs hanging in every restaurant, etc etc.
I'll be spending the next couple of days saying goodbye to Madrid. It'll be bittersweet, but I'm trying not to be sad about it. All I can do is take all my experiences with me and remember the good times I've had here. It's definitely been worthwhile...no matter how broke I am when I get home. At least I can take the pictures and the memories home with me.
GOOD NEWS tho, I was able to change my flight to be home in time for the Espersen Hoe Down this year. Originally I was supposed to spend the night in the Dublin airport, but not anymore! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Well, I'm off to study now...only 200 vocab words to learn tonite :) should be fun!
Hola a todos! Just got back from Tangier, Morocco late last night. What an experience!!! It was definitely a culture different from anything I have ever seen in my life before, but it was amazing to me how many things were similar to other places I've visited in the past.
When we arrived in Tangier (after a 12 hour journey by bus and ferry), we got a small tour of the city. Our guide took us down to the Kasbah and Medina market. One of the things Morocco is known for is its negotiation style of shopping. You never accept the first price, and you can usually talk the salesman way down. The market had anything from souvenirs to fresh meat to natural remedies. It was really cool to see, smell, and experience.
Saturday we headed out to Chaouen, a small city in the mountains outside of Tangier. On the way to the city, we got stuck in some really bad traffic near a sheep market. Apparently we arrived right before a big holiday in Morocco where they sacrifice sheep. It was cool to see the open market with thousands of Moroccans purchasing a sheep for the holiday, though.
Once we got past the traffic, we passed through the beautiful landscape to Chaouen. It's a beautiful blue and white city with small winding streets. We walked throughout the whole city and then had a chance to sample some great Moroccan food for lunch...YUM! Chaoen was definitely a cool place to see, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL. Although I'm pretty sure some guy hexed me on the way out for not donating money for Mohammed (he "gave me the black coin"...figuratively) I really enjoyed the time we had in the small city.
Sunday we got to sleep in before we headed out to ride camels!! Our guide took us to a place on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea where we got to ride on the animals for a little while. (at one point one of the guides even let me pull the camel!) It was a really good time. After the camel rides we headed over to the Caves of Hercules. I'm not exactly sure what the story behind these caves are, but there is an opening kind of in the shape of Africa where you can take pictures.
After the caves we headed over to Azilah...another blue and white seaside city. Here we had a couple of hours to roam around and eat before heading back to Tangier. It was a great little city, and all of the people were very kind.
I've never been to a Muslim country before, so Morocco was an interesting experience for me. Apart from the difference of religion, it was difficult for me to accept the role of women in their society. Although I tried to keep an open mind and accept their culture, I couldn't ignore the sideways glances from men and the absolute submission of women. Morocco has made some strides in this aspect, however. Our guide (who has two wives himself) informed us that recently a law was passed restricting men to only one wife instead of the four previously allowed. He also told us that women do not need the permission of their parents in order to marry anymore (I have heard it's still pretty difficult to do without it though). To me, coming from a society in which women are far more empowered, it was difficult to adapt to a culture that is so different. Far be it from me to say what is right or wrong or to judge their culture accordingly. But I did struggle with this throughout the weekend.
Another interesting thing I noted was how similar the country of Morocco was to other third world countries I've visited in Central America and even Mexico. A few other girls in the group also noted how similar some aspects were to part of Mexico. To me it was interesting how, even though the culture is 100% different, poverty is still the same all over the world. People face the same problems and solve them in much the same way.
All in all, it was a really great trip, and I am definitely glad I went. Now, less than two weeks left to enjoy Madrid before I head back to Chicago. I can't believe it's already coming to a close, but it's been the experience of a lifetime for sure. Only one more essay to write and about four finals to get through before I make it home. :)
So I had a very historically Spanish weekend this weekend. Friday night we went back to the cueva bar that we went to on my birthday. It was kind of cool cause there were some guys playing flamenco music and singing while we drank sangria and ate tapas...I felt so authentically Spanish. haha.
Saturday was the last trip with CEA to Toledo. It's only about 45 minutes away from Madrid, but it's a very different atmosphere there. The city itself is surrounded by a river (of course I forgot the name of it), but it kind of created a natural defense system. According to our tourguide, Toledo is known for three things: priests, nuns, and military. It was also the first capital of Spain, even though it's fairly small.
We took a walking tour through the city and saw the main cathedral. Apparently it was the cathedral where Isabela and Ferdinand went to hear mass. The architecture and decoration was amazing. The church itself took over 200 years to build. It's amazing to me the time and dedication that was put into it. Today if a building project takes more than a few months, people start to complain. Even though I am not Catholic, it was really cool to me to see how much the people of Toledo invested in their house of worship.
In the cathedral there were about 18 original works by El Greco. He is a super famous painter that I remember studying back in high school. I couldn't believe I got to see some of his works (we went to the Prado Museum on Friday too where I got to see some of the more famous ones along with works by Velazquez and Goya too...WOW).
After the main cathedral we saw a smaller church and then went to lunch. After that we had some free time to wander. Toledo is in the part of Spain known as La Mancha, which is where Don Quixote is from. I believe part of the story is in Toledo as well (I should remember this I apologize) because there are signs all over Toledo showing the "route of Don Quixote." If I have learned one thing this weekend it is that Spaniards are very proud of Don Quixote. The author, Cervantes, is many times compared to Shakespeare here.
Speaking of Cervantes, I continued my historical and educational weekend today with a trip to a little city called Alcalá de Hernanes where Cervantes was born. The year is debatable, but it is widely believed that he was born in 1547.
Alacalá is a cute little city about 30 minutes outside of Madrid. There is some Arabic influence, many historical buildings, and some modern buildings as well. Like much of Spain, it's a good mix. We mainly walked around the city and saw the Plaza de Cervantes as well as his childhood home. I really enjoyed the city. It was a good break from the bustling atmosphere in Madrid, but it was still a good taste of the Spanish culture. People were out on the streets, enjoying one another's company, and the streets were decorated with lights for Christmas.
It was a nice little day trip outside of Madrid. As much as I love this city, sometimes the crowds are a lot to take, and it was nice to get away for a few hours. But they lit up the Christmas lights in Madrid this past week, so the city sparkles everywhere you go. It's really cool. I do miss the familiar Christmas preparations and traditions from home, but it's cool to see the way another country does it.
There is definitely not as much emphasis on Santa Clause and shopping here. People actually celebrate the arrival of the three Magi way more than Papa Noel (Santa). To me it is really cool how they have preserved the religious importance of Christmas more so than we have in the United States. Although there are decorations up and merchandise out for Christmas shoppers, I don't feel the same pressure to BUY here as I do at home. It's kind of refreshing. Here, there is way more emphasis on traditions, family, and customs than the gifts under the tree...well many families don't even have a tree anyway. Not gonna lie, the holidays are making me a little homesick, but I am really enjoying seeing Christmas from a Spanish point of view.
ps- I added a bunch of new pics, so check them out! (new additions to Madrid 2 too)
***I want to apologize in advance for a very sappy post***
So I was just sitting in my room finishing up some homework for class this afternoon, and the song "Count Your Blessings" from the movie White Christmas came on. There was also a slide show of all my pictures running as a screen saver on my computer at the same time. As I watched pictures of my friends, family, and travels pass by the screen along with the music, it really made me take a minute to think about everything I am thankful for. Being that tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought this might be a good time to reflect.
I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am for everything I have. This opportunity to be in Spain and travel Europe is something many people would never get the chance to do. I have to remind myself everyday how amazing it is that I am even here. I will cherish this experience forever and I cannot begin to thank God and everyone else who made this possible.
I am so blessed to have a family that supports me so completely in everything I do. When I first mentioned this opportunity to my mom, without hesitation she said "go for it!" I didn't realize how cool that was until I started talking to other people here whose parents weren't so unwaveringly supportive. Thanks mom and dad for all of your love and support throughout my whole life. I wouldn't be here without you guys.
The support and love I have received from the rest of my family, friends, and coworkers has been amazing too. Thank you all for your encouraging words and constant support. It's made being so far away a lot easier for me, knowing everyone back home has my back.
It's easy to take everything we have for granted or get discouraged with the economy spinning out of control, that's why I think it's great we have a tradition like Thanksgiving to take pause and recognize all the blessings we do have. It's something no other country has, and, from my experience here, a lot of them do not understand.
I have to admit, it's going to be hard to be in Spain on Thanksgiving. Tomorrow I'll go to class, and life in Madrid will continue like normal. At home, families will gather together to remember what they have to be grateful for. Our program has organized a big turkey dinner for us at a local restaurant to make us feel at home. We're really grateful for the work they did to put it together, but I won't lie, it's not gonna be the same. For the first time since arriving in Spain, I think I will be truly homesick.
That being said, I hope everyone has a VERY Happy Thanksgiving! I miss and love you all!
So yesterday after class a friend of mine, Ryan, invited me and a few other girls from the program to a "concert" at his host family's house. He said his señora was trying to get about 40 people to come for a guitar concert in her daughter's flat right down the street. We agreed to go, skipping dinner, to see these Spanish guitarists. Well, once we get there Ryan informs us that he will not be allowed to attend the show cause it is only for girls. We had not in fact shown up to a guitar concert, but a traditional Spanish Atuna.
The tradition is from the 16th and 17th century where musicians, called Tunos, where authentic 16th century clothing, and come and sing from the street up to girls awaiting them on the balcony. Today the musicians are mainly college students, from all different areas of study, that have to work in order to join the band. It's kind of like a fraternity cause the rookies have to do whatever the other members tell them, not matter how embarrassing it is.
As surprised as we were when we got there, it was actually a really cool experience. There were about 15 of us girls who waited on the balcony while about 30 Tunos made their way down the street. They all played guitars and sang and danced in the street before bringing the party up to the flat. Then they continued to play songs and dance with the waiting girls.
At one point, the cops showed up to quiet the party down, but it was a lot of fun. Unlike most of the frats I know in the US, the Tunos were very cultured and intelligent guys. All of them were bilingual, and in some cases they spoke 3 or 4 languages. They could all tell us about the history of the Tunos and the traditions it brings. They were all also very talented musicians.
At about 1am, the owner kicked us out of her apartment, so we headed to the street again where they played some more music and we socialized. Then we headed to a local spot to finish the night off. It was really cool to see this little piece of Spanish culture. I had no idea the Tunos even existed before last night, but it was definitely a great experience.
Tonight the plan is to go out for some good Spanish tapas with my intercambio partner from CEA. I haven't met her yet, but she tells me there is a competition for Madrid's best tapa here tonight among all the bars. Afterward I might get to meet some more Spainards at her friend's birthday party as well.
Almost all of my roommates here have gone out of town for the weekend, so I'm enjoying my little piece of Madrid while I still can. Today I went out to explore a few more neighborhoods and do a little bit of shopping. There is always something to see in the city, and everywhere you walk there is history. It's really great. A lot of us are becoming aware of how fast our time is running out here, and I'm trying to make the most of every day I have left. It's really easy to get stuck in a routine, but I know I will never get a chance like this again. Like I've said before, it's going to be SO hard to leave this city, it has definitely captured a piece of my heart. (at least I have my new puppy Chavo waiting for me though...thanks MOM! :) )
Just got back from another weekend trip, this time to Sevilla. What a beautiful city! It's about 5 hours south of Madrid in car. I was amazed at first when we got there to see such a mix between the old and the new. In some parts of the city there are walls of former fortresses still standing among modern architecture. There is also a huge Arab influence from the time Spain was ruled by the Moors. It makes for some really cool architecture and history.
Yesterday we spent the afternoon exploring the city on our own. We saw the Plaza de Toros and the large cathedral of the city (supposedly Christopher Columbus' remains are kept in the cathedral, but there is a rumor that they are really those of his brother since they were stolen...so who knows). Something I noticed right away was how chill the city was. It's not as fast-paced as Madrid, and the people are a lot friendlier. There are also palm trees everywhere and it's close to water, so it kind of seems like a tropical local. Last night we saw a little bit of the night life of Sevilla. Again, nothing like Madrid, but it was still fun.
At one point when we were walking as a group, we stumbled upon some sort of religious parade in the street. There were loud drums and trumpets playing, and the streets were crowded with people. It was actually pretty cool to see. On our way home we saw a group of young people having an impromptu flamenco session by the river. They were keeping rhythm with their hands and formed a circle to dance in. It was really cool to see how the younger generation is keeping such an old tradition alive.
Today we got to see the Alcazar palace. It is a perfect example of the mix of Arab and Spanish influence. Apparently parts of the movie Kingdom of Heaven were filmed there. We also got to see the Plaza de España of Sevilla where they filmed parts of the new Star Wars movies. We had to leave this afternoon to make the long journey home. I really wish I could have had more time in Sevilla, but I'm glad I at least got a little taste. It is bigger than some of the other cities we've visited, but it has its own special charm. The laid-back attitude and gorgeous buildings really draw you in. Hopefully I'll get to go back someday.
So I got back yesterday from a weekend in Venice...WOW. It is such a beautiful city, it's still kind of surreal that I was actually there. I decided to go on the trip from a suggestion from another girl in the program. After reading about the city, I decided I had to go. The island of Venice is actually sinking, and they're not sure if it will even be there in 20 years. If not for that reason alone, I decided I had to go to see everything this great little island had to offer.
Marcela and I headed out before some of the other girls in our group...The first day there, we got lost trying to find our hotel. The good thing is, Spanish is a lot like Italian, so communicating wasn't horribly difficult. I'm pretty sure we stuck out with our suitcases in the middle of a Venetian suburb though...haha. Good memories. That night we chilled at the hotel with an 80 cent bottle of wine and good Italian food we bought at the supermarket down the street.
The next day we headed to the island. We decided to wander around a while, without any real plan in mind and at some point make it to the coast to catch a boat to Murano island to see the glass factories. Venice is a really quaint little island...there are no cars, everybody travels by boat through the canals. The streets are very narrow. The only drawback is that it is a HUGE tourist location, so it is hard to tell what is really authentic and what is just there for tourists to enjoy.
After wandering and shopping and taking pictures, we finally made it to the coast. We got on the first water bus we saw, assuming it would take us to Murano. After asking the lady across from us, we found out the boat was actually going to Burano, where they do a lot of embroidery. We decided, what the heck, and went to Burano. This was probably the best choice we made the whole trip. Burano is a quiet little island with brightly painted houses and quiet canals. It was really beautiful.
After heading back to the mainland, we met the other girls in the Piazze San Marco, where the Basilica is (I KNOW!). What a gorgeous place! There is really no way to describe the atmosphere in San Marco Square...with the lights and the music and the people, it really was something to see. After finding Emilia, Katie, and Griselda, we headed for a quick dinner. We spent the rest of the night exploring the streets of Venice and getting lost in its alleys trying to find Santa Margherita Square, where there is supposedly the best nightlife. We stopped for a drink and continued to wander. After a while, Marcela and I had to catch a bus back to the mainland where our hotel was.
The next day we saw the Basilica and wandered around the island some more. It is a great place just to walk and look around. The best parts were when we strayed away from the main roads and got a little lost. Everywhere you turn there is something beautiful, a quiet canal with a gondola boat passing through, a narrow little street with beautiful terraces overhead, or an ancient church that is amazingly still standing. EVERYTHING there has history, it really is amazing. We spent the rest of Sunday just walking around the island and seeing everything there was to see. Venice is known for its blown glass (made on Murano...which is where Mick Jagger goes to get glass by the way...fun fact for you) and its masks. I definitely had to bring some glass back with me, but the masks kind of freaked me out, so I left them for the other tourists.
All in all, it was a wonderful time. I really enjoyed getting lost in Italy and soaking in everything Venice had to offer. By the end of a couple days, though, I was ready to be back in Madrid. It is amazing how quickly this city began to feel like home for me. It was like a breath of fresh air to hear people speaking Spanish when we got back on the plane, and I welcomed their lisp gratefully. I'm not gonna lie...I love it here.
Okay, so, being the political junky that I am, I have to say a word about the elections. It is a little weird, because there isn't as much anticipation here about the US elections. I have been watching enough coverage online and in the news and talking about it with enough other students to generate some excitement, though.
To me, it is very interesting being in a European country while all of this is happening (as much as I would DIE to see Obama speak in Chicago today!). From what I've heard, Europe wants Obama to win. I even saw a headline yesterday that said "La gente y el gobierno de España quiere que Obama gane" (The people and government of Spain want Obama to win). They don't mess around.
To be honest, I think a lot of the world sees this election as a new opportunity for the United States. For the past 8 years we have basically isolated ourselves from the rest of the world and ignored the practice of diplomacy...especially with the countries of Europe. As much as we in the states avoid the issue, Obama's race is also being taken in to consideration in a big way here. If he is elected, it is a big sign to the rest of the world that the United States have come a long way. I hear there was a lecture at la Universidad Complutense (my school) about the elections, and there were several comments made that the US is not ready for a black president.
It is also amazing to me how many newspapers here have OUR elections as the frontpage. That would never happen in the United States. Someone was also telling me how she heard two older women comparing John McCain and Obama on the bus this morning.
I will probably have to stay up all night to see the results, but that is a challenge I am willing to face :). Some other students are planning on finding an Irish pub (which really are American) to watch the elections, which might be interesting. If not, I have been able to find live coverage online. Unfortunately, we are 7 hours ahead of all of you.
All of this being said, please VOTE today. No matter who you vote for, too many people have fought for this right for you to pass it up. Take the time, stand in line, and VOTE. I've heard of a lot of things that have been going out trying to intimidate voters or confuse them, and it amazes me that these kinds of things can happen in "the world's greatest democracy." Unfortunately, it's happening. The good news is, we can make it right, we have a VOICE. We just have to VOTE!!!!!
I've just been sitting today, reflecting on the weekend. Although a group of students from my program decided to go to Barcelona, I decided to stay in Madrid and get to know the city a little more. We ended up going out for Halloween Friday night, which was an experience.
I was told they didn't really celebrate Halloween here, but when we walked out onto the street, a lot of people were in costume. I've never really been all that into Halloween (except when it meant a lot of candy) but it was really interesting to see the Spanish interpretation of the holiday. What was interesting to me was how they celebrated Halloween Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, costumes and all.
Friday night we did some bar hopping and then met up with our Spanish friends Alejandro and Carlos. At first we didn't recognize Alejandro because he was wearing a blue dress and a wig. We went to another bar and had a good time making fun of our friend in drag. His wig and skirt were pretty popular at the bar too. Saturday night started as girls' night, but later Alejandro and his friends Juanjo and Sebastian came to meet us.
I'm really starting to enjoy living in Spain. I feel more comfortable here everyday, and I'm already getting sad about the thought of leaving. Time has already been flying by, and I know it's just going to go faster from now on.
I love the way they live here. People seem to be able to separate work and fun much better here. Here, work is just something you do, it is not who you are. To most people, it seems like human contact and the social aspects of life are more important. Even on the metro, I've noticed how much more sociable people are. In Chicago, on my way home from work, most people are on their blackberry or reading or whatnot, just trying to avoid talking to the person next to them (I am guilty of this as well), the train is quiet, with maybe one or two conversations here or there. Here, I have not seen one Blackberry, and the train is always bustling with the noise of conversation.
Like I said, everyday I feel more at home here. Last night, at one point I was talking with some of the guys about Chicago and how it differs from Madrid. I told Juanjo that I love Chicago because it's my home. He looked at me and said, "Yes of course, Chicago is your home, but here, here is your home too." I know December is still a little ways off, but I know when I leave here, I will leave a piece of myself behind...as cheesy as that sounds. I've actually already started looking into grad schools in Madrid. I wish I had more time here. I'm not sure where life will take me after I leave Spain in December, but I'm definitely glad I came.
I think I am finally adjusted to life in Spain, and I'm loving it. I've kind of gotten a routine down here, and I'm feeling more at home everyday. Unfortunately, having a routine means that time has started going by faster...so I'm just trying to take advantage of the time I have here.
Today we had a day trip to Segovia, which is a small city about an hour south of Madrid. It is a quaint little town that is a huge draw for tourists. But despite all of the foreigners, it still has retained a lot of its charm.
When we arrived we met our tour guide at the Roman aqueduct. This is probably what Segovia is most known for. The aqueduct was built in the 1st or 2nd century (I think). It is one of the best preserved aqueducts in the world, and the stones are not held together with any mortar except for at the very top. It was really amazing to see in person. It's hard to believe that something that old could be in such good condition, and it's all held together based on the placement of the rocks.
After the aqueduct we took a walking tour of the city. A lot of the buildings had a facade of carved designs. They were originally used to show a house of nobility, but now they are just pretty decorations. The streets are all narrow and cobble-stone, like a lot of places in Spain, it was really beautiful. There are several Roman cathedrals and many local plazas for people to gather in.
After walking through the streets, we went to the Castillo Alacázar. Supposedly, this is the castle that Walt Disney based Snow White's castle off of in Disneyland and the movie. I can kind of see the resemblance :) Our tour guide took us through several rooms to see the ornate decorations and medieval artifacts. Unfortunately, there was a large fire and a lot of the original decorations were destroyed. They were able to replicate them thanks to an artist who sketched all of the rooms. The only room that still has the original decoration was the sanctuary. Our tour guide told us that a king who lived in the castle told a monk, after looking at the stars, that he thought the universe was imperfect. The monk told him to be careful or he would suffer the punishment of God. The king was still prideful and stuck to his theory. Shortly after, lightning struck the room where he would look at the stars, causing the fire. After that, he rebuilt the astromony room in honor of the monk who warned him.
After the tour, we were able to climb up to the top of one of the towers in the castle. It was 152 steps up a steep and winding staircase, but it was totally worth it for the view of the city from up high. The city is surrounded by mountains and beautiful landscape. After somehow making it back down the staircase, we headed to a restaurant for lunch. They served us salad and chicken and a Segovian delicacy consisting of a roasted baby pig. It's supposed to be the most tender meat, and it is a very popular dish. I tried a bite of it, but did not enjoy it as much as most Segovians. To me it just tasted like pork...and I couldn't get past the thought that I was eating a baby pig, especially when I saw the head of the one at the table next to me. I tried it, though, and other people ate it, so the little piglets didn't die completely in vain.
After lunch we had some time to wander around Segovia and then it was back to Madrid for some much needed rest. Like most Madrileños, a lot of people in our group, including me, didn't pass up the opportunity to go out Friday night. Needless to say, we were pretty tired, so it was time for a siesta before dinner.
Tomorrow we're off to the Rastro, which is a big market here in Madrid that's only held on Sunday mornings. TIME TO SHOP! :)
Today was the Corrida de Toros (bull fight). It was the second-to-last bull fight of the season, so a bunch of people from my program decided to go. Although I somewhat knew what I was getting myself into, I was still not prepared for what I saw.
The first game was one in which the matadors would taunt the bull, and when it came close, they would hide behind a small wood wall in order to confuse it. After that, a man came out on horseback and used a long spear to stab the bull in the back and fix a ribbon into its skin. The next part was where the matadors got very close to the bull and stuck stick-like things into its back and continued to draw it to their capes.
At this point, the bull was bleeding profusely and was obviously confused and exhausted. This was went the Torero, or main matador took over for the others. He got out a red cape (before they were using pink ones) and drew the bull very close to him. Once he was able, he delivered an almost-fatal blow to the back of the bull with a sword, which caused him to wander and fall to the ground. After he was down, another matador delivered the fatal blow to the bull's spinal cord with a small knife. Once the bull was dead, three horses dragged it out of the arena.
I'm sorry to be so graphic, but I wanted to portray the bull fight as accurately as I could. Although I left after the first round (there are 6), I do not regret the experience. I think it was something I needed to experience and see for myself.
When we got back to the house, I asked the middle son what he thought about bull fighting and what the people in Madrid think of it. To him, he didn't care. He said the bull lives a happy life until it dies in the fight, but the way animals are killed for food is worse because they are treated much worse during their time alive. He also mentioned that there is a big movement against this sport, which I have heard as well.
To me, it was interesting to see this side of the culture. (Although, I do think it is a fading tradition as the stadium was almost empty except for one section.) Many people say the bull fight is a representation of life, and they see a deeper meaning in the practice. To me, it was hard to find. I think it's another thing that stems from our culture.
I had a hard time not looking at the bull and thinking about what he might be feeling both physically and mentally. I think it's something that's common in the United States, to think of the feelings of the animal. We tend to have more concern for the well being of animals and what they might be "feeling." This is obvious just looking at our pets.
Although I couldn't quite stomach La Corrida de Toros, I do not regret the experience. If anything, it's something I can check off my list, but I also think it's something I can learn from.
Yesterday was my 21st birthday, and I was lucky enough to get to spend it in Madrid. I spent the morning in El Parque de Buen Retiro, which is like the Central Park of Madrid, but I think it might be a little bigger. I only walked though about 1/4 of it, but it was BEAUTIFUL. Complete with lake and young couples rowboating in the water. It was a very peaceful way to spend the morning.
Later in the day, my host mom offered to take me and the other girls of the house out to a market and around Madrid. It turned out that I was the only one that was able to join her, but it worked out well. I was forced to practice my Spanish without anyone else there to help me, and I got to know Quili a little better. She took me to the Plaza de España where there was a little market. Then we went to Parque Oeste, which has an Egyptian building in the middle and a really great view of the area outside the city.
Next she took me to the Roseleda near the park, which is like a giant rose garden. It was really gorgeous, and something not many people know about. After stopping to smell the roses, we went to sit at a park bench, where Quili cracked open fresh walnuts for me to eat and taught me about foilage in Spain. She also gave me lots of advice and insights into life. Sometimes she is very direct and you kind of have to take everything she says with a grain of salt. She has good intentions though, so it's kind of endearing. At times, if you're not used to someone telling you that you have big fingers or that you should leave your boyfriend and see other things, then it can be a little off-putting. I have gotten used to it, though and I think Quili and I have a sort of special bond now.
After walking all over the city, we returned home very tired just in time for a 9 o'clock dinner and a little rest. My host dad bought me a tarta for my birthday (a cake) and they sang to me in two different languages and with 3 different songs. It was really sweet. The girls I live with bought my a new pair of earrings and another got me a new pair of boots :) It was very nice of all of them, and a great gift for my birthday.
After dinner we had about an hour or two to get ready to go out on the town. We didn't leave the house until almost 11:30, but since my birthday lasted until 7am this year, we figured it was appropriate. (since Chicago is 7 hours behind Spain, we just extended my birthday a little bit).
At first we went to a little tapas bar called El Meson de la Guitarra to eat...well tapas and drink sangria. The bar was one of the bars they call the Cuevas (caves). They are very close to the Plaza Mayor, which is a really cool little area. We were lucky enough to sit next to a table full of handsome Spanish guys. As soon as they heard it was my birthday, it was all over. I think I heard the happy birthday song about 100 times last night in both Spanish and English, and then I heard the song from the Simpsons (Lisa, it's your birthday, happy birthday Lisa) about another 50. It was cute though.
We enjoyed some sangria with our new amigos, and then wandered out into the streets near the plaza. Our new friends joined us to the next place (and also helped us find a place), which was another bar, but this one had dancing. It was kind of like a night club, but not quite as large or fancy. We had a lot of fun just dancing and being silly. At one point, I think the bar played the Grease medley, which was a little surreal but cool.
After leaving the bar at..ahem...4am we headed out to La Puerta del Sol, where a lot of people hang out after going to the bars. Madrid is called La Ciudad de las Calles, meaning people just go out into the streets to be with their friends. Apartments tend to be very small and the people tend to stay out very late, so even at 4am the streets are filled with people. After La Puerta, we decided to call it a night.
All in all, it was a great birthday. I had a lot of fun and we got to meet real Spaniards. :) Even though a 21st birthday doesn't mean as much in a country like Spain, I'm really glad I got to spend it here. This is something I will never forget. I am really starting to feel at home here in Madrid. I must say I love the city and the culture. It took me a while, but it has finally set in that I am actually here. I already don't want to leave...
I am in the process of uploading more pictures, so check them out...
I just want to take a minute and comment on some of the differences I have noted in Spanish culture versus American culture. Today in my Reading and Writing Comprehension class we talked about popular Spanish phrases. These were not the kind you would think of though, they were phrases dealing with race. For example, "Engañar como un chino" aka "To lie like a Chinese person." or..."Beber como un cosaco" aka "To drink like a Russian soldier." After the teacher had gone through all of the different phrases on the worksheet she passed out, someone asked her if these phrases were ever considered bad or offensive in Spain. She quickly answered no, they are never considered offensive, they are merely common phrases people use here.
To many people in our class, this was kind of shocking. It's a hard thing for me to wrap my head around that fact. Maybe it's just a part of our culture that we have to be "politicamente correcto" or maybe it's a different way of thinking. To me, if I were Chinese, I think I would be offended, but to our teacher, it just seemed like any other saying one might use. The fact that race was involved mattered little. It makes me wonder if our culture is overly sensitive or more culturally open and considerate.
It's little things like this that make me actually appreciate my own culture more. Something Spain is also dealing with right now is an influx of immigrants from Latin America. In many ways, there is a lot of prejudice and racism aimed at them. At a certain level, though, it is accepted. Although in the United States, there is a certain level of racism and prejudice, it seems like our culture is also more accustomed to immigrants, and more aware of the good things we can learn from other cultures. Especially the younger generations in the United States are more open and interested in learning about cultures outside of their own.
Here in Spain, that is something they are still learning to do in many ways. Sunday night I went with my roommates to the "Desfile de la Hispanidad." It was basically a parade where every Latin American group was represented. There were musical artists, dancers, musicians, etc etc. The people filled the streets and came together to celebrate their culture.
It was a really cool thing to see, but this is something relatively new to Madrid and Spain in general. One of my roommates made a comment about how cool it was to see how the people of Spain are growing because the only way to truly come to understand and accept a different culture is through education. Much of what we saw Sunday night was how Spain is growing and learning to understand the different cultures that have moved into this city. To me, it was something really cool to experience and witness. Although each country and culture was very distinct from the others, they came together and celebrated one another.
Being in another country has really helped me to see how the United States is unique and appreciate it more. Although there are things about our country and our culture that still frustrate me, it is refreshing to see the things that we do get right.
I just noticed some of the comments you all left, thanks! I miss you all a lot. Not quite homesick yet, cause there's a lot to see and do still, but I do miss my family and friends.
This past week was pretty great. On Friday, I got to see la Plaza Mayor. I need to do some more research about it, but it was really beautiful. A roommate and I explored more of the area near our house too. Friday night we made the mistake of going to an Irish pub here downtown. It's in a touristy area called Sol, and I don't think there were more than 5 actual Spaniards there althought the place was packed. It's kind of interesting that there are a lot of Irish pubs here, and they are actually pretty popular. The whole time I was there, though, I felt like I was back in Chicago. The MLB playoffs were on and they only played American music...and they served us Heinekens haha. We had fun anyway, but we learned our lesson and will not be doing that again.
We just got back to the apartment from our weekend trip to Cuenca. Before going, I didn't really know anything about the city, but it was beautiful! It's a little city in between two valleys, and it's about 800 years old or more. It's mainly famous for its famous "Casas Colgadas" (hanging houses), but we got to take a tour through a beautiful cathedral and the rest of the old part of the city. It was kind of creepy when the tour guide showed us a building used during the Inquisition and then told us they used to burn people alive in the parking lot above...yea. The city was great though. The old part is pretty small, only 2000 people live there now, but it has a great charm to it.
We stayed in a pretty nice hotel. It was also really old, located in the mountains near the downtown area of Cuenca. Yesterday we spent the day exploring the city, but today we did outdoor adventures. Some people jumped off cliffs into the river, but I was too afraid (and cold) so I went horseback riding instead. It rained a lot, but it was a good time. I got the lazy horse, Fenix, so I was stuck behind everyone, but it was a lot of fun. On the way back to the stable, someone was actually bit by one of the horses when it got startled by another one. No worries, she is okay, she is actually my roommate here. After the adventures we had a barbeque with A LOT of food, and then we got on the bus back to Madrid.
In a minute we are going to go to the Plaza de Cibeles for a big parade. It's pretty close to where I guess many different Latin American countries are being represented. Later tonight I plan on catching up on some homework and RESTING.
I posted some pictures for y'all....and I'll post more of Madrid later tonight. Entonces...hasta luego!
Still getting settled here and getting used the city and the pace of life here. So far, everything is pretty good. Today was our first day of classes both with the DePaul professor and at the Universidad Complutense. I think it will be a really good quarter. All of the professors are very nice and friendly, and I think I am going to learn A LOT. I am already learning a lot of Spanish just being here and forcing myself not to speak English.
The city is great. For my DePaul class, I walk right by the Museo Prado and the Plaza de Cibeles. WOW. It is really cool. I took some pictures along the walk today. I still don't believe I am here...I think it will hit me soon though....maybe.
I am still getting used to the culture here as well. For example, everytime you greet someone, it's a kiss on each cheek. That caught me off guard the first time when I was introduced to my host father's son haha. But in general, people are more social here. There is a lot of touching and closeness when you talk with friends, etc. The food is really really good. Our host father is a very good cook, so we have been eating very very well. Another thing that takes some getting used to is the bluntness of the people here. They usually just say what's on their mind. Other times, they might say something that sounds offensive, but is not meant to be. At first the honesty is a little offputting, but it is also kind of refreshing, there's no beating around the bush or anything like that.
The eating schedule is hard to get accustomed to as well. Here, we eat breakfast in the morning, a big lunch around 2 or 3 and then we have dinner around 9pm or shortly after. A lot of people in the program have commented that they are always hungry, and I feel the same way. I'm starting to get used to it though.
Home life is pretty good. I counted up how many people live in the house right now, and I think there are 14 of us all together. There are other students from the United States, 4 of us from the DePaul and the 5 of the Garcia family. It's kind of nuts, but kinda fun too. The bonus is that our laundry and cooking is done for us :) Like I said, though, they are very blunt. The Señora has no problem telling us if we don't make the bed or things like that.
This weekend we are going on an overnight trip to Cuenca, a small city about two hours from here. From what I hear we have the option of cliff jumping, horse back riding, or kayaking, so that should be fun. I'm excited to see other parts of Spain as well. So far I have only seen the very metropolitan area of El Centro.
It's almost 9pm here, so it's almost time for dinner, that's all for now.
I finally arrived in Madrid today! My flight left a little bit after 4pm from Dublin and arrived in Madrid at 7:20 local time. (we're ahead of Chicago 7 hours here). I had to take a cab from the airport to my home stay which gave me a great view of the city. When I arrived in the city, the sun was setting, so it was a beautiful view.
My home stay is in the middle of downtown, on a bustling street. My room has a great view onto the street below. There are 3 other girls from DePaul here and another girl from the states as well. There are 3 young guys here and the house father Eliseo and his wife too.
Tonight Eliseo cooked us a wonderful dinner of soup and steak which we ate at the traditional time of 9:30pm. There were a lot of us at dinner, so it's a lot of fun.
Tomorrow morning we have orientation with everyone else in the program. I'm very excited to begin my Spanish adventure here. It's good to finally settle in somewhere and be able to stay here awhile. Living out of a suitcase is only fun for so long. Unfortunately, I'm running out of clean clothes, so hopefully my other suitcase will arrive soon too :)
Writing from my hostel here in Dublin...according to my dad, home of my ancestors. I spent the last two days in and around London...which has most definitely captured my heart. I arrived in London early Monday morning. Jenny, my friend from Barone's, picked me up at the airport and took me back to where she lives in Chesham. It's a cute little town in the country. I was pretty jetlagged, so we took it easy Monday. Jenny took me Whipsnade Zoo near where she lives. It was a great place. It was HUGE with lots of room for the animals to roam around, and there were even a few animals free to wander around the park. It was really great, and thankfully the weather was beautiful for walking around outside. After the zoo, I was exhausted, so I took a short nap back at the Shaw residence. The rest of the night we just laid low and watched good British television.
Tuesday was "London in a Day." Jenny and I left the house in the morning and headed out for London. We took the train in and then got on the Tube to Picadilly Circus. It's a pretty happening area of the city with good shopping. The city is BEAUTIFUL. We shopped for a while in an area called Covent Garden and then walked over to where all of the Parliament buildings are. We walked down to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. All of the buildings are so gorgeous in London, there was too much to look at. After meeting Brian Haw, a famous protestor of the war in Iraq, we went over to the River Thames. There we got on a boat that went down the river to Tower Bridge. It was a great way to see the city.
We got off the boat and went over to the Tower of London. That was a lot of fun...not only did I get to learn a lot about some of England's darker past, but I got to see a real castle! It was very cool...and educational. The weather was fitting too, since it rained on and off almost all day. Definitely adding to my London experience.
Arrived here today in Dublin via Ryanair from London. My roommate from Chicago Katie met me at the airport. We spent the afternoon and evening walking around the city and seeing some sites. I'm pretty tired, though, so I'll probably go to bed early tonite. Tomorrow I will definitely explore more of this town. While it's not as big as London, it is pretty cool.
I'm looking forward to my future European adventures. I'm taking lots of pictures so check them out. I'll try to get them on here ASAP.
Even though I haven't really started packing yet, I'm preparing myself to leave for Europe on Sunday. Every day people ask me if I'm ready to go, and I have to honestly answer, "not really." Today it dawned on me that I leave in about 3 days, and I will be gone for almost 3 months. I've never been that far from home for that long before, so it's a little intimidating.
I've been looking into things to do while I'm in London and Dublin, and I'm getting really excited for the experience. Looking at the neighborhoods, museums, cathedrals, castles, and other hot spots I can visit is making me anxious to get going, but I can't help but be a little nervous for the adventure that awaits me. I'm going to be thrown into different cities with very different cultures...relatively alone. I'm sure it's going to be amazing, but I'm not sure I'll ever really be ready to go.
Everyone in my life has been really supportive and great trying to help me on my journey in any way. Thank you all!
I'll keep you all updated here throughout my journey. Feel free to comment or email me, and I might just get back to you :)
