Fairwell for a lil while!

Well this is going to be fair well for a lil while. I have finals this week and then as soon as they are done I am off to Paris, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Italy. I will be getting back around the 14th of April, so be expecting an update around then. Hehe.

All is going well, just studying lots. After this week, I no longer have classes every day!! :) And then in a few weeks my parents come!! :) Then two weeks after that, I am headed home!!! Holy crap time is flying!

See you all soon!

La Senda del Poeta

Holy moly! These past 3 days I think I went to hell and back. La Senda del Poeta was an amazing experience, and somehow we conquered it. Although I'm not sure how. I'm not even sure I am going to be able to explain what we went thru the past few days, but I will do my best. Well first I should say that heading into this thing, we were not prepared. We had no idea what we were doing, where we were staying, how we were eating, where we were supposed to go to the bathroom, how we were going to know we were on the right track?!!? We had so many questions.... yet no answers. All we knew is we were walking about 40+ miles over a period of three days because of some guy named Miguel Hernandez who was a really good poet; we were told to bring a backpack with some clothes, a blanket, and to meet at a train station. That's all we knew....

Friday morning we met at the train station with our backpacks and sandwiches from our madres. We took a train to Orihuela where we met up with about 2500 other people getting ready for the walk.... we got hiking sticks and hats. Little did we know that these hiking sticks would nearly kill about 6 people! (Not really - but they were pretty lethal!) Off we go.... where we going you ask??? We don't know.... hehe. About 2 hours after walking we stop and have oranges and empanadas (like small hot pockets, but they are cold and are with some red sauce that I'm still trying to figure out what it is). Anyways, we started walking again... the scenery was pretty nice. There were lots of vineyards and lots of never ending people. By this time we figured out that us "Americans" were the only one's that were carrying enormous backpacks. At first we were impressed by how little people needed over a 3 day period (we were told we needed blankets and changes of clothes, yet we saw none?!?!). Them Spaniards must be a little more hard core than I thought (were my thoughts)... hehe. Then our advisor told us that most of the people don't continue on to the second and third days.... so in our minds it now made sense that they didn't have backpacks. We continued on, now a little more content that we really aren't just "stupid Americans." Hehe. We stopped about every 2 hours for either a snack or a meal (listened to some of Miguel's poems - we did this nearly every time we stopped.... I now have all of his poems memorized! hehe) and then finally ended up at the "Casa de Miguel Hernandez" (15 miles later). About 1/2 of the people bounced and then there were trucks full of all the other people's backpacks and blankets. Why did we have to carry our stuff and they get to put it in the trucks? I felt discriminated! Hehe.

Saturday morning we were woken up by poems (it was our alarm clock)... and many Spanish people having a grand old time at 6:30 in the frickin morning! We did not have to leave until 9:30 - I mean WTF?!!? This kind of stuff would never happen in America. We would have woken up at the earliest (8:30am) and if anyone made to big of a ruckus someone would have been sure to shut them up. But here no..... they are very much morning people when they do wake up. Although we live in Spanish homes, they do everything they can to make us comfortable. So really these past few days we REALLY got to KNOW the SPANISH lifestyle. They are so animated, emotional, and energetic; I just don't get it. So many things happened on this trip that would have never flown back home. Pretty cool to see.

So we finally got up (after a few curses under our breath - in Spanish and English) and started our hike again, we still really had no idea what was going on or where we were headed. We were just along for the ride. We still had our backpacks while the other didn't and we were still walking... our legs beginning to feel like jello. This was an interesting day. I should have known when I was at lunch and all of a sudden there was a man sleeping on my backpack!! He came from out of nowhere! Just chillin on my bag like it was his own. (I was there the whole time too it wasn't like it was an empty pillow!) I got it out from under him, and then we were off again. Many times we were asked why we didn't put our backpacks into this notorious "truck"; I answered honestly, "I didn't know." We kept walking....... we came to a bridge where there was a stray dog. I was doing everything in my power not to touch it (flees and so on), but it was sooooo scared. It was stuck in a heard of people on a very small bridge. Backwards and forwards it would try to go (I was watching it). I had avoided it already about 3 times. When you walk the entire day you are easily entertained by some of the simplest things. Well everyone was trying to avoid it and trying not to scare it. Then all of a sudden it was me and him.... There was nothing I could do but strattle him. With the massive amounts of people walking behind me I was either going to run this poor dog over or strattle it. I didn't have a choice. Between my legs it went and the entire group (Spaniards included) laughed. I'm just glad he didn't bite... Because we all know that I would have been on a flight home (to America) to get a rabies shot (Mom would have ordered. hehe.).

A few hours later I nearly tripped and died. Had I of fallen all of the way, I think my bag would have crushed me. Fortunately, with all the times I trip I have gotten pretty good at catching myself. I guess that's one good thing to being kinda clumsy. Hehe. Well that night we finally made it to the University of Elche (with only a few blisters) and rougly another 15 miles later; we relaxed and passed out. Unfortunately though, since we were in a huge room full of tons of people there were bound to be "the snorers." There was one within 3 feet of me that sounded like he was an elephant. I wanted to slap him. I barely slept.

Sunday morning we woke up in a similar fashion as the morning before. Although a little more prepared for it this time. Hehe. One funny thing about being in a foreign country that doesn't speak your native language, is that you don't have to be discreet about what you say. As sad as it sounds yes, we do this. Hehe. You can say anything you want and the people around you have no idea what you are saying. Imagine that - you can talk crap as loud as you want about the person next to you. But be prepared for (on a rare occasion) someone to turn and look, and then u know that they know English. hehe. At this point you should escape quickly. Hehe. Most of the time, we don't talk about them, but sometimes there is a need for a discussion of why the heck is this happening?!?! Or WTF is that?! Or what is he/she wearing?!?! Oh the joys of being the minority. Hehe.

So the first two days were very warm, I got a nice tan but the third day it was VERY cold (see last picture we were drenched in the rain). That last morning it rained almost all morning and we were muddy, dirty, and nasty. Even nastier because we had not showered in 3 days. Only had deodorant and toothpaste - roughing it?!?! I think so!

We ended up having to stop about 4 miles before our "final destination" because the rain was so bad. We caught the city bus and came back into town. I felt a bit ashamed that we did not make it to our destination. We were soooo close. But I preferred to not be sick later, than to let my pride get to me. Once I made it home, I took a shower and passed out for a few hours, everything in my body ached. I felt like it hit a stone wall. :)

To sum up... this "voyage" was to commemorate Miguel Hernandez. Over the course of the 3 days, we learned that he was a prisoner of war and died in Alicante's prison back in 1942 (he was 32). He wrote his poems while he was in there. He could have gotten out, but they told him he had to say he didn't believe in what he believed in. He said he wouldn't, and so he was never let free. Back in the U.S. we would have a dinner or something for this guy... maybe dedicate a day to him. We may have even learned more about what he did. Never in a million years, would we walk for 40+ miles. I guess it was all about the pain and struggling....

The whole trip we never did know where we were really headed or what was going on. And we found out that the reason we had our backpacks was because our advisor wanted us to really feel the struggle and to endure the pain. This pain was supposed to make us appreciate more what we had just done. And in truth, I do. :) But we also looked like "stupid Americans." :) PROUD, but STUPID.

There were so many more funny things that happened, and for me to try to explain them it would not give them justice. So I'm going to write a few sentences for my notes. hehe. The deathly walking sticks that Des carried up in her bag where she nearly took out like 40 people (me included). Not to mention the trees and signs that nearly fell over. The peep show I gave some lady on her driveway. The fact that there were no bathrooms at some points for hoursssssss.... oh the pain! And the orange peel bag Des attached to my backpack that looked like a crapper that some Spanish guy would not stop messing with.

On a final note, I wish I had a dime for every mullet I saw the past 3 days. :) I'd be a millionaire.

Less than 2 months!!!

Hi Everyone!

How are you all doing? Life is good here. I can't believe I have less than 2 months here left. Time is flying by. I miss you all, but I would have say that earlier this week I really missed home. They say that there are stages to "studying abroad." Before, I was almost a little worried that I wasn't going thru any stages! Hehe. But sure enough, I am. :)

Although, I am now back to loving life here!! :) This weekend I'm going on a 3 day walk called the "Senda del Poeta." This is a walk from Orihuela to Alicante commemorating the birth of one of Spain's most respected poetas, Miguel Hernandez. Thousands of people participate and the towns and cities along the route welcome participants with food, music, and readings of the poet's work. I am pretty excited. We shall see how it goes!!

I've been watching a lot more Spanish TV. I watched Family Guy the other day. It was pretty funny. Hearing the dog speak spanish though just cracks me up. "Mi madre" also really likes the cooking channel. So we were watching a few of those shows. These cooking channels aren't anything like American cooking channels. They are quite entertaining. The cooks sing and stuff. Hehe.

I made Ranch! Well I should say, I attempted to make Ranch. hehe. As many of you know, I am an addict to Ranch.... and they don't have it here in Spain. Well needless to say there are reasons why they don't. Their milk here isn't quite the same as ours..... :) Puri didn't seem tooooooooo impressed. Hehe.

I'm not sure I mentioned it, but I am doing Lent. I gave up candy. I am struggling with this, but so far I have been good. They have these candy stores here, that are yummmmmmy. I walk by them everyday. Luckily I am strong. :)

American Things I Miss:
Costco - everything... and especially churros :)
QT - taquitos and french vanilla smoothies...... yummmyyyy
Ranch
Chino Bandito
Mexican Food
Pizza
Jojo's (everything.... and especially chicken wings)
Big trucks!
Country music....
Hamburgers
Reese's
Skim Milk
Football!

Las Fallas, Valencia

Hola Amigos,

On Thursday I took a train up to Valencia to see the celebration of Las Fallas. It is a big celebration here - we even had the day off of school. :) There were fireworks, music, bonfires, paella cooking competitions, parades, live music, bullfights, along with some HUGE fallas. These "fallas" are sculptures of paper mache on wood, built by teams of local artists. Each neighborhood sponsors its own falla, and when the town wakes to the overnight construction of the fallas on March 16th- more than 350 have been built! Some reaching up to 15M in height (see bottom pic), with the most expensive costing more than 120,000Euros (about $160,000). They don't mess around!! Hehe. For Las Fallas, everyday at 2pm (from March 1st to the 19th) they have a mascleta. This is basically over 5 minutes of deafening thumps and explosions that shakes the window panels of the plazas. When this happened I thought I was going to go deaf!! The second picture is what happened during the mascleta - as you can see it got pretty smokey!! After midnight of the final day of Las Fallas, each falla burns up in flames.

This party is crazy. I have never seen such madness. The streets swarmed with people to the point you could not move. People were shooting off fireworks left and right, not to mention little kids would through firecrackers at peoples feet! It was nuts. There are reasons why some of this stuff is not permitted in the states! Hehe.

Things are going good. Can't believe I've been here over 2 months. It's pretty crazy. Today I'm going to make Ranch for my family. They have never tried it and I told them how addicted to it I am. Hehe. We will see how it turns out. I'll keep you posted. :)

The day was a lot of fun. Another great cultural experience.

Bull Fight :(

So I went to a Bullfight. I was very excited to go and I didn't think I was going to be able to see one while I was here because it really isn't season for bullfighting... but they ended up having one. I am glad I went for the experience - but I have to say - I do not ever plan to go again. It was one of the saddest experiences of my life. A bull was killed right in front of my eyes.... he went from a happy playful animal to a puking dying suffering helpless thing. I know it's cultural, but I just don't get it. You can see from the pics what happened....... playful to being drug off by horses...........

The bull lost every time.... I wasn't hoping for the bull to win..... but still!

Ireland!

I fell head over heals in love with Ireland. The movies, pictures, nor the books give it justice. The music was also perfect. So perfect that I bought 3 cd's. hehe. We went to Dublin and then Sandyford which is a city out in the countryside. We were in Ireland the weekend of St. Patrick's Day so it was quite a happening place. The mens' outfits, although they are not the most attractive things... were quite an experience. I'm not used to seeing guys in plad skirts. Hehe.

We went to see where the famous Guinness is made, we saw Trinity College, a cathedral, we saw Dublin's market (one of my favorite's so far), we saw live Irish music, and we saw rolling green hills. My favorite part was the hills. Everything was soooooooo green! It was sooo peaceful. Everything in Ireland was perfect. Of the places I've visited so far - I could live there. We also rode horses to the top of a mountain which had some of the most beautiful views. I also nearly fell off a horse.
Here is a pic of some of the greenessssss we saw. :)

This is a pic of one of the shops at the market we went to. I don't even like olives and they still looked delicious!! Hehe.

This weekend I'm going to Valencia and Ibiza. I will update soon. :)

Madfinedwire

Madrid - Finals - Edward - Ireland = Madfinedwire :)
Wow! Sorry it's been so long I feel like I have been cheating on Mr. Blog! Hehe. Anyways all is going well here, I've just had a busy couple of weeks. Let me see where to begin. Well, I went to Madrid! Madrid is also very similar (and different) to Alicante, but surprisingly Madrid is quite different from Barcelona. I think this is mainly due to the face that in Barcelona many of the people speak Catalon. This is not exactly Spanish - it's a version of Spanish (if that makes any sense at all).

While in Madrid, we did many things. First we went to the Museo Nacional del Prado. This is Spain's premier museum. It is a seemingly endless parade of priceless orks from Spain and beyond. The collection is divided into 8 major collections: Spanish paintings, Flemish paintings, Italian paintings, French paintings, German paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and drawings and prints. As a whole, I enjoyed this museum the most. It was HUGE and so passionate inside. You could see all the talent that lied within the walls. It was quite a site to see! My favorite piece of artwork was in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. It is home to Picasso's famous Guernica. It took my breath away (and to be honest I'm really not very artsy fartsy. hehe.) This piece of art is his protest of the German bombing of the Baqe town of Guernica durng the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Unfortunately, you can't take pictures in either of these museums.

Next I visited the Palacio Real. This is King Juan Carlos I's official residence (though no one actually lives here); you can visit 50 of its 2800 plus rooms. I asked where I could sign up to live in one of the rooms - they laughed. :D Right next to the Palacio is the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena. Another beautiful castle in Europe. There seem to be soooo many cathedrals here! :) They are all so unique in their own way - it's amazing. From there I went and saw the Parque del Buen Retiro. This is HUGE and lovely. I also took a stroll over to Plaza Mayor. This is where a lot of people like to hang out. :) I really enjoyed Madrid. :)

When I got back from Madrid, I had finals to study for. Every month I have a different class. This month I have class everyday from 11am to 3pm (before I had it from 8am-12pm). I'm a lil bummed about that (kinda screws up spending all day at the beach), but I'm not gonna lie - I love sleeping in!! :)

The past few days I have been in my own little world. I fell in love with a vampire - Edward. Yes, it sounds crazy, but I am head over heals whooped. It's just too bad he's a fictional character from a book. If you have not read the Twilight series - you are missing out! Be ready for it to rock your world. Hehe. It rocked mine. :) Needless to say, over the past few days I read the entire series. I am sad it's over, but at the same time I'm kinda glad to have my life back. Hehe.

This weekend I'm going to Ireland!! I AM SOOO EXCITED! I will let you know how it goes!!

I promise to blog again soon. :) Love you all! And miss you all!

As for the pics - the first one is living proof a how good a time it is here; I'm making some life long friends. :) The next one is a piece of artwork outside the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and the final pick is of the Catedral next to the Palacio. :)