Um, hi Blog. Hmm… I honestly don’t know where to begin. So much has happened since last I wrote and to try and summarize it all would be boring and not give the past few months the justice they deserve. So how about a Favorites List of some of the events that I’ve been involved with… There are some hilarious moments, some sweet moments – and all memorable. In short, I’ve had visitors out the wazoo since the beginning of March. And I’ve loved every minute of it! I love going non-stop, showing the beautiful Barcelona to my beautiful friends and of course, fitting in travel opportunities when I can. So let’s begin there… With our trip to Portugal!Top 3 Portugal Moments (with Anna and our various new Portuguese, Brazilian and French friends!)
1. Taking a bus ride into the ghetto of Lisboa trying to see the Vasco da Gama Bridge. It’s the longest bridge in Europe and well, we were told we MUST see it when really – it’s comparable to the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge. There really is no “look-out” or tourist standing point. So when we jumped on a bus to go in that direction and our bus driver tried to kick us out in a ghetto resembling the opening scene from Requiem for a Dream – we freaked. Luckily, we hailed a cab and made it back in time to siesta at our darling hostel in order to be ready for the evening…
2. Which consisted of going out in the Barri Gottic neighborhood of Lisboa! So much fun to be had by all! So our hostel (Alfama Hostel – if you visit Lisboa, you MUST stay there) hosts a pub-crawl every Friday night. Anna and I signed up and go to the lobby for 9PM, where we are to meet our group doing the crawl. So we get there and witness one of THE most attractive guys greeting us and announcing that he was going to be our guide. TOMA! It was just me, Anna and a gal from Brazil, Thais, doing the tour. Thais was a complete doll and the four of us became buds right away when we started drinking Portuguese Sangria (they put Everclear in it … 1 drink and done) and began the bar hopping evening. At one bar, we befriended the DJ (as he was from Barcelona) so he kept playing these crazy salsa songs and Spanish techno music – this is when the dancing began. We then go to this special Brazilian bar… Okay, just a side note – I LOVE Brazilian men. For the fact that they can dance like no other… So Anna and I were at home in this bar – salsa and twirling around with these cute boys. This has now sparked my interest in visiting Brazil in the very near future… Anyhu, the night continued on – more special Portuguese drinks (black vodka!) and more dancing.
3. Anna and I took a train outside of Lisboa to hit up Sintra – a town known for all of their castles. No need for me to describe how much fun we had and how amazing these beautiful castles were – just check out my Lisboa photo album on Facebook.
In short, I want to return to Portugal. Explore the north, savor the south and enjoy everything in between. For a moment, I considered moving out of Barcelona to Lisboa as I fell in love with the city, the people, the culture! Totally under-rated and over-looked. And perhaps my favorite city I have visited since I’ve been living in Europe. Love Portugal!
So after Lisboa, February somewhat flew by – Anna had a few friends in town visiting which was fun and kept us busy until March, the start of my visitors!
So each group (or person) that visited made me realize how much I miss home. It was wonderful catching-up with everyone IN PERSON and not via emails or skype or whatnot. I loved it! I can’t really do a Top Three for everyone as there are so many more highlights from everyone’s visit but I can recall some of the moments that stood out in my mind…
- Taking Michelle, Erin, David and Nick out to our favorite bar and introducing them to all of our local friends. It was so much fun to mix our different groups and have everyone get along SO well (even if there were a TON of lost in translation moments).
- SNOW for M, E, D and N’s visit! I know it kind of put a kink in their plans but Anna and I cancelled our classes that evening and had a snowball fight in front of Sagrada Familia. I don’t know how many people that can possibly say they’ve done that… Oh, pictures coming soon as we took them on this disposal that we plan to complete this weekend – haha.
- Amanda’s Birthday dinner at 7 Portes. We had the best time – drinking sangria, eating delish Paella and laughing up a storm. Brooke has got to be one of the funniest girls I know and as this was towards the end of their visit – we just kept recapping funny incidences that occurred. A dinner I will always remember.
- Watching I Heart NY with Amanda and Brooke (or I Sex NY – becoming the catch-phrase for the rest of the week).
- Convincing Amanda and Brooke to pull an all-nighter with me (and the twins) and go out in Gracia and do Barcelona up big! One. Last. Time. Again, many laughs…
- Scott’s amazing FEAST he prepared for me and Anna. He’s such a talented cook it’s great to be his friend – haha. And forget baking for him as he made the best Pear Tarte I have ever tasted.
- Planning a last-minute, spontaneous trip to Mallorca with Scott… I’ll get to that one later.
- Having a great night of drinking mucho vino with Lily and Jeanna in El Borne. As we were leaving the bar, we bumped into a Paki selling my favorite street food – samosas! They are these fried wonton things with curried potatoes and bell-peppers inside. They are perfect after a night of drinking. So I tell Lil and Jae, you MUST try one of these… So as I’m bartering with the guy to get three for the price of 2 – Jae is talking to his buddy. And all of a sudden I hear the buddy go, “Yeah I can get you chocolate.” So before Jae can confirm, I shout “NOOO! No quiero chocolate!!!” Everyone is staring at me like I’m nuts. Jae is about to protest, the Paki buddy is pissed off – “…But she said…” So as I pay the other guy for our 3 samosas, I grab Lil and Jae and make them run to the cab as the guy is yelling at us. So we get in the cab and the girls are like – WHAT just happened?!... So I had to explain that chocolate is code for drugs (specifically marijuana) here in Spain. While Jae was asking an innocent question, do they have a chocolate version of the samosa, this dude thought she was ready to purchase some weed. Honestly, one of the funniest lost in translation moments I’ve experienced since living in Spain
- Going to the Freixenet Winery with Lil, Jae and Anna and making our own taste-testing experience.
- Going to Madrid with Nicole…I’ll get to that later as well.
- Going out with Nicole, Anna and the twins in Gracia and – on our walk home – drunkingly playing on the playground for a good thirty minutes. Have you slid down a slide lately? Seriously, it’s too fun for words.
So yes… So many great moments summed up in such a short list. I can’t express how happy I am that everyone came out to visit me – I really had the best time and felt very blessed that I had friends who wanted to come see Espana while I was living here. I’m looking forward to Amanda Burn’s visit (with her mountain man) as well as Viva’s visit! Both are coming when Barcelona finally decided to become warm! So they will get a better sense of the relaxed, playful atmosphere that I associate Barcelona with.
Yes, so during my friend visits – I managed to convince a few of them to take trips with me as well. My goal, before I return home, is to get a good sense of Spain and experience the different cities and cultures of this amazing country. So when Scott came over, we decided to do a random trip to somewhere for the weekend by checking out our Southwest Airlines (Vueling) and seeing where the cheapest fare led to… So we ended up in Mallorca! It’s the largest of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. Funny enough, it has a huge German influence so when we were sitting at a bar’s terrace, people-watching the boulevard, we shouldn’t have been shocked when the German’s Hell’s Angels came and sat alongside us. They were the most extreme, tattooed, big –ass Germans I have ever seen. So of course, they kept staring at us the entire time we were quickly trying to finish our sangria when Scott leaves me there to go to the restroom. As soon as he gets up, one leans over and goes “Where are you from.” – but it wasn’t like a sweet, casual getting-to-know-your-neighboring-stranger question, it was like interrogation by a German giant. So I squeaked out, “USA.” And another one goes, “What part.” … “Louisiana?” ... And that was all it took. “Aw I LOVE Louisiana! Oh the South is great! Good food, so fun, etc. etc.” – So I took a liking to these Hell’s Angels who kindly invited me to their neck of the woods (close to Luxemburg) and gave me a little explanation of why they were in Mallorca, the Hell’s Angels in Mallorca, etc. Scott returned and we left but yeah, good chat with some good ol’ biker boys. Anyhu, Mallorca is beautiful – a wonderful mix of pretty beaches and mountains with the charming small town of Palma making it really darling. We even took a bus ride to the opposite side of the island to explore these caves. We just so happened to go when a bus-load of 70+ Spanish men and women decided to hit up the caves as well. We were in the very back so let’s just say that the standard 2 hour tour was going to become a 5 hour one if we didn’t do some intense dodging around. Rather comical. I think my favorite thing in Mallorca was Palma’s main cathedral. By far one of the prettiest ones I’ve seen during my time in Europe. So, all in all, Mallorca was lovely…
When Nicole was here, we took a long weekend trip to Madrid. We had a trip that was mixed with some REALLY good luck and some REALLY bad luck so I’ll break it down that way…
Bad Luck: We get to our hotel (a real snazzy one that I got a steal of a deal on) to be informed by the desk clerk that we didn’t have a room for that night (over-booking-bastards) and that they had us in another hotel that was “nearby” and just as nice so to come back the next morning to check into our real room. Anyhu, talk about a big, fat lie. The hotel was a good 20 minute cab ride away and next to the train station (hmm…bit sketch, no?) – So as we are starving (this is around midnight now) we ask the new hotel clerk if we could get a bite to eat somewhere nearby. So he’s like – Yeah, call room-service. So we get to our room and do just that… Well, room-service informs me that they only have ham & cheese sandwiches left. So we order 2 of those (and a huge bottle of wine) and the lady brings it on up – it’s not even freaking jamon – it’s like nasty Oscar Meyer ham on toasted bread… So after we killed that bottle of wine in 2.5 minutes, we crashed and prayed that the next day would be better…
Good Luck: The weather reports said we were going to have rain the entire time we were there. Friday, our first full day in Madrid, could not have been any prettier. We visited the Palace and did the Teleferica across the city along with some rambling around the plazas and squares (where I met my beloved Matador) under the bright sun and blue sky. Perfecto!
Bad Luck: That night for dinner, we wanted to go to Sobrino de Botin – the oldest restaurant in the world. So we cabbed it over there to be informed that we needed reservations (um, hello – oldest restaurant in the Woorld!) so we made reservations for the next evening and hopped back in the cab and told him to take us to this other restaurant I had listed (according to my Frommer’s Guide) known for their olive oil and sherry… 30 Euros later, we are in a sketch part of Madrid and I’m trying to not have a panic attack as I believe our cabby has just kidnapped me and Nicole since he turned off the meter. Luckily, he was just lost and being courteous to not charge us for his mistakes… So he drops us off at this restaurant to find out… It’s closed.
Good Luck: We are starving and will eat anywhere (now that we are in the suburbs of Madrid) and walk across the street to this Argentinean Beef restaurant that, still to this day, no idea what the proper name is, but it did say somewhere on the menu “Baby Beef” so that is what Nicole and I lovingly refer to this restaurant as. Well, like any good steak restaurant – it was full of old couples, groups of business men and big families. By far, we were the only 20-something girls in there and were dressed as if we were to go out clubbing, not to eat at some steak restaurant. This was an advantage as we ended up with a few various cute waiters (all men), a free appetizer and, by the end of the night – a few free glasses of cava. One of our waiters, Christiano, was from Brazil (eeks!) and was so damn cute. He told us to wait for him to close down the place and he would take us out to his local joints. And he did just that – we ended up at some crazy Brazilian club (called Mu? Shoot – I don’t remember) and I got to get my Brazilian dancing fix in while he and Nicole became buddies… We ended up leaving when someone said it was 6AM… Time flies when having fun!
Bad Luck: Cava + Capriccios + Makers&7Up = Horrific hangover the next morning/afternoon.
Good Luck: Another full day of great site-seeing (The Cathedral, more plazas, Museum Reina Sofia) and a wonderful dinner (hooray – FINALLY Botin!). This was followed by the next day with a visit to The Prado and The Thyssen – amazing to witness some classic art pieces (with a special Monet exhibit at the Thyssen!! Major bonus!) in person.
Bad Luck: We get to the airport to discover that our flight was cancelled…because of that damn volcano in Iceland! Seriously? A volcano?! As they didn’t know when flights would begin again (predicted Tuesday and it was a Sunday) we got into another cab and hauled ass to make it onto the 4:30 train back to Barcelona (talk about a funny sight – seeing me and Nicole run through a freaking crowded train station with our suitcases).
Good Luck: An awesome view of the Spanish countryside with our relaxing train ride back into the BCN (minus that I had a minor stalker on the train but this is becoming a ritual now for my Spanish train rides …)
So really, when you review it all – the good luck totally outweighs the bad luck (which really ended up becoming funny stories consisted of volcanoes and ghetto ham & cheese sandwiches).
So yep… March and April consisted of great times full of familiar faces. This past weekend was Sant Jordi (you probably received my email regarding the holiday so no need for the history lesson) so I went out Friday to check out the scene. Anna was going to come but was pretty sick so she stayed home. As I’m leaving, I get a text from Sergio (one of the twins) to meet up for an “emergency intercambio” – So I pick a spot near Las Ramblas where all of the vendors are and go out there early to just walk around, check out the books, admire the beautiful roses and feed-off of the positive energy from everyone. I’m at our meeting spot, texting Anna to see if she needed anything when I look up to have a big, red rose staring at me in my face with Sergio bashfully standing behind it. I start with the whole, “Aww Serg – you didn’t have to, that was really sweet, you are very nice, etc.” and he’s all like, “Nooo Linds! It’s no pasa nada! I give a rose to my mother and my grandmother too!” HaHa. So we walked around and made-up scenarios of why this person had a bunch of roses, why this one didn’t, etc. I also picked up a really cool book about Barcelona for my future coffee table so just a lovely day and a holiday I wish we could transfer to the States…
As for future trips, Anna and I are going to Girona (known for their flower festival) and Figueres (home of Dali) in two weekends and then Granada and Seville for a long weekend at the end of May. June will consist of major beach time here and around Barcelona and then, the last week in June – our final destination vaycay to… Nice, France!!! We were all gung-ho on Greece but after closely watching the economic fall of the country this past week along with reading warnings on Homeland Security’s site regarding a strong watch for terrorist attacks for this summer (due to the scare the one caused earlier this year in Athens) – Anna and I decided to not tempt fate and go somewhere a bit safer. We wanted beaches so, after reviewing options, and recognizing how close we are to the South of France – it was a no brainer! (Although Croatia came as a close 2nd and I’m not joking – seriously, google image Croatia Beaches.) We will be in Nice for the most part but want to take a day-trip to Monte Carlo along with a train ride up north to the Champagne region. I mean, talk about a romantic get-away – haha – but I think this will be something really different and fun to experience after our crazy year in Espana. So yes, if you don’t know by now (or haven’t figured it out) I’m returning back home in July!!! I’ll be home that first/second week of July (in time for my birthday. Jeanna and I discussed an Abita Beer Tour that weekend – if you are game, let me know) and I really can’t wait…Or can I?
It’s been so bitter-sweet when I think about returning home and closing this chapter in Spain. I’ll have to admit that my students have been making me really sad… I’ve had to break it to all of them that my last class with them will be the 3rd week in June and each one has broken my heart and made me 2nd guess my decision to move back home. I have created such a bond with all of them (one even started crying – but this is the one that cries all the time so, I mean…) that it really will be ripping off a band-aid when I leave. I’ve already had my first taste of sadness as I had my last class with my favorite student, Domingo, this past week. As work for him in May and June is crazy, we had to bring our classes to an end. We are meeting up for lunch sometime before I leave and are going to remain in touch via email (I will write to him in Spanish and he’ll respond in English) but I was seriously depressed when I had to say my good-bye to him. So many of my students have taught me so much more than I could possibly have taught them and I’m going to have a slew of Spanish pen-pals by the time I return to the States. In the meantime, we continue to have fun in class and I’m just making the most of my last two months here…
That being said, I also really can’t wait to get home! I know – I’m all over the place… But I can’t wait to see my family and just chill with them and talk around the pool without having to repeat myself four times because of my crappy skype connection. I can’t wait to drink a good Bloody Mary/Daiquiri/Blue Moon with friends around familiar bars where everyone not only knows my name but can properly pronounce it. I can’t wait for my other big adventure awaiting me when I return – haha – I can’t stop traveling JUST yet! So I’m going to San Diego at the end of July to visit Jake. I’m super pumped and, while I’m planning the details of my Nice trip, I’m also informing Jake on what I want to see and do when I visit San Diego – as it will be my first visit to this city I’ve heard only positive things about. I’ll also get the opportunity to see Colleen and her new little man, Alexander! I can’t wait to see her and catch-up… And cuddle with the babe! So yeah, life is really positive. I’m not taking anything for granted (trying my best at least) and just appreciating every moment, every day as it is… So while things are going to be super busy these next two months, I will update the blog as best as I can so I can include those funny, little stories I’ve forgotten to write about. I don’t know if I’ll continue a blog once I return to the States… But who knows… I’ve really enjoyed doing this one so we’ll see. I guess if ya’ll would read it then porque no?
On the Search for a Matador that wants an American girl (that was raised on promises),
Lindsinita (what my little darling girls call me…I know, so Spanish, right?)
Oh and PS – when I return to the States and can’t speak proper English, just know this is a minor side-effect of spending a year in a foreign country.
Song Suggestions:
The Mall and Misery – Broken Bells
The Only Night – James Morrison
So Right – Dave Matthews Band
