Sunday night I went and saw a bull fight, a legit Spanish bull fight. Our seats were almost front row so we had a great view of the whole thing. Well, I knew what a bull fight meant: someone dies everytime. But I didn't expect the feeling it would invoke inside me. Matadors have 15 minutes to kill the bull and if they do not some cows come out and herd the bull in so they can put it out of its misery. Well the first bull fight we saw (there are 6 during one night) was really really sad. I kept asking myself how people get pleasure out of this. All they do is try and piss the bull off so that they can trick him into not being able to release his anger and then they stab him instead. Like what the fuck?! The first bull went along like this, and eventually, after the matador stuck the sword down through his back, you could see his guts spewing from all different places. It was even coming out of his lower neck, the sword had gone all the way through. But the matador failed and the cows did too so we had to watch some man stab him in the head to kill him (what a cheap shot). As the next fight went on it got a lot more interesting to me, who was now officially on the bull's side. We saw 3 men get flipped, 3 got unconcious and 2 of the matadors had to go to the hospital! Way to go bulls!!! I think the best part is when they're really angry and they stomp their feet like the typical bull. I love that part! But needless to say the bull lost everytime which was sad. I have videos of it so everyone will get to see a bull die, which is morbid but worth seeing I feel. I did spill some wine on the lady in front of me and her husband got super angry eveytime I said "OH GOD!" or "HOLY SHIT" or "AHHH" so I'm pretty sure they despised me. In Spain, to fight a bull has a lot of respect and honor in it because the bull is much bigger and much more powerful than the human. However, I don't know why they want to kill so many of them. I hope i'm not reincarnated as a bull in Spain because it appaears they are hated. My poor friend PJ is a vegitarian but decided to come with us and he had to leave way before we did. I think he was on the verge of crying or trhowing up, I'm not sure which one.Anyway I felt very authentic sitting int hat ring but I doubt I'll ever go to another bull fight again.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Best Day of my Life
Friday September 5 was the best day of my life thus far. I got to know the entire city of Madrid and walked probably about 8 miles. Our group started out with a tour around Viejo Madrid. This is the part of the city that was here before industrialization and democracy. We started at El Palacio Real which I can't really remember the significance because I was buying a lovely Spanish fan to I could keep cool (even though it was overcast and completely perfect weather). I think it was where the kings lived when Spanish was a monarchy and there's a beautiful fountain, but I was not paying attention. Also everything significant that happened in Spain's history either has a Plaza, Fountain or Statue to commemorate it, so you can basically read the history throughout the city. El Palacio Real is also right next to El Teatro Real which is a very prestigous arts school as well as a theater.
We then ventured to another plaza that I don't really remember the significance either but I have pictures of a cathedral and the bell tower. Everything in Madrid is just so beautiful! We passed through some alleyways into La Plaza Mayor. If you've ever seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame that is what it looks like. An huge plaza surrounded by tall buildings; perfect for having a festival, in fact I kind of wish there had been. We went to museum exhibit that was dedicated to la Exposicion de la Conjura de El Escorial. My favorite thing about this exhibit was the dress they showed from that time. The queen was missing an eye so every outfit had an eye patch to go with it and they had jewelery hanging off it. I wish we still dressed like that. How glamourous!
Then we took some more alleyways by an X-rated theater. Apparently under Franco the dictator there was no PDA allowed... AT ALL! People would receive tickets for holding hands in public! How horrible! Anyway, after his reign the spanish people went sex crazy and there were over 300 X movie theaters in the city of Madrid alone. This one was only one of 2 left but the movie was called "Fresh Meat: Culo a Culo". That made me laugh.
Our last stop was Puerta de Sol which is a huge plaza and very tourist oriented. Its also the place where all of Spain marks their distance. There's a plaque that says MILE 0 and from that point all other places in the country are measured. How cool is that?!
After our tour, Nikki, Alyssa, Charles, Alexandra and I went for food around La Plaza de Cibles (also where the main postoffice is) and then to El Retiro, this is the HUGE public park of Madrid. It is so beautiful! It has over 10 playgrounds for children, a rose garden, glass house, several lakes and tons and tons of trails I want to explore while I'm here. The biggest lake is right in the center and for only 4 euro we took out some rowboats and rowed on the lake. Alyssa and I had one to ourselves and we were like on a date but both of us needed to row because it takes a lot of effort. After our park excursion I walked all the way home, which in itself is about a mile, mile and a half. I do not live close to the park at all but it was awesome and I felt super awesome about it.
I usually walk everywhere in Madrid because it is very walker friendly. On the Gran Via there is a walkway the size of the street for people who want to walk. It's very convinient and a good work out. If only eveything were as interesting and clean and not sketchy in Dallas, I feel I would walk everywhere.
We then ventured to another plaza that I don't really remember the significance either but I have pictures of a cathedral and the bell tower. Everything in Madrid is just so beautiful! We passed through some alleyways into La Plaza Mayor. If you've ever seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame that is what it looks like. An huge plaza surrounded by tall buildings; perfect for having a festival, in fact I kind of wish there had been. We went to museum exhibit that was dedicated to la Exposicion de la Conjura de El Escorial. My favorite thing about this exhibit was the dress they showed from that time. The queen was missing an eye so every outfit had an eye patch to go with it and they had jewelery hanging off it. I wish we still dressed like that. How glamourous!
Then we took some more alleyways by an X-rated theater. Apparently under Franco the dictator there was no PDA allowed... AT ALL! People would receive tickets for holding hands in public! How horrible! Anyway, after his reign the spanish people went sex crazy and there were over 300 X movie theaters in the city of Madrid alone. This one was only one of 2 left but the movie was called "Fresh Meat: Culo a Culo". That made me laugh.
Our last stop was Puerta de Sol which is a huge plaza and very tourist oriented. Its also the place where all of Spain marks their distance. There's a plaque that says MILE 0 and from that point all other places in the country are measured. How cool is that?!
After our tour, Nikki, Alyssa, Charles, Alexandra and I went for food around La Plaza de Cibles (also where the main postoffice is) and then to El Retiro, this is the HUGE public park of Madrid. It is so beautiful! It has over 10 playgrounds for children, a rose garden, glass house, several lakes and tons and tons of trails I want to explore while I'm here. The biggest lake is right in the center and for only 4 euro we took out some rowboats and rowed on the lake. Alyssa and I had one to ourselves and we were like on a date but both of us needed to row because it takes a lot of effort. After our park excursion I walked all the way home, which in itself is about a mile, mile and a half. I do not live close to the park at all but it was awesome and I felt super awesome about it.
I usually walk everywhere in Madrid because it is very walker friendly. On the Gran Via there is a walkway the size of the street for people who want to walk. It's very convinient and a good work out. If only eveything were as interesting and clean and not sketchy in Dallas, I feel I would walk everywhere.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"La Americana Estupida"
I was not able to write yesterday because I was not able to function at all; I was suffering from a hangover. Two nights ago Charles, Alyssa, Alexandra, Nikki, PJ and I went to 2 cafes for drinks and at the second one we ran into the rest of La Fundacion. Here I made the first "Stupid American" mistake. Toledo is a very touristy city and because of this all the bars close pretty early. At midnight I decided to order 2 more cervesas so I could have them after the bar closed (and I felt like a dude also). So I looked at the beer and I wanted something that I had not had in the United States. I chose Free Damm without thinkning about it too much. When I returned to the table, mi amigo Anson asked me is I wanted to get drunk and I responded "Yes, that's the reason I have 2 beers." He gave me a glance and started laughing. Then he asked me "How do you get drunk with beer without alcohol?" WHAT?!? Apparently Free Damm is free of alcohol and I had to change my beers for Mahou. I am sure that everyone will be pointing out that moment for the rest of the trip. Note to self: there is no point to drinking Free Damm...none. After this we grabbed 40s and went to a pier where you could see the whole canyon! It was bellatisima [so so so so so beautiful]!!! A perfect place for lovers. And, of course, I was the only one not getting any loving but I didn't care. I felt loved by the city, the breeze and my 40 ounces of cervesa.
But the 40 ounces was hating me during my classes the next day (yesterday Sept. 3). In spite of this I had a great day visiting La Iglesia de San Juan, La Sinigoga Transito and the most famous painting by El Greco. La Iglesia de San Juan is magnificent! It has a lot of symbolism for the reyes [like rulers/king and queen] Isabel and Fernando. Originally they were going to be buried here but now it is like a monestary because they are buried in Granada (which means pomagrante; the fact of the day). Places like these make me feel so small and insignifcant. La Sinagoga was interesting but I didn't have much time to look at the Museo de Sefardi [a museum connected to the sinogoga with artifacts of a practically lost civilization of Sefari Jews]. I thought of Cara because she is Jewish...not really but I thought of how she wasn't Jewish. Now, what to say about El Greco? The Burial of Count Orgaz shocked me! It's about 10 meters tall and surreal (not in style but in real life. How ironic). I couldn't believe my eyes. The skin of the people was so smooth and the technique was incredible! I didn't want to move from in front of this painting.
Last night was relaxing. It was the end of our trip to Toledo and we had a cokctail dinner. This week I was able to meet people from USD which I am happy about. They are nice but not very open. I'm always the one introducing myself but that's not important to me. I don't want a boundary between the schools so I invited the guys from USD to a bull fight on Sunday. My friend Evan is going to bring his hombres and we are going to integrate the schools. Hooray!
Naturally, we are going to drink tonight at a bar that many previous students from SMU and USD have been to. It should be fun.
I have been missing my parents much more than I thought and today we had a video chat. I was so happy I cried [what a little bitch]. However there are many wonderful days to come.
But the 40 ounces was hating me during my classes the next day (yesterday Sept. 3). In spite of this I had a great day visiting La Iglesia de San Juan, La Sinigoga Transito and the most famous painting by El Greco. La Iglesia de San Juan is magnificent! It has a lot of symbolism for the reyes [like rulers/king and queen] Isabel and Fernando. Originally they were going to be buried here but now it is like a monestary because they are buried in Granada (which means pomagrante; the fact of the day). Places like these make me feel so small and insignifcant. La Sinagoga was interesting but I didn't have much time to look at the Museo de Sefardi [a museum connected to the sinogoga with artifacts of a practically lost civilization of Sefari Jews]. I thought of Cara because she is Jewish...not really but I thought of how she wasn't Jewish. Now, what to say about El Greco? The Burial of Count Orgaz shocked me! It's about 10 meters tall and surreal (not in style but in real life. How ironic). I couldn't believe my eyes. The skin of the people was so smooth and the technique was incredible! I didn't want to move from in front of this painting.
Last night was relaxing. It was the end of our trip to Toledo and we had a cokctail dinner. This week I was able to meet people from USD which I am happy about. They are nice but not very open. I'm always the one introducing myself but that's not important to me. I don't want a boundary between the schools so I invited the guys from USD to a bull fight on Sunday. My friend Evan is going to bring his hombres and we are going to integrate the schools. Hooray!
Naturally, we are going to drink tonight at a bar that many previous students from SMU and USD have been to. It should be fun.
I have been missing my parents much more than I thought and today we had a video chat. I was so happy I cried [what a little bitch]. However there are many wonderful days to come.
el 2 de septiembre
Today our group of students from SMU and USD traveled to to Toledo, a very old and little city. The whole city is built of stone; the buildings, the streets, everything! The weather is hotter than Madrid because it's more dry. We arrived in Toledo at 11 am and we are staying in dorms. [that doesn't really make sense] I am with 2 girls in my room, Lindsay and Samantha, who are roommates in Madrid as well.
It has been very guay (the new word of the day) [that means cool] to get to know the other students on the trip. It's a bit difficult to meet the people from USD because we are separated for the majority of our studies. They aren't making any effort either. I hope it will be easier when classes start and we see each other every day but I don't know. I have heard that the USD students are like those from SMU...like they think their shit doesn't stink. But I don't want to make an opinion. One thing I realized is that all the people in the Spain program are very good looking! All of them! It's like it was a prerequiste.
Anyway, we went to 2 classes today; one to explain the program and describe the rules and shit. And one for the typical conversaion in Spain. There are many differences in the spanish language between Spain and Latin America. Fore example, in Spain they say 'Jesus' for 'salud'. Also we went to the main cathedral of Toledo, San Ilnefonoso. It was very big and was built during more than 4 centuries. It is Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and one more style I can't think of. I didn't like the church very much because it is too decorated; it's too much to look at! I appreciate it for what it is but the sculpture becomes stupid looking and inecessary (I am probably going to hell for that). Now we are going to a bar for some wine. The wine is very rich and delicious and apparently all the alcohol is twice what it is in the United States. FIESTA!!!
It has been very guay (the new word of the day) [that means cool] to get to know the other students on the trip. It's a bit difficult to meet the people from USD because we are separated for the majority of our studies. They aren't making any effort either. I hope it will be easier when classes start and we see each other every day but I don't know. I have heard that the USD students are like those from SMU...like they think their shit doesn't stink. But I don't want to make an opinion. One thing I realized is that all the people in the Spain program are very good looking! All of them! It's like it was a prerequiste.
Anyway, we went to 2 classes today; one to explain the program and describe the rules and shit. And one for the typical conversaion in Spain. There are many differences in the spanish language between Spain and Latin America. Fore example, in Spain they say 'Jesus' for 'salud'. Also we went to the main cathedral of Toledo, San Ilnefonoso. It was very big and was built during more than 4 centuries. It is Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and one more style I can't think of. I didn't like the church very much because it is too decorated; it's too much to look at! I appreciate it for what it is but the sculpture becomes stupid looking and inecessary (I am probably going to hell for that). Now we are going to a bar for some wine. The wine is very rich and delicious and apparently all the alcohol is twice what it is in the United States. FIESTA!!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Estoy en Espana finalmente!
Today is my first day in Spain! I'm so excited to start my Spanish studies and, more so, my Spainsh life. My trip here was very long and I didn't get very much sleep. but after the airport my group took a bus to our university, La Fundacion de Jose Ortega y Gasset. What a mouthful!
There I met my new mother Teresa. She is very nice and generous. She says she is going to even clean my clothes, which I think is ridiculous!
The city is very different from Dallas. It reminds me of Paris with many busy and circular streets. [no se la palabra para 'round-about']. I have not seen much of the city yet because I slept this afternoon, but it looks like a lot of fun!
The place where I live is a very 'chulo' flat (Teresa said that chulo/chula is a Mexican word; I need a new expression). All the rooms are separated by doors, which I thought was interesting, and everything is wood. My favorite part is outside the windows. There are no dryers in this building, so after washing clothes you hang them on ropes in bewteen windows. How weird! It's like the old days (that I never experienced). It's also funny because the whole neighborhood will be able to see my under garments.
My roommate is not here yet. She is with her parnets in a hotel. I was really disappointed because I wanted that we have a beer and explore our vacinity. I also think it's very rude to Teresa. My roommate is moving in next Monday.
Tomorrow, we are going to Toledo for orientation. We will stay there for 2 days and then return to Madrid to finish up orientation. Classes start on next Moday. I have to be up early tomorrow so goodnight!
There I met my new mother Teresa. She is very nice and generous. She says she is going to even clean my clothes, which I think is ridiculous!
The city is very different from Dallas. It reminds me of Paris with many busy and circular streets. [no se la palabra para 'round-about']. I have not seen much of the city yet because I slept this afternoon, but it looks like a lot of fun!
The place where I live is a very 'chulo' flat (Teresa said that chulo/chula is a Mexican word; I need a new expression). All the rooms are separated by doors, which I thought was interesting, and everything is wood. My favorite part is outside the windows. There are no dryers in this building, so after washing clothes you hang them on ropes in bewteen windows. How weird! It's like the old days (that I never experienced). It's also funny because the whole neighborhood will be able to see my under garments.
My roommate is not here yet. She is with her parnets in a hotel. I was really disappointed because I wanted that we have a beer and explore our vacinity. I also think it's very rude to Teresa. My roommate is moving in next Monday.
Tomorrow, we are going to Toledo for orientation. We will stay there for 2 days and then return to Madrid to finish up orientation. Classes start on next Moday. I have to be up early tomorrow so goodnight!
Por que estoy despertada?
So it's 4:30 in the morning and I am not able to sleep anymore. I had 2 strange dreams and the second one made me very anxious. Of course it was about school and how I have a lot of homework que didn't permit me to go see the Grimy Styles (haha). In the dream, my dorm was a store on the first level. I had lost all of my personal things (my purse, my books, my keys, my phone, etc.) and when I returned to my room it was a disaster!!! At the end I was throwing clothes everywheer and crying. Dumb.
I woke up immediately and discovered that it was really really hot in my room. I don't think there is an air conditioner. I should buy a small electric fan for the nightime. I wonder if any other students are awake because of the time change. I don't want to make a sound but I have to use the bathrom.
Above my bed there's a photograph [not really, a poster, b ut I don't want to look up the word for poster] of Bob Marely, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh. They look very happy. It makes me feel happy and a little less hot.
The alarm clock will ring in 3 hours.
Love.
I woke up immediately and discovered that it was really really hot in my room. I don't think there is an air conditioner. I should buy a small electric fan for the nightime. I wonder if any other students are awake because of the time change. I don't want to make a sound but I have to use the bathrom.
Above my bed there's a photograph [not really, a poster, b ut I don't want to look up the word for poster] of Bob Marely, Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh. They look very happy. It makes me feel happy and a little less hot.
The alarm clock will ring in 3 hours.
Love.
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