I found this website, which is pretty interesting:
http://www.xdaysleft.com/
In awesome news, I am going to ICELAND in 43 days!!!!!
7/25: had the police called on us when we were just smoking cigars July 29, 2009
So it was windy and we were having trouble lighting them. We went up behind a cottage out of the wind and tried to light them there. No luck. Thinking back, I can see why someone (Gary!) called the police because I am sure it looked suspicious. The police definitely did a drive by as we were enjoying our beverages sitting on the sand. Lesson learned: smoking is bad for you.
Image from: http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/3698-1.jpg
Note: I mean no disrespect to any police officers. I am just commenting on my own stupidity.
7/24: slept on the couch instead of in one of the four empty beds July 28, 2009
Why did I do this? What on earth was I thinking? I can assure you that I will not be couch surfing at any point in the near future- I would rather sleep on the floor.
I think this is a couch? Maybe? Either way, it is interesting.
Image from: http://www.robotecture.com/excomcouch/images/ex-com-couch-sm.jpg
12/27: went to Nantucket for the first time since I came home December 29, 2008
I had a brief stint in Nantucket, but haven’t been back since because it ended badly. I had always wanted to see what it looks like at Christmas, but never went back (its been about eight years.) So instead of giving each other gifts, Brian and I decided to go to Nantucket for the day. It was awesome. We walked to my old house, went to the Rose and Crown and Brotherhood of Theives, saw the Christmas decorations, and just had a lovely day. We took the 9:15 ferry there and the 5:30 back. It was nice to go and have a happy day to cancel out the bad memories I had of leaving.
8-4 bonus: flew first class September 24, 2008
Although we had booked tickets literally months in advance, we were somehow put on the standby list for our flight from Madrid to Philly. Being considerate people, we didnt’ flip, and Brian was actually really cool with the ticket counter people while I held our place in line. The person in front of us was a dick, and interestingly, we didn’t see him or his family on the flight. Five minutes before takeoff, they called us up and were like, “Seats 1F and 1G.” We were like, “Are we sitting on the floor in the cockpit?” Turns out we sat in first class and it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! How have I never done this before?
Shout out to US Air and SpanAir!
PS- Happy birthday, Rene’!
8-3 bonus: Fiesta de la Paloma September 24, 2008
We stumbled across this fiesta in Plaza Mayor. It was so fun! There were statues, street performers, a band, and fireworks. This is pretty much all of my favorite things combined.
8-1: took an amazing picture out of a plane window September 24, 2008
Sea and sky on the way to Madrid.
This is sunset in Madrid:
7-7: spoke only in Spanish August 14, 2008
Wow- this was tough. I am not really working with a native proficiency here, but I tried. I figure that I’m in Spain so I should make the most of it. Especially difficult: speaking Spanish with the Americans in my dorm. I felt like a complete ass, but I am glad that I kept at it. Learning a new language is really quite tricky even if you took it for five years before coming to Spain. There was a bit of a gap (years and years) between my last Spanish class and my arrival here, so it is coming back (s l o w l y) and I am studying my cabeza off.
7-5: went to an espicha August 8, 2008
Bagpipe
An espicha is a traditional welcoming party held in the Asturias region of Spain. This particular case involved mass quantities of free wine, beer, and sidra as well as all the cured meat one could want. The Asturias region has a heavy celtic influence (really) which is evidenced by their use of the bagpipe, which of course sounds horrible in any language.
Traditional Asturian dancing
7-1: went to Spain August 7, 2008
map of Spain
Yikes! Culture shock combined with that previously mentioned rash and jet lag- sweet! I know it will get better, but I am so freaking exhausted. Just let me sleep it off and then I will be fine tomorrow. (Fingers crossed.) I am super excited to be here. I have been to Europe a few times but never to Spain and never by myself. I know it isn’t a terribly long time to be here, but I am so so so excited to practice my Spanish and take classes. I am going to learn a ton. Amazing how much you want to learn when you aren’t forced to do it.
Spanish flag
