Españoles

¿Como son los Españoles? ....

While living abroad I have definitely learned how to spot out a Spaniard from other Europeans walking down the street. It is not to fair to generalize, but I am going to do so, mostly for memories sake, so I can read back on this later after the image has already faded.

Like other Europeans, Spaniards are much more close, in terms of personal space. They kiss once on each cheek whenever they greet someone, whether it be a stranger or a family member. Streets here are a lot smaller, with narrow sidewalks, so people are more comfortable walking directly in your line of path; more often than not, no one moves out of your way. If it's raining out then you have to be extra careful not to get poked in the eye with an umbrella. However, no one talks on their cell phones or listens to I pods on the street.

Although they might not jabber away on blackberries, Spaniards in general are much more stylish than Americans. They might not wear Gucci or D&G like the Italians, but they have a definite style. Mostly it consists of black, or other dark colors, with boots, leggings, skinny jeans or flats. Hardly ever do women show their bare legs, even with shorts they wear tights. Many students here think they are crazy for dressing this way with the sun beating down they way it has been.

In my opinion, this is not as crazy as the white trash teenagers, with their ridiculous style. Weird haircuts and highlights, bright colored shirts and baggy jeans (almost a modern day Jnco that tightens at the ankle) - baggy jeans for girls mind you, the boys wear tight little jeans. It is definitely interesting to look at, almost like Jersey shore meets Spain.

More than meets the eye... Spaniards are intense people, regardless of style. When they talk to you they stop what they are doing and look you directly in the eye. Questions are direct and forward; being politically correct hardly exists in Spain. Chinos are little convenience stores, owned by Chinese people and just happened to be called Paki's in Barcelona. Weird. Either way, if you accidentally bump into a Spaniard on the street (which you will) they give you a death stare and dramatic huff, as if it's your fault you couldn't melt away into the building wall to avoid running into them.

Despite the glares on the street, they enjoy having fun. In fact, a huge stereotype is that Spaniards don't work at all and only drink wine. However, I am starting to wonder if it's true. After all, stores close for a few hours everyday during siesta and even a friends 83 year old Senora stays out at the bars drinking wine and enjoying tapas until 12 at night. The streets and bars are always full of people, their kids, and their dogs. No need for a sitter, little ones are forced to stay out as long as their parents and often times fall asleep in chairs alongside the bar, or out on the terrace.

Music is just another ingredient for a good time. After spending a couple nights out with a University band called Tuna. They wear 17th century type clothing and play at various bars, often fun dancing songs that everyone seems to know the lyrics too. Ellie and I have even started to rock "solamente tu, y tu y tu y nadie más que tu".

While Spaniards might not be as environmentally conscious as the Scandinavians, they do live a more green way of life within the city. Hallway lights in apartment buildings and most public bathroom turn off after two minutes. They are only allowed a certain amount of hot water each day. Most of this is because energy is costly here, as it should be to encourage people to use less of it. I am going to miss seeing Coca-Cola workers wheel stacked crates of empty glass bottles to their trucks, taken away to be washed, refilled and reused.

Almost a much as I'll miss hearing the cutest little dark complected kids speaking Spanish in their high pitched voices, dressed in the latest fashion as well. The government gives parents 4000 € for each child they have, which makes for a lot of little children running wild. "No pasa nada" or no big deal, is often a popular parental method which leaves kids screaming, crying, or pouting in public places.

However, regardless of loud children, awkward teens, and wanderers on the sidewalk, Spaniards are wonderful, accepting people. Nearly everyone I have met is extremely relaxed and understanding. They know how to slow down and realize it's the simple things in life that are the most enjoyable, such as family, food, and an active culture.

Some favorite things about the cities I have visited so far....

Munich

I thought it to be so much larger than it actually was. We were able to walk everywhere we needed to go, although we had free metro (and you can drink beer on the metro, so sometimes its better just to take the train!)

I loved the bar crawl here, we visited several well known breweries such as Hacker-Pschorr, and my all time favorite Augustiner - Keller. Everything you have heard about beer tasting better in Germany (and Bavaria none the less) is true! There are so many less ingredients, (unlike Spotted Cow which has high fructose corn syrup - yuck!) Another great thing about an all natural beer, no hangovers!

All in all, Munich was a great place to visit. I really got a sense of where the Wisconsin heritage comes from. A lot of the countryside in Germany looks like Wisconsin, I could of sworn I was driving down 94, aside from the much older, cottage-type homes. We even visited a market that had crafts which looked exactly like something you would see in your grandmother’s house - Que guay!

Prague

You know that saying, " I left my heart in San Francisco".. yeah you do. Well, I think I left at least part of my heart in Prague - don't worry Andre you (and maybe Trio) have the other part back home. This city wasn't destroyed in World War II (unlike Munich) and so the buildings are original (many of Munich's buildings were reconstructed to look the original after the war). The center of the city is absolutely amazing. Pastel colored houses with detailed moldings and architecture surround the open plaza , which was ever flowing with people from all different directions. Street vendors sold everything from brats, potatoes and crepes to little trinkets to take along with you before making way to a new city.

The nightlife in Prague is amazing as well! We visited a few different clubs on a bar crawl and found interesting people to talk to or dance with nearly everywhere we went. Like all big cities, it had the major nightclub with about five different rooms (everything from current stuff to 80's, or techno - lo que quieres)

Berlin

I only visited Berlin for a full day, so I do not have a whole lot to comment about this city, unfortuately. However, I definitely got a sense for the creative, artsy vibe of which it is known for. We saw amazing break dancers within the first hour of being there; they had a huge crowd of people watching them as they performed skits to MJ, Star Wars and other well known songs.

The city itself has so much history, too much to take in for just one day. Walking around this city (on our free tour) I got a real sense that just 20 years ago it was two different cities, and that it has gone through a tough history. It was the least clean and kept of any of the cities I have been to so far (except Morocco).

Madrid

Madrid is an enormous city, and I feel like what I did see was not even close to what is there. Andre and I visited, mainly the downtown area, for about 2 full days. We went to the museum Reina Sofia, Rastro Market, San Miguel indoor market, San Ginés for the best churros in Madrid, and plenty of other restaurants for wine, tapas and typical Spanish food.

The time there flew by, and since it was the last stop, it was hard to be excited for Madrid without thinking about him leaving as well. However, I loved the Madrilènes accent, the food options were amazing, and the indoor San Miguel market was súper chulo.

London

After only a few days in London I realized I want to go back for more! I had the chance to see quite a bit of the city, St Paul’s, Westminster, Towers of London, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.

There is just so much history there, and like Germany it was history I knew more about and if I wasn´t too informed, I wanted to be. I especially really wished my brother and dad were with when I saw Lawrence of Arabia´s tomb at St. Paul’s. It´s alright though, I am taking it on as my personal goal to get the entire family to visit London and Liverpool, seize the moments before the opportunity passes.

Praga, Munich, y luego Berlin :)

Hola todos, para este blog, quiero escribir en espanol porque hace mucho tiempo desde hablé y por eso necesito practicar, aunque practiqué con argentinos anoche. Si quieres leer esto, usar Google translador.. si no que esta bien...

Bueno!
Estoy in Praga ahora, y fue a Alemania, Munich, para cuarto días. Los dos eran maravillosos! En Munich, tomé una una gira gratuita con nuestra guía Kristin! La noche del sábado pasado, después la gira, fuimos en una gira de cerveza, a tres fábricas de cerveza! Dios Mio :) Me gusta mucho Munich porque el campo es muy similar a Wisconsin y la cultura también, un mercado tuvo cosas como en Wisconsin, por ejemplo wreaths, queso, y ortros decoraciones para la casa.

En Praga, tomé una gira gratis también y una bar crawl! Praga es una ciudad muy muy bonita y es difícil para tomar esto en las fotos. Aquí, en Praga, hay muchas turistas y estudiantes, más de otras ciudades.

Mañana vamos a ir a Berlin, para los últimos días de las vacaciones, pues, hasta el sábado, cuando Andrés llega! Ahhhh no puedo esperar para verlo!!!

Hasta Luego
Lo siento, no tengo fotos ahora... pero cuando yo regreso!

pero aquí es una foto de la tour en Munich! (right side)

http://www.newmunich.com/nm/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=90&page=view&catid=42&PageNo=11&key=61&hit=1

Spanish 101

13 febrero

Accento de Andaluz

Andalucía is the southernmost region of Spain with its capital city being Sevilla. Much of this region and its cities, such as Córdoba, have remaining Moorish influences(upper right, Mosque of Córdoba), which have given Andalucia a strong, unique culture - in comparison to the rest of Spain. The Alhambra is another great example of this Muslim architecture, right in Granada.

While Andalusia can boast of many cultural and regional entities, such as the Andalusia horse, bullfighting, flamenco, and a thriving mountainous environment great for olive trees, the accent in this region is something to be said otherwise!

Unique to this area, sort of like the southern accent is to the rest of the United States, it can be a frustrating experience for a student studying a language here. It takes time, I have learned.

Those who have a traditional Andalusia accent drop off the last few letters of the word, while speaking at a rapid pace.

Por ejemplo:

Norte de España- Me gusto mucho este café, gracias.

Andaluz- Me gust much este café, gracia.

It has been said the Madrid is the best place for students to study Spanish, as they speak more clearly. However, I absolutely love Granada and Andalusia. There is more culture, after all the royal family, Ferdinand, Isabella, and Charles V are buried in Granada in the Capilla Real(above)! When I leave Granada and visit other cities in Spain, or even when I speak Spanish with people back home, it will seem like breeze! Until then, for me it's going to be listening intently and trying hard not to adopt this accent, which is a slightly less than perfect example of the language. Hast Luego :)

Not every trip is a vacation...

5 febrero - 7 febrero

...Morocco

A weekend away in Morocco made me homesick for Spain, but also opened my eyes to a culture and a country that I didn't really know a whole lot about.

I really didn't have any idea what to expect before I left, It was not until a day into the trip that I realized my romanticised expectations. I found myself a little disappointed at the end - mostly with the guided tour and lack of free time.

We left Granada by bus at 1:15 in the afternoon on Friday and didn't reach Algeciras, the city we departed from by Ferry until closer to 5:00. I was pleased to see that the ferry was in fact a ferry and not a barge. I told everyone I was going to wear my backpack forward on the boat because I didn't want anyone to steal from the back pouches. Pretty hilarious when we realized we were on a modern ferry with lounge areas, dining, and movie rooms. "Better put your backpack forward, Emily" hah hah hah...

Arriving in Tétouan Friday night was just to receive an included meal at the hotel (fried fish and steamed veggies) and go to bed. However, we did wake up early Saturday morning and head to the oldest market in Morocco, located in Tétouan.

The market was definitely an interesting first impression of Morocco. Narrow, cobblestone, pathways were lined with a variety of shops, including barbers and seamstresses, although they were mostly food vendors. I was overwhelmed by the smells of fish, chicken coops, feces, cheese, and urine when passing each of these little stands. The worst of it though was the source of those odors, all over the ground. Really makes you appreciate the farmer´s market at the capital square.

After walking around the inner city of Tétouan we reached our the part of the day which granted us "free time" for shopping. This turned out to be an hour long procession of rugs, revealing one on top of another until two piles stacked high side by side. We then had to shout whether we were interested in buying them (for a very good, cheap price) as they put them away. Afterwards, we were allowed to go downstairs and shop in the same store. In my opinion, everything was junk!

The second part of the day we traveled by bus to Tanger. This city is located on the Atlantic ocean and it was the section of the trip were we were to ride camels and see the oldest lighthouse in Morocco. The camel ride was in a parking lot, where they were forced (by whip) to lay down and allow someone to climb on, then stand back up, walk a lap and do it over again. I felt disgusted with myself for even getting on, and I believe my face in this picture captures that very well.

The lighthouse turned out to be a distance away from the main event, more shopping. We stopped in a parking lot where more stands were lined up with the same crappy trinkets. Our guide was being paid by these vendors for bringing us there - big surprise.

By the end of the day on Saturday, I was tired, upset, homesick (for Spain, the United States, tap water, clean clothes, and the ability to communicate these feelings to people that I care about back home.)However, Annie, Jodi and I stayed up chatting for awhile where we talked about how we didn't really expect everything to be so old and run down. I admitted that I figured there would be neat, old buildings filled with history (like in Spain and other parts of Europe). However, anything that they have is still being used (and not kept very well - even the oldest lighthouse had a clothesline strong across it) rather than preserved for it's history - for me that was the culture shock.

Sunday morning we woke up for our breakfast a little bit earlier than the day before - we had a lot of traveling ahead of us. We loaded on the bus (the six of us opting to sit in front this time, as Leah nearly passed out from motion sickness on Saturday). We headed for Chefchaouen, which is up in the mountains (south of the other two cities) and near a nature reserve. I have to say, I didn't have any hope that this trip would be better. Annie was hopeful that it would be, and thankfully, she was right.

Chefchaouen is a city with narrow passageways and everything painted blue (the color of peace in Islam). We did have to sit through another rug show - but we were granted free time throughout the entire city (I think because it was much more safe.) We finished the day with an included lunch at a hotel, before heading back to Ceuta to catch a ferry home.

I enjoyed the second day much more, however, I wouldn't suggest anyone trying to cram a trip to Morocco in two days. I also have a feeling that a visit to Casablanca would have been more enjoyable - as it is the wealthiest city in Morocco, however don't go if you're a Humphrey Bogart fan, apparently it wasn't filmed there at all. Only one scene was filmed in Morocco, at a beach in Tanger, which we drove past on the bus. Which wasn't a great photo opportunity, but sort of a neat thing to see regardless.

Rrrronda

30 enero

The six of us (Annie, Becca, Ellie, Jodi, Leah and I) left the train station in Granada, destined for Ronda, at 7:00 am on Saturday. It was still very dark out in Granada at this time and there wasn't much to see outside besides the huge, new moon. It traveled beside us over the mountains and rows of olive trees for the first half of the trip. When we arrived in Ronda at 10:30 the sun was up, although it was chilly at such a high altitude.

The walk from the train station into Ronda was less than 15 minutes; we decided to head to the tourismo centre for information. After a café con leche (basically espresso with milk) we were ready for a little site seeing in the old town, as well as shopping.

The old town is located on the far side of the gorge and offers spectacular views of valleys and spacious countryside below. All of us agreed that being surrounded by an open space was rejuvenating, after all, we have been bombarded by plazas, huge buildings, fountains, and other man made infrastructures (as beautiful and old as they may be).

The best part of this day trip was the hike down one side of the gorge. There was a stone path designated for people who are interested, but we found ourselves going astray for opportunities of great photos as well as exploring. The trek back up the gorge to the city was much more of a workout than the way down, with less photo shoots. However, we all enjoyed the workout.

After the long and tiring hike we decided to get a glass of wine at a restaurant which lied right on the edge of the gorge, by the bridge. It had several levels of patios down along the rocky edge, looking out to a valley, the river and many white wash houses built on the cliff years ago. Although the wine was only okay, probably “served us Americans the old stuff” (we joked), the views were amazing and the memories we have there together will last forever – much longer than the taste of bad wine :)

El albaicín y la alhambra

14 enero

The Albayzín is an impressive white wash neighborhood set in the hillside of Granada. Arabic influences are still very prevalent here, as it is in the Alhambra, horseshoe arch doorways and garden Carmen, which means garden in Arabic, are remaining examples.

Narrow, cobblestone streets wind up into the hill, where some of the eclectic, habitants reside in

caves. You´ll notice I took lots of pictures of outdoor pets in this neighborhood, there were plenty to capture in the Albayzín.

16 enero

On Sunday January 16th we went to visit the Alhambra, a Moorish fortress built during the 14th century, although it was eventually taken over by the Charles V, grandson to the catholic king and queen, Ferdinand and Isabella (who are also all buried in Granada).

The views from the Alhambra were so refreshing as well as amazing. The entire city and countryside could be seen, as well as the cathdral, Albayzín and Sierra Nevadas. This trip definitely brought my spirits up after such difficult first weeks.