Springtime

I could’ve sworn I wrote one of these yesterday…

Anyways, for once I figured I should write this early as I’ll have quite a few things going on in the next two weeks, mainly that I’ll be going to Italy, but I’ll get to that in a bit. It’s almost april and the spring time is upon us, we’ve had around 25 degree weather for the past week and it’s awesome to feel the sunshine. As well, it feels like every week is getting better.

                The biggest event this month was my trip with a friend of mine, Alex. We met in Madrid and stayed in a hostel (packed with students from all over Europe and the US on spring break) a block away from the Puerta del sol, the center of Madrid. The very first night, after seeing the elegant royal palace, we had the luck of running into two other rotary students eating in a café (Spain can really be quite a small country) and we were able to have fun passing the rest of the day chatting and seeing sights.

In the days after, using Madrid as a hub, we went all over the area to Segovia, with its preserved aqueduct and disneyesque castle, Toledo, the former fortress-capital of the Spanish Empire and El Escorial, the summer home of the kings and the headquarters of the inquisition. Later we returned to Zaragoza to see some of the sights there. The whole week was a very enjoyable break from my schedule to see sights, travel, and catch up and talk with a good friend.

In the weeks after, I’ve gotten back into my schedule, which has gotten exceptionally busy (but fun) with the addition of memorizing scripts for theatre. As well, I now have the opportunity to go to Italy, the host-mom of another student fortunately works at a school where they had been planning a trip to Italy, and thought, as I had done less traveling than the other students (hard to believe) that I would enjoy coming along. As such, that’s where I’ll be going in an hour. We’ll be going in boat from Barcelona to Italy, with four days in rome, two in venice, one in Florence and a few other sights and I am incredibly excited.

Anyway, as a general note, everything is going quite well. Last week I enjoyed a jazz concert (or Jam session, rather) with friends and we’re hoping to make that a mild tradition.

Hasta luego.

And It Just Keeps Getting Better

                I’ve found that these blog posts serve as a good measure of time here, though as time continues to go faster and faster, I’ve admittedly had trouble keeping up. I do usually get to the end of every month and think “How’d that happen?” while showering, but, at the very least, I think I’m attempting to do the maximum possible and I suppose that’s what’s important.

                Since my last blog post (two months ago…), we’ve returned to school after a both relaxing and entertaining Christmas break. In one of the last days of Christmas break, I was awakened by Pilar, saying that if I could get ready in the next fifteen minutes, I could join them on their trip to Alquezar, a small village north of Zaragoza, and I’m certainly glad I did.

It’s a village along a mountain cliff with a preserved Late Medieval style complete with a fortified castle-cathdral at its peak. As well, we were able to go down into the canyon next to the village to walk along the tranquil river. This was one of those moments where I feel so amazed and so little by the greatness of what I’m seeing that I’m filled with a sudden childlike energy and happiness. Needless to say, with the canyon and castle, this was really a complete mini-trip and one of my favorites.

                Although the first few days returning back to school were a bit of a challenge as I had enjoyed the sleeping in of winter break (I’ve adjusted to the late nights here, but not the siestas quite yet). But it was actually nice to go back, as well it served as a nice stepping stone as I suddenly found that I could understand and speak much better than before, as well, I found the simple act of having confidence helped as well.

Throughout the next couple weeks I got back into a general routine, going back to school, doing homework, and studying, hanging out on the weekend with friends and occasionally going to various concerts (fortunately, my friends are highly musical, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to see concerts of different genres, whether they’re playing in it or going as fans). Especially during the last week of January during La Fiesta de San Valero, the patron saint of Zaragoza where, after a short procession where the Mayor transports the relic of San Valero from La Seo to Pilar, all of the museums are free. Later in the night all the aspiring musicians gather along the sidewalks to sing, including one of my friends, Nestor. As such we hit the streets, listened to the music and had a blast.

As well during the last week of January, my flamenco class had our first flamenco fiesta, and it went off without a hitch. It was done in the traditional style where there was no schedule or planning, the band and singers were an ever changing mix of whoever wanted to play (It’s made in a way where there’s basic outlines where the singers and guitarists can improvise while still sounding great, a bit like Dixieland I suppose) and the dance floor was open; thus making it a high energy night of chatting, drinking (coca-cola in my case) and dancing.

Then, in the beginning of Febuary, I began a Spanish class in the university during the mornings, of which, I’m happy to say I got into the top class (which, from a solid level zero in the beginning, shows some nice improvement). Although we’re not learning anything new exactly, we are practicing a lot more and polishing up the details nicely. And on a general note, I’m very much enjoying it.

As far as a few smaller things, Europe’s third most important agri-technology fair was in town, which I attended with Pablo and his brother in law, Luis and learned quite a bit from the both of them (Luis, having grown up on a farm, and Pablo, for being Pablo). I also finally attended a futbol game in the Romareda stadium, unfortunately this year, Zaragoza is dead last in the league and we lost, but regardless, it was fun to cheer them on with the rest of the energetic Zaragozians.

               

                Now March is here. Over the three day weekend, we’re hoping to go to the south of France on Sunday. The idea was brought up by Pablo, who asked if I had any plans for Sunday. I said “no, why?” and he replied that we could maybe go to France then. To which, I burst out laughing and said that sounds fantastic. There are some times here where I completely forget in my everyday life that I am in a completely different country leading such an adventure, and then I suddenly realize how incredible it is when, what would be a dream for most people would be a Sunday trip for us.

               

                To wrap things up, I’ve suddenly gotten to the point where I feel completely and  totally content, I’m not sure when that happened, but it’s a good feeling. In a few short weeks, I’ll be off to Madrid, Toledo and Segovia with Alex and possibly to Salamanca later with Pablo and Pilar. As well, I joined a theatre troup, and we’ll be performing a short play in may. And finally, I received my return date, it’s the 20^th of June, and it’ll come with a flurry of emotions, but for now, I’ll keep on having as much fun as possible, like always.

Hasta Luego.

A Short Post

I've realized the trick to Spanish: it's confidence.

A New Year

So I’m in a restaurant again, this time with Turkish food (which is delicious). It’s now 2012 and nearing the end of a delightful Christmas break, though I don’t go back ‘till next week as Spain has two Christmases, one on the 25th to celebrate the birth of Christ and another on the 6th of January where the three Magi come and give presents to the children, traditionally in their shoes.

                So far this past month, despite having fewer excursions into the wilderness with Pablo, I’ve continued the constant breakneck speed that I prefer. December started with Pablo, Pilar and I in Madrid, seeing the sights, beginning with a walk through the main square (their version of Times Square where they watch the ball drop in Año Nuevo) and by the old palace and royal cathedral and ending with a hole-in-the-wall where I had the best churros I’ve ever had. Over the next couple days we went to the Reina Sophia (the museum, not the queen), where I saw Picasso’s famous Gurnica and many of Dali’s works, and to the Prado (where I saw too many famous pieces to count). I also met Pilar’s niece, Beatrix (Bea) who would later join us for Christmas and would be the first person I would have a philosophy conversation with, which made for a stellar present on Christmas Day.

                I later had my next few band concerts: the first was in a small theatre where we played a mix of Spanish songs and Christmas songs and the crowd loved it. The next was in the Gran Hotel, where we played for the mayor and members of city hall (which yes, it is still crazy that I played for the mayor). Although the older crowd seemed tired at first, after a few songs (and some help from a certain tuba player) they began to warm up and dance like mad.

                During this time, my aunt, her boyfriend and his father came to visit in Zaragoza where I showed them around (with the help of my eternal historical narrator and guide, Pablo) and talked a bit about home. I had a blast with them and enjoyed being the expert of the group, but I can understand why family usually doesn’t come until later as I will admit I was missing home a bit after. In either case, I’m glad they came.

                 Finally the weekend I was waiting for came: Christmas. Pilar’s mother came to stay along with the aforementioned Beatrix. We all gathered ‘round on Christmas Eve night for an enormous dinner of fish and opened a few pre presents (mine was castanets, something that I’ve been wanting for the longest time). Christmas day played out similar to the holiday in the states with a big meal, a few too many sweets, chatting, movies, and general joy and merriment. Although it wasn’t the same Christmas I’ve been doing for the past years, it was nice to realize that I felt part of the family and enjoy the day.

                The past week we’ve had off, although it’s been a little quiet, I made sure to keep it interesting with some museums and friends when available and I’ve very much enjoyed being able to sleep in and rest a bit (something I realized I needed). This past weekend however, the energy started again when we went to Pablo’s mother’s house in Calatayud where we watched the ball drop in the aforementioned Puerta del Sol in Madrid and ate grapes at each of the twelve bell tolls (a new years tradition in Spain). After, Gonzalo, Marta (his cousin) and I went out to dance the night away.

                And now finally, I’m back in Zaragoza, a bit tired, but happy to be back and continue with Christmas break. The fact that it’s the New Year, makes me think about all the things that have changed in my life. The obvious is that I’m talking, having conversation and hanging out with friends (which I’ve certainly found a group I consistently have fun with), but the language is only part of it. I’ve also become much more patient with myself. Before this I was neither a studier nor a man to apply force over a long period of time. I was one for finishing a project in one big effort and efficient quick solutions, but of course, a lot of things don’t have a quick solution. Now that I’m in Spain, I really don’t have any other option other than sitting down and “roughing the elbows” (as they say in Spain, or in other words, studying), and that’s been good. I guess, surprisingly, my habit of jumping in to things full force and without much forethought has yet to fail me despite the curious situations I find myself in.

                Anyways, I suppose I’ve already changed quite a bit and I’ll have changed even more. As far as the new year goes, I’m still seeking a drawing class, though If I don’t find that in a while, I’ll probably try some acting. As well, we (my family and I) will be going on a trip to the south of Spain and maybe Barcelona, which I’m of course looking forward to.

Hasta luego.