Donde Esta La Pinsa?

We played this game with the Monitor(a)s and other RA's and staff using a clothes pin, the idea was not to have it at a certain point in the night, or else, you had to do something the next day. You could move La Pinsa on to another, so long as they weren't aware you had given it to them. Collars are stiff and a good place to put it, as are the bottom of pants and skirts. You would sit down next to someone, suavely place it on their persons, maybe slip it into their pocket, and then excuse yourself before they were aware. Sometimes, it was placed so well, they wouldn't even know, and it would go into a laundry basket for a few days. Other times, it moved many times within the hour, jumping from candidate to candidate.

It's one aspect of CTY I miss, not La Pinsa specifically, but the fun staff that I was working with. I am in the airport waiting for my flight. It finally posted to the board just now, but I will wait a little longer. For a few euros, I was able to get into the lounge, and have WIFI access, as well as access to some basic food and drink (they have spanish tortilla!)

I charged my phone, computer, ipod etc. As I was doing this, I started to wonder if there was an elimination, what I would hold onto the longest. If I washed up with just a small bag, what would I really want in that bag. How about no bag, just pockets. How about with nothing. Could I survive, make it back home? I think so, it's all memorized - but let's not test that theory.

I realize now that after tomorrow, I will be traveling alone with no prospects of traveling companion. It is a daunting horizon, and I imagine that my trip will change character dramatically. The days will start earlier, and end earlier. Clubbing along is not particularly interesting I have discovered. Meals also tend to be shorter, unless I come across a fellow lonely traveler, there is not much to discuss by oneself.

I will have to enjoy my last hours with Shiva, and friends while here in Europe. Tuesday will be a whole new world.

Valldemossa

Valldemossa

It’s a small town with history, Chopin and George Sands both spent a winter here, during which Sands wrote the book A Winter in Majorca, and Chopin suffered bad pianos and composed some famous pieces. I posted them in my blog earlier. All that aside, it’s rather touristy, and I had trouble getting food for a reasonable price. So be it. The convenient aspect of the tourist nature is that there are shops and I could finally replace my shorts which started to rip at CTY, and purchase a pair of white linen pants as well, which I have been searching for since arriving here. Pedro, the man in the store, was very helpful in listening to what I was looking for, and saving me time by pulling together a few options that fit my wants and needs.

Touristy also means that everything here is printed in English, usually with a plethora of funny grammatical or diction mistakes – can you use diction in this sense? – and German, which helps when I don’t know what the English section is trying to tell me. Castellano is spoken and of course, Catalan.

What I did learn is very interesting, these stores can mostly all do American Express, but will often tell you that they can’t. It’s only a matter of explaining that it is your only card, and suddenly it magically works. I can’t imagine that is in their contract. I also learned that as a foreigner, I am entitled to a tax form, and should request at customs. The shops that offer “tax free” forms work with companies that take a huge cut of the tax, almost 50%, and merely for processing forms.

I think it’s obscene. I was wondering about this last year when I purchased my shoes in Italy, I will have to make sure that I am careful this time about receiving my full refund and not lose a chunk to a company accidentally.

Pau, the photographer from the ice cream shop, emailed me about Ibiza. He said stay on Ibiza for the parties, if that is what you are interested in. But, if you are planning on spending time on the beach, skip it, hop on a ferry to Formentera, about 3 miles off the coast of Ibiza, where the beaches are incredible. It’s a small enough island that renting a bicycle is the best way to see it. He said it will be one of the most amazing experiences of my life, sounds like a must to me.

The first Ferry – provided it’s not obscenely expensive, leaves at 7:30 in the morning Monday. I think I will come back from the club with Shiva, and head to the port, hop on a boat, spend the day at the beach, come back, get my stuff, and hop on my plane back here – Barcelona - Venice. I should definitely be able to sleep on the plane after that experience. I am hoping to do some snorkeling while in Ibiza or on the island close to it; that would be incredible. Just borrowing gear for a few minutes has left me yearning to spend more time under water (Deia).

At the moment, I am waiting for the bus. I have been writing this from the bench, but think I will go search for a café to upload my last few posts and look into some accommodation options for Venice. I am excited to throw myself into a new place where I have no ability with the language. What adventures await?

The end of Barcelona

Yesterday was my last full day in Barcelona. We spent the afternoon at the Park Guell, which is absolutely amazing. Gaudi’s house is there, in addition to a beautiful park with lots of live music going on. After a few concerts during which Shiva and I picnicked, we gave up on finding some green to do Yoga, and instead started to head back. We only took the metro a single stop, before remembering our host’s recommendation on stopping at Calle Verdi. It was a nice little street, but first we stopped in for ice cream where we were photographed from hundreds of different angles for the local newspaper. I think they preferred shooting the little kid who was getting ice cream all over her face, but we were a bit more responsive, and didn’t try to hide. I had this amazing yogurt, and Shiva had a slushy type drink.

Down Calle Verdi we meandered, and back onto the Metro back to our apartment. I should stop to mention that our host is not only a very very very cool person, she is also a painter. You can find Karenina’s work here, http://www.kareninafabrizzi.com/. And, she made me the strongest coffee I have tasted in my entire life. One cup per year and I could completely eliminate sleep. It made espresso look like milk. Worse, celery, it actually takes more energy to consume than it gives you.

My last night in Barcelona, we decided it was finally time. We went to Champagneria. I mentioned in an earlier post about a place called Quimet y Quimet, as one of the great places I have been to. It’s small, all standing, and you just have to get in the rhythm and call out your order in the right moment. Imagine Zen counting with 150 other eager diners, all of whom really want to say “1” and if they miss one, there are 149 left who want to say “2” and so forth. In addition, there are some who said “1” and want to say “8” as well. It’s chaos. It’s wonderful.

Champagneria is a place where you can only order one drink: champagne. And you can only order bottles until 5pm. The Champagne is only served with tapas. These are not your typical tapas, certainly nothing like the elegance of Quimet y Quimet. These are full on sandwiches: Lomo y Serrano, Hambuergesa con bacon y todos. The bocadillos (sandwiches) were outstanding, the champagne flowing and we were having a wonderful time. I have been in some very crowded clubs, where you feel like breathing is hard if you want your chest to arrive at all. This place made that seem like open air, open spaces. Shiva kept telling me, “another person just went to second base with me.” I had a distinct advantage in that with my height at least I was drinking and eating above most people. To be short here was not good. However, after some jokes and conversation, I was on a first name basis with the camarero (waiter) and we were getting our food and drink served pronto.

Then we met the Italian couple. She was actually from Australia, working in fashion in Florence, he worked in Rome. They were lots of fun, and as we closed out the Champagneria, which for some silly reason, closes at 10PM, the four of us headed out to find a place for some Sangria together before continuing the night.

We eventually came across a place, ordered sangria and pints of cerveza, and stood out in the cool night air sharing stories, and talking until it was finally close to 1, I think, and they decided to head home. I got their email address, and hopefully will be able to get some ideas for Florence and Rome.

We decided that it was early, and to head to a club. But, before we could move on, we went into Chupito’s Chupito’s, where they have the famous Monica Lewinsky shot. We were herded out with a pub crawl accidentally, but decided to try and join. We were not welcome at all as we attempted to finagle our way into the situation. We ended up just looking for another club (most pub crawls end in a club of some sort), and came across Jamboree. It had two floors, loud music, and on the whole was not bad, but not great in my opinion. I am not sure if I really do the whole clubbing thing – I certainly lack the dancing skills. I am hoping that Ibiza is going to be very different from anything I have ever experienced before. After a while we found ourselves at Apollo. We were trying to talk to the entry person about getting in, but security threw us out, it was very strange.

It felt like the night was over, and so we headed home, just around 3AM. On the way back, we did however witness three or four plain clothes police officers escorting a group of prostitutes from the street to our apartment. We wanted to see what happened next, but after a moment, decided not to follow, instead just returning to the apartment. Drank some pineapple juice and went to bed after doing some work on the computer. Everything was fine, except in the other room there was a random guy just sitting on the bed at 4AM. I knocked and said hello, but he didn’t respond at all. This morning he was sleeping with the door partially open diagonally across the bed, still fully clothed, not having used the sheets or anything. It was a little strange, and disconcerting – the lack of response. I hope all is well back in the apartment.

Getting to the airport was very easy. Train to Passaig de Gracia, and then another train here. Put my bag in storage, just taking my smaller bag. I will get it back before going to Italy. The only unfortunate part is that I forgot to grab my book from my larger backpack. I looked in the shop here, but nothing interesting in the limited English section. I don’t think I would enjoy struggling through a Spanish book at the moment or German for that matter.

I am writing this post while I wait to board Vueling 8707 to Palma Mallorca. I asked at the counter, and they seemed to concur with my quick research this morning that the airports have reopened for planes to arrive and depart, as the search for the bombers of the police station continues. After the flight, there is just a short bus ride, and I should be in Deia, soaking up the sun, the fresh air, all of the beauty (mountains, pools of blue water, etc.) and enjoying a change of pace from Barcelona. I definitely need to find a book to read.

Day off

I never really made it to bed after the previous night of clubbing. I arrived back, chatted on Skype, and slept for about 30 minutes before waking up to see off the remaining students who were quarantined. That is when my day began.

Quote of the day from yesterday: ''Diogo, that´s because you were to busy sticking your thermometer in people´s mouths.''

We took two cabs to Toledo. The first one, Jenn, Sean, Kevin and Myself arrived without problems. We did get lost, but made it in one piece. The second cab showed up with a grand entrance just as the bus was leaving. All on, I sat next to some random guy, and probably fell asleep on his shoulder. I apparently suddenly was out cold on the way back and spent most of it on Sean´s shoulder.

Toledo was beautiful and Sean brought it alive with his knowledge for us. It´s apparently also a Brooks Brothers subsidiary. Who knew, but that golden fleece is everywhere!

Started at the Mosque. It was small, and I decided to pass and headed instead for some breakfast and coffee. It was under renovations, which was how it was last time our guide, Sean, was there back in the nineties. Only then, it wasn´t even open to explore the semi-construction site that it is.

To the Cathedral. By the time we left I was done with gold and shiny things. Especially gold and shiny religious things. The place was beyond massive and was filled with artwork. It was actually quite amazing that so much wealth had been accumulated in terms of art and relics and what not in a single place.

Lunch at Sean´s old watering hole, and the group moved on. Alex and Kevin were providing architectural insight, Joel historical significance. It was an excellent group to travel with. We did the El Greco painting after, the Burial of Orgaz. That was really cool. I think the drinking started around then. While we were at the Cathedral, Joel had done a small pub crawl in the surrounding places.

The Jewish Museum was pretty cool, though I was hoping to find a living congregation of sephardic jews, and try to arrange a shabbat dinner. Apparently, most of the spanish jews are long gone, or no longer jews.

Saw some more sites, took a cascading set of escalators, saw the chains of prisoners and hopped back on the bus.

We arrived in Madrid, and met with Maureen, Emily, and Shiva at Puerta del Sol. That in itself is a miracle, considering all the construction - although I suppose it limits movement to two many paths.

The bebida consumption began immediately back in what we had previously nicknamed Plaza de Pantalones Cortes. You can find it on a map titled Plaza de Sta. Ana, or by searching the Hotel ME by Melia.

But the food was apparently expensive, so we set off for a tapas place. It was excellent. Let me repeat that. It was excellent. Sangria in abundance, and more. Then there were the tapas. We had a thing with goat cheese. It was awesome. We had another thing with smoked salmon. It was awesome! In fact the concept of a meal without ham was pretty much awesome enough unto itself.

I shared a well prepared steak for 2 with Diogo, and ended our visit to that establishment with a shot of something apple-y. And it was after dinner that we hit the higlight of the evening, the only cultural establishment for us in Madrid, El Museo de Jamon! It was Joel´s favorite place. I have to admit, drinking euro beers in the butcher shop is an entirely new experience. As is watching Shiva try to pick up girls by telling them that he has Gripe-A!

There may have been more, but it's all a little fuzzy at the moment. I know we went somewhere close to Hotel ME after being denied access to the roof, and from there Shiva disappeared and Diogo as well. Then it was Chocolate and Churros to end the night, a cab back, and early sleep (it was only two by the time we arrived. The Vigilante was out cold, and we had to wake him up. He apparently was not pleased at all.

I woke up with a bladder so full, I was afraid to remove myself from bed. By 9AM I was downstairs at breakfast, and ready to end my time here at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.

To end it all, we woke up and there was a wet parking lot, and apparently a rainbow early this morning, which I missed. The rain in spain really does fall on the plain, after all. ç

Quote of the morning: Jenn talking about her cereal which can only be described as chocolate balls, ''I overmilked my cereal.''

What Country are we in?

Spain

Ole!

Airport trip and a night in Madrid

Morning:
I was scheduled to take Thammatat, my last student on my hall, to the airport this morning. We sat in the taxi, and arrived less than an hour after leaving. Checked his bags, and I sent him through security. Thammatat looked up at the board, walked left, walked right, looked some more. Finally turned and waived, grinned at me, and headed off towards somewhere. I began my wait for his flight to depart. There is nothing to do in the Madrid airport, at least outside of security. I tried to purchase a coke from a vending machine, but it never came. The manager of a cafe gave me one though. I walked back and forth. Finally, as it got close to his departure, I made my way towards the metro to wait. It was "final boarding call" forever, approximately an entire hour.

I took off once the flight cleared the board, and headed towards salamanca street. I heard there are some places there I wanted to check out. Oops. That was supposed to be an area called Salamanca. The street itself is somewhere up north, not a particularly interesting neighborhood. I did however find a place, and get the menu of the day. First course, Gazpacho. Second, Fish. I thought it was going to not be fried. I was very wrong. Third course, Flan. I asked for a cup of wine. She left the bottle, I clarified, I want only a cup. Drink as much as you want the waittress told me. It was to early for that, so I ordered a pitcher of tap water.

Found the streets I was looking for, found the perfect linen pants. Just formal enough, but just informal enough as well. Also, just a little big for me. I asked about alteration - but the guy helping me said unfortunately, that would put the back pockets on top of one another. Alas. We checked the system to see if any other stores in Madrid, and Spain have them. None in the computer. They were Ermengildo Zegna, white, linen. Very comfortable. So, when I got back, I looked up the other stores, and emailed them to check just in case the wrong sizes are in the system. I am hoping that they can find them, they were awesome.

On the way back, I got an email, and purchased additional facemasks. I then returned in time to meet Devon - Nick's replacement, and be sent on a salad purchasing errand for which Joel came along. We stopped to chat with his friend at the Mercadora, and had a nice Tapas with Anchovies. I also donated my own veggies to the salad upon returning. I had a lovely large salad as my first plate for dinner which was stupendous. It didn't even have any ham in it.

Night:
After a "surprise" pizza party, and a staff meeting where we were asked our plans should the site hypothetically close, 4 of us took off for Madrid. Shiva, Anabelle, Rachael and I caught the last bus which didn't go where we needed it. Luckily, the driver was nice, and took us to a station after he finished the route. We took light rail into Madrid from there. Again, last train, so no time to buy tickets. Luckily, we were able to buy the tickets upon arrival, and avoid any hassle and fine.

Once we arrived in Plaza del Sol, we couldn't decide what to do. I didn't want to pay a cover charge, as many of you know, I am morally opposed to paying cover charges on a number of grounds. I haven't once had a club where I left feeling like I would gladly give them money to gain access to their facilities again.

We found some places that offered welcome shots, which most likely explains my upset stomach. Sometimes they were mixed drinks, which were very sweet. Shiva, in his usual outgoing manner, met a few people, and I danced by myself most of the time. In the Plaza De St. Ana, Shiva was practicing his spanish with three girls from spain. He decided to tell them all about our little epidemic. After that, they gave us a lot of space, which was nice, since I had the whole rail to sit on by myself in that case.

We went to Sol y Sombra, which wasn't very exciting this evening. Hotel ME was closed - I was hoping for a nighttime view of Madrid city lights. Then we ran into the pub crawl people, who were also kind of boring. I took some pictures for them climbing all over a statue with their phones, and we parted ways until Shiva befriended a group looking to go Flamenco or Salsa dancing. I was excited about seeing some salsa and flamenco, until I realized that they didn't have a destination, just a desire. We ended up back at Joy, where we had left the girls the night before. One of the guys in the group had sandals, and the group couldn't go in. We bid them farewell, and went for chocolate and churros until the time we planned to meet the girls.

Caught a taxi right in front of the club, and came straight here. Nothing spectacular, but had a good time without spending significant money on anything.

ME Hotel terrace photos

Melia Madrid Reina Victoria Hotel