Yesterday I took a random hike out of town just to see what existed in the countryside in our area. It turned out to be a lot nicer than I expected and the walk itself was fairly pleasant. I discovered a Lake and was able to watch a sunset develop slowly the entire time I was walking. It was pretty neat and neatly pretty. By the time I got back it was dark out.
Here's a video:
The day before I went on a hike with my roommate to the river. It turned out to be a longer walk than we were expecting, 18 km but it wasn't that bad. When we arrived there was a security guy that was just kinda driving around and asked us if we had any family in the region. I think he at first thought we were homeless but then realized that we lived in Lebrija and then he didn't seemed as worried. He offer to give us a ride back to Lebrija if he saw us on the way back of his rounds.
Pictures of both hikes can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eatw
I have other pictures from Spain up now in this same location. Check them out if you wish! Tonight is the last night of the year. We are going downtown to scope out the scene. It should be a lot of fun. So I guess I won't write again until next year :P. I'm sure it will be soon enough ;).
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas in Lebrija
This Christmas I spent in Lebrija with Bijan and a Lebrijan family. It wasn't like that kind of Christmases that I am used to back home yet it was still very special in its own way. WE were picked up from the house at 10:30pm and brought to a nice and big garage. I have come to realize that the people in this region really enjoy parties in their garages so the was only a small surprise for me. The entire garage was set up with a long series of tables, food, drinks, and a big nativity scene in the corner. We got ourselves acquainted with 20 or so family members and chatted awhile before dinner started. At some point between 11 and midnight the dinner was finally ready. A beautiful display of tapas adorned the table in a fashion only suitable for a huge banquet. We said grace, well I think we did, it happened so quickly I couldn't tell and started eating. The selection consisted of jamon (of course), cheese, bread, olives, gambas, mariscos, and king crab to top it all off. We ate round after round tapas until it seemed unreasonable to try to continue.
After dinner we all enjoyed several round of Christmas carols. Even with reading the lyrics it was still a challenge to get the right rhythm. Some songs like 'Silent Night' and 'Little Drummer Boy' were still manageable. Keep in mind that this was all in Spanish. After the dinner and carols were finished the party really got started with more singing and dancing. It just wouldn't be Christmas without karaoke so we were brought to the challenge of singing more songs in a competition with microphones.
Later both Bijan and I were swept away into separate conversations about the are of Lebrijan Sherry making. This family has been making its own wine for a while now and I was able to taste some wine that started 150 years ago. One-Hundred-and-Fifty years! It was fascinating to learn about the process and you could tell that great pride and care was taken.
Afterwards I was swept away to another party that was taking place in another garage in town. Upon arriving I was almost immediately recruited to join the band that was singing in the middle of the garage. At first I was placed on the box drums yet after seeing that I clearly had no idea what I was doing I was official clapper instead. Yet my legendary clapping skills did not go unnoticed for nearly the entire area was in awe of my superb clapping skills. A nice thing about being a foreigner is that you have special abilities that you lack while living in your own country. Everything you do is regarded with curiosity and usually if you are even halfway good at something it is impressive enough because you are a foreigner.
Eventually it was time to go but before I could go there was own last thing that I was summon to do. I was brought over to a bucket, which happened to be next to the bathroom and a ladle was dunked into a murky unknown mixture. I was skeptical what was about to happen next but my fear seemed to come true when I was asked to taste the contents of the ladle. I hesitated just long enough to realize that what I was actually trying was olives. I tasted a few and approved of the sampling. Before I knew it an entire jar was filled and taped up and further taped up for me to take with me.
By the time I got home it was around six in the morning. It wasn't the kind of Christmas that I was used to but still unique in its own way.
After dinner we all enjoyed several round of Christmas carols. Even with reading the lyrics it was still a challenge to get the right rhythm. Some songs like 'Silent Night' and 'Little Drummer Boy' were still manageable. Keep in mind that this was all in Spanish. After the dinner and carols were finished the party really got started with more singing and dancing. It just wouldn't be Christmas without karaoke so we were brought to the challenge of singing more songs in a competition with microphones.
Later both Bijan and I were swept away into separate conversations about the are of Lebrijan Sherry making. This family has been making its own wine for a while now and I was able to taste some wine that started 150 years ago. One-Hundred-and-Fifty years! It was fascinating to learn about the process and you could tell that great pride and care was taken.
Afterwards I was swept away to another party that was taking place in another garage in town. Upon arriving I was almost immediately recruited to join the band that was singing in the middle of the garage. At first I was placed on the box drums yet after seeing that I clearly had no idea what I was doing I was official clapper instead. Yet my legendary clapping skills did not go unnoticed for nearly the entire area was in awe of my superb clapping skills. A nice thing about being a foreigner is that you have special abilities that you lack while living in your own country. Everything you do is regarded with curiosity and usually if you are even halfway good at something it is impressive enough because you are a foreigner.
Eventually it was time to go but before I could go there was own last thing that I was summon to do. I was brought over to a bucket, which happened to be next to the bathroom and a ladle was dunked into a murky unknown mixture. I was skeptical what was about to happen next but my fear seemed to come true when I was asked to taste the contents of the ladle. I hesitated just long enough to realize that what I was actually trying was olives. I tasted a few and approved of the sampling. Before I knew it an entire jar was filled and taped up and further taped up for me to take with me.
By the time I got home it was around six in the morning. It wasn't the kind of Christmas that I was used to but still unique in its own way.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Trip to Sevilla
I had a trip to Sevilla just a few days before Christmas. It was nice to just spend some time and explore the city some:
Later that evening there was a parade downtown that had a band marching through the streets. I followed them for awhile and just enjoyed seeing the crowd from the back of the parade:
Later that evening there was a parade downtown that had a band marching through the streets. I followed them for awhile and just enjoyed seeing the crowd from the back of the parade:
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
France Pictures
Last Night we had a dinner pary with some of Calvin's co-workers. It was really a great time. I don't how to explain it but Spanish people just have something about them that is so open that anyone that you spend time with it just seems like a part of the family or a long last friend.
One thing that I am certain of now is that at Spanish partys REQUIRE singing at some point during the occasion. WE sang a lot last night.
Anyway today is a beautiful day I need to get out and explore some. I added some pictures of the France portion of my trip which can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eatw/
If anyone knows of something that is like flickr but doesn't make you pay for showing more than 200 pictures let me know. I want to be able to cintinue to show my pictures whithout only having the most resent.
I will have some videos soon as well.
Hasta Luego!
One thing that I am certain of now is that at Spanish partys REQUIRE singing at some point during the occasion. WE sang a lot last night.
Anyway today is a beautiful day I need to get out and explore some. I added some pictures of the France portion of my trip which can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eatw/
If anyone knows of something that is like flickr but doesn't make you pay for showing more than 200 pictures let me know. I want to be able to cintinue to show my pictures whithout only having the most resent.
I will have some videos soon as well.
Hasta Luego!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday Afternoon Splendor
Today was a great day. I spent the beginning of my day with my roommates just relaxing and having a coffee (tea for me) at a local bar. There is an ice skating rink in the central plaza. It is actually a sheet of plastic tiles yet it still seems to can skate on it pretty well. It is nice to have outdoor skating with palm-trees. Not quite the December that I am use to but still a nice mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar.
Later I rolled out with Calvin to head to a neighboring town. They were having a festivo in that town to celebrate that years harvest of wine. When we rolled in we could hear the music of a massive party echoing through the streets. Eventually we made it to the carnival area and for what tuned out to be a pretty large party considering how big the town was. More than a thousand people were there and we instantly knew that we were in for a fun Spanish experience.
We met up with some of Calvin’s friend and were instantly bombarded with drinks and homemade tapas. The afternoon was filled with Spanish songs and some round of ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ for good measure. If sing wasn’t enough we were able to experience some line-dancing Spanish style which can only be described as happiness in a circle.
Afterwards everything seemed to be settling down some so Cal and I decided to roll at and search for the 90 cent bus ride back to Lebrija. When trying to figure out when exactly the next bus would roll through we met up with some German friends from the celebration a got invited to a private party back with the friends we were hanging with earlier.
We strolled on over to a nice gathering in a garage where a bonfire was prepared in a bathtub just outside the garage door. After another wave of beers and snacks it was like we were back at home again. More singing and dancing ensued – it just wouldn’t be a party without it. Everyone was really nice and I was overwhelmed in a sea of Spanish again.
Eventually a guy was heading back to Lebrija and offered us a lift. We graciously excepted and went back home after a fantastic day hanging out and partying Spanish-Style. Right now it is 10:30 pm and we are waiting for dinner to finish cooking and relaxing to classical music. I’m starving but dinner will hopefully be ready by 11. A just ‘slightly’ late dinner. I might go out later but I’ll se how I feel after dinner.
Hasta Luego!
Later I rolled out with Calvin to head to a neighboring town. They were having a festivo in that town to celebrate that years harvest of wine. When we rolled in we could hear the music of a massive party echoing through the streets. Eventually we made it to the carnival area and for what tuned out to be a pretty large party considering how big the town was. More than a thousand people were there and we instantly knew that we were in for a fun Spanish experience.
We met up with some of Calvin’s friend and were instantly bombarded with drinks and homemade tapas. The afternoon was filled with Spanish songs and some round of ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ for good measure. If sing wasn’t enough we were able to experience some line-dancing Spanish style which can only be described as happiness in a circle.
Afterwards everything seemed to be settling down some so Cal and I decided to roll at and search for the 90 cent bus ride back to Lebrija. When trying to figure out when exactly the next bus would roll through we met up with some German friends from the celebration a got invited to a private party back with the friends we were hanging with earlier.
We strolled on over to a nice gathering in a garage where a bonfire was prepared in a bathtub just outside the garage door. After another wave of beers and snacks it was like we were back at home again. More singing and dancing ensued – it just wouldn’t be a party without it. Everyone was really nice and I was overwhelmed in a sea of Spanish again.
Eventually a guy was heading back to Lebrija and offered us a lift. We graciously excepted and went back home after a fantastic day hanging out and partying Spanish-Style. Right now it is 10:30 pm and we are waiting for dinner to finish cooking and relaxing to classical music. I’m starving but dinner will hopefully be ready by 11. A just ‘slightly’ late dinner. I might go out later but I’ll se how I feel after dinner.
Hasta Luego!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
First night out in Lebrija
Last night was my first night out in Lebrija. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but I think that there was no way that I could expect what happened that night. The night started off with a nice spaghetti dinner with my roommates at our so-called “usual” time of eating between 9 and 10 pm. I’m still taking some to adjust to eating at this hour but I think I will eventually get used to it. The dinner was really nice. We sat around the table and enjoyed music while munching to the soft glow of a small lamp on the kitchen table.
The guys were debating on which places to go out to and eventually seemed to come to a consensus on the plan of attack. We finished our beers at the house then got ready and took of for the town. The night was already busy with children playing in the streets at 11pm and various people going out to eat dinner. We made it to a pub downtown and got a round of beers for 1 Euro each. We were almost immediately swirled into the realm of an over-friendly drunk who was overjoyed to see four Americans in his home town bar. He was so happy that he would tell that we were his friends and give us high-fives and kisses to show his appreciation. We would do this at all costs and make sure that he would interrupt any conversation that was trying to take place. He even made sure that Bijan had beer spilled on his shirt within five seconds of having his first beer. Cheeky gent. He’s our ‘buddy’ Rich. We then left him in that area of the area and made our way towards the front.
We met some other Spanish women in the front and talked to them for awhile. One of the women, ‘Nat’ took our many no-thanks as a sign that we needed beers. After she got us a round of shots we eventually took off towards another bar. We left and with some of the women that were at first bar joined us. At the next bar we had some more drinks. Nat introduced me to some of her Brazilian friends yet, I was trying to pull away from the conversation a bit because I wanted to meet some more people and all the roommies where having a conversation outside.
I meet up with another girl ‘Ann’ who was a really nice girl and talked for awhile. I continued my way to make it to the table where my roommates where hanging out and met the people there. Eventually Nat made her way back to our table and sat down. This is when things got awkward. Nat was looking like she was Jonesing for something and to put an awkward story short she left looking heart-broken. I learned a few things in that moment and am now more prepared (maybe) prepared for a future situations that happens with similar awkwardness.
The night continued and it was more and more chill to hang out with everyone. A friend of Bijan, Anna, was super nice and help translate things at times consider that I was mostly clueless about a lot of the Spanish that was going on. Eventually I was considering bailing once Boone and Cavin were about to take off. Ann convinces me to stay and everyone would help me with some Spanish. I learned some Lebrijan, which seemed like all you do is slur Spanish and raise your voice a few levels. We sung Beatles songs and listen to some Spanish jokes that made no-sense to me whatsoever.
More and more round of drinks started rolling in and I’m glad I turned them down because of what followed. Bijan looked like he was on about the limits of what he could drink so I commandeered Anna’s drink because she was giving it all to Bijan anyway. Just when I thought it was over and we were taking off . This is when the endless rounds of shots started. At this point some of the Spanish friends took me under there wing and said they wanted to take me to the disco.
Well after a few drinks followed by a few shots going dancing seemed like the best idea. Fliffin’ like a Sultan I decided to go. It was 5am by this point yet in Spain people seem to stay up later than usual. So we rolled on over to La Palacio, Lebrija’s club and met up with some more friends there. I danced with a few Spanish girls who were all friends of my friend Carmen. There where very amused by my dancing by the end were trying to find any excuse possible not to dance. I was probably just to intense for them with my awesome American dance moves. They all enjoyed my presence yet it was probably a bit much for 6am in the morning after a long night of dancing.
Eventually the club closed and I piled in a car with the three girls and their boyfriends(?) seemed weary of this so the 2 of them piled in the car as well. I told them to go to the Blue Elephant Car wash and we had a fun time talking in the car, which I’m not sure what was actually accomplished but we had a fun time talking anyway.
They all invited back to the club the next night and I said that I might be back yet I still wasn’t sure if I would be. I got out of the car waved to them goodbye and they drove away. Soon realized that I was notwhere near home and that this must be the second Blue Elephant Carwash in town. There was a mechanic who was still there (probably just coming in since it was around 7am at this point) and I asked him where the other Carwash was in town. He told me it was a few kilometers in one directions so I started my trek home.
Eventually I made it back home and went to bed. This was probably one of the most fun nights out I have ever had. The people in Lebrija are super friendly and very inviting even and with some awkwardness. It looks like Spain is going to be a great place to live. I have to do now is find a job. Wish me luck!
The guys were debating on which places to go out to and eventually seemed to come to a consensus on the plan of attack. We finished our beers at the house then got ready and took of for the town. The night was already busy with children playing in the streets at 11pm and various people going out to eat dinner. We made it to a pub downtown and got a round of beers for 1 Euro each. We were almost immediately swirled into the realm of an over-friendly drunk who was overjoyed to see four Americans in his home town bar. He was so happy that he would tell that we were his friends and give us high-fives and kisses to show his appreciation. We would do this at all costs and make sure that he would interrupt any conversation that was trying to take place. He even made sure that Bijan had beer spilled on his shirt within five seconds of having his first beer. Cheeky gent. He’s our ‘buddy’ Rich. We then left him in that area of the area and made our way towards the front.
We met some other Spanish women in the front and talked to them for awhile. One of the women, ‘Nat’ took our many no-thanks as a sign that we needed beers. After she got us a round of shots we eventually took off towards another bar. We left and with some of the women that were at first bar joined us. At the next bar we had some more drinks. Nat introduced me to some of her Brazilian friends yet, I was trying to pull away from the conversation a bit because I wanted to meet some more people and all the roommies where having a conversation outside.
I meet up with another girl ‘Ann’ who was a really nice girl and talked for awhile. I continued my way to make it to the table where my roommates where hanging out and met the people there. Eventually Nat made her way back to our table and sat down. This is when things got awkward. Nat was looking like she was Jonesing for something and to put an awkward story short she left looking heart-broken. I learned a few things in that moment and am now more prepared (maybe) prepared for a future situations that happens with similar awkwardness.
The night continued and it was more and more chill to hang out with everyone. A friend of Bijan, Anna, was super nice and help translate things at times consider that I was mostly clueless about a lot of the Spanish that was going on. Eventually I was considering bailing once Boone and Cavin were about to take off. Ann convinces me to stay and everyone would help me with some Spanish. I learned some Lebrijan, which seemed like all you do is slur Spanish and raise your voice a few levels. We sung Beatles songs and listen to some Spanish jokes that made no-sense to me whatsoever.
More and more round of drinks started rolling in and I’m glad I turned them down because of what followed. Bijan looked like he was on about the limits of what he could drink so I commandeered Anna’s drink because she was giving it all to Bijan anyway. Just when I thought it was over and we were taking off . This is when the endless rounds of shots started. At this point some of the Spanish friends took me under there wing and said they wanted to take me to the disco.
Well after a few drinks followed by a few shots going dancing seemed like the best idea. Fliffin’ like a Sultan I decided to go. It was 5am by this point yet in Spain people seem to stay up later than usual. So we rolled on over to La Palacio, Lebrija’s club and met up with some more friends there. I danced with a few Spanish girls who were all friends of my friend Carmen. There where very amused by my dancing by the end were trying to find any excuse possible not to dance. I was probably just to intense for them with my awesome American dance moves. They all enjoyed my presence yet it was probably a bit much for 6am in the morning after a long night of dancing.
Eventually the club closed and I piled in a car with the three girls and their boyfriends(?) seemed weary of this so the 2 of them piled in the car as well. I told them to go to the Blue Elephant Car wash and we had a fun time talking in the car, which I’m not sure what was actually accomplished but we had a fun time talking anyway.
They all invited back to the club the next night and I said that I might be back yet I still wasn’t sure if I would be. I got out of the car waved to them goodbye and they drove away. Soon realized that I was notwhere near home and that this must be the second Blue Elephant Carwash in town. There was a mechanic who was still there (probably just coming in since it was around 7am at this point) and I asked him where the other Carwash was in town. He told me it was a few kilometers in one directions so I started my trek home.
Eventually I made it back home and went to bed. This was probably one of the most fun nights out I have ever had. The people in Lebrija are super friendly and very inviting even and with some awkwardness. It looks like Spain is going to be a great place to live. I have to do now is find a job. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
New Beginning
OK so it is time to start the blog back up again. It has been a long time since I wrote anything yet there is a lot of new news. I delayed the plans for China for awhile in order to take a trip to Spain. I will be living outside of Sevilla in a town called Lebrija with my friend Bijan. I'm not sure for how long but I hope to find a job teaching English somewhere in Sevilla.
I just finished spending some time in France. I some some of my friends and it was a lot of fun yet a healing and learning experience as well. I was treated to many nice things and it was great to catch up with some people that I haven't seen for awhile.
I'm in Sevilla right now. I have to stay the night in a hostel because the last train that I need to catch leaves at 9:30. Last night I flew into a town outside of Barcelona called Reus. When I got to the airport there were no more buses running so I had to take a taxi. Luckily a found a girl from Colorado in the same situation so we took a taxi downtown and found a hostel. It was a nice place, more like a hotel and we split a room for 19 euros each.
Getting into Sevilla was semi-chaotic in the sense that I just barely made the bus and I just barely made the tram to get to the hostel. I was running with my 15kg backpack and my 10kg hand bag. Yet I'm not sure if that is worse than the 4 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 sweaters and a winter-coat loaded with books... I was still wearing the gear that I need to bypass the weight restricts for flying in. Luckily I made it past the luggage checks at the airport.
It feels really good to finally be in the region. The Spanish people seem super friendly and appear to speak extra fast. It looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. Well that is the brief into to a new beginning for now. I'll update more as needed. I might even proofread after I finish yet that is still questionable. If anyone has anyone has suggestions in how I can improve their blog reading experience let me know at any time.
I wish everyone the Best!
-Erik
I just finished spending some time in France. I some some of my friends and it was a lot of fun yet a healing and learning experience as well. I was treated to many nice things and it was great to catch up with some people that I haven't seen for awhile.
I'm in Sevilla right now. I have to stay the night in a hostel because the last train that I need to catch leaves at 9:30. Last night I flew into a town outside of Barcelona called Reus. When I got to the airport there were no more buses running so I had to take a taxi. Luckily a found a girl from Colorado in the same situation so we took a taxi downtown and found a hostel. It was a nice place, more like a hotel and we split a room for 19 euros each.
Getting into Sevilla was semi-chaotic in the sense that I just barely made the bus and I just barely made the tram to get to the hostel. I was running with my 15kg backpack and my 10kg hand bag. Yet I'm not sure if that is worse than the 4 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 sweaters and a winter-coat loaded with books... I was still wearing the gear that I need to bypass the weight restricts for flying in. Luckily I made it past the luggage checks at the airport.
It feels really good to finally be in the region. The Spanish people seem super friendly and appear to speak extra fast. It looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. Well that is the brief into to a new beginning for now. I'll update more as needed. I might even proofread after I finish yet that is still questionable. If anyone has anyone has suggestions in how I can improve their blog reading experience let me know at any time.
I wish everyone the Best!
-Erik
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