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Published: August 8th 2007
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Flamenco in Sevilla
We had good seats right by the stage. The dancer was a rather large woman but she could definitely move. If someone asked you to show them what America is all about in 30 seconds, what would you tell or show them? For Spain the answer comes much easier, show them a flamenco dance and in less than half a minute they will see for themselves just what this amazing country is all about. The passion on the stage is all consuming, from the dancer to the guitarist and just the awe of the crowd, you cant help but be drawn in. You also have the option of taking them to a bullfight, humanitarian or not, it is an event that has to be experienced. The graceful dance of the matador as he plays with the bull, narrowly escaping a fatal blow from the 800 pound beast. Or you can just take them to Plaza Mayor on a busy Sunday afternoon with street musicians playing songs that sound very similiar to a Gypsy Kings track and booths setup in the middle of the plaza selling you fresh cheese and aged wine. This place has style, it has character, its just so full of life. By far my favorite country visited so far, Spain simply has to be experienced.
My flight
Bullfight in Madrid
I have a few other good pictures, but they were a bit too gorey for here. This guy was known as Ël Guapo, and the old ladies sitting behind me made sure I knew that. out of Mallorca to Madrid was only about $55 bucks, I had planned to go to Valencia via ferry but it was more expensive and I was starting to run short on time. I figured I would stay in Madrid for a few days then make a few daytrips to other cities to take advantage of the central location. The first sight I visited was El Museo de Prado, arguably one of the top 3 museums in Europe. I have to say I was somewhat dismayed when I first arrived, this building was nothing like the Louvre. The Louvre itself is a monument, not to even mention the artwork inside. Prado was much smaller but easier to navigate. I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the Spanish artists I recognized and was really glad I was able to see orginal masterpieces by El Greco, Velasquez, Franciso de Goya and many others. Since I'm not much of a museum guy I saw what I wanted to see in only about an hour and a half and then made my way to the Palacio Real. The palace is the official residence of the royal family of Spain but they dont actually
Plaza de los Toros
The outside a few days before the actual fight. This is the biggest bullring in the world, holding about 25,000 spectators. reside there. There is over 2000 rooms but only 50 or so are available to the public. I was reminded of the Chateu de Versaille as I toured the palace but it didnt really compare. The plaza's in Madrid though are where its at. Plaza Mayor is one of the largest in the city and easily the most enchanting. As I sat down to take it all in and listen to the street musicians play I saw two Spanish ladies walking by. As the band started playing a new, faster paced song the ladies just started dancing and laughing their way through the plaza. When I visited a supermarket the radio started to play a salsa tune and the owner just started to dance his way around the small store, "Esa es una buena cancion!" he said to no one in particular. Its these little things that make you truly appreciate what Spain is all about, it may not be as clean or refined as France but the people are just a whole helluva lot better.
On Friday evening I met a few guys from Mexico as they were playing pool, one of which worked at the hostel I
Booth in Plaza Mayor
Pigs legs. They smell just as bad as they look, if not worse. was staying at. When they asked where I was from I told them as I tell everyone else, Mexico. After talking for a bit one of the guys said to me, "Oye de donde eres guey, por que suenas como un gringo!" So far, I have been mistaken for Spanish, French, and Italian. But it took a couple of guys from Mexico to call my bluff and call me a gringo! First time that ever happened but the guys were cool about it. The next day I took a trip to Sevilla, mainly for two reasons. First reason is I wanted to experience the high speed train that ran from Madrid to Sevilla, and second I heard some of the best flamenco in the country is in Sevilla. I ran into a few people from the hostel that were going the same way so we all made our reservations together and took the 2.5 hour trip down south. When I got there I went straight to my hostel to check in and drop off my stuff. As I was getting settled into my room I hear someone from the bed next to mine say, "Hey, you're that guy from Madrid!"
Painting at the Prado
I dont know exactly why, but there were quite a few of these guys around. They were copying the original painting, it was interesting to compare the difference between the two. I met this bloke at my previous hostel two nights before and had forgotten he was making his way to Sevilla. It was quite the coincidence to find this guy not only in the same hostel but in the same room! He had found a few other Aussies in the same hostel and it turned out that they were all going to the flamenco show that evening as well so we all met at the bar downstairs and headed out. We stopped at a small tapas bar on the way and I had the most amazing goat cheese I have ever had in my life, it was just mouthwatering. The flamenco show itself was free so I could tell they weret the best performers but it was still a inspired show. I posted a video of it but it was originally shot in widescreen and this video utility squeezed into a 4 by 3 aspect ratio, should still be watchable though. It was a pretty fun night overall, we all wondered around Sevilla until 4am looking for a kebab place but we had no such luck and just hiked it back to the hostel.
The next day I hopped
Palacio Real
This is the courtyard inside the palace. Once again you get that palace in the sky effect. back on the high speed rail and before I knew it I was back in Madrid. I checked into to a new, much better, hostel and made my way directly to the bullfight. This really is just something that has to be experienced. I knew they killed the bulls but still wasnt quite prepared for when I saw it the first time. It was quite brutal and somewhat hard to see, but got easier by the 5th and 6th bulls. The old ladies behind me were enamored with this bullfighter known as "El Guapo" and were constantly trying to get his attention. It really did seem like it was man against beast even though you know the matador has the advantage in this controlled situation, one small slip though and its curtains for him.
And that brings us to now, I took a flight out of Barcelona at 1:15am on Wednesday to my present location. This place was completely unexpected, and so far has been easily the most unique country I have visited so far. It boasts the second largest building in the world and is just a quick 4 day stop over for me before I make my
Atocha Train Station
I was surprised to find this as I walked in the train station. A full fledged jungle, with animals and everything. way all the way to Istanbul. I have given you two small clues which should make it pretty easy to guess, and you can give it a go in the comments section. I have told a few people where I am so if I already told you no fair playing. First person to get it right will get some small trinket from this country, I'll post the answer on Friday or Saturday.
So guys, where in the world am I?
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JORGITO
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i win the prize . . . .
Romania - Final Answer