Blogs from Spain, Europe - page 1085

Hola from Madrid! For those of you who haven't heard the back story you should know we arrived in Spain with some trepidation. When Liz's parents arrived about a week ago all hell broke loose. First the ariline lost Ann's luggage, then on the way to the hotel she was robbed on the train and lost everything, passport, money, identification, phone, camera etc. Then they went to see the apartment they had rented for everyone to stay in and it was in a dodgy neighborhood and roach infested. By the time we arrived in Europe the motto of the trip was "anything that can go wrong is going to go wrong." However, we think we've brought better luck because so far we've enjoyed Spain without incident! We arrived yesterday morning after leaving Paris around 4:30 am. ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving family! Laurel and I are making mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce in our medieval kitchen tonight (complete with a Thanksgiving centerpiece and a that Laurel's mom sent us along with the stuffing)...at least it will be true pilgrim style. If that fails, though, we're also going to Hard Rock Cafe for dessert, because there is no way I'm even attempting to make pumpkin pie. Things that moving to Spain has made me grateful for: Working Appliances. This category isn't against Spain, but my apartment. Appliances include a cold fridge, a dishwasher that isn't my own two hands, a toilet that you can go number two in without hesitance, a shower with constant hot water and pressure, and the mere existence of a dryer. Being near an ocean. Portland might not be ON ... read more

Erica & I caught the 12:30 am bus to Valladolid, meaning we rolled into Valladolid around 3 am. I was exhausted, but every time I travel outside of Valladolid I always seem to feel so comfortable & happy coming back. I had school the next morning, so I dumped Erica off with Alberto in the Plaza Mayor at 10 am. They spent the day catching up & I was at school, tired, but content with having my sister here in Spain with me! Having a familiar face in a foreign country gives you a certain kind of energy that you don't usually have. I can't say that I feel lonely here, but I guess I just feel more fulfilled having someone here that I know. Erica & Alberto & I went to lunch at the restaurant ... read more

¡Hola! Spain is amazing. Gaudi is fucking awesome. Barcelona rock...when it's not overrun by loud abusive Scottish football hooligans. Madrid is a bit lame. But first i have a story to tell, it is one of coincidence and craziness. We arrived in Barcelona and were blown away by the mass of street performers along La Rambla, the main drag of the city; human statues, magicians, painters, and a whole array of others, all doing their thing, and bloody well at that. We checked into our hotel, a cute little pensiones (pension alamar), basically a home-stay sort of thing, run by this friendly little Spanish family, we had our own little double room with a balcony overlooking the street, nice and quiet (except at night when the streets are overrun by dealers, drunks, and prostitutes) but still ... read more

Well so i got here on the 22nd of September, almost 2 months. It is going so fast, and i love it. I have a great school, have another job teaching private English classes (aged 6-50), have made some great friends, and i am just making the most of my time here. The weather's been really good, until this Sunday when the rain came. Ive been freezing for ages, long johns all the way... but the real rubbish weather has just started but it was meant to start in September so ive been lucky i guess. Now its not hot until May, when i come home, how selfish. Although im not planning on coming home until august/september, i plan to travel around either spain, south america, or north america... choices choices. Mainly because Uni doesnt start ... read more