Blogs from Spain, Europe - page 1103

I had to do that knuckle counting trick (turns out there are only thirty days in September) before confirming that indeed it IS the end of my first month here. Now I just do that about 8 more times and then I'll be back home.. I've decided I'm lucky to have all my appendages. This is for a few reasons outside the generally obvious ones. I've noticed an absurd amount of amputees in Madrid. I'd estimate that I pass by, sit by, buy from, or accidentally stare at at least 10 people a day missing an arm or a leg, or both arms or both legs. I'm wondering if there is any cultural relevance there or if it's a big city thing or if I honestly just now have realized the sheer blessing that it is ... read more

I left France on another cold morning, leaving the contest at semi-finals stage as the surf dropped right off. Kelly Slater exited in round 4. He was unlucky, snapping his board and couldn't find a second good wave. Still, his surfing and ability still sands out and the spectators just love him. Mick Fanning eventually went on to win the event and I suspect he has the world title firmly in his grasp now, notwithstanding disaster. They say San Sebastian is the cultural centre of the Basque region and I know for sure that among it's 180,000 odd inhabitants, there are few that must spend much time at home around dinner time. Everybody is out, seemingly doing a tour of duty through the impressive maze of tapas bars and restaurants that line the old quarter. Just ... read more

Wow I can't believe I have been here for over a month now. It feels like forever in some ways. I feel like I am becoming more and more accustomed to everything everyday, and everyday I think that I must be as used to living here as I can be... clearly I am still learning tons because I look back and realize how much I change everyday. I am starting to feel torn away from my life and friends in the states as I get new friends here... Almost like enjoying myself here and having friends here in some way betrays my real friends... That sounds sooo dumb. Wow I guess I only write in this blog when I am confused and frustrated... maybe I will say some good things first... It is really great that ... read more

Ater my restfull stay at the Hostel Posada, I packed my bags again and headed across town to the four star hotel in which I was being boarded courtesy of my new employers, for an induction course along with my 600 other colleagues from around the world. Still sore from lugging my bags around the day before, I gingerly picked up my 36kg and marched onwards. Three metro lines, countless metro stairs both ascending and descending, a litre of bottled water, four bruises, half an hour, and one gigantic sigh of relief later, I arrived in the lobby of the Hotel Convencion. After checking into our rooms, and enduring one badly scheduled meeting later. We sat down to a dinner of cold mousse more or less the shape and colour of the italian flag. My friend ... read more

The Reina Sofia was a lot different than the Prado, for sure. Totally all modern art. I actually enjoyed the Prado more. There were some cool pieces at the Reina though. The Tropical guest exhibit was pretty trippy. I did like all the trippy Dali´s and Picassos though. And yes, the Guernica, is pretty fascinating. From there, I actually wanted to just chill today. I was moving so fast the past few days in Madrid it was time for some more down time. I went shopping and bought a sweater, yay. From there, I was pretty tired so I took my siesta and ended up going up to the Sun Deck at the hostel and rekindling my relationship with my boy, Santiago from The Alchemist. I was definitely engrossed. While on the Sun Deck, I met ... read more