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ESPANA-- Hola amigos!! We had a brilliant time in Spain. We arrived in Madrid, Spain's capital, on the 4th of May and stayed for 5 days. The highlight was our cultural experience with flamenco dancing and bullfighting. Wow, you can't say the Spaniards lack passion.
Kailey and I really wanted to see Flamenco dancing one evening so we set out for just that. We found (Googled) a restaurant just down the street from our hostel. Turns out, you need a reservation and tickets for dinner and the Flamenco show. Ugh, how do you barder in Spanish again? Apparently this is one of the best shows in Madrid, arguably all of Spain so everyone and their grandma was out. We crossed our fingers that they'd have room for us once everyone was seated. A pricey ticket later, we were in the door about to experience the Flamenco. La musica es bonito, three guitars and one drum played effortlessly by strapping young hombres. The mood was set and out came the dancers. Tapping and stomping their way across the stage. Just think big hand movement (helps to wear a long twirly dress) and loud shoes, add a little clapping and intense facial
The Flamenco Show
We had pretty great seats even!! features and you have a Flamenco. They dance with such passion and emotion, its captivating. Kailey and I were very impressed. Especially when the male dancer moved so fast that sweat literally flew off his brow and into the front row. See what I mean about the intensity? May have been partially due to the stage lighting but he was working hard. We ate tapas and sipped Sangria while being thuroughly entertained. It was worth every penny! I only wish I knew the moves myself!!
High off of Espana culture we decided to catch a bullfight the next night. We headed down to Plaza de Las Ventas, the most important bullfighting arena since 1931, to grab some tickets. Our seats ended up being perfect. We decided that you actually don't want to be too close the first time you witness a bullfight. Up with all the locals, screaming and yelling "Ole', Ole' " we sat, observing this traditional custoum of Spain. Men smoking cigars and mumbling what we hope were words of encouragement but most likely profanities. The arena was packed even though the seats where concrete stairs with no backs. Me and my claustrophopic ways, didn't even mind
The dance
Sorry its blury but they move so fast!! being squished between two older men. One behind with his legs on either side of me and the other in front between my own legs. We were part of the family for a few hours. The bullfight was very interesting. So many parts and sequences they perform, it's very methodical. Although by the end of it we had watched the killing of five bulls, we we're once again captivated. To say we'd go again might be stretching it but we were glad we went.
We caught the train to Barcelona (pronouced Bar-the-lona) for some beach bumming. Didn't turn out as smooth as we thought but we can't complain. Too much!! We got to our hostel just fine but we're told that they had moved our reservation to another hostel because they didn't have enough space for us. "Are you serious, I just lugged this bohemuth piece of luggage, on my back, all the way here, so you could tell me that we have to go somewhere else." Ok, just breathe in, and breathe out, all will be well. Our "new" hostel was about 15 mins out if one doesn't get lost. But one does, occasionally, take the wrong turn.
The Flamenco Show
The greatest guitars ever heard!! We walked for a good 30 mins before reaching our hostel. It all paid off when we saw they had a kitchen for us to use. Oh the small things! The weather wasn't the greatest but we caught some rays a few days. It was really nice to relax, as non-worldtraveler as that sounds. We tried a Spanish dish called Pealla. Delicious! Its fresh seafood (shrimp, muscles, and calamri) on a bed of seasoned rice served in a round cast iron skilet. There's all different combinatons to choose from. Barcelona is a bohemian city with little flea markets and colorful building. Artist and architect, Antonio Gaudi, has many pieces littered across the city. At Guell Parc, we got to enjoy live Spanish guitar while basking in the sun. All in all, Bar"the"lona turned out to be a perfect place to chill out for a couple of days!!!
Hope everyone is having a fantastic May!! We can't believe our trip is coming to an end soon!
Take care!
xoxo
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