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Published: November 10th 2010
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Sound Check
We arrived in time to catch the end of Linkin Park's sound check Last week was a huge week for Madrid, because they were the host to the MTV European Music Awards. Every year a different European capital hosts the show and this was the first time it was in Madrid. All the big stars descended on Madrid for the awards show in a brand new arena that was built just outside the city. Five days before the show, it was announced that there would be a free outdoor concert at the Puerta de Alcala (very near where I live) and the concert would feature 30 Seconds to Mars, Katy Perry, and Linkin Park! They each would give a small show in addition to the song that they would perform live for the awards show. I decided this sounded like a lot of fun, so I made sure I was going to be back from my weekend trip to the Basque Country (the post about this is coming soon) in order to see the show. And it was definitely worth it.
We arrived at what we thought was an early time, but already found a few thousand people there for the sound checks. We got to see the end of the Linkin Park
sound checks which we were pretty cool. It was then a marathon of standing and waiting amongst throngs of pushy people and smokers (I returned smelling like I had spent all day in a bar even though I was outside!). By the time the show started, over 10,000 people filled the street. It was incredible how many people were there. Because it was live television, the show ran very much on time and the three performers put on really good shows! My favorite by far was Linkin Park who I had only really remembered from my junior high years, but they have been keeping at it and just came out with a new awesome CD. Their performance was amazing and they played for over another hour after their TV song (the other performers only did 25 or so minute sets). It was also really cool to see the special guest appearance by Kanye West! When the show had ended around 10:30, we realized we had been standing in the same position for over 6 hours and could barely move our legs (I was still sore the next morning). But, it was fun to go back home and see the rest
This was the crowd just for sound check!
We showed up at 4 thinking there wouldn't be that many people yet (after all, it is the Spanish people we are talking about). The show started at 6:30. We were wrong. of the awards show on T.V. and see the recaps of the concert on the news. Madrid really did it again with the fun, free entertainment!
In other news: this is my second week in a row in which I only had two days of classes because of scheduled trips or illness in the case of last week. I really can't complain about that! But, I am still without a phone, and this is creating more of a problem that I thought. It is really sad how dependent I become to those things but now I have gone from a blackberry at home, to a primitive phone horrible for texting, to no phone at all! And let me tell you... it is tough doing things the old fashioned way (you just have to plan and have a backup plan)! But, it has been interesting, and only once did the plan not work out. Good news though is my Spanish friend gave me a old phone to use. Bad news is that I went to buy a SIM card for it and they won't sell me one without buying the whole new phone! I might just go without a phone
until I go back...
I am also in the process of applying for internships for next summer. It has been taking quite a bit of time looking for the internships, sending the resumes, and filling out the applications. So far, I have applications into Apple, Cisco, and IBM for either finance or sales positions. I am keeping the figures crossed.
For some Madrid news: the weather is getting really cold! Actually it is not "cold" but cool enough in the mornings and evenings that I wish I 1) had a scarf and 2) knew how to where one. (These are the things I rely on my sister to help me out with.) But, the cool whether has also been making me whimpy, and my runs in the Retiro have been fewer the past couple weeks (I also have not had the time but I kind of use the weather as an excuse too). I especially felt the cold after I cut my hair last week. This was the second time I got my hair cut here and it was a rather unique experience just as was the first time. I found a small beauty shop that I am
Kanye West guest appearance
Kanye came out for a 2 minute set during the 30 Seconds to Mars performance! pretty sure is only for women over 60 but they advertised 9 euro cuts for men, so I went in (to lots of stares) and ask for a cut. When they told me it was 12 with the wash, I told them I didn't need the wash, but they insisted that I have to have my hair wash (I kind of liked getting my hair washed though as they massaged it and all and probably used way better shampoo than the cheap Pert stuff I usually use). Then, they just go to town with the scissors with hair, hands, and scissors flying all over the place and within probably 5 minutes they had it done! Then another five minutes for a shave of my neck with a blade (without any kind of lather = ouch!) and I was done. Fastest cut ever and it turned out good enough, but not like Karl's cuts (for those of you who know my Barber Karl at home)...
I know I have said this before, but I love the metro and bus system in Madrid! I have been having to travel around to different parts of the city more lately for various reasons
and it still amazes me how easy and efficient it is to get where I have to go. And if need be, I can always get a taxi within 30 seconds max where ever I am at in the city. Taxis are everywhere! Why can't the U.S. have such efficient, clean and easy to use metro systems?
Another debacle I am running into at the moment is how to get all my stuff home. I have acquired a massive amount of souvenirs, gifts, and other things that some how need to end up back at home. I am pretty sure I will be shipping at least a box home, but am dreading at how much it will cost. I was a little disappointed to learn that Iberia Airlines only allows one free check in for international flights (usually you get two) and they charge 60 Euros for the second or anything 22 kilos (which is only 50 lbs and you usually get up to 70 lbs!) Since when did international flights start to get so skimpy on the baggage?
Anyways, enough random updates. Look for some fun posts about my visits to the North of Spain coming soon!
IN CASE YOU WANT TO WATCH: here is a link to Linkin Parks performance at the MTV EMA's that I was at.
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