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Published: February 4th 2006
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Hello Reader.
Because I have completely lost track of days and sequence, I will have to change my format of this entry so I don't give myself a stroke trying to remember everything in order.
In the past couple of weeks, I met some great people.
Jack is eighteen years old, as far as the physical realm is concerned, and probably somewhere near forty-five when it comes to knowledge and mental stability. Definitely one of the more pensive humans I've met. He is from England but moved to Sydney six years ago and is working hard at studying arcitecture and adapting his accent. He left Valencia, but then came back cause he missed the city and the people. He is the third person I've met to have done that. He's extremely tall, and though I am usually iffy about trusting people who are so tall, he seems to be a pretty good guy and very independent.
Ali is from somewhere in the South of England and is in Valencia with her friend Harri to find an apartment and enroll in the local university to study art. (Though she disclosed that they don't really plan on going to
Harri, Ali, and Jack
Sitting in the park on a nice day. class.) She is interested in photography and has a great eye for a great picture. Ali's funny. And I quote, 'I went into a gay club once and I was mistaken for a couple of lesbians.' I couldn't stop laughing for like ten minutes.
Harri is also from England and 'goes' to school with Ali. She is more interested in sculpture and the like. She is affraid of pidgions and is easily startled, which makes for tons of fun for me. She also enjoys adding in little critiques of the (practically perfect) service in the amazing place we go for tea, The New Orleans Coffee and Tea Company. Muttering things like 'I have less water in my pot today,' and, 'only one cookie this time?,' and, 'that woman over there got a lemon.' I find it entertaining.
Laura was only with us for a couple of days. Because she is from New Zealand, I, for some reason, felt it appropriate to blurt out 'JANDALS!' (the Kiwi word for flip-flops) even before the polite salutations. She forgave my strangeness and accompanied us to Gulliver and a beer later.
Dan is from England. Only minutes after meeting him did
he utter perhaps the most offensive phrases I've heard in Europe thus far. Before I report what he said, I feel it necessary to say he didn't mean to offend me. He even tried to appologize, (though he failed), so I am sure he was sorry.
The girls, Jack, Dan, Mike, Sue, and I were finishing up an afternoon beer before heading to a movie when I happened to mention that I fake a good Southern accent. While we were all laughing at the way I said 'peaches,' he turned on his video recorder on his high-tech cell phone and said: 'Now say, ooh wee, we's gonna have ourselves a lynchin'.'
...
My jaw dropped. I said 'What?! I will absolutely not say that.' He, perhaps trying to recover, then said: 'Okay, then say, let's blow us up some commie bastards.'
...
Again I was dumbfounded. I said, 'You couldn't pay me to say that.' On that note we all got up from the table and headed off, always a good trick to break an ackward moment. Then, to the side, he then apologized and said that he only wanted me to say something commonly
Fountain
In a little park near my house. used in America, like 'Would you like a cup of tea?' in England. I could mentally picture himself digging a deeper hole than he was already in. Did he really think that those are things we say as casually as 'Would you like some tea?' I was purposefully distant from him and barely spoke two words in his direction for the duration of his stay in Valencia. I wasn't really mad at him, but very uncomfortable. I know he didn't want to offend me, but I guess some people just don't think before speaking.
We then went to see Crash... a perfect movie for such a conversation. But asside from that, Crash was really an amazing movie. It hit on every emotion I think I have. A couple of weeks ago Mike, Sue, and I went to go see the gay cowboy movie. Brokeback Mountain definitely kept me up thinking for a few hours that night. I even got physical pains thinking about certain parts of it. A real masterpiece. I also soaked up some other movies recently. I saw The Deer Hunter, a classic with Robert Dinero and Christopher Walkin. And Wild Geese with Roger Moore, also a
Sue and I
Pointing at something... don't remember what. classic. To top them all off, we rented Spongebob Squarepants. It, needless to say, changed my view of sponges and starfish forever.
One day, Mike and I went to the Museum of Sciences. We spent three hours there or so and I wish we had more time. It was really hands on and even had a rock wall to climb on. I learned about time travel and the history of the universe. I also found out that I'm one hundred and seventy-five centemeters tall... that converts to about seven foot six. We acted like kids as usual and it was an awesome time.
I did, however, get drunk one night. The lot of us went out and ended up breaking two bottles of beer within minutes of eachother. (Neither of which were my fault.) Mike bent down to suck some of it off the floor because spilt beer in New Zealand is aparantly sacrilegious, but I stopped him. We later went to a late night pizza-to-go place where I slipped and fell which caused Mike to laugh harder than I've ever seen him laugh, which made me laugh harder than when I heard that Ali got mistaken for
Harri
Harri trying one of the oranges plucked from a tree in the city (extremely sour). two people - I mean, I laughed so hard I almost threw up. It was definitely a night to remember.
We also went back to that Mexican restaurant one night. It was a busy night, so I tried to be as patient as possible. But after running out of what I had first ordered ordered (guacamole), then finally (after waiting an hour and a half) getting pan-fried vegetables with cheese and a side of tortillas, (I ordered TACOS!) I began to wonder if anyone working at the place had ever actually been to Mexico. I was so upset. Mike took me home and made me eat ice cream while watching Family Guy in an attempt to cheer me up. He's good like that.
The resumé finally got translated, thanks to a little pushing from Mike. I was assisted by another hostel employee, Lorena, from Columbia, who speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and English. I've handed it out to about a dozen places and I've even started lying about how long I'll be staying in Valencia for. No calls as of yet. But a couple of restaurants seemed interested. I even started taking showers before going job searching.
We've
Diego
Jrisa and Mike's cat peeing in the toilet. One of the most amazing things I've seen ever. (And no he doesn't flush.) been to see the Flamenco show that Radio City puts on each Tuesday night a couple of times. I really like the music and especially the dancing. I don't think there is any other type of dancing that plays such a significant role in the music as flamenco. The dancers are really passionate and seem to enjoy what they are doing. Maybe I'll take classes... or maybe I'll get a job first...
On the daily schedule, I go to the market, head to the hostel, possibly make some fruit salad or a sandwich - any of which is always followed by a fresh orange or two. I always hang out with Mike, Sue, and Jrisa. Possibly read and probably watch a movie or two but always being prudent with my money. Sometimes I go out for a beer... sometimes I go out for two beers. Life is sometimes so hard when you're not doing anything with it.
Mike has the weekend off. We are headed to San Sebastian for a few days. I don't know a lot about it, but it's in Northern Spain, near the French boarder. Mike said there may be snow. Snow = cold, as
My Room
This is my room, my balcony, and my favorite red boxers hanging out to dry. far as I know. Eli cold = Mike with a black eye. We'll see how it goes.
Oh, and I shaved off all my hair.
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Brittany
non-member comment
Wow you finally cut your hair! Did it hurt?Hehe j/k! You are such a big boy. Getting washed up before you go job hunting. Your mom would be so proud. Well at least I am.Hehe!!! Miss ya babe!!! Keep us posted here!!!