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Hello Reader.
That Sunday, I cleaned up my room and left the windows open to try to get the guy smell out for Casey and Jackie who were to arrive around six pm or so that evening. My thoughts were elsewhere while I was hard at work in New Orleans that afternoon. I haven't seen anyone I know from the states in almost six months. Besides the blog, I only keep in touch with a couple people from home. I didn't know what to expect when I met the girls. I was getting nervous when they hadn't arrived by seven-thirty, but they walked in around eight and we exchanged big hugs. Jorge bought them their first drinks and asked them to send him their license plates when they got home. Casey took his business card.
My friends arrived later and we all mingled over beer and pretzels. The girls got on really well with my friends. I led them back to my flat and we all had a muffled laugh when we could hear my roommate Carlos snoring through my front door. We crept past into my bedroom and within thirty seconds my minimalist, uncluttered bedroom transformed into a
girl zone. They showered and we all went to sleep - they shared my bed, and I suffered as those did before me on the floor.
On Monday, the girls and I went to Cien Montaditos for lunch. We sat outside and discussed the relaxed European lifestyle. We picked up some ice cream and sat near a fountain in the sun for a while. We even spotted two pidgeons getting it on. Meanwhile, it was weird hearing about goings-on back home. Hearing names that I haven't heard in over six months. The familiarity was nice, but a little twilight zoney at the same time. It made me miss home, but at the same time, made me happy I was here. Hard to explain I guess.
We met my peeps in New Orleans. While we were eating, Dave (from Canada, who was with us the week before) walked in. He had come back to Valencia to stay for a few days... he liked us and we liked him. We introduced him to Casey and Jackie, and the lot of us headed to Gulliver and the City of Arts and Sciences for the afternoon. Mike and Jackie walked away from
The Gang in the Garden
Casey, Gemma, Sue, Ali, Dave, Jackie, and Mike (Harri was with her family). Gulliver with slide burns and smiles. They girls really liked the Science and Art structures and we sat on a nearby grass hill until after the sunset.... then it was a human pyramid and more frisbee. For dinner we went to the Mexican Restaurant that I swore off the month before. The service was alright and food came out really good and the division of the check at the end of the meal (which can be the most painstaking part of eating out in a group), was quite painless.
Also, Ali's parents had left and been replaced by the other Brit's (Harri) parents and sister. We met them in New Orleans earlier in the day. Turns out Harri and her mom are almost indistinguishable from one another, down to even their mannerisms and small ears.
Tuesday was Casey's birthday. We slept in and meandered around until late afternoon when we met up with the others at New Orleans. Even though they had only met her once, Casey got a surprise sundae, sparkling wine, and stuffed animal from the best hosts in the world - Jorge and Fina. They always take care of us. After the party, we made
On Her Way Down
Mike beats Ali with his Jandal to prevent her from reaching the top of Gulliver's slide. our way to the river garden (Turia). There we played an enormous game of Circle of Death. Jackie seemed to go through the most beer even before it got to be her turn. =) After the sunset, and everyone took turns peeing on the garden wall (including the girls). Then we all broke out into a huge wrestling/biting match for about an hour. I remember Dave slapping Sue at one point when he thought it was me, that was funny.
We somehow made our way from the park to Radio City via Plaza de La Virgin. The biting and punching continued all the way. Because we were all a little bit tipsy, a half hour walk took double the time. We made it in time for some Flamenco, which I was glad that Casey and Jackie got to see. Harri and her sister, Emma, joined us there afterwards and they put on some really great music in the club. We all started dancing and clapping like we didn't have a care in the world. For at least a couple of hours we danced. Mike would wow the crowd with his break dancing abilities, and we formed circles around unsuspecting
King of the Gulliver
Dave pushes down Jackie, Gemma, and Mike. standers-by - clapping until they put on a little dance for us in the center. I faintly remember that there was even a conga line at one point. It was a night of careless fun, and a perfect way to celebrate Casey's birthday.
They had to leave early in the morning on Wednesday, I woke up, thanked them for the visit, and wished them well. It was good to see old friends. They both said that I seemed more laid back and comfortable. I guess I had never really thought about it before. I crashed back to sleep after waving goodbye to them from my balcony.
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Caitlin
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Honorary kiwi
You called it a jandal...honey, you're going to leave europe more kiwi than spanish xx