I'm Backkkk

the group on the dunes.

sunset on maspalomas

the dunes.

jumping...mom this ones for you but there is more jumping pictures to come

Hey all,

I am finally back. After 2 nights sleeping in an airport. Well yes that is true but for one heck of an extended weekend away. The Canary Islands were beautiful. The weather was about 80s all weekend and I was on the beach by day. What more could I ask for? How about a party 24-7 like I have never seen before. The theme this year in Las Palmas was "Piratas" yes pirates. We practically fell on events for the weekend.

A little historical background first off. During the about 40 years during the dictator Franco in Spain, Carnival was completely banned. The only place in Spain where they could party was in the Canary Islands since they were too far for Franco to dictate. The islands for this reason has been able to retain the historical events that they have always celebrated for Carnival.

The first of which the drag queen show you needed tickets to get into. We ended up going back to our hotel to watch it on tv. The drag queen show is a competition of about 15 drag queens as they dance in platform shoes about a foot high and get votes from all over the country via text messages. It was a little crazy.

The second event our second night was the parade. We were walking home from the beach when we ran into the main parade. The main parade consisted of over 60 floats or trucks decked out with people partying on top. Each float was like a traveling bar or club with everyone partying on board and had a whole gaggle of people following the float dancing to the music. We seriously thought that it was never ending because we were outside from about 5pm until almost midnight when we decided maybe we should make some dinner. I have tons of pictures from the parade as everyone was in costume. The most popular costumes were of course the pirate themed costumes, as well as men in drag. For some reason it seems as if every guy was dressed in drag. Majority of people were just drinking everywhere, but at the same time there were young children dressed up everywhere as well. Early on the floats would throw candy to people in the crowds but as it got later, most of them had run out or were only throwing it to the young children.

Our third event of Carnival was a powder party. It is as simple as it sounds and as crazy as that sounds. For good reasons I do not have one picture of that night. The powder fight consists of everyone dressing in white and throwing powder at each other in about a 3 block strip. Most intelligent locals wore goggles and medical masks so they were not coughing or crying from the powder everywhere. By the time we realized that it was bring your own baby powder the local supermarket was out of that and flour, so we settled for corn meal, a little brown but it still worked. The fight was hysterical it was like everyone was 5 years old all over again as you slip and slide on a street covered in powder. It took about 3 hair washings to get all the powder out and I realized why most of the women had big straw hats on to protect their hair.

For a day we took a trip to the other side of Gran Canaria, which is the touristy side of the island with all the 5 star hotels. The beach was beautiful but the real highlight was the nationally protected sand dunes. It was a mini desert next to the ocean of sand. We hung out on the beach until the sun started to go down and the heat subsided and headed into the dunes. We had more fun than most of the 5 year olds we saw since we jumped and rolled down what seemed like mountains of sand! AMAZING!

A few interesting thoughts:

For the many, many people I talked to before I left that thought South America and Mexico were the same as Spain, one of the popular costumes was to dress like a "Mexican" with a sombrero and a colorful poncho. They found this extremely entertaining. At the very least Mexico is nothing like Spain, even the few people from South America I talked to this weekend said they find it difficult to even understand Spanish from Spain and they speak the "same" language.

I know America has a wide spread of control over what people watch on tv, in the movies, as well as listen to on the radio but it is amazing to see how much American pop culture was incorporated into the locals costumes this weekend. Everything from the NY Yankees, Disney, the Simpsons and many other things.

Also the word "puente" meaning bridge is what people here call extending a day off. For example we had Tuesday off, so who wouldn't take Monday off and "puente" the vacation. I don't know, but we did it and it turns out our professor canceled class anyway!

Leaving tomorrow

Hey all,

I am leaving tomorrow for the Canary Islands! I am super excited it is a minimum temperature of about 70 degrees there and a parallel with the Sahara desert so I am hoping for warmth on the beach. Few random thoughts before I go...

Why do the Spanish put their light switches on the outside of rooms. I am constantly walking into the bathroom and have to walk back out to turn on the light. Plus I feel like this is a teenager/ college students worst nightmare for pranks. I guess if you need to get someone out of the bathroom you can just leave them in the dark.

bananas...platanos I still don't understand the difference. I thought I knew I was told I was wrong, but no one can give me an explanation other than "they are from the Canarys they are platanos"

The ñ is actually an old short hand symbol for nn. It was used in the monasteries when monks use to copy mostly bibles but other documents. They would use this short hand for the letter combination as well as many others, however this is the only one that has been historically maintained by the Spanish. It has become a cultural identity for Spain since the world España contains it.

Thanks all for now!
Happy Weekend and Fat Tuesday!
I will surely have pictures when I return back here!
-Erika

Leon

el parque del cid

calle del cid

cathedral

Hola todo,

Yesterday I went to Leon for a day trip. The city of Leon is a little over an hour away. Historically Leon is important for two reasons one is El Cid was suppose to have been born directly outside the city. The second reason being it is a stop on the "camino de santiago". The walk is a historical religious pilgrimage to Santiago or St. James. The original route has a stop in Leon, the coastal route goes directly through Oviedo. There are still thousands of people who do the pilgrimage many who we see here in Oveido as they stop here for a night. For more information on the walk go here.

When we got to Leon we had to cross the river and on the other side was a huge market, it was better than the market in Oviedo but not the best in Europe that is for sure. We wandered up the streets to the Cathedral and inside. Since it was a Sunday not everything was open but we wandered. We had amazing weather so it was nice to see the city and all that is there.

For everyone's information about my mountain climb the other day. The peak was 12,000 feet (approx) and Oviedo is about 800 feet. So I walked seriously up a mountain. Yes I still feel it in my legs and butt.

Random Thoughts

-A place is considered a city when it has a cathedral in it. It is a pueblo when it does not.

-Everyone has a dog. But if the PETA existed here (which I just found out they do) they would be ashamed. From many stories and things I have seen most people treat their dogs like an animal. They forget to walk it and let it go on the floor in their house. I have seen kicking, pulling, hitting with canes. I think I have seen more pet abuse here than I ever have in the United States. Granted I am sure there are plenty of animal lovers here.

-All the children are so well dressed. I am convinced they all look like they just stepped off a Ralph Lauren photo shoot. I don't understand it. Okay so they have better style but here is my practical question. Why would a mother send her kid to the playground or allow them to kick around a soccer ball in their pressed khaki pants and their shiny black leather dress shoes!? I guess since they aren't big on material objects they just show off their well dressed kids.


Adios!

I walked through thorn bushes to find Jesus

things left for Jesus, why he needs to smoke I will never know

Jesus

Something we learned about in art!

Hey all,

This morning I got up at what I would like to call is early and by Spanish standards it is, 10am. I had roses when I woke up from Evan that he was sneaky and planned with one of the girls here. :) After, I walked over to campus to meet a few people for the journey of the day walking up the mountain to Jesus. We all thought it couldn't be that bad just look at Jesus and walk up. I wish it was that easy. Almost 3 hours later after encountering crazy thorn bushes that wanted to rip your legs off, a little ancient history that we knew that facts about thanks to art class, and a few bahhing sheep, donkeys, horses and bulls we made it to Jesus. The peak at the top where the statue stands is 6,000 meters up. I have no idea how high that is in American stands if someone looks it up let me know. All I know was it was a nasty trek up on both roads and pathways. We stayed at the top at Jesus for about 30 min, more to catch our breath and to take pictures of the amazing views. All around all you could see was snow capped mountains and the city of Oviedo below us. It was so nice however I think my legs are about to fall off and on top of it we are going to Leon tomorrow so by Monday my legs are going to be dead!

lo siento!

Hey all,

Sorry I know it has been a while, but it has been a hectic week. First off I had my first exam today since I have been here. I was a little scared, but it turned out to be really not bad considering I studied!

Last night was a super late night. We has a full group dinner again, this time at the exclusive "Club de Tenis". One of those country clubs that if daddy and grandpa are not members you cannot get into. No one knew what to expect we all dressed up for the night. When we walked in to meet at the bar all the adults sitting around were in their suits and furs. This is where all the old ladys with fur coats hang out that is for sure. Everyone knew Jamie so finally I was like, okay so are you a member or what? He told me, "Well actually my grandfather founded the place". So you can imagine our 5 star treatment of the night. We were there way past closing so he told the staff they could leave and they left us all there socializing with the 24 hour security guard. It was a fun night to say the least. Although this morning for our first class, ( mind you its at 2pm, everyone walked in late and Jamie was like I am dying we need to end a little early).

This weekend looks like for once we will have a decent amount of sun! The plans are to walk up the mountain/ hill to Jesus! There is a statue of Jesus a mini town and an old structure from the like 9th century up there. So if there is sun we are packing lunches and hiking straight up! Sunday I am going to Leon with the girls for the day. It is about an hour and 15 min bus ride and a nice little city to see.

I also now have a personal goal to do a statue photoshoot here in Oviedo since everyone seems to get good laughs from the few statue pictures I have posted and that is most likely 1% of the statues around the city.

I will update at the end of the weekend with pictures from my adventures!!
Adios!

mi primero partido de futbal en espana

Hey all,

I went to a Real Oviedo futbal game today. The team is more of a minor league team but it was still really cool. We went for Ian's 21st birthday in which last night I pulled an epic night and was up until 7am. Semi normal for here the streets were packed when I was walking home and not by people who were just waking up. I officially saw bars close here. A random thing I learned today though, apparently people here don't believe in the whole birthday punches thing. I am a-ok with that, but instead they pull earlobes for however old you are. I thought it was kinda strange but an interesting cultural difference.

School wise I have my first test since I have been here this week in Art History and a paper due for a literature class as well. Fun! Fun! Fun! NOT!

Oh yes and Mary and I booked a weekend in Barcelona at the end of March! Canary Islands in 2 weeks!! wahooo!!!

Thanks all for now!

Adios!

Independence

Something I have been thinking about the last few days:

Americans are obsessed with our independence. Our independence from England, our independence to do whatever we would like whenever we like. Woman's Independence from men, there is even a song about that one, all sorts of independence we love. Here in Spain being an independent person is completely different.

My host parents have a 30 something year old daughter who has been married for over 7 years now. An American, or at least I would think she would be living on her own and semi independent with her husband at this point, wrong. In fact she comes to her parents house everyday for lunch and sometimes for dinner. I understand close families, I know plenty from home who all eat together once or twice a week, but everyday seems extreme to me. You have your own home, a husband and one would think a life away from your parents. There is nothing wrong with it but it is a completely different world when it comes to independence.

During our orientation before we left the United States I remember Jamie telling us that the hardest part of these 5 months will most likely be living with a family. I did not completely understand him at the time. For me, I have been living away from home for over 2 years now. I cook dinner myself, I clean when I have to, and I wash my clothes when I run out of clean ones. Now I realize here I eat whats on the table, even if it makes me sick, I don't even have to make my bed because no matter how much I try my host mother comes in and makes it for me everyday. When I offered to do my own laundry she seemed kind of insulted and insisted that she do it instead. I am not going to argue about my laundry and my bed being made. However after a while I do want to go somewhere without anyone knowing where I am and I do want to cook what I want and eat what I want.

A few days ago I sat in the cafeteria at school and looked around, feeling very old by the way everyone was acting at the table with their friends. The funny thing is most college students here are actually older than me. As I looked around the room and talked to my friend I realized how much I have grown up and become independent living away from home. I realized most college students have not lived away from home, most likely have not done their own laundry, and have not cooked for themselves either. The guys most likely will never cook, clean or do their laundry anyway. In this culture the woman will do it for you. In fact if you ask most women if they work they will tell you they do, when you ask what they do they will tell you they clean the house and cook.

It is a completely different culture, but I am very happy to have the ability to have my independence without my parents ever batting an eye at me.

One random thing I learned today: A rum and coke is called a cuba-libre, the best rum comes from Cuba and the land of coke is the land of the free (libre).

Adios!
Erika

ps- I booked a trip to the Canary Islands for Carnaval for those of you not familiar. The Canaries are part of Spain but off the coast of Northern Africa. Carnaval there is the best in Spain and is suppose to rivial those of Rio (Brazil), New Orleans and the likes!

"espana tiene la mejor persona en tenis en el mundo"

Hey all,

So to say the least the Spaniards are really proud of Nadal and are plenty happy bragging about him today. I was in a cafe during the award ceremony and everyone was speaking in English without the subtitles and everyone was like what are they saying translate! I didn't since they did not say anything exciting.

This weekend was very quiet. I finally got the opportunity to go to the local market although I was not very impressed. It was mostly stuff that I do not need and realize is of very cheap quality. I was glad I wanted to see. There was two guys with tables of antiques. I actually saw a few petal sewing machines old candle holders, ect.

Not because it is the happiest story, but because it is the truth and I quickly realized racism happens everywhere, and felt the need to share. Saturday night while out we met two guys, both are professional basketball players here in Europe for the Asturias team. The one was from the United States (he has only been here 2 weeks) the other from Prague. They were so nice and when we decided to move on from the bar and go to a club the kid from Prague recommended a place so we all went. We got there to be told they could not go in because of their sneakers. I knew there was a dress code for most clubs. We turned around and the kid from Prague told us it was racism because he had been there at least 15 times and always in sneakers. To prove it he walked away from us all and later walked right into the club. Since for obvious reasons we were not staying their I offered to go in to get the basketball player from Prague to tell him we were moving on. The security guard proceeded to tell me i could surely enter, but there was no way I could bring my friend in. I proceeded to ask him why and was told he has sneakers on. Being my New York self I told him that is untrue and pointed out 3 white people in sneakers who were walking in the door with me. He just gave me a look. Before we left the kid from Prague felt the need to yell at the security guard and tell him it was the 21st century. To be honest, I knew there was discrimination here, since most people hate the fact their are many illegal immigrants here (Africans are the equivalent of Mexicans in the United States). This was the first time I have ever first hand seen this kind of discrimination an eye opening experience that racism is alive and well in more places than just the United States. From there I recommended a place I knew hires people of all shapes and sizes and he thanked me later. I told him I appreciate places where there are all different types of peoples. One thing I learned from that night, I will NEVER be back to the "Green Room" and will be more than happy to pass on the word to others NEVER to step foot there again.

I honestly cannot believe it is February this week will be a month that I have been here. Everything is slowly falling into a routine classes, my living situation, and the cultural differences. Next thing I know I will be halfway though!

Last but not least! Everyone's favorite! Random thoughts!

This year is one for the record books when it comes to weather in Spain. It is currently snowing in Madrid for the second time! One thing that surprised me while I was there and again as I am watching the news. Why do they people use umbrellas to keep away the snow? Don't be scared! Snow is fun! Just ask all those freezing their butts off in Philly, NY and Boston.

I am officially giving up on working against me being nocturnal. It wont happen, I will stay nocturnal. Because of my class times I don't have the opportunity to take siestas like everyone else, so I will just sleep till afternoon everyday.

Los premios Goya, are the Oscars of Spain. Red carpet and all, they love to judge everyones outfits just much if not more than we do in the U.S.of A.

Thats all for now!

ps- Has anyone seen Vicky Christina Barcelona and if so how was it?


<3 Erika