Other Spanish Tidbits

2/1/09
13:36

So I tried to get everything in yesterday, but I realize I have left out some details.

Other interesting events in Cadiz:
Everyone told us it would be cold and monsoony in Cadizzle, but the weather was gorgeous.  It could almost be considered tanning weather.

When ordering ice cream, I thought I was ordering a banana split but it was only banana-split flavored (still good).  Upon realizing my mistake I decided I wanted a scoop of chocolate ice cream as well so I said in my best Spanish “A SCOOP OF CHOCOLATE.”  Oh wait…that’s English.  I did say it really slowly though, thinking that would help. The ice cream lady got the point.  Score.

Alicia’s ROTC friend from USD, Liam, is studying abroad in Ireland so he made the trek down to Cadiz and hung out with us for the afternoon and night.  It was nice to have a guy along on our escapades en la noche, not that I felt unsafe in Cadiz, it is just comforting to have one around.

I have never been a fan of coffee but when it started to cool off in the night I ordered un café con leche con Bailey’s, which really hit the spot.  Ordering at that café, however, was nearly impossible.  It was like once the waitress found out we couldn’t speak Spanish she started speaking even faster.

There are stray cats everywhere in Cadiz.  It should be called Cat-iz. Ha.  I want a cat.  Maybe that is why it smells like cat litter in Spain.  And maybe that is why our hostel was called Cat’s Hostel.

Our final adventure came after we left this western-themed bar.  It was like the bar was trying to have some American flavor, but all the influences clashed.  Western props plus gangster statues and pictures plus Rihanna music equals United States? Yes ma’am.  So anyway, we left that bar and walked back to the ship but the main entrance (the one we had used all day) was closed.  I was tired and my whole body was aching and I just wanted to be in bed.  But we had to walk about three quarters of a mile to get to the other entrance.  Halfway through the walk, Alicia and Caroline and I decided we would just hop the fence (it was like a 3 foot fence) so we put our stuff down on the other side and were about to jump when blue lights flashed.  Policia.  The police started talking to us in Spanish, which none of us spoke, and finally they made a gesture to go to a different street.  Apparently, we were not allowed to walk on the street we were walking on. 

After an hour in jail….

Just kidding.  Still only a criminal in Madrid.

Other events in Madrid:

Lots of pigeons. In Dizzy and Driddy.  Several flew at my face. Not a big fan of pigeon attacks.

Also lots of caca.  Apparently no one picks up after their dogs.  Watch your step mis amigos.

Rained the first day, my scarf was not waterproof. Went back to the hostel and got my handy-dandy Northface rain jacket.   Good purchase, Mom.

People traveling with me in Madrid/new best friends:
Taylor, Bradee, Lea, Stacey, Greg (Jefe or on occasion Jake), Nate, Laura.  There were 3 others who kind of split off and did their own thing. 

Historical/beautiful landmarks we saw on our tour:
Palacio Real
Plaza Mayor
Puerta del Sol
Catedral de la Almudena

The train station we arrived at, Attocha, has a mini jungle in it and there was a huge turtle pond.  Took lots of pics of turtles. Why? TURTLES!

At the Prado we saw loooots of paintings of Jesus and the Crucifixion.  The coolest painting to see was Las Meninas painted by Diego Velasquez.  It was cool to see it because we had studied it in Global Studies 2 days beforehand.

That night while going into the third club our guide, Santiago (Adrian’s brother), gave us our free drink cards and sent us in.  Then two bouncers handed out business cards that said the name of the club: Sol & Sombra.  I was under the impression that these were more drink cards and stealthily took two.  Joke was on Hannah.  I went to the bar with Laura and Caroline and ordered two drinks and when asked to pay 3 Euros, or however much it was, I handed bartendero (that’s the Spanish name for bartender….not) my card.  The bartender informed me that the card meant nothing.  I think he was wrong, so I kept one.  Stupid bartender, play by the rules.

The Spanish family that sat behind me on the way home from Driddy Drid was entertaining.  There was a mother and father and little girl who was probably about 6 and then a baby boy.  Younger than Liv.  I was exhausted and trying to sleep and this baby boy was just singing.  It was like he was opening his mouth and making the noise of an alarm clock, just for the sake of making an annoying noise.  Loved that.  And the little girl sang lots of songs towards the end of the trip, since we were the only people in the train car.  She was a good singer.  I liked her.  She had a good laugh too. So did the mom.

Katie, you were wondering if babies around the world sound different in other countries.  The baby boy did not sound much different than LivyBabe except for his annoying tendency to make that noise.  The mother and daughter also acted towards him as I do with Liv.  Playing silly, repetitive games in high voices that mean nothing, but bring a smile to everyone’s face.  Made me miss my Livingston Bear.  The little girl also did something that all little kids do, I guess. She tried to get her mother’s attention.
“Mama, mama, mama?… Mama…..Mama …..MAMA!!”
“Que?!?”
“When do we arrive in Cadiz? (in Spanish of course)”

I loved hearing them interact and listening to the mom laugh at something her daughter did. Made me just a bit homesick for my own happy family.

Today:
Really wanted to sleep in and skip Global Studies, but I thought it was important to learn about Morocco so instead I just skipped breakfast.  Slept afterwards.  It was the first time I remembered my dreams since coming to Spain.

Had a bit of a pinkeye scare last night.  After I took my contacts out my eye was really watery and irritated. Shit. It’s fine today, but I’m wearing my glasses just in case.  I wasn’t even thinking about pinkeye. I bet someone at home has it.  Sam? I think you gave it to me last time.  Figure it out, you guys!