Segovia looks like a fairytale

Well, not much new going on, so I'll just post a few pictures. These are from our trip to Segovia...



The image that Segovia is known for, it's ancient Roman aqueduct. It really is very awesome in person.




I like this picture taken at the Palacio la Granja. The palace is like a miniature version of Versailles. And it is the definition of gaudy and excessive on the inside, but it was really cool to see.



Here is a picture of the palace itself.



We happened upon a group of Palestinian supporters protesting the Gaza conflict.



I still can't believe how beautiful this shot turned out. I gotta give props to Kent (my hubby). The lighting was so surreal, like something out of a fairytale. This is the cathedral in Segovia, by the way. It was quite a hike to get this view, but well worth it.



Another shot in the surrealist lighting, this one of the castle Alcazar.

Rebajas and Siestas

They say that the 'siesta' is dying out in Spain. Well, if it is, I haven't seen any signs of it in Salamanca. Yes, the siesta is alive and well in Salamanca, sometimes to my utmost annoyance and frustration. I am slowly becoming accustomed, but being an American who has never had to deal with the complete cessation of activity in the middle of the day, I feel the need to complain about this tradition.
Here are some examples of stores that close for siesta for 3 hours in the middle of the day (usually from 2pm-5pm):

Grocery stores
All retail shops including clothing, bargain stores, art supply stores, home goods, book stores...etc
Tobacco stores
Real estate offices
Cell phone stores
Banks
A lot(but not all) of restaurants

Now imagine that you are accustomed to running all your errands in the middle of the day, as I'm sure a lot of Americans are. This can become quite an obstacle. As I said, I'm getting used to it, but today I was particularly annoyed because I couldn't recharge my prepaid cell phone. I wasn't able to do it on their website because apparently you have to use your credit card to recharge your phone at an ATM first (for security reasons). So I went to the ATM, which denied me! I went to another one...denied there too. I couldn't figure out why, so I went on a search for a Vodafone store and yep, you guessed it...it was closed. So defeated, I went home, to wait. Half an hour later the Spaniards had finished eating and resting and went back to work. I think it should be mentioned that not many people actually sleep during siesta, they just take a little break.

Anyway, I finally got my phone charged, after a two hour long adventure. The nice man behind the counter informed me that I would not be able to use my American debit card to recharge my phone on the internet or at an ATM, I would have to get a Spanish one. Well, I don't know if I want to do that. I guess I'll just have to plan my phone recharges around 'siesta time'.


If they don't have a job to go back to after siesta, it seems like the typical Spaniard goes shopping instead, especially right now. It is a special time here in Spain. It is the season of Rebajas! Rebaja (which means markdown) season begins after the Dia de los Reyes and typically ends the first week of March. That's two months! That's like...two months of Black Friday! The deals are awesome. Well, they would be more awesome if the doller were stronger, but they're still pretty damn good. Every evening, from about 5pm to 9pm the streets are crowded with people lugging around large bags of purchases. They like to get all their shopping done before dinner starts at 10pm.
The best part about Rebajas is that they just keeping getting better with time. As the season wears on the prices get lower and lower and by the end, all the sale items are discounted by 70%-90%. Oh yeah, that's what I'm waiting for!

Vignettes

Well, it's been a while since I've written, and a lot has happened. Therefore, in order to avoid creating a long and drawn out description of the events that have taken place (which would be a waste of your time and mine), I've elected to just write some brief summaries. So first of all...

"The World Really IS Small!"
I never believed this until I met Morgan Campbell at Medievo in Salamanca, Spain. Medievo is an awesome spot btw--for four nights a week they have a special where you can drink as much cerveza, sangria, or calimocho as you want for only 4€!!
But anyway, that's not the point. What I'm getting at is that Morgan is from Camden, SC! A town with a population of about 7,000. And in case you didn't know, I grew up in Camden as well. Now what are the odds of us being in Salamanca at the same time?! I would really like to know that!

"Don't Take the Night Train"
Well, this title speaks for itself...unless of course you like pay an extra 25€ to (try to) sleep on the hardest mattress(?) you've ever slept on in your life with the flattest pillow(?) you've ever encountered. Unless you like to be forced into a horizontal position due to the fact that if you try and sit up, you'll hit your head on the bunk above you. Unless you like to be cramped into a cabin with 5 other people who snore, and talk, and come in and out, and eat smelly salami sandwiches. Unless you like to be freezing cold one minute and sweating bullets 5 minutes later. Unless you would like to live in these conditions for a total of 9 hours (3 hours more than you thought because your train is running late)...then please...heed my advice...take the day train.

"SALUD is awesome!"
'Salud' is the word that you will see on the side of a building that is one of many state-run hospitals and clinics. The only reason I have experience with a Salud hospital is because upon boarding the train to Zaragoza, I made the unfortunate discovery that I had left my antidepressants at home. We would only be gone for 2 days, but it worried me still. I normally don't disclose my medical history to strangers, but most of the people reading this blog already know my situation. The problem with taking antidepressants is that if you stop suddenly, the side effects can be very uncomfortable and range from headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability.

So Kent, knowing that he would be the one who would have to deal with it, kindly suggested that we try and get a couple of pills just to tie me over until I got home. I agreed, so we went to a pharmacy. The friendly woman behind the counter pointed us in the direction of the 'Salud' emergency room. Wait...emergency room? "Wow" I thought, picturing a waiting room full of wounded people...I don't know if this is really that big of a deal. But our curiosity compelled us and we went anyway. To our relief, there was only one other person waiting. The woman at reception took my name, address, phone number and asked to see my passport. Not five minutes later I was talking to a doctor. I told him my situation and he said he would give me a couple to tie me over until I got home...and that was that! No charge. And I'm not even a citizen! The whole deal took about 30 minutes, and then we just walked out. Wow! And how much is an emergency room visit in the states again?


Well, I have more to write, but I will save it for another time. Thanks for reading everyone! Until next time...

Spanish children don't get excited for Christmas

Today was yet more proof that the Spaniards love their festivities. On the 6th of January Spain celebrates Three Kings Day, which is really just another continuation of the Christmas/New Year's Celebration.

On the night of the 5th Spaniards gather for a huge parade throughout their city to welcome the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. As the elaborately decorated floats pass by, children dressed up like middle eastern royalty throw handfuls of candy into the crowds. The children in the crowds then rush forward to gather up the goodies, which they quickly stash into large plastic bags as if they were trick-or-treating. Some of the adults did the same.

After the procession of 'Arabian nights vs. Willy Wonka' floats, the three wise men appear, each of whom looks like a cross between Aladdin and Santa Claus. They throw out yet even more candy leaving a trail of kids behind them, who pick at the ground like hungry chickens.

Fireworks and a balloon release ensue and then at around 9pm everyone is off to eat dinner, in true Spanish form.

What's so great about these kings is that they are the ones who bring the gifts to the Children of Spain. Saint Nick is just another jolly guy in a red suit. On Christmas day, children might receive a little 'stocking-stuffer' or the like, but the real gifts come after the kings arrive. Tonight they will put milk and biscuits under the Christmas tree for the wise men, and water for their camels. Supposedly they even put out their best pair of shoes to be filled with presents. Hmm...interesting.

I may have to put this little tradition to the test. Maybe the wise men will leave me a shoe full of the only gift that I think would fit into a shoe...euros!

Ringing in the New Year like Spaniards...or like tourists in Madrid

New Years in Madrid consists of a large mass of bodies that convenes in the Puerta del Sol in the city’s Centro area. If you happen to be within the midst of this ocean of people, you might see flashes of blue light-up sun glasses, the glow of rainbow jedi swords, and the reflection of these on the metallic multi-colored wig of the person standing in front of you. You will struggle to see over huge afro-wigs or bright orange Mohawks, all turned toward the tiny clock in the center of the plaza. Everyone around you will be holding in one hand, a little cup or bag of 12 grapes, to be eaten at the appropriate moment, in the other they will have a gargantuan plastic cup of champagne or beer (they don’t allow cans or bottles into the plaza). This may be your second, or third, time celebrating the New Year. You may have celebrated last night with the rest of the locals, or maybe at 12pm in the afternoon earlier that day, or maybe you have been celebrating the whole time, non-stop!
When the clock finally strikes twelve, you will hear 12 chimes, and after each you pop a grape into your mouth and wish for good luck in the new year. Or, if you’re like us, you will not hear the first 6 chimes and you’ll just start stuffing the grapes in your mouth 2 at a time. After this ritual is performed there is a great cheer, complete with confetti, fireworks, and a shower of grapes and champagne. If you’re lucky, you won’t be pushed to the ground by the river of Spaniards trying to leave the plaza after all is said and done.
Then you might buy a couple beers for a euro a pop from a little Chinese man selling them from a bag on the street and make your way over to the drum circle that has formed in the little plaza a couple blocks away. And maybe, if you’re like Kent, a team of 3 guys might surround you and start dancing weirdly; one of them shaking your pants legs while the other tries to steal your wallet from your back pocket. But you will breathe a sigh of relief because your wallet is in your front pocket and the fools ran off with your map of the city. But, you will be reminded to watch your back…and your front.

Just Some Observations

We slept for about 14 hours last night! I don’t think I have ever slept that long continuously in my life! But it was definitely worth it. We went to the Reina Sofia art museum today. It is the only place so far in Madrid where we have encountered crowds of English speaking people.
The best paintings were on the fourth floor. They were ridiculously huge modernist paintings, radiating with energy and texture. If you asked me now though, I couldn’t tell you who the artists were (they were pretty much all Spanish). We also saw the “gran masturbador” by Salvador Dali and “Guernica” by Picasso…they were two of the best highlights of the whole museum.
We walked for seven hours straight today, with little breaks to eat or drink coffee. My calves are turning into cows, as Kent put it. Ha, if you ask me they have turned into hamburger! Madrid is a very pedestrian friendly city, to say the least. I don’t think I would even attempt to drive here, I would probably kill someone!
This city never sleeps. I woke up briefly at 5am and the street was still crowded and noisy. I heard singing and screaming and cars and just general chaos. I stood outside with Kent for a minute or two and watched, but made my way back to the 5 foot long bed quickly, only to sleep for 9 more hours.

Cold Water and a Tiny Bed

As I’m writing this I am breathing in the Spanish air of Madrid inside a tiny, ancient little hostel. The weather outside is brisk and the street is noisy, but our room is warm and cozy, and the much-needed bed is small, but sufficient. We arrived without any glitches or hang-ups…those come later when we arrive at the hostel. We get there around 11am in a taxi driven by a jovial and engaging Spaniard. Our first experience in Madrid with Spanish conversation is a good one. I might even dare say less challenging than I thought it would be.

The problems start when we are told we can’t check into our hostel until after 2pm. They would hold our bags for us though, which is essential. We don’t really mind having to wait. Although we are tired and in need of showers, the excitement of exploring a new city is enough to keep us going.

When we come back after a long walk around the city I am yearning for a shower. However, I have apparently angered the shower gods somehow because to my dismay, the water is ice cold, and not getting any warmer. I beg Kent to track down the girl who checked us in (she disappeared for hours sometimes) and says she will fix it for us, no problema.

After a nice long nap the water is hot…well, at least long enough for me to shower. However, apparently it’s not a permanent fix because later that night, Kent has to delay his shower because it’s cold again. Not to mention that the damn shower curtain rod then falls down and won’t stay in place after that. This time, the hostel girl is nowhere to be found. That night, we make plans to check out in the morning and ask for a refund. Luckily, it doesn’t come to that. Good thing, because we accidently slept until 2 in the afternoon. The water was hot in the morning…uh, afternoon and stayed that way for the rest of our stay. Even still, I was absolutely delighted when we, after 3 nights, checked into our much more comfortable New Years Eve hotel room.