Come Away With Me

¿Potential Ski Lake?
Hey mom, take a wild guess where we made a pit stop.....nightmares.

Another Saturday, another excurion. Our trip to Salamanca gave me another chance to get out of the city and enjoy the Spanish countryside. It is beautiful but ruggedly unforgiving. Saturday was also my one week left marker. My time here is coming to a close and I am starting to think more and more of home. As we left Salamanca I could not help but comtemplate my family and friends in far far away Alabama; especially the people that have never traveled, those who will never get the opportunity, and those who are forced to wait for the right moment. I can´t tell you how much I wanted all of you there with me at that moment; climbing ancient cathederals, dancing in the street with a wedding procession, eating tapas at a local bar in the shadows of a high bell tower, listening to a Spanish guitar drift through the air, and just enjoying being in a place that shouldn´t exist. I want to share it with you. I want you all to come away with me. I want my family and my grandparents here with me enjoying a traditional meal and walk down a Roman road, and my teachers here to tell me more of what I´m seeing, my friends here to stay up with me all night dancing and keep me awake during class the next morning, my little brother here so I can watch him chase the Spanish girls, my dad here so he can point out all the potential ski lakes, and my mom here so we can laugh about Italy and do some serious shopping. I want you all to come away with me and experience another world.

Salamanca

Madrid by Night!

¡Olé!

Yesterday was my first and probably last bull fight. It was difficult to watch and yet beautiful at the same time. Our ticket was only 5 euro, plus 1.20 for the seat cushion, because it was a special fight. The bulls were “smaller” than normal; I think a better phrase to use here is that the bulls were “less big.” They were HUGE and full of fury. A fight consists of 6 rounds were a bull is killed each round by a team of matadors and each round consists of numerous stages. First there is a parade of the matador teams and their salutes to the present dignitary. After that, the bull enters the ring and is tested for ferocity by charging at multiple matador and his assistants. At the sound of a trumpet, a mounted matador enters the ring and attempts to stab the bull with a long spear. The purpose of this is to sever the neck muscles and make the final killing easier. After, three different matadors take turns charging at the bull and attempt to stick two small spears in the neck. Finally, the matador enters the ring alone with the bull and uses his red curtain to force the bull into a series of passes to further weaken the animal. It is ended when the matador attempts to thrust a sword into the bull’s neck and through the heart, thus delivering the final blow.

It was an experience….and one of the most intense things I have ever witnessed. The matadors are also judged on how close they get to the bull and most rub against them the entire time. Blood is plentiful and the shouts of the crowd add to the intensity. It’s similar to reading a tragic poem. It is an epic spectacle. For me, it was like watching a live metaphor of man’s dominance over beast and, in my opinion, often man’s cruelty.

Champions of the World

So….I am now 2 for 2. I move to Tuscaloosa and they become national champions in football. Then, I move to Spain and they become World Champions in futbol. Coincidence or should I start a bid on who wants me next?

The City of Heaven/Nose Bleeds

Bulls & Booze

Pamplona…..the only thing I can say is don’t go. Or maybe, go once and take a picture or two but then try to erase it from your memory. I exaggerate, but it was the most disgusting place I have ever been to in my life. This three day party is absolute chaos! Thousands of people flood into the city from all over the world and literally stay drunk the entire weekend. Where do these thousands of intoxicated people use the restroom? In the streets, on your doorstep, in the park, and anywhere other than a restroom. And where do these thousands of people sleep? Hotels are booked for months in advance so most sleep in their cars, in the park, on the street, wherever they can find a dry spot, or wherever they happen to pass out.

I am happy that I can say I have been there and seen this cultural aspect of Spain. As we were told on our trip there, “Culture has both good and bad elements and you have to take them all.” It was important for me to see this historic mess. We woke up each morning at 4 a.m. to watch the running of the bulls, the first day in the Arena and the next day on one of the fences. It was a spectacle and more absolute chaos but I don’t recommend sitting on a three inch wide fence for 4 hours in order to see a 4 second show…..We also wore the customary attire of white and red; white is such a fun color to wear when thousands of people around you are drinking colored drinks. I have washed my shoes twice and threw away my once white shirt.