Flamenco

Hello from the capital of España, Madrid! I know, I know, I haven´t blogged in a couple days, but you know what? I havent been blogging for your own interest! Nothing really worth mentioning has happened, so I wouldn't want to waste your time reading a completely vacuous entry!

Anyways, I hope that wherever you may be, that you are having a blast doing whatever it is you are doing. I, myself, have another Hotel Story!

So yesturday I left Bilbao, having only just seen the museum there, which is all that there is to see. It was about a 4 hour drive, and when we finally did get into Madrid, the highway was exactly like one would be in LA, so we had a really "fun" time getting to our exit. Anyways, we finally found our hotel, and low and behold, it's a two-star. Now, this didn't bother us too much, it wont be THAT bad, We survived a one star, didn't we?

Well, let me interrupt this riveting newcast to tell you that in Madrid, the temperatures are in the very high 90's.

We get to our rooms, after using the maid elevator because the real one broke, and found, to our utter dismay, that there was no AC in the building! Not even a fan in the room! At least our one star had a fan! So, we had another chat with the travel agent, and I am happily typing to you from a three star across the street. Last night's sleep, let me tell you, was not comfortable at all. Geeze it was hot!

Now, I realize that some of my dear readers have not been to Europe, so I have compiled a list of things that are slightly or drastically "off" from the US' way of doing things. Here goes!

1. WATER. In restaurants, they only give to water if you ask, and only give you bottled water. These bottles of water are extremely small, and you have to order at least 5 per person. The waiter will look at you like you´re crazy, but at least you wont be thirsty.

2. ELEVATORS. Elevators here do not have a "close door" button, only an "open door" button. It's not that big of a deal, it's just different.

3. TIPS. When tipping waiters, you only need to round up or give just 10%. It's a nice way to take off the pain of such expensive food.

4. ROUNDABOUTS. I don't know the American word for these, maybe it is just roundabout, but they are these intersections which are just circles, and you get onto them and then get off on the street you want. It makes U turns a lot easier. I think we should have more in the USA.

5. TRAINS/METRO. There are a lot more trains and subway's in Europe, which makes it easier to travel without a car. I haven't travelled on a train yet on this trip, but I can tell you from past experience that they're pretty swell, and a lot more common than in the US.

Well, that's all I can think of now, so on to another story of Spanish adventure!

Last night, after getting settled in our crappy hotel, we went out to one of the most amazing things I have seen yet- FLAMENCO DANCING. It's a true expression of the human soul and it's emotions. Let me first paint the setting for you. It's in a large room with a lot of tables and chairs, and everyone is facing the corner of the room, where there´s a stage. Everyone is drinking Sangriah, which is a wine drink with fruit juice in it. It gets dark, and two men playing guitars, a drummer, and two singers/clappers get onto the edges of the stage. Then, after they play a little something, the man and woman flamenco dancers come out. They're dancing alone is passionate and amazing, but their facial expressions really show how they feel, and emote majestically the human spirit. The music complements this beautiful process with singing that has a tint of Arabian in it, and amazing guitar playing. Overall, it was majestic and magnificent. I will go and see Flamenco with every chance I get.

Well, the day after tomorrow is the first day of my Mission Trip! I'm so excited! I'm afraid, though, that I wont be able to blog as frequently during those weeks, but you'll still be kept in the know. Maybe twice a week? I'll try to blog as much as I can.

And now, a SHOUTOUT TO SARAH LUSTIGER, who is currently on an uber-fun road trip to the four corners area, and is surviving! Here's a holler, Sarah, and I look foreward to seeing you in August! Have fun out there in the west!

That's all for now, Stay Classy!

but first, before I go, I shall quote my friend, Ron Burgandy-

"Oh, the things we've seen, my whisker compadre, the things we've seen..."

(By the way, if you've sent me an email, this computer doesn't let me go on email, so it might take me a while to reply.)

¡Asta Luego! And thanks for all the comments!