ΑΝΕΞΑΡΤΗΤΟΙ ΠΑΝΑΘΗΝΑΙΚΟΙ
Το blog απευθύνεται αυστηρώςPublished on: 24.04.2012
Possible Last Post! Read ME
12 April 2012 09:09:00
Hey family, friends, and all else interested in reading this blog. I feel that it has been some time since I’ve last updated, so here we go. I am thankful and happy to say that today marks the 12th day of my spring break vacation, with an entire work week remaining. The weather is warm and blue skies are in full effect. Spring has sprung, yaaay, which means fiesta time in Spain. As a Catholic country, the days before and after Easter are very very important, you could even say almost as important as jamon (ham). Semana Santa is the week before Easter Sunday, and in most towns, processions varying in size and seriousness are to be found. Some are in silence and some are more jovial, with candy throwing, or in yesterdays parade example, sausage throwing.
In Murcia, this week is a very big deal, not only because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but because it marks the beginning of Fiesta de la Primavera. I believe this holiday is unique specifically to my city, and to summarize, it is a sponsored boozefest at it’s finest. I like how here, families party together. The city is set up for family fun, there are temporary tiki-looking bars constructed all over the city, and often they are near parks and jungle gyms. The parents hang out and blissfully sedate themselves with grilled pork, other local favorites, beer, and cigarettes, and the kids play happily with a can of orange Fanta in hand, unaware of how drunk their family actually is. It’s a win-win situation.
While the stereotype of Spaniards is true, they really do know how to party, they party much of the time to honor the pride they have for their culture. Bando de la Huerta is the Tuesday after Easter, and it is where everyone dresses up in the attire old orange tree farmers (huertanos) used to wear. The region I live in is Europe’s numero uno citrus producer, so naturally, their agrarian heritage is celebrated. Right now the whole city smells like orange blossoms, and dog shit, because the practice of pet responsibility, unfortunately is not celebrated and it’s beginning to get hot. After Bando de la Huerta, there are a variety of concerts and public drinking activities, so wish me luck. This week also marks the final stretch for my stay here in Murcia, so while there is much celebrating, it is bittersweet.
I’ve also done a bit of traveling since I’ve last updated. Most recently, my friend Josh and I traveled through Cácares, a traditional Spanish town in Extremadura. Cobblestone roads, lots of sheep, and friendly people are what I recall most. There we were welcomed with a tapas festival, and were blessed by having friends who not only knew every vendor at the festival, but took it upon themselves to pour wine, beer, and food down our throats continuously for six hours. It was glorious to say the least, and we are now “amigos para siempre” friends for always. After enjoying two full days of gluttony in Cácares, we headed west into Portugal. Lisbon greeted us with some teary weather, but was otherwise very welcoming and lovely. It reminded me a lot of San Francisco, very hilly, they have a Golden Gate Bridge, and a trolley system. We also traveled about an hour outside of the city into Sintra, which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. It is an enchanting city with incredible palaces and fortresses, tucked amongst a lush forest bursting with mystery. While the trek up the mountain to the palace involved many miles of stairs and curvy pathways, the effort was definitely worth it. I hope to go back to Portugal to explore the beaches when the weather is more favorable.
As you may have seen via Facebook, I also spent some time with the fires in Valencia for Las Fallas. This is a cultural festival where community organizations of Valencia spend all year creating these larger than life art sculptures, in which during one weekend, they burn to the ground. It reminds me a lot of the Tournament of Roses, minus the explosives. Once again, Spain wins with the pyrotechnic display and public celebration competition, hands down. Not only are children of ALL ages throwing fire crackers unattended, but the whole city of Valencia ignites in flames, and no idiots were setting trees or cars on fire just for fun. From what I could tell, no one was seriously injured, although I can’t speak for the livers and eardrums that took the real beating. It was unlike anything I have ever seen, and I felt truly honored to have experienced it. What is even more amazing, is that in two or three hours after the weekend festival, there are no remnants of what occurred just hours before. Spain knows how to throw and clean up a party.
All else aside, and looking back at the past few months, I can only hope the next few weeks move as slowly as possible. Sometimes you find yourself in habits when you are put into a new environment, and it isn’t until months later that you realize how much more depth exists in the place you are in. That is how I feel, and not to be confused with regret, it is only a realization that was bound to happen here or at home. Committing to the real world is going to be tough, so I’d prefer to play the commitment-phobe card a little while longer. If you need visuals of anything I’ve mentioned, you know where to find them on Facebook. Much love to all for reading.
Murcia- week 1
06 October 2011 04:10:00
Greetings from Murcia!
What a week it has been. Today, I sit in my apartment, finally free from hopping from hotel, to motel, to Holiday Inn. After moving 300lb's of baggage to 4 different hotels in one week, it feels great to be home. We found a funky apartment on the north side of town, and although we have to heat our own water every time we want to shower or wash dishes, it feels pretty good living this energy efficient lifestyle. My roommates are awesome, one from Montana, and the other from Tennessee. Even though we all wanted to live with native Spanish speakers, we are trying to compensate for the lack of Spanish in our home by establishing a Spanish-Only rule in the kitchen (which is usually where I am most of the time, anyways.)
So lets talk about the food.....
Ham Ham Ham, Cheese, Fat, Salt, Wine, Fanta. Repeat. This is my diet thus far, and while my tongue says hell yes, the rest of me seriously wonders how people in Spain maintain regularity, energy, and overall internal harmony. Just the same, I have a huge new found love for a drink called "clara" which is a mix of lemon Fanta and beer. Pure refreshing deliciousness to say the least. It's hot here, about 80 everyday, and very sunny. Dad, listen up here...orange juice, which is always fresh squeezed, is some of the best I've ever had. All bars and restaurants have juicers and make it fresh to order. On to my school....
Spanish children are some of the most well-groomed in the world. Maybe not well behaved, but very well groomed. Dressed to the nines at all times when out in public, Spanish people have a very different way of portraying themselves in public. Sweat pants with Ugg boots and no makeup? Not here! Old women and men shuffle around everywhere, and they stay out late and start drinking early. Oh, so yes, my school. I work in a town about 35 minutes south east of the city center called Beniajan. The town is pretty small, surrounded by orange groves and run down tiendas, and the people there I assume can tell I'm not a local, as I catch them staring when I walk past. My students range from 5 years old to 13. I expected smelly crusty children, but they are actually pretty cute and seem excited that I'm there. The teachers have all been very nice and welcoming. Once I become more comfortable with my Spanish, I will feel better at school, since most of the staff doesn't speak English, and I hate not being able to understand them nor express myself.
So, starting saving that cash money and join me here in Spain! Pictures and more tales are on their way shortly, I miss you all immensely, and I hope everyone is well and happy in every sense of the word. Please email and keep in touch!
Off to eat more jamon (ham)...
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