Quick Update

This week my family showed up in town. After spending a lot of time feeling a bit lonely it was good to see a couple familiar faces strolling towards me across the plaza. Unfortunately, they were not here for very long. While they were here they got a crash course of Spain, but more specifically Salamanca.

We went out to some amazing tapas restaurants. This one called Cervantes had both the best steak as well as calamari I have had in my life. They also got a taste of the local wines. My stepmom had previously traveled to Italy with her daughter, and was big on Italian wine. But after her first sip of Rioja she was a changed woman.


All in All, things are going good, and unfortunately I don't possess that much time to write this, but I'm planning on going full steam on another blogpost later this week.


Luego.

A Coffee Talk with my Barista Buddy.

Cpt. Richard Eugen Main III

After Yesterday's post, one Richard Eugene Main the Third asked me a series of questions. Now Normally we would discuss this over coffee prior to putting in blood, sweat and tears at Starbucks store 5454, but alas thousands of miles separate us and I decided to do a morning cup of coffee and a "blogversation" with REM III.


This series of questions was posted on my Facebook wall in large paragraph format last evening. Ric will speak in Blue,  and I will respond. (P.S. This cappuccino I'm sipping on kicks the pants off of yours Ric.)

Ric:You know me too well amigo. The pics are great. However, I haven't heard you mention, how the ladies are; where are they?

Well Ric, The ladies are here, in Spain right now. Generally you can find them almost anywhere, the streets, coffee shops, discotecas, and even Mcdonalds! So awesome!

 

Ric: and what do they look like? 

They come in all shapes and sizes, but I have yet to see anyone overweight. The way everyone eats here is phenomenal, you stuff your face with fried foods, that according to my house mom are good for your heart because of all the olive oil, and then you walk all over the place and burn mad calories. This walking also keeps most of the women, ehm... very toned. But to actually answer your question this is a very international city you have women from across the world here, but by far Ric, you would be interested in the Spaniards. To make a generalization, they tend to be 5 ft 2- 5 ft. 4, Beautiful shiny dark hair, and the most beautiful eyes. They either come in dark chocolatey brown, or they have eyes that shift color from green to hazel to deep grey depending on what light you catch them in. To be honest man, you would probably be married already.

Ric: Are they as bossy in real life as they are in my dreams?

I don't know if bossy is the word I would use to describe them. They are strong, bold,  and confident women. They walk with their heads high and have a lot of pride. The local girls pretty much run the show round these parts, many of the girls in my group feel as if the lionesses stalk about flashing their claws at any foreign girls who go after any potential mates. That being said, this confidence is the definition of attractive. They aren't timid, if they think you are good looking they let you know. On my way home the other night I stopped for a second to adjust myself and three girls came up and stood in front of me arguing over whether or not I had a girlfriend. (This has never happened to me in the states, and I told them I was completely flattered.) In the clubs they stare you down until you make eye contact and then they burst into smile. This truly is the garden of Eden.

Ric: Are you reading EH? 

Ah yeaaaaaah, I'm getting my Hemingway on.  Right now I'm perusing Death in the Afternoon, and I'm going hard after Farewell to Arms. It's connecting me with my inner chica, as it is fairly romantic. I ordered The Sun also Rises and a couple others and they are still en route to my locale at this time.

Ric: How's school going?

Geeeez Hombre, you know me, School is going good, I find time to make time, despite being in Spain. I'm making grades; so that someday I can get paid for more than a 190 degree, semi-wet, three pumps of hazelnut two pumps of sugar free vanilla soy mocha with half the pumps of mocha, light whip cream and sprinkles.

Ric: What's the food like? 

The food is the bomb.com. They are obsessed with Olive Oil which is really good for your heart apparently.They fry everything in it, and then they put it on top of as well. You also never stop eating, there are close to seven meals a day. You start out in the morning with a light breakfast, coffee break at ten with a tapa (a tapa is a blanket name for appetizer or anything light you get at a bar or coffee shop) then you get another break around noon and  you either grab a coffee or a beer and another tapa, lunch at two is the big meal. At my house, she stuffs me silly with a bowl of soup to start, half a baguette, and then a salad. After that she gives me a plate filled half with meat, usually pig, chicken,  or fish and the other half is heaped with either vegetables, pasta, or french fries depending on the meat. Finally we finish up with 3-4 apples, oranges or bananas. After that you nap, for two to four hours. Then my house mom kicks me out to go eat again between 6-10. This is like a pre-drinking meal, generally with friends. You grab something hardy but still pretty light and you have a few drinks. At this point you have two options. You either go home and nap again till about midnight, or you start drinking and continue eating tapas at all the local bars. (So many bars, so little time) Generally I sleep, because that can get a little spendy, but it's good fun on the weekends with a group of cool people. An adult beverage and a tapa usually run under four euro at most places, but you have a lot time to kill before the clubs open so you can end up sending thirty euro pretty quick. After that you shake your tail feather at the multitude of discotecas until six in the monin'. Generally there are promoters out in the main plaza who try and lure you to their clubs with cards valid for multitudes of free drinks, which also saves on cost but for some raises consumption. Then you sleep for a few hours, rinse and repeat. Oh, and for my mom's sake, usually I rock the homework out when Rosa (My housemom) forces me into one of seven naps a day.

Ric: Does the coke taste the same?

Bromosapien, there is no such thing as a soda fountain in Salamanca. It all comes in a bottle, just as it should, it doesn't matter if you order it straight up or with booze, it comes in a bottle. And get this, a Rum and Coke at some places costs less than a bottle of coke at Hagen Daz  in the mall. Ridiculousness.

 

Ric: What does the city smell like? 

Depends on where you are. In the main square it smells of fresh air, after shave and perfume. AS you walk down the multitudes of corridors and alleyways it smells like whatever shop you are outside of. In the mornings, it smells of fresh bread, coffee, and oranges. In the afternoon, fried foods and wine. By the night time it smells of beer and hard liquor. 

Ric: Have you gotten any shit for being American?

There is definitely a little bit of negativity towards Americans here. Luckily, I have adapted and I don't come off as very American anymore on sight alone. Although when I open my big mouth I sound straight out of America, but luckily the european girls love our accents. The younger Spanish men don't generally like me they have a lot of Bravado, and as I mentioned earlier about the women running the town, the men treat us very similarly.

Ric: Is there any social unrest?

Here, not so much, this place is kind of a weekend oasis, but I think there is unrest everywhere in the world right now. Look at some of the graffiti I've posted, I think that speaks for how the educated, artistic, culture sees the government right now. I mean, It's very big brother, as they have posted signs designating areas as video camera zone, thus if you look at the stencils I posted earlier it will make a little more sense. The thought that someone truly is watching is a little discomforting. Also, I really wanted to go to Morocco, but my Moroccan friend told me it wasn't a good idea, and the teacher who was going to take us decided we shouldn't do it as well.

How do people live day to day? 

I think that you have gotten a feel for that? if not let me know, and I will explain. Basically, sub out my nap times for their work times, in between meals they work. The whole city shuts down from two to five for lunch and siesta, all storefronts lock up and only some bigger cafés stay open.

Ric: 40 hour work weeks?

I guess. I've never asked. Money seems like it comes and goes for them, they work, and they work hard but they also work efficient. Customer service isn't that big of a deal here, and you don't need to tip unless you get phenomenal service or you are trying to make a friend with a cool bartender. (I've worked this angle, and it does pay off.) On top of that, Euros remind me of monopoly money, all different colors and sizes depending on the bill. Basically the service works like this: you get what you order as soon as they can get to it. But in the meantime, sit back, enjoy the fresh air, and realize that you are sitting in a beautiful ancient city.

Ric: What's the general "vibe" like in comparison to here? 

I think you got that, it's really chill, but also more sophisticated. Everyone dresses well, all the time, my style has increased tenfold. But to sum it up, The Men are Men, the Women are confident and beautiful, and the energy is unmatched by anywhere I have ever been.

Ric:Dang nabbit (edit, I do get graded on this Ric, so I don't know if we can swear) boy, I need to know this (edit)! I miss you little brother from another mother. I hope you come home and stay local. 

Miss you too man, I will see you when I get back and at least be local for a bit. But honestly, you need to be my compadre de viajes, (My travel partner) I want to tear up the rest of Europe and South America with you in the near future a l Motorcycle Diaries.

Now Playing: "40 Day Dream" - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes. I like this song, the whimsical nature and tonality is reminiscent of how I feel as I walk around this place. 

 

Spring has Sprung, dum, dum, dum.

Spring has awoken in Salamanca, casting light into unseen crevices, whilst illuminating the golden limestone into a brilliant shimmer reminiscent of the sun casting warmth onto the glittering waves of the golden coast.

Home.

A funny word, one that so many people hold as a place, but to me it's pure feeling. Although oceans separate me from any semblance of a place related to home, I can't help but feel that same connectedness to this locale. Youthful laughs, smiles upon every face and good food put a mind, body, and soul at ease.

Luckily, I have the comforts of home right here in Salamanca. I finally was placed in a homestay with a wonderful lady named Rosa. Now Mom, I'm not here to make you jealous, because you “raised me right,” but this lady exceeds motherly. If you took a Mom, Grandma, 4 aunts, and that really nice lady from across the street who pays you $20 to mow her lawn and bakes you fresh cookies after, you begin to get a feeling for how Rosa treats me. I try to clear the table, I try to make my bed, I try to take the trash out, and every other time I try to help out, I'm met with a scolding or a Sientense! (Sit down now!) Rosa forces me into napping, which is not a bad thing. She forces me to eat food. Not a bad thing. And the kicker, she forces me to go out and party. Not to shabby.

“Greg when I was your age, I stayed out till 5:30 in the morning, do what you want, you are much better than the drunken germans I had here before you.”

And on that note, I have to depart, for Rosa just yelled, “Vamos, Comida.” Time to eat. 

Luego.

Now Playing: “La Totura”- Shakira. Rosa talked to me about this music video for 45 minutes at lunch one day. Watch it for Rosa, get a feel for our conversation, because you can't get a taste of our comida.

I'm posting pics in a little bit, I have no computer battery and I need  to get this uploaded for them deadlines and what have you.

Present Company, Excluded in the night.

 A blanket of lavender darkness creeps over Salamanca around 7:30 every night. It engulfs every corner and crevice of this ancient city. In the states these shadows and specters signify the end of a day, time to break bread, tie up loose ends, and take the edge off before drifting off into the grasp of the Sandman. In Salamanca, it's the middle of the afternoon! The clock Tower Chimes two bells and the city washes out in the brilliant shine of thousands of perfectly placed floodlights. Hardened locals and city virgins alike cheer, for this spectacle rivals the initial shock and beauty of that first firework on Independence day. This is when the elderly retire to their local watering holes to reminisce on the days activities with their trusted bartender and group of compañeros. Without the eyes of old watching over, the young and rebellious come out to play. The city transforms in the wash of the moonlight and takes on the persona of a werewolf. It unfurls it's claws and draws youngsters into loud, colorful, elaborate bars, discotecas and other locales of light-hearted debauchery. The city bellows in howls, yelps, and yips of ecstasy and enjoyment; not ever giving thought or care to that frightful moment when the moon drops over the horizon, and signifies the necessity for the most minimal amount of sleep to survive till siesta.

But instead of joining in the fray and pursuit of pleasure, tonight, I walk; breathing in the crisp, clean, biting air and contemplating when I will be rested enough to challenge the beast once again. A nice walk clears the mind, allows it to wander, observe, and respect the magic that is Salamanca.

Phew. I think I'm done being flowery for now.


I brought my camera along this evening, well actually my Iphone 4. Shout out to Jay Walker for the ProCamera app suggestion. It is the bomb.com.com.com. 3 USD well spent. The top two pictures are pretty standard alleys in Salamanca, you don't have to ramble, roam, or Meander more than fifteen feet before you run your nose into sights like these. Hell, the Local Golden Arches is located in a building that matches these perfectly. The point is hands down, no frills, frocks, or philandering this city, day or night, takes one's breath away quicker than a swift punch to the kidneys.


 On a different note, The Mother Unit requested more pictures, she wants to really get a visual feel for where the hell I am, so I took a few this afternoon whenever something cool sparked my interest. Peruse and enjoy, and if you have a favorite, and you happen to have my mom's cell phone number, (Unfair hint: Her number is the same as mine except the last digit is one number higher.) give her a call and let her know which one you like. I'm sure she would love to hear and talk to all of you brave enough to take the plunge. But be nice. She is my mom. (If you have never met outside of the matrix it might be weird, but I'm not stopping you I guess. use good judgement. I'm talking to you REM III.)

I felt sooooooooo artsy, when I snapped this pic with my IPHONE.

HMR got me loving Stenskulls.

Another Stencil: Nobody puts Baby in a Corner, or Spain on Melmac.

Shouldn't coke always be poured from a glass bottle, into 6.5 oz. tall glass, with two ice cubes so as to not water it down, and a lemon ring just to twist things up?



Now Playing: "Lights Out- Santogold" Get ready to get down with your girly, groovy, bad self. (Turn off the lights for greater effect, and lowered inhibitions.)

Luego Hombres.