Careful what you wish for...

So it has been 10 days since we last spoke and much has occurred... It seems I start every post this way, and that's the way it will stay. Until I learn how to post regularly, that is...

A few days of a little class and a lot of relaxation pass without much excitement. I attended an intercambio (English/Spanish talking exchange, for practice) in which I met tons of new Spanish friends and went out for some drinks afterward. Topics such as music, sports, and cultural differences of ten arise. A couple days in the park, watching people, birds, and fishies do their thang. Making a trip over to 'El Tigre' for some awesome beer and even better tapas. (They're always better when they're free) The Canterbury Crew (the name I just gave to me and all my classmates) put together a 'House Crawl' in which a few houses are assigned a drink to host for an hour or so and the whole party jumps from house to house throughout the night and all across Madrid. Many games of 'LCR' ensued... So like I said, uneventful. (Oh yeah, and I broke my camera. Funeral services to be held on Friday...) But that was until everyone in Western Europe decided they needed a couch to stay on... So of course we let them stay.

The past two weeks, our flat (yes, that means apartment) has been crawling with internationals hailing from all across the globe. You have already read about Bridgette y Veronica couchsurfing in the best hostel in Madrid, and now adding to their ranks are the following:

• Jill y Lissanne (Amsterdam,Netherlands)
  
• Dave y Tim (Washington, USA)
• Geoffrey y Friend (Sorry I don't remember his name, France)
• Anna y Lena (Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada)
• Tomas y Mark (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
• Kasia, Sara, y Monica (Poland y UK)
• Sara y Jeremy (Fellow Gauho Locos!!! California, USA)

Yes, thats 15 couch surfers in 2 weeks, not including the 4 flatmates, all in a 4 bedroom flat, with one bathroom.......

Suffice it to say, its been a little crazy around these parts in the last few weeks, hence the blog abscence. And its only polite to show the surfers around town every once in a while and make sure they enjoy their stay here in our humble Madrid town. (Cue 'What is Love' music) In addition, I was brought up that it is very rude to have houseguests and not have a suitable dinner... So about every third night there has been an American Style Barbque (Bakersfield Style!!) bringing together Burgers, Chicken, Pasta, Tortilla (Spanish Potatoe Egg Dish, not what your thinking), Salad, and drinks. The drinks were mainly Tinto de Verano (Wine and Lemon Soda) which aren't technically American, but they were served by the pitcher, so I think they still get an honorable mention. Many nites with full glasses and full bellies. The glasses eventually were emptied and the Kings cup was 'consumed'.

Two more of Mark's (my flatmate) friends are in town and another 4 couchsurfers are on the way... The wave of people just keeps coming... I would like to thank Katrina, my flatmate, for organizing and being the Hostel coordinator for the past two weeks and the weeks to come. She loves doing it and it is a lot of patient and hard work at times. She runs a tight hostel around here.

I only have two more days left in the flat until I take off for summer camp in Alcala de Hernanes for a month and a half, so I plan on enjoying them. Mark takes off for Japan soon and I will miss him immensely as he has been my guide here in Madrid and has shown me the ropes of this crazy town. Things have still not settled down completely and I am about to shake it all up again. Summer camps here we come.

So, now that you know I'm not joking around, why don't u schedule that flight out to Madrid and take me up on the offer. You better be comfortable with the hostel experience though... Its quite different than the 'W'....

-Angelo
"Live as if you'll die tomorrow, Learn as if you'll live forever." -Ghandi

Its my Madrid in a box...

Angel with Toledo forged sword standing watch in front of the Toledo fortress...

Day 12

Toledo... The biggest small medieval city within 45miles of Madrid...

My first weekend trip to somewhere out side of Madrid was quite splendid. Kara and I caught the bus out to this quaint tourist trap of 3euro water bottles and overpriced fake swords (S-words). At this point, I am still very much enjoying the touristy things that I am sure will lose their luster in months to come. We met up with some girls from my English course and we started tromping around the pueblo. The Toledo church/cathedral is beyond impressive (as with most churches I have seen here in Europe). The intricate artistry and stonework is so detailed, that it had to take several lifetimes to complete. As amazing as it was, I was not going to pay the 10euro to go past the foyer. But I would have paid a couple hundred euro if they let me go down into the Catacombs... Thats where all the magic happens.

Of course no trip would be complete without me going around the tourist town being louder than necessary, and acting like an octopus. (Soy Pulpo, Soy Pulpo)

After a couple can~as (small cups of beer), some grub, good laughs, and Bebhinn acting like a superheroe, it was time to head back to the homebase in Madrid. And great tourist days always lead into good drinking nites, everyone knows that.

Day 13

In addition to having Kara in towne, my roommates have made our couches available on couchsurers.com... For those of you that don't know couchsurfing, its a free website that connects empty couches with willing surfers. Basically, free rooms for people that don't mind sleeping on a couch. Its quite a cool site and my first experience with couch surfers was a good one. Bridgette and Veronica are internationals (Austrian & Latvia) visiting from Ireland where they work. They decided to pick up for the weekend and check out Madrid. It was great having them and its always cool to have more diversity and fun in the group when you go out... We hit a couple of good bars and showed them some cool parts of Madrid (not that they needed a guide, every part of Madrid is cool) Dancing with friends, Laughing at foolishness, and Rocking out to those American Classics (Ain't no Mountain High Enough was a personal favorite) was the theme for the evenings. Good times, and I hope to see more couch surfers in the near future...

Day 14

After a late night of dancing and singing... The couchsurfers and Kara coerced me out of my cocoon of a bed and herded me toward 'El Rastro'. El Rastro is the large swapmeet that congregates every Sunday in the barrio of La Latina. Hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors (mainly tourist) gather to buy, sell, and trade things of percieved value. The surfers loved it, I'm assuming because the stopped at every earring stand. Kara and I had enough after about an hour and we moved on to El Parque Retiro. I wouldn't see the couchsurfers again after the flea market, which is interesting to think how people can come and go into your life. A quick two day sharing of life and then life moves on. What kind of impact can people have on your life in such a short time?.... Just a thought... We officially friends since facebook says so, and I will talk to them again, so there is no time for lamenting here, just ponderance.

The park was fabulous as always, and I took a much needed nap underneath the trees and clouds. I have started to make it a habit of keeping my awesome handmade pillow (thank you Beth) in my backpack so I can make sudden stops in the park for the much copied but never replicated, Spanish Siesta. Its so easy, yet so awesome. After some park time, people watching, and Circus performers, Kara and I headed to El Prado, Spains most notorious museum to get our 'art' on...

El Parque Retiro used to its full potential...

One could spend days going thru the Prado discovering every remarkable piece of art and reveling in the skill portrayed. But, since we showed up at 8, we just ran to all the important ones. I have always like Goya, but after seeing the massive canvasses up close and personal, he shot up the ranks of amazing artist in the Angeloco log of awesome artists. (Not that I'm an art major, but he's pretty fantastic) The use of dark colors and shadows is morbid and at the same time amazing/aweinspiring. All this artistry got us hungry, so the next stop of course would be a Tapas Festival....

We headed over to 'El Palacio de Deportes', which reminds me of America West Arena (Now U.S. Airways) , which was filled with about 40 different Tapas Vendores serving up Tapas from Normal to Exotic (Pig ears was the most exotic I got). We filled ourselves full of delicious flavors from all around Spain and rolled ourselves home. A long day to say the least and a good time had by all... More stories too come... Stay tuned my loyal followers, Angeloco is still rolling along thru Spain!!

And as always, the open hospitality offer stands. Just ask Bridgette and Veronica...

-Angelo

Yo Canto a Madrid....

I know its been a while. It has been difficult to update, but I am diligently trying to keep you informed...... and here we go...

Fountain in Plaza de Espana overlooking the playful Madrilenos...

Day 7

I have accomplished a lot since I have arrived in Madrid. I have found housing, I have found my bearings throughout the city, I have purchased my 'abono' which is my month long metro pass which has my picture on the front (It made me feel like a true Madrile~no, and yet i don't know how to put the tilde above the n), and I have taken naps in El Parque Retiro. The first class of Canterbury English went well, not everything I hoped for, but at the same time it is giving me lots of information that will be needed in weeks, months, and years to come...

Last nite, Mark, my new roommate took me out to discover all the different barrios of Madrid... Bars varying from Rock/Punkrock/Rockabilly with the tattooed societal rejects to the Corrida (Bullfighting) bar with the 50-60 year olds dancing the Flamenco at 2am, to the Flamenco bar, where no one was dancing the flamenco, but the walls were adorned with the guitars of the Flamenco greats. The variations found throught out the City Centre of Madrid puts any international city to shame... When I come across a city that can rival Madrid's culture, people, and pride, I will let you know. The beauty of the landscape, the culture, and the women (I couldn't leave them out) is breathtaking.... Lots of walking, and a lot of city to take in one night, but with a guide like Mark, the city is very manageable.

After class, I head toward Plaza de Espana to relax and take in the city. I enjoy watching the city dwellers enjoy their Monday afternoon. I don't feel the stress of a normal industrial city. I see people removing their shoes, rolling up their jeans, and tromping around in large fountains. I watch the adults play in the fountain like children, as the large statues oversee, guardians of the peace and facilitators of play. Again, I'm reminded that priorities lie in the right places in Madrid. People live to live, instead of live to work. Priorities that can be forgotten amidst the hustle and noise of large American cities. As much fun as I am having walking all throughout the city, my feet are taking a beating. Blisters that I have not had before start to pop up. Walking a minimum of 5 miles per day will do that I guess. Especially when the most walking I ve done before is from my truck to my office. Its amazing how much better you feel when you walk more than you sit in front of your computer. Everyone should enjoy a great Metro system, walk everywhere, and lose your car.....

Day 8

Another day of pleasant surprises. A day full of much needed classes and quick nap (siesta) and I'm prepared to face my evening. Madrilenos all know the need of a good afternoon nap. How else can you stay up till 3am every night? I meet up with my friend Cat right out Parque Retiro. We catch some drinks with some new found German and English friends at an Italian cafe, and then we head into the park. The moon has just risen as we stroll thru the well lit trees and gardens. The orchestra is playing classics that I don't know the name of, but yet it still fills everyone with tranquility, hope, and peace. That is when the fireworks start. A random tuesday nite and I find myself listening to the Madrid philharmonic accompanied by fireworks towering over the lake in Retiro Park. The explosions puncuate the drum beats and the 'rockets red glare' illuminate the faces of children and adults alike. Not much can top an orchestra concert and fireworks. I grab a few late nite drinks with my new German friends and I head back home. Just another Tuesday in Madrid.

Smoke filled air surrounding the horsemen in the middle of the Lake at Parque Retiro.

Day 9

Tonite I said goodbye to a good new friend, Daniel. He is a French national leaving Madrid to head on to Peru for more studies. I head over to his going away party which consisted of some awesome cake and some well mixed drinks. Lots of good bye hugs and kisses were bestowed upon him from all his Spanish friends. I will miss him especially because I was very comfortable speaking with him in Spanish (he knows at least 3 languages, like most internationals I meet here) He is one of the nicest people I have met along my travels thus far, and I can't wait to visit Paris in the very near future.

Michael, Daniel, y Nico.... at the end of the good bye party....

Day 10

My first visitor from the States has arrived. WKRP Madrid is in towne, broadcasting live!! Kara has put aside living the auditor dream for 3 weeks and has taken me up on my offer of room and tour guide in Madrid. After class on Friday I go pick her up from downtown and bring her to my esquisite apartment. Kara and I take a small stroll down my street, just so I can show her parts of Madrid that are not tourist central. We head back to my 'Palace on Extremadura' and we get ready for the night. We get ready and head out to a Canterbury English gathering of teachers and students for some jarras (pitchers) de sangria. A couple hours of schmoozing and jabbering and we head out with a group of 20 to some bars. We started with 20, but the walk to the next bar took us an hour, so we ended up with only 10 when we finally go there, but it was worth it. The club played a variety of 90-early 2000 pop along with several Spanish favorites. Everyone was reminded of there teenage years as 'Backstreet's Back Alright' Pulsed thru the speakers. I mean, i'm not Nick Carter Conisseur, but to see all the girls scream, laugh, cry when the BB came on was hilarious. And they just love dancing to that shit.... go figure. After hours of dancing, and drinks, Kara and I catch the niteline busses home. Thankfully they drop us off right in front of my doorstep, and the night comes to an easy close.

Kara and Angelo in Toledo... Story to come...

So, my time thus far has been good, and I look forward to more escapades. As always, if we are both in Spain, and you are outside, and feel like hanging out.... Just start yelling... I mean... thats what Kara did.......

-Angelo

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
-Helen Keller

First Contact...

Much has happened since we last spoke, so lets not waste our breath.

Park right by the Royal Palace and 15min walk from my apartment. Notice how the fountain accents the sunbathers so perfectly.

Day 4
My arrival was not marked with any spectacle. The Barajas airport provides enough action that nothing exciting needs to happen to me, I was happy being an observer. Still dragging my imitation punching bag around, I am trying not to look like a big American tourist with a giant target on my back saying "Pick my Pocket". Fortunately nothing of the sort happened and I ambled on to the Metro. I didn't see much outdoor scenery on my underground trip into the city,but I was so intrigued by the Metro itself, I didn't need any. I had my directions to my hostel,and had studied them, but putting those directions into action in a busy airport is someting completely different. I arised from the Metro station expecting the Sun to be down as it is now 9:30 when I arrived, but to my surprised it was still early twilight. (not the book, Riggs stop screaming like a girl)

Pretty exhausted from last nite and with an early morning ahead of me I decided to call it an early and have a night in. Fortunately for me, there's a bar in my hostel. Cat's Hostel was highly recommended for its well managed facilities and high concetration of international youth all meeting at their bar. I met travelers from all parts of the world, most smoking their fags (cigarettes) and drinking their liters (yes served in liters and it is a quarter of the price of a pint in Ireland). Several aquaintances made quickly each giving their story of how they made it here, where they plan to go, and what crazy shenanigans have occured along their way. Like I said, I hung out with these travelers, had a beer, and called it a nite around two. The rest of the young global spelunkers headed out to the bars at 2 as per normal with this part of the world....

Day 5

Today was my orientation for Canterbury English, the english academy I will be taking courses from this month, in order to receive my TEFL certificate and start to generate some income to support my travels. Much information was given and many new friends made. About 9 students showed up in the morning and with quick introductions all around, I've made an instant 9 new friends in a foreign country, which is double Gabe has in his hometown. Two of them, Marcus and Caroline, are from Tempe and lived less than a mile from my house off Broadway. The chances of meeting in Madrid have to be up there with my catching swine flu. (Which is
about nil to 0 for all you hyperchrondriacs out there)

After the orientation, I headed out to go find a roof over my head. I had been emailing Mark, a canterbuty grad, and went out to check out the digs, and I am very glad I did. The apartment is nothing super special, but its big for Madrid (and a lot of other places) standards,it has two balconies, and is really international. The roommates consist of 1 italian, 1 german, 1 frenchman, and 1 american (Mark). We hung out for a little bit and I decided that this would be a great place, especially under such quick circumstances.

I headed back to my hostel where I my room full of Irishmen and women. We exchange stories and jokes and political views. My time with them only reaffirmed my belief that the Irish are some of the friendlies people on the planet. With that being said, everypeople have their flaws. In the middle of the night, with everyone asleep, one of Irish, snockered to all hell,fell face first out of the top bunk, proceeded to stand up, find the closes locker, and give it a golden shower. He came perilously close to peeing on the Irishgirl in the bottom bunk, but thankfully she snapped out of bed and took him to the head. Just another night of hostel living.
Que loco. This all happened in the dark at 5 in the morning.

Back to earlier...I had a beer with them, got ready, and
headed back to the city centre to meet up with my new found Canterbury friends.
Our group met at Sol,the tourist nigthlife center of Madrid, in front of the Bear and strawberry tree. (Apparently the most famous of spanish statues) We start tramping around Madrid led by Cat, a Madrid resident since January but new to the class. She new a few sweet spots including the underground Sangria bar 'Sesamo'. The smoke fills your lungs and clouds your eyes as you adventure underground to find people laughing, talking, singing, and of course drinking as they listen to the Spanish pianist throw out some classic spanish ditties (Ditties Ditties Ditties).
A little touristy, but I feel a bit like a tourist at this point, so it was good.

Three or four more bars with all my new friends and I call it a night. A great first night out in Madrid with brand new friends. The City at night is beautiful beyond compare and the people are non-stop. A great time was had by all, and sleep was needed... I head back to the hostel for some Irish escapades as mentioned before...

The first two nights have gone well, and additional post are on the way... My comp is still down hence the long waits between posts.

My friend Kara has already taken me up on my offer to come stay with me in Spain! She arrives in two days! And you too can enjoy what really matters in life... food, drink, friends, and siestas!!

You know where to find me...

-Angelo

"Nothing should be out of reach of hope. Life is hope."
-Oscar Wilde