Always a Good Idea

"Paris is always a good idea" -Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina

  Paris is always a good idea right? How could someone not agree? Well this past week my friend Anna and I travelled to the city and to be honest at first it didn't seem to be the greatest idea ever. The trip was a little spontaneous and we both knew it was going to be an adventure. But we didn't realize how much of an adventure it would actually be. Our plane arrived at around 12:30, and we decided it would be best to take a taxi to our hotel. Well that is until the driver warned us it would cost 200 euros!! He advised us to take the bus instead. After the hour long ride, we again decided to find a taxi to take us straight to our hotel. But this driver also said it would be best to take a bus, and that once we got off the hotel would be in walking distance. However, it wasnt. We walked around for a little (in the rain) and asked which way the hotel was, but nobody seemed to really know. Instead they all just pointed in the same general direction. Eventually though we ran into two young girls, who could not have been older than twelve, that were nice enough to try and show us where the hotel was.

Todos Con La Roja

  This summer soccer fans all over Europe are gathering together to support their countries in the Euro 2012 tournament, and Spain is no exception. Their first game against Italy ended in a 1-1 draw, but unfortunately I missed it because I was on my way back from Portugal. However, I was determined not to miss out on the next one!
  Last Thursday, my friends and I headed over to Plaza de Ecarnacion to watch Spain versus Ireland. At the plaza, the city set up a huge screen on the Metropol Parasol which is the world´s largest wooden structure. But despite the structure claiming to be so big, it was so crowded we had to wait in line to go up.
  Once we reached the top we were surrounded by red everywhere (people went all out for this game!). There were Spanish flags waving in the air, faces painted red, and Spanish jerseys everywhere you turned. I even wore a jersey myself. (Earlier in the week I went on a hunt for a Xabi Alonso jersey but couldn't find one for the life of me. So I settled for an A. Iniesta jersey. Not that I was really settling when the name on the jersey belongs to the guy who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup)

The End of the World

  I must admit Portugal was never at the top of my list of places I really wanted to travel to, but after this weekend I believe everyone should put it at the top of theirs. It is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen. Our first day there we traveled to the Island of Tavira, and my friends and I got into trouble with the locals because we kept speaking in Spanish. Without thinking we would say "Gracias!" But they would just laugh and kindly remind us to speak in Portuguese. Unfortunately, we didn't really know any Portuguese, though we did manage to learn how to say "obrigado" meaning "thank you".

  Saturday afternoon was spent at the beach in Lagos and exploring the grottoes. (If you ever happen to find yourself in Lagos, make sure to take the boat tour. It is well worth the ten euros.) In addition to the beautiful water and caves, the group went to Cabo de Sao Vicente in Sagres. There we watched the sunset while sitting on some cliffs. However, these cliffs weren't just any ordinary cliffs. Until the 1400's the site was the last of the known world, and no one had ever sailed beyond it. Ancient Romans even called the place holy, believing that it was where the sun sank into the ocean, marking the end of the world. 

One of the many beautiful sites during the boat tour

Lessons From Katja

  A few years ago my family hosted a young girl named Katja. She was only fourteen when she first came to visit us from Latvia and barely spoke a word of English. I remember there were times when we would try to talk with her, and she would just keep saying yes. The conversations usually went something like this "Katja, what would you like to eat?" "Yes." "Katja, do you understand?" "Yes." "Do you want a sandwich or pasta?" "Yes." At the time it was very frustrating, because it was hard to communicate. But now as I look back I find it comical.

Marcar un Gol

  This past week has been interesting to say the least. Friday I moved into the apartment that I will be living in for the next seven weeks, but before settling down I had to get there. Unlike most people who took taxi's, me and mi amiga Claire decided to brave the streets and walk to our casas. Both of our homes were supposed to only be about a mile away from the hotel, but it felt as if it was further. Pulling my luggage on these cobblestone roads was tough, and I must admit I have no arm muscle so I got tired pretty quick. Eventually though we both found the streets our homes are on, but the journey wasn't over yet.

  I knew my senora's apartment was on the third floor so I looked for an elevator, but couldn't find one. I did see a ton of steps though so I figured the only way must be to drag my suitcase up the flight of stairs. Once I reached the door to the apartment my senora was waiting for me, and the first thing she says is why did you not use the elevator. Can you imagine the look on my face when she pointed to it? I would have never guessed it was an elevator though. There is a door in front of it, and I just assumed it was a door to somebody's apartment. Oh well, at least I got my work out in.