tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3857418551036055082024-03-13T12:03:10.691-07:00My Spanish Adventures: La vida sevillanaMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-87649613358369826362011-05-24T16:31:00.000-07:002011-05-24T16:47:40.172-07:00Observations from Abroa-HOMEEE<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miNH82izhY4/TdxC-inCx8I/AAAAAAAAAQY/0nu4Pn7d6_I/s1600/IMG_1969.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I haven't been home 24 hours yet, but here are my thoughts upon arrival:</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-enUUaURMajo/TdxCzJxxdKI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/2fAYrRZVTd4/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610432682362238114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><ol><li style="text-align: left;">The toilet paper here is so soft.</li><li style="text-align: left;">I love my family.</li><li style="text-align: left;">I love my dogs.</li><li style="text-align: left;">GREEN GRASS TREES AND A BREEZE</li><li style="text-align: left;">A banana actually tastes better without peanut butter-what?! Has my obsession vanished?</li><li style="text-align: left;">We have the best showers. Long heat (I wasn't even at max heat!) and lots of water pressure.</li><li style="text-align: left;">Back to civilization-no more bushy brows. I am so clean and waxed.</li><li style="text-align: left;">The English language is so easy. Never take for granted your ability to express yourself.</li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miNH82izhY4/TdxC-inCx8I/AAAAAAAAAQY/0nu4Pn7d6_I/s320/IMG_1969.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610432878006683586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Among my other activities, I have played Clocks on the piano, taken the dogs for a walk, went barefoot outside, cooked apple chips, and made doctors appointments. Possibly off to the bars for my first bar experience in the States!</div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-88321227030187509602011-05-10T16:00:00.000-07:002011-05-10T16:15:28.846-07:00Time is curious<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iCNJMo7LE0I/TcnGutPtNXI/AAAAAAAAAQI/WzAZZ4P0TBc/s1600/ocean-energy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><i>Time is a strange thing.</i> <div><br /><div>I could really elaborate on this one, but I'll refrain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Albert Einstein said "The only reason for time is to keep everything from happening at once." Well that's false Mr. MCsquared. Because it's Tuesday of my last week in Spain and everything is happening at once and time is not playing fair. Packing, studying for finals after essentially 3 weeks of break, trying to squeeze in time to say bye to friends, and Manoli's daughter going into labor (first grandbaby-yay!). This week needs to halt and let us check up!!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iCNJMo7LE0I/TcnGutPtNXI/AAAAAAAAAQI/WzAZZ4P0TBc/s320/ocean-energy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605229716961047922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><i>Reality check:</i></div><div>Just packed my luggage for my weeklong stay in Wales (I leave Saturday).</div><div>One suitcase is packed for Chicago already.</div><div>I'm planning out my wardrobe for my last four days in Sevilla. Have to pack the rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Didn't I just unpack this all? I know Bailey was just giving me a hug on the floor while Mom and Dad sorted through my mess.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did I really just live abroad for 5 months? It couldn't have been that long.. 6 weeks, maybe.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Time, you are a curious creature.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My bud Ben Franklin said, "You may delay, but time will not." </div><div>Shoot. Procrastination, move aside; final in my poetry class begins in seven and a half hours and I should probably study. Bleh.</div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-29901372648946443882011-05-08T12:03:00.000-07:002011-05-09T10:38:35.099-07:00Rejoneo (Bullfight on Horseback)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhoBNTzu1Uw/TcgmRmiqLsI/AAAAAAAAAQA/J0OBHDBG93g/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zigJzKO8G3k/Tcggr4HWE5I/AAAAAAAAAPI/oaj2rqZaPiw/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy mothers' day to every wonderful lady celebrating, and a big round of applause to my mom!! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zigJzKO8G3k/Tcggr4HWE5I/AAAAAAAAAPI/oaj2rqZaPiw/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604765674432238482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>Since I couldn't be with my American mommy, I took my mama espanola to her very first bullfight ever-we both loved it!</div><div><br /></div><div>A rejoneo is a bullfight on horseback. I liked it much better than the bullfights done on foot. When it's on foot, there are almost ten men against one bull. But with a rejoneo, it's one man and three horses (he changes for different parts of the show) against one bull. It's much more poetic this way too. I definitely enjoyed it. I wish there was another I could go to!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a breakdown synopsis. My favorite rejoneos were the second and third.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>First fighter: Antonio Domecq (age 40; from Jerez de la Frontera, Espana) </b></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6yzqbnlD-4/TcgiWXYDMPI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/PTGzeJAQwSc/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6yzqbnlD-4/TcgiWXYDMPI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/PTGzeJAQwSc/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604767503889936626" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div>A good experienced fighter. Although he had trouble placing the final kill stroke, and therefore did not win the prized ear of the bull. (You can win 1 or 2 ears, and a perfect fight receives the tail of the bull as well). However afterwards, while taking his victory walk, he asked his son (12?) to come out with him. He walked him around with him and then gave him his riding chaps; a tender dedication. It was nice to share that moment.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second fighter: Rui Fernandes (age 32; Alamada, Portugal)</b></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wjWenSbGIY/Tcgi_gHX_dI/AAAAAAAAAPY/NJJNxudk7ic/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wjWenSbGIY/Tcgi_gHX_dI/AAAAAAAAAPY/NJJNxudk7ic/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604768210610552274" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div>This guy was nuts! From the very get-go his performance was daring and spectacular. All the other riders wait directly opposite for the bull to come out into the ring. But this kid went right up to the door where you couldn't see him. The crowd was silent and confused. Then suddenly he and his horse are out like a rocket with the bull right on his tail. The whole ride went like that. The bull knocked one horse, but he didn't fall and wasn't hurt. Rui killed the bull on the first try and his daring performance won him an ear. Rubio.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Third fighter: Andy Cartagena (age 31; Benidorm, Espana)</b></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5j2G0FF6aY/Tcgjf4mlJzI/AAAAAAAAAPg/b7BrGoGMaFY/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5j2G0FF6aY/Tcgjf4mlJzI/AAAAAAAAAPg/b7BrGoGMaFY/s320/IMG_1760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604768766939703090" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div>I snuck out to use the bathroom (thank you, morning coffee) in between the last guy and this one, so I had to watch it standing, but I was close to the arena and got to stretch my legs. Only downside was that my camera was still at my seat with Manoli, and of course this was the best fighter. Of course. His horses were all stunning and beautifully trained. Having horses trained with alta escuela and tricks really makes the show exciting. He had his horses bow, terre a terre, piaffe, passage, climb the wall and say hello to the crowd, and balancer. Fantastic, fantastic riding. Clearly the best rider of the day. He earned an ear.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fourth fighter: Joao Moura (age 21; Moforte, Portugal)</b></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIrafUna2GI/TcgkMjHuNeI/AAAAAAAAAPo/bhvHLa3iG5o/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIrafUna2GI/TcgkMjHuNeI/AAAAAAAAAPo/bhvHLa3iG5o/s320/IMG_1765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604769534267241954" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div>This guy was so young! You could tell too. He did okay; the fight wasn't as entertaining as the others because the horses weren't as well trained. Though you couldn't tell from the way this kid tried to work the crowd. He demanded loud cheers for basic things and thought he was amazing when he was just average. He wanted an ear so bad. However, the crowd didn't agree and didn't wave its white hankies, and so the dead toro left the ring with both his ears.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Fifth fighter: Leonardo Hernandez (age 23; Badajoz, Espana)</b></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqtdgrISOeY/TcglYX-dg2I/AAAAAAAAAP4/sItH6Jfhp8w/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqtdgrISOeY/TcglYX-dg2I/AAAAAAAAAP4/sItH6Jfhp8w/s320/IMG_1776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604770836945666914" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div>Started out with a little excitement. I am sitting in the fourth row. The bull charges out, and normally, men with hot pink blankets lure the bull to run a lap around the ring. This bull had no intention of running around at pink blankets. He ran straight for the opposite end of the arena-where I'm sitting-and jumped the arena wall into the crowd! Luckily no one was hurt and he was chased back into the ring. This guy was one of the three from the other rejoneo that was suspended. For being young he did really well, earning himself an ear. The fight was over really quickly too.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Final, Sixth fighter: Francisco Palha (age 24, Lisboa, Portugal)</b></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5u84xqSUxI/Tcgk5Mx0fkI/AAAAAAAAAPw/39ur5wkLhYU/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5u84xqSUxI/Tcgk5Mx0fkI/AAAAAAAAAPw/39ur5wkLhYU/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604770301363912258" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>This guy did really well. Unfortunately I don't remember a ton from this fight. But his horses were pretty! He didn't rejonear with his cremello, but it made for an excellent exhibition horse. One of his bullfighting horses had a sweet rear and did it a lot-wasn't sure if it was always part of the game plan haha but it looked cool! He earned an ear.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhoBNTzu1Uw/TcgmRmiqLsI/AAAAAAAAAQA/J0OBHDBG93g/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhoBNTzu1Uw/TcgmRmiqLsI/AAAAAAAAAQA/J0OBHDBG93g/s200/IMG_1676.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604771820108132034" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqtdgrISOeY/TcglYX-dg2I/AAAAAAAAAP4/sItH6Jfhp8w/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-3658158662803119332011-05-06T06:35:00.000-07:002011-05-06T07:43:09.976-07:00On riding in Feria<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nqGr00JYhM/TcQGkbhh80I/AAAAAAAAAPA/Xvst_xnehfs/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhBAWIjg8j4/TcQDFcgHrNI/AAAAAAAAAOw/6OpOy1dr9Tk/s1600/IMG_1592.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhBAWIjg8j4/TcQDFcgHrNI/AAAAAAAAAOw/6OpOy1dr9Tk/s400/IMG_1592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603607228440882386" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You know, I think the hardest things for me to blog about are the things I enjoy the most. Granada, going to Lisbon with my mom, riding a horse in Feria (Sevilla's biggest festival). I don't know why. You would think it would be easier to crank something out about it, but nope it's not. There too much stimuli, you do so much and are so happy you can't describe it. For example, here's my description of yesterday:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">*Rise and shine early, catch up with the crew, and braid Neptuno-the horse I took to feria. </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nqGr00JYhM/TcQGkbhh80I/AAAAAAAAAPA/Xvst_xnehfs/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nqGr00JYhM/TcQGkbhh80I/AAAAAAAAAPA/Xvst_xnehfs/s200/IMG_1616.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603611059289191234" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">*After hours of prepping, get dressed, make friends with the local men (I'm one of the few girls, and from what I saw, the only blonde girl riding in Feria, so making friends is super easy), mount up, take pictures and ride into the city. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">*Get to the Feria grounds. Stimulation overload. Everything smells so good and people are singing and laughing and screaming and playing guitars; the whole place is one big kaleidoscope of bright colors, smells, and sounds. I'm excited, my horse is excited, we're all dressed and ready to go. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">*Basically when you go to Feria on horseback you saddle up for a minimum six-eight hour ride. All you do is walk to friends' or family's <i>casetas</i>, big tents people/associations own, and the hostess brings you out tapas and <i>rebujito</i>. Rebujito is a delicious drink made out of 7up and manzanilla. It's really sweet but really strong. You drink a couple of glasses at each caseta and you're in for a long, fun ride. You meet lots of new people and make new friends. There was one kid amped up on something-life, he says, who wanted to stand up on his horse. Sidenote: Did you know the police fine you if you're riding a horse in the wrong attire? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">*That's it. You have the best view in the place--perfect for seeing all of the beautiful dresses and people dancing. But also the best place to be viewed. Sums up Spain--See and Be Seen. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-DW-iXhRUU/TcQEk0U0-9I/AAAAAAAAAO4/ugmeMRAOS4E/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-DW-iXhRUU/TcQEk0U0-9I/AAAAAAAAAO4/ugmeMRAOS4E/s400/IMG_1600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603608866923543506" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">See, writing about it doesn't do it justice. And it doesn't even begin to describe the chaos:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">*The four year old riding a la crupa who fell and her dad, on the horse on her side, caught her midway through the fall and held her one hand until he could place her back on the horses butt.. Scary ten seconds!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">*The fight that broke out in Parque María Luisa. All the riders go there around 8 or 830 to rest the horses and get a drink. So you're packed in with a bunch of stallions and mares touching sides, then add in the amount of rebujito everyone has been drinking. Thankfully I was off the horse when it happened. I was holding the baby stallion and Neptuno while Manu got drinks. It started with yelling and one horse rocking back on its hocks, then suddenly horses were kicking, people punching, other people falling off horses, others yelling "suelto!" which means loose, the loose horses trying to gallop through all of the others, people tossing their glass drinks so they could control their horses, police sirens (which are great for spooked horses)--Chaos. Luckily no one in our group was hurt </div><div style="text-align: justify;">*General chaos of trying to walk through the masses in Feria. Not only are there lost tourists, but people in flamenco dresses, people wandering without cause, pushy horse carriage drivers, crossing the intersections was almost impossible. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But all this just added to the excitement and adrenaline of Feria. We rode from 130 until 1130 and I was pooped at the end! I didn't bring an extra set of clothes, so when everyone went back to Feria on foot after, I got a ride home and crashed to bed. If it doesn't rain Saturday, we'll go again on horse and I'll definitely bring an extra set of clothes then!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-50948824433256959932011-05-04T14:50:00.000-07:002011-05-04T15:04:10.744-07:00A change in attitudeSo coming back to Spain made me want to cry. Being in Germany really made me realize how much I "hated" Spain (I'm writing this two weeks after coming home). Here's a glimpse of my first morning back in Sevilla.<div>*Step in doggie doodoo because it's in the middle of the street.</div><div>*Go to Día Maxi, the grocery store to pick up greek yogurt. As I'm looking at my selections, a woman rams her cart into me and stares, waiting for me to apologize for being in her cart's way. I just look at her and look away. She turns her cart mumbling under her breath. How unbearable to think of going around someone in an aisle instead of through them. </div><div>*Later in line, a woman, instead of asking me to move because we're all in 12 person lines waiting to check out, literally grabs my shoulders and moves me. Perdona?! </div><div>*General gawking ensues throughout the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I continue for a week hating Spain and cursing the plane for taking me back here. I'm stressing out about final projects and final travel plans. I kept making a mental tally of all the ways Germany is better than Spain. Instead of sharing that with you, I'm going to tell you I kicked my attitude in the butt. How childish and selfish of me to spend my time abroad unhappy and cursing. Granted there are some rightful things to be cursing, but I only had three weeks left in Spain. I made a vow to myself not to obsess over the things I disliked, but to enjoy the things I did and try to be as Spanish as possible. And I've done a pretty good job! And I am really enjoying myself more!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday night: Go to my first bullfight and then out to the bars with friends</div><div>Friday: Crap I forget, but it was something Spanish! I didn't go out that night though.</div><div>Saturday: Revisit the Flamenco museum, make friends with the tourguide Joaquin. Hang out with Christie in town, go to the Carbonería bar at night where there are free flamenco espectáculos. Very cool. Meet some funny Irish guys, including the crying gay guy who was making fun of Americans.</div><div>Sunday: Try to go to bullfight with Manoli but it's cancelled due to rain</div><div>Monday: Out and about on the town</div><div>Tuesday: Ride!! Metro is packed with people dressed up for Feria-so cool!</div><div>Wednesay: dress rehearsal for tomorrow, looks great. Shopping both in the morning and at night</div><div>Thursday (tomorrow): PASEO CON LOS CABALLOS EN LA FERIA!!!!!!!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-47238083149926246092011-05-04T14:18:00.001-07:002011-05-04T14:50:31.733-07:00Germany, day 8<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Friday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Woke up bright and early again. Drove to the gas station and filled up on gas. I hadn’t slept very well—like everyone, so I was in need of a cup of coffee. Go inside to get a cup of coffee. It’s kind of a blur at this point, but essentially, our conversation started in German, switched to English, but clearly I still didn’t understand her, so she stated (not asked, mind you): “You, big coffee”. Exactly. You read my sleepy mind.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Got to the airport, hung out, and boarded. Sat between two German men and behind two devil Spanish children and their mother. The Spanish aren’t very into disciplining their children. The whole time the children are screaming and whining (they were probably ages 4 & 6). Of course both German men grunt at the mother and yell in German for her to discipline them (I’m assuming, since I don’t know German). She gives them the blank stare and continues with her non-discipline. However, when one daughter’s hair gets messed up, the mom screams at her child and tells her everyone is looking and that she cannot have her hair so ugly and that she only gets four gummy bears because she is already fat. Way to go Spanish parenting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Got off the plane in Málaga, jumped on the train to Sevilla. Writing from here now.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Looking out the window—maybe I’m too hard on Spain.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It’s pretty here. My Spanish has improved a little. I like my host mom and her family. Classes are more or less reasonable. But I know it’s not my country. I could vacation in Spain and enjoy it. But it’s not home and I could never even think of calling it home. Home is in the US with people I love. But Germany could very well be my home too. The climate is more to my liking, the food is pretty good (apple everything?!), the people are outgoing and friendly, they are active, I look like a German. All that’s left is to learn the language. And convince someone to come with me. I think it’d be fun to live there a year or two straight out of college. I’ve never felt a connection like that with a place before. We’ll see what comes of it. But for now I’m super content with my vacation. Now to edit all my photos</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">!!!</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:Arial;font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-43834601612744141312011-05-04T14:09:00.000-07:002011-05-04T14:17:50.289-07:00Germany, day 7<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0eHrzXh2rnU/TcHBck7JcqI/AAAAAAAAAOo/QSf68nR66gM/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Link to Munich Album: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1989256779284.123272.1479270362</span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0eHrzXh2rnU/TcHBck7JcqI/AAAAAAAAAOo/QSf68nR66gM/s320/IMG_1347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602972108117865122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Thursday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wake up bright and early and drive to Munich. No messing around this time—we took the autobon and we arrived on time haha. Got up to my current record, 195 km/hour. Crazy part was I was following someone and losing ground.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Get to Munich and start off with the open air market. This was by far the coolest market I’ve ever been too. Part of it may have been that Easter was this weekend and so they were selling lots of flowers and other Easter goodies, but either way it was sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After walking there we walked through the city hitting up lots of the tourist sites—it is such a pretty city! I think one of the reasons that I like European cities so much is the fact that they don’t have skyscrapers; the cities are much more inviting and intimate that way. I’ll have to look up the names of all the sites; you see so much in one day that you forget everything you saw.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We walked up into the English Gardens. Megan Dale: You and I would own this park. It was awesome</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">!!! They are so active here. In Spain all they do is lay out and drink. In Munich there were Germans surfing in the river (which was super high) and in the open grassy area people played soccer, volleyball, Frisbee, and extreme tight rope walking (slack rope?). These kids were insane!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> They were on the slack rope jumping and twisting and flipping. A jersey shore look-a-like tried it in his boxers. Hilarious. Tool.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In the Gardens we walked to the Chinese Tower. Sat in the shade after getting a tan in the park—the sun is so much more friendly to pale skin here! After we headed back into the city in search of Haxen—ham hocks. We got back to the market and sat in the biergarten with our liters and haxen and brezen (pretzels). Yum. Divine. We hung out at the biergarten from 6 to 10 or so, making friends with a few Germans, a Frenchman married to a Mexican, and a drunk Canadian with a crazy mustache. Also, I love the random men dressed in traditional German attire. The hat with the pins, suspenders, short shorts, high socks and shoes—seeing one of them walk by is like reaching into a box of random candy and blindly pulling our your favorite kind. It’s delightful.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After our stay in the biergarten we walked around town and hit up a few bars. But everything was very overpriced and closing down. Around 1130 or so we packed ourselves back into the car and I drove to Memmingmen. No worries, I hadn’t drinken anything, Mom. We spent the night in the car in the Netto parking lot from our first day; so things had come full circle. It was a good last day. Everyone got along and laughed and relaxed; it was the perfect ending to our trip.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-88337161100342028452011-05-04T13:43:00.001-07:002011-05-04T14:09:07.608-07:00Germany, Day 6<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYfEj1pYdMk/TcG-6gc1D6I/AAAAAAAAAOg/p-96fqnWcFs/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LuT-TRnxoE/TcG8KBkzGuI/AAAAAAAAAOY/OHb8iHPCOKE/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Same rules apply for the photos as the last post. You get one, but for t</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">he rest go to my facebook.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1974994622739.120533.1479270362</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LuT-TRnxoE/TcG8KBkzGuI/AAAAAAAAAOY/OHb8iHPCOKE/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LuT-TRnxoE/TcG8KBkzGuI/AAAAAAAAAOY/OHb8iHPCOKE/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602966291833101026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wednesday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wake up bright and early to grab a coffee and head out into the mountains. Today was going to be our big hike. Bad timing with last night’s unsuccessful run, but I wrapped it up, took some Advil, and went with everyone. After some “discussion” about where we would hike, we finally settled on a trail that went up a valley. It was more or less flat until after two hours into it. Then it went up pretty quickly. My foot was pretty bad. We stopped at a waterfall and drank the mountain water (it’s so freaking clear here!) and I iced my foot--in a mountain stream-how cool! (haha literally) Refreshed, we kept on moving for another hour or so. I called break and we stopped and had lunch on a grassy hill top looking down into the valley. I enjoyed some super seedy bread and a quarter watermelon. Y.U.M.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYfEj1pYdMk/TcG-6gc1D6I/AAAAAAAAAOg/p-96fqnWcFs/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYfEj1pYdMk/TcG-6gc1D6I/AAAAAAAAAOg/p-96fqnWcFs/s200/IMG_1331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602969323778150306" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Knowing I had to walk all the way back, I said I was done but that I’d meet them back by the car/lake. Kelsey came with me, and Ryan and Christie took off up the mountain. While Kelsey and I walked back, Christie and Ryan apparently summated (sp?) a mountain. These are not small mountains. Ryan had to go through deep snow (in shorts and a tee) and rockclimb up the last bit. I think it made his trip! Kelsey and I enjoyed the break time. We sat by the lake and got in some girl talk while we duck watched—this was a hilarious group of ducks.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Afterwards we drove home, stopping in at an authentic Italian restaurante for probably some of the best pizza ever. Of course I got Hawaiian and loved it. Woodburn stove.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Drove home and everyone passed out early.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-68151090467500699652011-05-01T16:06:00.000-07:002011-05-04T13:42:40.933-07:00Germany, day 5<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb5LI4U5WhM/Tb3scs-FvxI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/0eyDhjJdLmM/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb5LI4U5WhM/Tb3scs-FvxI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/0eyDhjJdLmM/s320/IMG_1245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601893489370840850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Hi guys! I'm sorry but I will no longer be uploading pictures onto here. It takes too long and it's irritating so I never finish posts. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Try to access my albums via facebook; here is a link:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">https://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1479270362</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">This should have all of my albums posted. I will make my travel albums open to the public. [Copy and paste the link in the address bar.]<br /></span></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Tuesday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Woke up bright and early for the Sound of Music Tour!!! Yahoo! Just me on this one—I’m the only fanatic lol. It was awesome. Travelling solo is a great way to make friends! I made friends with two girls studying abroad and traveling for two weeks; I also met a girl from Brazil traveling with her parents—we spoke in a mix of Spanish and Portuguese.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">On the tour we visited tons of sites from the movie: we saw both palaces, the first one which played the back. We drove past the abbey and a fort thing they used in the movie. The other palace had a private drive, but I snapped a photo of the front. We saw the gazebo (recreated/moved) where the two love scenes were. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">We saw a lot of places. Drove out to the Mountains and Lakes District and settled in the town of Moondsee. Absolutely picturesque! The church from the movie was there and prepping for Easter. It had pink arches and dark wood framed paintings—no description of mine can do it justice. The whole tour was awesome. We sang all of the songs from the movie on the bus; I got a little emotional on the last song—Edelweiss—reminds me of my daddy. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">After I walked through the Maribel Gardens, where the children ran and skipped on their day off.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Returned to the hotel and waited a few hours for my roomies to get back from their morning. My foot was still bothering me and I had a lot of homework so I called the afternoon off and did work on my computer. I got some stuff done and took an hour nap. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">It was a gorgeous day, so after my nap I strapped on my running shoes and went for a run. I even ran across the footbridge the Von Trapp children ran across in the movie! It was an excellent decision to go for a run until it was an awful decision to go for a run. My arch pretty much snapped. Limp home; however, it was limping along Salzburg’s beautiful scenery at sunset—so it wasn’t so bad.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I met up with my roommates again at the hotel. Showered and got ready for a night out on the town. We went to a Bavarian restaurant for dinner; nobody ate much, but my soup was great. Afterwards we walked into the old district; all the bars were along the river. Not a huge selection. My two favorites were a karaoke bar—the place was absolutely pack and the whole bar was singing along to the singer with the mike. My roommates weren’t too happy there so we moved on. Eventually we settled on an Irish pub. How is it that in every city in Europe, the bar that the locals recommend is the Irish pub? Haha, well it was a good recommendation. Live acoustic music, wooden walls, and chill people. Perfect atmosphere. We met a few characters: the Bosnian excited to find people who spoke English, the German who liked caressing faces and told Kelsey that the peeing was international, and the creepy German with glasses, a mustache, and a leather jacket who didn’t say much but would stand next to you and stare. Hahaha but we all had a great time and danced to the music. </span></span></p></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-18694483695262349612011-04-24T12:19:00.000-07:002011-04-24T14:46:25.785-07:00Germany, Day 4<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3l9omJZL6U/TbSZsGmUcpI/AAAAAAAAAOI/4B9_6qIPshA/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbqJNfX2XYw/TbR43_AoNaI/AAAAAAAAANY/84eIl06u9Xc/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bbqJNfX2XYw/TbR43_AoNaI/AAAAAAAAANY/84eIl06u9Xc/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599233139930576290" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Monday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wake up and check out of the hostel. Kelsey and I wanted to shop; unfortunately we had one debby-downer who is currently driving me crazy. I didn’t get any German souvenirs yet, so hopefully he’ll back off in Munich and quit complaining.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHQy3A3e3sE/TbR6B_CBwCI/AAAAAAAAANg/wf2eFmBALs4/s320/IMG_1231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599234411246764066" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Headed for Salzburg. It’s supposed to be a two and a half hour trip, which we somehow stretched to eight hours. I almost shot someone. I drove the whole way; I love driving through the mountains but our resident backseat drivers made me want to drive off a mountainside. It was scenic, but when we pulled over at 4pm for lunch I was ready for some alone time. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEVvbp0E2i0/TbSVLMln3zI/AAAAAAAAANo/Fo43JWF05gs/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEVvbp0E2i0/TbSVLMln3zI/AAAAAAAAANo/Fo43JWF05gs/s200/IMG_1237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599264256318496562" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Fortunately I found a fantastic place for our lunch; it was a cute park with lots of lush grass and sun to sleep in. While they slept I took off for a walk through the park. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6A3pGHYKebQ/TbSV0-vFveI/AAAAAAAAANw/ioCnFpMI36s/s400/IMG_1232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599264974154612194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxU4Wo-oB3o/TbSWuy8T68I/AAAAAAAAAN4/1ZrJ35cOuSg/s200/IMG_1228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599265967421254594" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Found fantastic views of a castle and made new friends—they were maybe 5 and 6 years old. I was wandering through the woods and stopped to admire their fort. They ran up and started speaking to me in German. I shook my head, put my hand on my chest, and said, “English”. The little blonde boy looked to his friend then to me and said, “lkjadkd” and the other said “oadkjtbj”. Their names—how cute! I laughed and said, “Nein nein, Michelle”. They smiled and started speaking German again. I waved goodbye, pointing to their fort and giving a thumbs up (universal, no?). They shouted “Tank-jew, and Bahee-bahee” = “Thank-you, bye-bye”. Adorable overload.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJpPxeh2rCg/TbSY_hMs1lI/AAAAAAAAAOA/p3sX1fkd-Ag/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJpPxeh2rCg/TbSY_hMs1lI/AAAAAAAAAOA/p3sX1fkd-Ag/s200/IMG_1234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599268453739189842" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Got into Salzburg pretty late. We scored a snazzy hotel for cheap—opening week prices. We have a huge room and friendly receptionists. My favorite is this super enthusiastic guy from Munich.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After we wandered around Salzburg looking for a cheap place for dinner, without a map and ignoring the receptionist’s recommendation, until we settled on the one and only McDonald’s. Oh well. Tomorrow will be better, and hopefully not include a date with a BigMac.</span></span></span></div></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3l9omJZL6U/TbSZsGmUcpI/AAAAAAAAAOI/4B9_6qIPshA/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3l9omJZL6U/TbSZsGmUcpI/AAAAAAAAAOI/4B9_6qIPshA/s320/IMG_1241.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599269219692999314" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJpPxeh2rCg/TbSY_hMs1lI/AAAAAAAAAOA/p3sX1fkd-Ag/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-17933825284091190402011-04-24T11:01:00.000-07:002011-04-24T12:19:26.839-07:00Germany, Día 3<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajyNy0CBegk/TbRzq85ldlI/AAAAAAAAANQ/WjVAvYzkxbY/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RLP-k7lAEEI/TbRw2S3ysAI/AAAAAAAAANI/FlBZZc26jyI/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhiRx0OAOzk/TbRvpMrOg9I/AAAAAAAAANA/Dat49njMfaA/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo3J3R4P7zI/TbRtUilB6zI/AAAAAAAAAM4/X5uQ-3ZCY_Q/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANByi9Avs5Y/TbRph363YvI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qory-UYv6ps/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wO757AhfKTM/TbRmzO28A9I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/xh217plXrMc/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wO757AhfKTM/TbRmzO28A9I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/xh217plXrMc/s320/IMG_1184.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599213267076252626" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';">Sunday:</span></div></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Breakfast search—apparently no stores are open on Sundays in Germany either. However, people eat ice cream here all the time! The only stores open were ice cream stores—not even the bakeries were open. We finally found one that sold waffles—and kaffe. Delicious. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo3J3R4P7zI/TbRtUilB6zI/AAAAAAAAAM4/X5uQ-3ZCY_Q/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599220436375300914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhiRx0OAOzk/TbRvpMrOg9I/AAAAAAAAANA/Dat49njMfaA/s320/IMG_1179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599222990296220626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Later we went to the Neuschwanstein castle. The tour was totally worth it. I cannot describe how absolutely fantastic the castle was. The outside is literally exactly how every Disney castle looks; the inside was even more incredible. Every wall was covered in rich colored paintings—my favorite kinds too: realistic with horses and woods and pale girls. The castle was narrower than it looked. The wood was dark and rich and intricately carved Unfortunately pictures weren’t allowed inside, but I’ll grab a few off of Google to throw in here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANByi9Avs5Y/TbRph363YvI/AAAAAAAAAMY/qory-UYv6ps/s320/IMG_1175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599216267395818226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'times new roman';">Afterwards we walked a ways to a suspension bridge to snatch some awesome pictures of the castle:</span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsol8Z2mUSs/TbRr2mnJf6I/AAAAAAAAAMo/EDnepxRbD7Y/s320/IMG_1185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599218822550224802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe7Nq4OxcYI/TbRsYDALYyI/AAAAAAAAAMw/PsLimd-sVok/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599219397107082018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Later we went back to the room. I can’t remember what we did until dinner. Since people are bargain shopping for meals we ended up getting pizza-ehh. But it was Hawaiian so that’s okay. What made it worth it were the men working the shop. I love the people here! Hahaha Italian Germans—and extremely politically incorrect. Christie is half-Mexican, so it’s hard to pick out her ethnicity. The owner asked in his broken English if she was Asian and when she said no he promptly showed her how Asian eyes go and called her ChingChangChong—Konichiwa. So funny. We saw him later at the bar we went to; I smiled and said hi, and he came over and Asian bowed to Christie. Priceless.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">View out of the window of Thorne Hall:</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLjaWNxkSvE/TbRrKC-_ZeI/AAAAAAAAAMg/4_Rxlg99r4M/s320/IMG_1180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599218057072305634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The lake on the right is where we took pictures from the day before. We hiked over the farthest mountain on the right up to the yellow castle in between the lakes:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RLP-k7lAEEI/TbRw2S3ysAI/AAAAAAAAANI/FlBZZc26jyI/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599224314809462786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span>After the bar we wandered back to the hotel. On the way we ran into a 1Euro ice cream place. The Romanian guy there was hilarious. Sarcastic, sassy, and ice cream-savvy. Recommended banana ice cream—absolutely fantastic. I was skeptical at first, but glad I listened to him. </span></span><br /><o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The smaller castle:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajyNy0CBegk/TbRzq85ldlI/AAAAAAAAANQ/WjVAvYzkxbY/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599227418467726930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-76248665634079604342011-04-24T04:28:00.000-07:002011-04-24T06:56:31.605-07:00Germany, Day 2<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az-Q8i1wyt4/TbQqq81fkUI/AAAAAAAAAMI/IbICKNvYuqg/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az-Q8i1wyt4/TbQqq81fkUI/AAAAAAAAAMI/IbICKNvYuqg/s400/IMG_1168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599147154101735746" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az-Q8i1wyt4/TbQqq81fkUI/AAAAAAAAAMI/IbICKNvYuqg/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LG32xdim8Ug/TbQU-rehu5I/AAAAAAAAALQ/QXIFfvaSfuc/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Saturday:</span></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">First Full Day in Fussen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iMVYPsuELI/TbQKrbqXIsI/AAAAAAAAAKo/xxzOltvvwR8/s320/IMG_1129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599111978004456130" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Wake up at nine. Best night of sleep since Lisbon, but I literally felt like I had slept for 2 days. An all-nighter at the airport really makes your body appreciate sleep. Apparently I spooned Kelsey; I just really like spooning, I can’t help it. Besides it was cold in the room.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anyways wake up and walk into town. Original plan was to go to a bakery, but then we saw our new friend, Netto, and went there instead. Bought a yogurt and coffee for breakfast—yum!—and pretzel bread, Dijon mustard, ham and cheese for a lunch sandwich. I love pretzel bread. I would move here just for the pretzel bread. The views and temperature don’t hurt either. Or the fact that everyone thinks we’re German anyways. It’s nice to blend in! I’m home!</span></span></span><!--EndFragment--></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZbAufntxDE/TbQNjb1miuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ciXQOYvpw_g/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZbAufntxDE/TbQNjb1miuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ciXQOYvpw_g/s200/IMG_1131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599115139147533026" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After getting a map from the tourist center, we decide to hike to the Cinderella castle, the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Neuschwanstein castle. So without a watch and with lunch packed, we take of on our epic journey. (We also found this sweet german sweets store. They’re these balls of goodness called “schneeballen”. Look them up. I didn’t get one, but I took a bite. Mmm, will have to describe them tomorrow. Also, the store had a sign in “American”: “Ya’ll come back now, ya’ hear!” hahahahaha</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span><!--EndFragment--></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4LNcDquzSc/TbQO7eIoYLI/AAAAAAAAAK4/Cfa7PnfkTA4/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4LNcDquzSc/TbQO7eIoYLI/AAAAAAAAAK4/Cfa7PnfkTA4/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599116651592704178" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZbAufntxDE/TbQNjb1miuI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ciXQOYvpw_g/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Literally hiked up and down multiple mountains. But totally worth it. Half way through we got to a lake. Lots of grass in the sunshine just calling our names. Ryan promptly ran over, laid down, and passed out. I took out my camera. The view across the lake was fantastic: beautiful lake with a giant white swan swimming, up a ways is the smaller castle (Hohenschwangau) and a little bit farther the Disney castle, and behind that, snow-capped Bavarian alps and sunlit clouds. Is this real life?</span></span></span><!--EndFragment--></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbnOgKAnlFA/TbQQcpEetnI/AAAAAAAAALA/v_QP1tgk2ho/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbnOgKAnlFA/TbQQcpEetnI/AAAAAAAAALA/v_QP1tgk2ho/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599118320975394418" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">While Ryan slept, Kelsey and I decided to go exploring. Christie joined us too. It looks exactly like Beauty and the Beast’s forest—we were literally walking through a Disney movie. Well we got all of a quarter mile before we ventured off the path. There was this rock really close to the path that looked perfect for sitting, but then we got to that rock and there was one a little bit higher, that looked even better. And so on for a few rocks, and then we decide, why not climb this mountain side to sit on top of the cliff? And up we go. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geCkCwvMcNs/TbQRTMRccRI/AAAAAAAAALI/SgxHxdHFeQM/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geCkCwvMcNs/TbQRTMRccRI/AAAAAAAAALI/SgxHxdHFeQM/s200/IMG_1137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599119258137948434" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It only took us a solid 10 minutes to realize this was probably not our smartest idea, but the goal was still so enticing. Up and up we go, crawling on hands and knees sideways up this hill at greater than a 50 degree incline. Mind you this hill is covered in a layer of leafs about six inches deep and under that wet, mossy earth. I don’t have cleats. I have everyday running shoes. There were times when I slipped and Christie literally two-handed my cheeks and pushed my butt back up the hill. So we get to the bottom of the cliff.</span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LG32xdim8Ug/TbQU-rehu5I/AAAAAAAAALQ/QXIFfvaSfuc/s200/IMG_1143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599123303783578514" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So close, thirty more feet up this crazy mountain side and we’re there. After several slides down and mud all over, we’re getting to the top. Kelsey crawls up first. I saw the light when one of her loose rocks flew inches from my face. I took one step closer and the second my shoe hit the wet rock I knew this was my last stop. So Christie passed me. Kelsey has a life moment when she slips and slides down the wet rock on her butt for awhile. Okay, she’s done. She laughs one of those laughs you laugh right after you realize you’re not dead. The hyperventilating/relief laugh. Haha.</span></span></span></div></span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKtYVH9-G2g/TbQdHyv6nUI/AAAAAAAAALY/ExBc1jg7XAA/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599132256447405378" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Christie presses forward. I start directing Kelsey down. Christie finally caves. Now to get down. We all look down. Straight down. We’ve probably climbed 150 feet or more up this slippery mountain side that has absolutely zero grips and few trees. So what do I do? I pick a tree about 20 feet down, sit on my butt and slide. Not too scary. Pick another tree about 30 feet down. Sit on my butt and slide. Starting to get fun. And so it continues until we’re back on the hiking path, covered in mud but totally exhilarated with plenty of new quotes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OODpBybHp6Q/TbQj5j3Lu3I/AAAAAAAAALg/sQJ6HG-ps-A/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OODpBybHp6Q/TbQj5j3Lu3I/AAAAAAAAALg/sQJ6HG-ps-A/s200/IMG_1150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599139708514581362" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Catch up with Ryan and continue our hike. Hike up another mountain until we get to one with an up close and personal view of the two castles. Perfect place for a lunch break. Delish. Walk home, take a wrong turn that ended up working out and walked on some weird Christian pathway. There were three crosses that marked a stunning view of Fussen. Later there was an opening with a small shrine to Mary, a cross with a snake and another rock statue of Jesus carrying the cross. Very appropriate for Easter week!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5u7hYKtexg/TbQk_Hg4NNI/AAAAAAAAALo/7d0X8qJ6mE0/s320/IMG_1154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599140903495677138" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Once we get into town we go back to Netto for dinner. Grab some grub and book it home—it’s almost five and I haven’t peed since I woke up. Pee then grab the car. Head towards the mountains. After a few misturns, finally find the perfect worn down road that heads straight into the Alps. Up we go in our cute station wagon Audi. At some point we pull over</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and walk up a creek. Find the perfect spot. We spend an hour or two finding wood and kindling while watching the sunset. Our little gorge turned golden and rosy as the rays came through. An amazing sunset. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhUTQ90mLlY/TbQpAc_o5uI/AAAAAAAAAL4/6Zk-UAnzyhs/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhUTQ90mLlY/TbQpAc_o5uI/AAAAAAAAAL4/6Zk-UAnzyhs/s200/IMG_1170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599145324488222434" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ryan starts the fire right as the sun goes down and all warmth goes away. We’re on the rocks on the dry half of the creek bed. BONFIRE IN THE BAVARIAN ALPS. It’s perfect, honestly. They roasted Brats on the fire and drank amazing German beers and I ate my fresh lettuce and cherry tomatoes. And we chilled. Talked and laughed and enjoyed our fire in the German forest. Even though it was around 40 degrees out, our huge fire kept us toasty warm</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></o:p></p> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nT88KeEkALU/TbQmBmmqoVI/AAAAAAAAALw/YEWMNgM4938/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nT88KeEkALU/TbQmBmmqoVI/AAAAAAAAALw/YEWMNgM4938/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599142045712818514" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The moon gave us a fright though. All of a sudden our valley was filled with bright streams of light. We all thought a car had pulled up near ours. I go down to investigate. No one. Look behind me—brightest full moon I’ve ever seen. Incredible. Stay with our fire til midnight. Clean up, put it out, and walk by the light of the moon down the mountain to our car. Drive home, singing “She’ll be coming down the mountain” and “John Jacob Jingleheimerschmitt”. Arrive, write everything down. Say my prayers. Go to bed :)</span></span></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABfmiuOjbq4/TbQpz8hj58I/AAAAAAAAAMA/OrY9dEF6CWc/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABfmiuOjbq4/TbQpz8hj58I/AAAAAAAAAMA/OrY9dEF6CWc/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599146209125328834" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-69489865479416320362011-04-23T01:59:00.000-07:002011-04-23T04:09:50.399-07:00Germany, Day One<div style="text-align: left;">So I was finally smart about my blogging-I wrote down the day's activities at the end of each night. So you'll get a super in-depth view of my trip to Germany. PS I'm moving there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u18Ho3tCQwU/TbKuCLsvvKI/AAAAAAAAAKI/n9theGx2fdo/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9kLvjjdC7s/TbKV6YWutOI/AAAAAAAAAJI/gNF7ofVyRjQ/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9kLvjjdC7s/TbKV6YWutOI/AAAAAAAAAJI/gNF7ofVyRjQ/s200/IMG_1093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598702116977685730" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Friday:</span></a> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Spend the night in Málaga Airport; we all shared a tiny cubbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Literally, we got all of our luggage plus four people into this little nook in the wall that was maybe 5’x5’x5’ (See pic). Freezing, so we didn’t get much sleep but the night went by fast, so good overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our flight took off at 630am; we arrived in Memmingem around 930. Rented a sweet car—how it worked out in our favor I don’t know. I asked for an automatic shift that could fit four people's luggage. We’re driving an AUDI. Hot and bothered. I have always wanted to drive one. And I drove it on the autobon. Fast. Real fast. Crazy fast..<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Before I scare my parents, we’ll move on to Lindau, our first stop in Germany. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDJOKJDOx8U/TbKXG9iITwI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/AVVHEukw09I/s320/IMG_1102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598703432627670786" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Pause, back up, rewind to before the autobon. There’s a grocery chain named Netto, which we four of Team America like to call “Neat-o” because it has an awesome fresh bakery and discount on all grocery items. The grocery stores are kicking here!!! Germany knows what’s up! So many delicious items that you can’t find in Spain or the US for that matter. Ugh, drooling. Literally. Also, Dad, this one’s for you. I asked for a kaffe, mit milch. They understood, and I got my coffee with milk. I don’t know what I would have done without my German lessons from you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CACXZTAmSqQ/TbKYL_0vIqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/uAPLBMaFqMo/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CACXZTAmSqQ/TbKYL_0vIqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/uAPLBMaFqMo/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598704618653557410" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Lindau</span></span><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">—well after getting there in record time (thank you autobon+Audi) we cross the bridge and go into the “Old Town”, which is an island that goes out into a stunning lake. Walked around town and took plenty of pictures, stared in awe at the Alps across the lake. Decided that some day I’d live in Germany. Weren’t there for very long as there wasn’t much to do, but it was so pretty. Really quaint and could not get over the lake+mountains+sun+island combo. Oh, we saw the original wall too, which was pretty sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Lindau (Painted churches):</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lb-h8-LRiiE/TbKZZkw_BaI/AAAAAAAAAJg/_IagXOnNCTk/s200/IMG_1098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598705951419860386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Lindau (Lighthouse): </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQhXG8oR35U/TbKacFxehEI/AAAAAAAAAJo/wHZa-QKu9BI/s200/IMG_1107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598707094151660610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></span></span></p><div><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Get back in the car, stop listening to our very polite British GPS woman and take off down a road that looks super windy on our old-school map. Best decision ever—so beautiful. We drove slow, pissed off some Germans driving with a purpose, and enjoyed the views. Our all-nighter caught up quick so we pulled over and walked into the woods. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5ySd-AUPVs/TbKbzRoEUTI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eDCYXj70B7c/s200/IMG_1111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598708591982039346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">We ate our trail mix and all went our separate ways to find a place to take a nap. I slept in a sun spot in the middle of the woods, but it got a little overcast later and the cold woke me up. Walked over and found Kelsey. She was looking over a drop off. Valley dressed in pines and blooming trees, and church bells floating in off the wind. Christie woke up and joined us “Nature is all over me”; had to wake up Ryan eventually because we were freezing and he was still out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6HE3bIe6_w8/TbKcx7bnTOI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/__XIgSGa0bw/s200/IMG_1113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598709668355984610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";">Drive into Fussen, check into our hostel which is super nice! Kelsey and I share a bed and Ryan and Christie have a bunk bed. There are kiddie designs on the wall and a hilarious picture from Sea World. Go Shamu—you’re in Germany!<o:p></o:p></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yv1_5Boa78M/TbKdXyIh-tI/AAAAAAAAAKA/CiYmqlxJJsA/s200/IMG_1114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598710318695054034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Later we just walked around town. Found a pretty park, took pictures, window shopped. Ate Turkish Kebab Crepes for dinner which were fantastic.</span></span><!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Team America conquers Füssen</span></span></div><div><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u18Ho3tCQwU/TbKuCLsvvKI/AAAAAAAAAKI/n9theGx2fdo/s320/IMG_1117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598728639298387106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Füssen's river banks:</span></span></span></div><div><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMJjdGk2ivc/TbKwAsjGR_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/uSJ_NYAD3s8/s320/IMG_1119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598730812779808754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Fussen by night</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YqjSAPesj0/TbKyQvSiS5I/AAAAAAAAAKg/24SjyQT3W0w/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YqjSAPesj0/TbKyQvSiS5I/AAAAAAAAAKg/24SjyQT3W0w/s320/IMG_1125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598733287416810386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Fussen sunset over the riverbanks & Bavarian Alps</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kjd0M2rzEXQ/TbKxlSQzIHI/AAAAAAAAAKY/LqAS4WYwvi8/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kjd0M2rzEXQ/TbKxlSQzIHI/AAAAAAAAAKY/LqAS4WYwvi8/s320/IMG_1120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598732540890521714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-18615868378778994732011-04-07T12:19:00.000-07:002011-04-07T12:35:10.122-07:00Melt<div style="text-align: center;">Hey guys, just checking in with you all real quick before my big adventure this weekend:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I'm going to Africa! </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maruécos (Morocco)</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really excited, but I don't know what to wear ... decisions, decisions. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's about all I've got for this one. Haha. Oh and that it's freaky steamy here. I literally was soaked walking to and from class. The morning wasn't too bad (I ran a 10k!) but once the sun hits those streets it's awful. Over 95 today walking to class. And there's no breeze. I'm like a vampire running from shady side of the street to the other shady side of the street.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was so hot today that I spent time contemplating the best metaphor. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What fries? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;">-An <b>egg</b> on pavement. But I'm much too sweaty and wet to be an egg. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What roasts?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">-The tomatoes Manoli had in the oven the other day! But, this is too quick, and I don't combust into a squishy red mess under the Sevillana sun. It's a much slower, painful process...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, what melts? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;">-<b>Ice </b>melts, but too quickly and too easily. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-<b>Chocolate</b> melts, but that's just gross. And so unpleasant! Have you ever been excited to eat a candy bar, open it up, and then realize that it's hard after melting? So sad. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-<b>Ice cream </b>melts. It's a slow process. Slow and sad. Oozing down the side of the cone one runaway streak at a time. When it finally drips onto the pavement, the sun scorches it into the pavement. The ice cream disappears into a path of dripped, baked, sweaty droplets on the sidewalk. Ice cream melts how I melt. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">See you in Africa, Sun!</span></b></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-31335217896134950942011-04-05T06:36:00.000-07:002011-04-05T08:01:52.727-07:00Regurgitate (arrrgh! piratas!)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZyVneS_EDY/TZsteLpW4MI/AAAAAAAAAJA/MYSWgdO4p90/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwD5Hdcqo_w/TZsrTAI1RZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/U4ziMfCh6QI/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Quick, let me write a post before I forget all the cool stuff I just learned!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZyVneS_EDY/TZsteLpW4MI/AAAAAAAAAJA/MYSWgdO4p90/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZyVneS_EDY/TZsteLpW4MI/AAAAAAAAAJA/MYSWgdO4p90/s200/IMG_0924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592113358856184002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visited the Archivo de Indias, (Archive of the Indias-which coincidently is the Archive of Central/South America, as when it was first encountered by the Spaniards they believe they'd found India). I didn't know what to expect other than old documents, but I thought I was very cool. They had a pirate exhibit!! Some cool facts:</div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">The French became jealous of the Spanish when the Spanish began to acquire all of "its" riches from the Americas. It therefore declared itself an enemy. Many pirates attacking Spanish ships were French. </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">The French pirates posed a major threat pirating ships both as they arrived back in Spain and as they left the Americas. Also, not only did they attack the ships but also the cities/towns themselves. Many times when pirating the towns they would sneak in during the early hours of the morning (2/3am) and first take the campana-the bell. That way the alarm could not be raised. Pretty smart for a bunch of riftraft!</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">In order to defend against the pirates, a king (I think Ferdinand something or other, I'll have to check) decided to change the way ships left for voyages. Instead of it being random, he decided to have one date in the summer and one in the winter in which the ships could both leave Spain and the Americas. No ships were to travel at any other time. In this way, the pirates could not live off waiting for ships. Also, the Spanish ships traveled together, and in doing so could afford to pay for a military guard. Safety in numbers!</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">I'm currently eating my favorite lunch ever-stuffed eggplant. It's fantastic and utterly distracting. You should be jealous.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Piercing of the cartilage began in European culture with the pirates. Every time a pirate would round Cape Horn, the tip of South America, he would get a piercing. Pirates with the most earrings in their cartilages earned the most respect.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">This one the translation is a little rough: When coming back into the channel entering Spain, a Dutch ship blocked the passage. The convoy of Spanish ships, confused as Holland was not declared an enemy, paused and turned around. However, because they were laden with so much gold and silver when they turned they touched the bottom and were stranded. The Dutch, in smaller, lighter boats, came in circled and took the precious metals and went straight back to Holland. Funny part? Most Spanish have never heard this story-the Spanish captain was incarcerated for five years then decapitated. The Dutch however, have many songs of the tale and to this day children sing them in school and adults in bars. It's the country's version of David and Goliath! </span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwD5Hdcqo_w/TZsrTAI1RZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/U4ziMfCh6QI/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592110967765157266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div style="text-align: justify;">We learned a lot more about the history involved; I found it very interesting. The Archivo de Indias contains nearly all of the <i>original</i> letters, correspondences, documents throughout its history. It's an incredible collection. The documents involving piracy were only the beginning. I saw letters today that were written in the 1400s. <b>1400s</b>-thats more than five hundred years old! Dang. The ink is turned a brownish red and has faded a lot, but it's still cool to think about seeing someone's actual handwriting and their thoughts from the late fifteenth century.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>REFLECTIONS:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I find it very interesting how my brain functions here in Spain. First of all, as I translate in my head less and less Spanglish is becoming increasing common. I think it's because I'm speaking without thinking. Therefore, on filler words or at the middle/end of sentences I'll randomly switch to the opposite language without noticing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even weirder is how I remember things. Everything enters in Spanish, and I understand it now without conscientiously translating it. However, when I look back on an event, it's all in English. Sometimes a word will stick out in Spanish, either because it's something that doesn't translate vocabulary or is connecting with an idea I don't have a word for in English or because it was a word that I didn't understand immediately. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For example, hearing the lecture today I realized I can semi zone-out and still capture all of the information in Spanish-no need to focus intently to understand, just like English!! Yet when I sat down to write this, everything spilled out in English. Random words stuck out, such as campana (which I already knew but don't hear often) or the part I had to intently focus on to understand-this I remember in Spanish. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Our brains are so cool--they work in mysterious ways!</i></b></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-60932188413870236532011-04-03T15:07:00.000-07:002011-04-03T15:29:04.219-07:00Caballos<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello dear friends!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well today was a good day. I got up at 830 to go meet friends from the barn for a paseo through Sevilla. Little did I know what I was getting myself into!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We met at el Parque del Alamillo. We saddled up, all dressed in a mix of our finest: some wore the traditional Spanish outfits, either the traje corto (jacket&pants) o the traje amazona (jacket&long skirt), and others a la inglesa, an "English" style wear most anything goes. Since I own neither here in Spain I wore my riding boots and a Ralph Lauren white button down shirt tucked into khaki pants. Quite the picture with my bright bay steed, Neptuno.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My friends and I, along with over 100 other horse and rider duos lined up along the park. It was amazing. I've never seen so many people dressed in the traditional gear-it was so pretty. Most were Andalusian horses, but like the horse I was riding their were also Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and Andy-crosses thrown in the mix. At 11am sharp we took off, all 100+ of us for a walk through Sevilla. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around 1130am it begins to rain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We pass through all parts of Sevilla, moving in a long loop through the city. We pass my school CIEE, the Catedral, the Plaza de España, and the Torre de Oro. We put smiles on the face on all the bystanders and put some serious frowns on those stuck in the traffic jams we caused. All the while the rain keeps on coming. And this is no mild rain--it's pouring.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the time we're halfway I'm soaked to the bone. My I remind you of my oh so preppy outfit? That features I white button down? May I also remind you that while everyone in the traditional outfit has saddlebags packed with rain jackets, English tack does not have saddle bags/a place to store a jacket. So while the majority of the riders are wet but semi covered, here I am the <i>only</i> rubia in the whole parade, soaked. But on the bright side, it wasn't hot. So in my opinion, we had good weather.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We made it back to the trailers around 230. At this point the rain doesn't even bother me. One of the horses in our group decided to be a complete cabron about loading into the trailer. Took over an hour. In the meanwhile, people snapped photos of me and Neptuno, the two of us soaked standing content in the rain. A man with a TV camera focused on us for awhile, but I have no idea if it showed on TV.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, a little kid's horse rears, Neptuno spooks, and without a stud chain, gets loose. I jog off after him. The ground's wet, but hard. Until I hit the orchard. I take one step into the mud and I go down, sliding face first into humiliation. In front of a crowd of dry onlookers, down goes the rubia covered literally from head to foot in straight mud. Neptuno grazes contently not even 10 feet away. Well I'm ready to go home. I'm cold, wet, and muddy, and this horse with his 6 stalks of grass has eaten more than I have today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I get home just after 4. "Manoli, mira como yo he venido a casa. Como yo vengo a casa!" She's speechless. First of all, this is a perfect recipe para estar resfriado. Second, she just spent all day scrubbing the floor. I tell her I'll strip out here in the staircase, but she rushes me in and helps me take off my clothes. I don't make too much of a mess. And finally got to defrost in the shower. For once, it was super hot. Caballos. What they do to you...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'M SO EXCITED FOR FERIA</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-53243266056156327692011-04-02T13:04:00.000-07:002011-04-02T15:32:38.703-07:00Jerez de la Frontera<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rAnr1mP35c/TZehJbybSTI/AAAAAAAAAIw/6uyTI59BhSw/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVshnVpN7eA/TZeeGHu2J_I/AAAAAAAAAIo/pKq2H1cGA_0/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk-NURksl_Y/TZeFPs7HC5I/AAAAAAAAAIA/60JTi-zr5ic/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk-NURksl_Y/TZeFPs7HC5I/AAAAAAAAAIA/60JTi-zr5ic/s320/IMG_0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591083967207377810" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The very first thing I did when I got to Spain was buy my ticket to the Spanish Royal Equestrian Show. The first thing. That's how excited I was to see this show.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>It was awesome!</i> Totally lived up to expectations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My friend, Chiarra, and I woke up early and took the hour train ride from Sevilla to Jerez de la Frontera. We got off the train, walked out the door, looked left, looked right, and headed back inside to go get a tourist map. We made our way through town and had a lovely breakfast at a local cafe. Fresh squeezed orange juice? Why yes, I'd love a glass.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We walked roughly a hour half across the city to the beautiful Real Fundación. It's a walled center with iron gates and beautiful gardens inside. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRY1csbG068/TZeD_Yjar1I/AAAAAAAAAH4/bc_TvRzrg4k/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591082587349757778" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We walked around a bit inside, watching a few Andalusians in the walker, a circular machine that allows the horses to walk in a circle without being together. They also had a few Prezwalski ponies, a very old breed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avwNI_V0sgs/TZeJsKdk_LI/AAAAAAAAAII/Kk4cIHOeqHw/s320/IMG_0889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591088854219422898" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: justify;">The show itself was stunning. We had fantastic seats, second row on the corner near where the letter C would be (at the side of the "throne"-the best seat in the house). My favorite acts were the first act and the last. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first act featured one man and his bay stallion in traditional doma vaquera clothing. The duo performed several series of movements with such lightness-it was breathtaking. His canter was super forward and willing and he had no trouble with his lateral work. It was as if he was floating. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR81x7Ip9o8/TZeLbROOmVI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hRsxHgExfjw/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;">The last act was the Carousel. The choreography was absolutely incredible. Every movement was perfectly precise-there literally was no room for error. The stallions work head to tail with inches in between each other; they pass through movements without any indication of a need to adjust their rhythm. It really was spectacular. One horse in particular caught everyone's eye. I've never seen a horse move so gracefully before. It was truly effortless; as if no rider was giving him cues and he was moving simply for the joy of it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR81x7Ip9o8/TZeLbROOmVI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hRsxHgExfjw/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR81x7Ip9o8/TZeLbROOmVI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hRsxHgExfjw/s320/IMG_0882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591090762999568722" style="text-align: justify; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Other acts included a pass de deux, well choreographed and had one very cool move in which the two stallions pirouetted in towards each other. If one of the horses was but a step out of his pirouette they would have collided. There was also a carriage driving display: two teams of four (?) horses showed the two styles-Spanish traditional and the modern English. The turns they made were very tight. My now horsey friend was impressed; she like how they turned like a motorcycle, breaking in two instead of bending throughout. There was also an in-hand show which was very cool. I've seen better caprioles at Medieval Times though ;) All in all the show was very impressionable. Bought a few shirts at the gift shop afterwards.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Next we walked around the town. Went looking for their handcrafts show, but it was abandoned by the time we got there, seeing as it was around 2 and siesta time. Happened to bump into a Mexican restaurant as we meandered along. Fajitas, how I missed you! Not the best choice in hindsight given the virus I was fighting, but I can't say no to Mexican. </div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">After lunch, Chiarra and I had about three hours until we had to catch a train. What is Jerez know for, aside from the horses? Bodegas (wineries) and sherry. But instead of going to a winery, what do we do? We go to the zoo. Duh. </div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">We pretended to be the animals in the cages. As follows:</div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Chiarra: Flamenco flamingo</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZLP7Vie09A/TZecWFDMj1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/9I0JBDwdUzM/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZLP7Vie09A/TZecWFDMj1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/9I0JBDwdUzM/s200/IMG_0890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591109365530398546" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me: Safari explorer</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk-NURksl_Y/TZeFPs7HC5I/AAAAAAAAAIA/60JTi-zr5ic/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAtMDhGiioQ/TZedI2Ux3GI/AAAAAAAAAIg/y2vXG7JubUU/s200/IMG_0899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591110237750942818" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Chiarra: Elefante</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVshnVpN7eA/TZeeGHu2J_I/AAAAAAAAAIo/pKq2H1cGA_0/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVshnVpN7eA/TZeeGHu2J_I/AAAAAAAAAIo/pKq2H1cGA_0/s200/IMG_0911.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591111290395699186" style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me: Mono! </div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rAnr1mP35c/TZehJbybSTI/AAAAAAAAAIw/6uyTI59BhSw/s200/IMG_0903.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591114645853915442" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAtMDhGiioQ/TZedI2Ux3GI/AAAAAAAAAIg/y2vXG7JubUU/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">We've got plenty more but I'll spare you. To say the least we were the oldest children there without parents. Hahahaha</span></a> Cue random underlining/hyperlink? </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZLP7Vie09A/TZecWFDMj1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/9I0JBDwdUzM/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jerez de la Frontera:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beautiful weather, beautiful shows, and beautiful company</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-15624065960063984432011-03-30T08:56:00.000-07:002011-04-02T12:29:22.430-07:00Libertad!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjcFGZq4TFY/TZd2-P0_-kI/AAAAAAAAAHw/MFuSyorUz7M/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Después de seis días con un virus del diablo, por fin me encuentro bien! A la ** con la dieta blanda blanda y la necesidad de dormir quince horas por día y correr al baño cada hora. Me siento bien, me siento bien, me siento bien!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(After six days with a virus from hell, I finally feel better. To hell with the bland diet and the need to sleep fifteen hours a day and run to the bathroom every hour. I feel good x3!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was out with a violent virus since Thursday. But I tested it today when I went for a run. Got in 8km and didn't get sick or feel pooped. Finally I can go out and enjoy the sunshine/sit in my room and update my blog...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-70iI5tPjAGg/TZd06WKM6bI/AAAAAAAAAHo/jWgNDUKXAqU/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591066008133364146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">...Well I started writing this a few days ago--Wednesday, today's Saturday--but as soon as I wrote that last sentence I closed my laptop and went to the river. So we'll continue here like nothing happened. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regarding the sign above, I snapped the photo while sitting on the pot in my program's school. Here's a quick glimpse into the intricate abyss that makes up my mind: If there is one word that any person in a foreign country should know, what word is that? I believe that word would be the word for the life source, ie. water: Agua = water. Anyone who knows Spanish, and most people that don't, know that <i>agua </i>means <i>water</i>. Out of all the words on that sign, if I were to translate one word to make it more comprehensible, that word would not be <i>agua water</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the way, the sign reads, "Forbidden to throw toilet paper down the toilet". Yes, many pipes here are so old you have to throw toilet paper in a waste basket. No, it's not as bad as it sounds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So lately it's been in the 80s every day here. "Why did I sign up for this?" I wonder aloud. Oh, and believe me, the Spaniards have no shame in reminding me that this is glorious weather, simply glorious. I clearly do not know what real <i>calor</i> is. I sleep scantily clothed and it's only April 2. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God, where did March go?! It's already April 2nd. For those of you who know me personally or have been victim to my previous April Fools endeavors, you will be delighted/outraged/thoroughly surprised that I went all day yesterday without even realizing that it was April 1st. All day until Javier reminded me that it was April. I didn't get to play any jokes! Not that it would make sense here, or that I could get away with it being such an adult and all. They do have a similar day, December 28 I think, but I won't be here for it. Now I'll have to spend an entire year planning next year's jokes seeing as it'll have to be twice as clever.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Travel updates:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">LISBON WITH MY MOM</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5D6fLgWIc3k/TZdzyut8-gI/AAAAAAAAAHg/USvIzYiZRKE/s320/IMG_0709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591064777775184386" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">JEREZ de la FRONTERA</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjcFGZq4TFY/TZd2-P0_-kI/AAAAAAAAAHw/MFuSyorUz7M/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591068274176555586" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Currently working on a post for each. The trips were so special they each get their own space.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-83385218177877062882011-03-14T11:52:00.000-07:002011-03-22T14:59:40.066-07:00Londres<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Londres = London. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">~English, what a foreign language.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwCVVyyGORs/TYkawFS2MGI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/JYv6PBKIYzg/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gj5ZAEc8t8A/TYkZ-VuecUI/AAAAAAAAAHI/rAVe-o8lZ_g/s1600/IMG_0602.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Hello my loves!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well we have got plenty of catching up to do, don't we? I have had a rockin past few days! [-now much longer as I never finished writing this post...]</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Friday, March 11 2011: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Turned twenty-one years old. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwInNxf9jSI/TYkZQEAiG1I/AAAAAAAAAHA/Sv875l7GwPM/s320/IMG_0574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587024576474389330" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, Thursday night I took off to see my best friend/soul mate, Megan Dale Marie Dodson. Upon arriving at the Stansted airport in London-ish (it's an hour out of the city), I realized that my Spanish cell phone does not function outside of Spain. So while I was waiting in line in Customs for hours, all I could do was pray that Megan had stuck around to pick me up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My prayers were answered!! I cross through the glass doors and there she was waiting for me, adorable fake glasses, smile, and sign that read, "Michelle Cook" with hearts on it. I jumped into her arms/she jumped into mine. We almost cried but then pulled ourselves together. We're dignified cosmopolitan women now, and such shows are certainly not allowed. In public, at least.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We took the bus from Stansted to London and checked into our hotel for the night. A little scary at 4am, won't lie. A Russian greeted us at the front desk with sarcasm: "Nice time to check in". But with his accent it sounded more like this: "I vill kill you as you sleep tonight". Checked in, moved into our bedroom. Gigantic bed. Huge. Humungous. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gj5ZAEc8t8A/TYkZ-VuecUI/AAAAAAAAAHI/rAVe-o8lZ_g/s320/IMG_0602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587025371504472386" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fast forward to Friday. Walk all around London visiting famous touristy sites. Included Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, taking the Tube, Big Ben, Westminster Alley or whatever that place is called, Parliament. Basically we were everywhere. Came home, took an excellent three hour nap and then ate pub food for dinner. Got ready with Megan, played some songs off of Alex's Overplayed List (freshman year going out music, hell yeah), and then went to a few clubs. Rode home on the top floor of a double decker bus. Listened to American girls play out the stereotype that gives the rest of us a bad rep. Meg and I enjoyed blatantly making fun of them. Stupid girls. But Fun birthday!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday was more of a typical Megan/Michelle day. We walked over to Hyde Park (I think that's the name) and strolled there for hours. Finally found a nice bench, sat down, and talked. This is our life together. I swear we're an old married couple. Later we walked to Oxford Street and did a little damage on the old monetary funds. So many people. We quickly spent our people tolerance. That's what I love about us. We have the same very low tolerance for people. Sorry, I like my space. Bought two adorable dresses though. Returned home. Napped again, score! After deciding to stay in, we tuned into Jurassic Park (in English!!!) and shocking London television programs and she made me spaghetti. Loved it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwCVVyyGORs/TYkawFS2MGI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/JYv6PBKIYzg/s320/IMG_0581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587026226087080034" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday was pretty much was a travel day. But included some amazing french sandwich thingy at the train station to get from London to Stansted Airport. Also listened to Gallego-a mix of Spanish/Portuguese. Interesting fo sho fo sho. Oh and also, got to have a giant Starbucks coffee every morning without breaking bank. TRY THE GREEK YOGURT THERE</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Greek yogurt + honey + granola = It will change your life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over-under? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awesome weekend with my best friend :)</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-1402216764280747432011-03-09T14:52:00.000-08:002011-03-09T14:57:06.022-08:00March 9Hello everyone,<div><br /></div><div>Had a little trouble updating my blog earlier. If you haven't noticed, I finally posted a blog of funny translations. It's titled 'Miércoles = X' and for some reason is in the February archive. Hope you all enjoy it-I crack myself up learning them. Language bloopers are also pretty funny, but 9 out of 10 times too inappropriate for the majority of my audiences. </div><div><br /></div><div>Had a super duper fun lesson today. I've consistently been jumping in my riding lessons. Dressage, good luck keeping me away from eventing any longer. I love jumping, and I miss cross country. Now to find a barn, a horse, a trainer (for eventing), and time in Chicago... haha Time. Why are you always the hardest one to find?</div><div><br /></div><div>Good night everyone, got to get packing..London with my bestie for the big 2-1 celebrations!!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-23095388321293703202011-03-07T11:49:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:55:12.789-08:00tidbity update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2K0lUNwk7M/TXU3zMASlPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/n8aOr95WNdw/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2K0lUNwk7M/TXU3zMASlPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/n8aOr95WNdw/s320/IMG_0550.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581428665730897138" /></a>Kicked my butt out of the funk with a healthy dose of sunbathing in the city, ear-deafening music and a long phone call. Plus lots of bread products. Hopefully my tenis are dry in the morning! Dinner in an hour and a half then hopefully a walk with my friend Hannah :) This is another pic from my weekend in Ronquillo.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-15382805449664291092011-03-07T03:11:00.001-08:002011-03-07T03:43:37.143-08:00Listening to Diane Birch<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4jSWZtMYrI/TXTBoDv2SPI/AAAAAAAAAGY/JkPFnDuYFbI/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_P_sgGy7wpk/TXTAHub7DYI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/EzlBn66zMdc/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG"><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_P_sgGy7wpk/TXTAHub7DYI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/EzlBn66zMdc/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581297077175651714" /></a><div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Been in a funk lately. Strange weekend, the only word that comes to mind is "raro". Still feeling out of it. Can't quite explain how I feel. Ni en inglés ni en español. No estoy yo. Feel like I'm outside my body. Like a said, a bit of a funk.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">I feel a little inside out. Slightly emotionless. I could really use a week off, a week alone next to a lake in the mountains with a horse to keep my company. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wish I could go for a run. My tennis shoes are in the wash-stinky after hiking yesterday. Estaba chispeando todo el día ayer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Going to London to visit my friend Megan who is studying there. What better way to spend your birthday than with your best friend in a new city? I'll be there Thursday through Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mom comes the weekend after that! We'll be spending the weekend in Lisboa, Portugal. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Spanish man asked me this morning if I was from Sevilla. He was a tourist, and even though the answer was obvious, the question was flattering. Gave him directions in Spanish and he went on his touristy way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">El Ronquillo, where I spent the weekend:</div></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4jSWZtMYrI/TXTBoDv2SPI/AAAAAAAAAGY/JkPFnDuYFbI/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581298732163811570" style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-1401440557403866252011-02-28T23:10:00.000-08:002011-03-01T05:26:25.122-08:00Día de Andalucía<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3aYIgSmp_4/TWzzl211ofI/AAAAAAAAAGA/YqrVcPQnan8/s1600/DownloadedFile-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3aYIgSmp_4/TWzzl211ofI/AAAAAAAAAGA/YqrVcPQnan8/s200/DownloadedFile-4.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579101870107238898" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-ipC3f20o8/TWyeYOS2NRI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Re4NNjqgKVA/s1600/DSC02619.JPG"></a>Yesterday was Southern Spain's holiday: "the day of Andalusia". No one has school and few people work. It would be like the Midwest having a day off just because it's the Midwest. Except here they have songs and a culture related strictly to the region, and there is a lot more pride here. (Above: Andalusian flag)<div><br /></div><div>As most of my friends from CIEE were traveling still, I spent the day with my new friend Enrique! I woke up early and caught the metro. He picked me up from the metro-with two helmets and a smile on his face. I told him I was scared of motos. But no longer! I had a blast! Turning was still a little scary for me, but the straight parts were so fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kike with his mare, Romera</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1zfHD3KF34/TWzwvZI9sdI/AAAAAAAAAF4/fgzuDWY2Xl8/s320/DSC02619.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579098735398203858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6MfHqz4jk0/TWzrvn692rI/AAAAAAAAAFo/oj0HPHWfFYY/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We went to the picadero (barn) to get the horses ready. The women who normally picks me up from the metro station to bring me to my lessons was skiing in the Sierra Navadas, and she let me ride her gorgeous PRE stallion. Gorgeous. Perfectly behaved. Are you kidding me? Enrique and I went for a long trail ride in the country all the way to his pueblo, Coria del Río, and back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">After that we headed out for lunch. Tried a "spicy" tapa. Haha the notion of spicy here cracks me up, but seriously if you come to Spain, try Solomillo a la Pimienta. Delicious!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6MfHqz4jk0/TWzrvn692rI/AAAAAAAAAFo/oj0HPHWfFYY/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6MfHqz4jk0/TWzrvn692rI/AAAAAAAAAFo/oj0HPHWfFYY/s320/IMG_0223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579093241807887026" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">After lunch, we took the bus back into the city, Sevilla, and walked around Plaza de España. I can't remember if I've posted pictures of this Plaza. I think so. I'll post another just because I am so in love with it. Also, a scene from Star Wars was filmed here:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Link: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">http://www.youtube.com/watchv=edhLosefD0Q</span>). How can you not love this place?!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After walking through Plaza de España, exploramos los jardines del Parque de María Luisa. uff que hermosos! Con muchos patos y familias y flores y palomas. Horas andando y riéndonos. Depués, escuchamos a la música sevillana por el río hasta las 10 de la noche. Un Día de Andalucía perfecto, y celebrado en el estilo andaluce! Me encanta Sevilla!</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-57600110987983835902011-02-27T07:37:00.000-08:002011-02-27T08:00:40.469-08:0023 hours<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ewu41QSpjBE/TWpz8JZr_9I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Wt5qVLZJ-44/s1600/182701_10150098750225886_561350885_6461403_711971_n.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I officially stayed up 23 hours on end (más o menos) del estilo sevillano.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ewu41QSpjBE/TWpz8JZr_9I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Wt5qVLZJ-44/s1600/182701_10150098750225886_561350885_6461403_711971_n.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ewu41QSpjBE/TWpz8JZr_9I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Wt5qVLZJ-44/s320/182701_10150098750225886_561350885_6461403_711971_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578398565604786130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On a whim Friday night, decided to go to the beach Saturday morning with three friends. Monday is Día de Analucía, and therefore southern Spain gets to enjoy a long weekend. Majority of my friends are passing el puente in other countries traveling, but I'm very glad I stayed behind!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Woke up at 630am Saturday morning to catch the bus (it's a walk). We got to the beach in Huevla, Matalascañas, around 10 or so. It was still pretty chilly, so the four of us walked a bit, set up camp, and took "naps"-basically drifting in and out of nowhere land for a while. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once the sun came out, it scared away the fog, and where there is sun, there are Spaniards. My friend Hannah and I went for a super long walk that felt fantastic. I'd hurt my heel Friday (it swelled between the arch and the heel to the size/hardness of a golf ball), but the icy water and sand helped it. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfv4CnkQMBY/TWpz7lq4JdI/AAAAAAAAAFI/xYO5WqYNtPg/s320/185910_10150098749470886_561350885_6461389_5820265_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578398556013209042" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other than that, we just enjoyed a very relaxing day at the beach. Read my book, ate fresh seafood, hopped in the water (briefly-just long enough to eat sand after a wave decided to play dirty), lounged under umbrellas, and missed the only bus home. I'm sorry, what was that? Missed the bus? No. The last bus of the day decided not to show, leaving my group of four plus about thirty Spaniards stranded on the beach. Next bus comes today at three in the afternoon. Oh good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After very little debating, we decided to take a taxi to Sevilla. Yes it was expensive. Yes it was worth it! It ended up being about even per person compared to paying for a hostal for the night and a new bus. Plus our driver was so entertaining!! Hilarious guy. We laughed the whole ride home and arrived in Sevilla around 930pm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Got home, with a nice rosy red tomato look. Showered, changed, and called my new friend from the barn. We met up along the river in Sevilla-he was supposed to give me a tour of the city but we ended up touring his pueblo, Coria del río instead. It was a blast! A low key night, which is much more my style than the discotecas of Sevilla. Didn't get back to my apartment until 5 in the morning! My first night going out Spanish style lol.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Asleep before my head hit the pillow. Woke up at 330pm to my señora telling me lunch was ready. Stumbled out of bed. Ate an amazing soup that had calamari y mussels. She told me I looked a little moreñita (tan (a little bit)-OMG). Who knew a rubia like me could be moreñita? Crazy day, but so much fun. One of my first true Spanish experiences wohoo. Haha Also, below is living proof of my interview. Tried to lift the shadows so you could see my facial expression. It's excellent.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6zGk72sXyxo/TWpz7yZqYPI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/5QiNzYxv0uk/s320/182970_1739350600818_1150230202_32151581_8200914_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578398559430664434" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px; " /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385741855103605508.post-10345380475122391122011-02-23T10:42:00.000-08:002011-02-23T11:04:39.946-08:00A Day in the Life<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgB6e426yGI/TWVaAdsBe9I/AAAAAAAAAFA/xVX0Fe_8lBY/s1600/183277_10150142437110219_600800218_8537229_1517897_n.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">Welcome to a typical day in Spain.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgB6e426yGI/TWVaAdsBe9I/AAAAAAAAAFA/xVX0Fe_8lBY/s200/183277_10150142437110219_600800218_8537229_1517897_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576962677584002002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: left;">Remind me later to talk about Granada. It was so amazing that I'm having trouble describing my weekend. I'm such a tease. Maybe I'll post a picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>745 - Alarm goes off. Cue groan.</div><div>750 - Motivation to stay awake. Grope for blinds' string. Open window. Slowly open eyes.</div><div>800 - Get out of bed. Pack bag. Contacts. Change.</div><div>815-830 - Leave for class. 15 minute range here due to flexible amount of time sitting on edge of bed staring at floor.</div><div><br /></div><div>9-11 - Poetry class. Enthusiastic yet harsh teacher, dressed very Euro-punk. Anti-American commentary served in a back-handed style that would make any Southern Belle jealous.</div><div>1130 - Arrive at gym. Run. Good run today. </div><div>1 - Shower, Enjoy runner's high.</div><div>215 - Death of runner's high. Crash on couch at CIEE center (classes for foreigners). Deep sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>3-5 - Composition and drafting class.</div><div>5 - Grab a tea with friends. One of my good friend's birthdays today. Celebrated the big two one with smoothies and coffee. </div><div>7 - Walk home while enjoying the company of friends, intense sunshine, and a giant balloon Sponge Bob dancing in the palm trees along the river. They LOVE Sponge Bob.</div><div><br /></div><div>8 - Blog, what else?</div><div>810 - Leave home to walk back to CIEE for an interest group reunion.</div><div>9 - Cooking class with my interest group-Can't wait!</div><div><br /></div><div>1030 - The night is young... </div><div>1033 - and I'm always tired. haha maybe I'll go out, maybe not. Like I said, I'm a tease.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h-0AlHj2vi4/TWVY2MJmfjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/fzekAOr2USE/s400/IMG_0466.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576961401565904434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895024662017822440noreply@blogger.com0