Fool Me Twice

Hey, 

This is an  update of my saturday. Check the post below for more of the greater content of my weekend. 

Saturday night was cool, as you would find out below I was exhausted form a full day of skiing. Actually I was really sure that I would not be able to gather the strength to go out that night. But I have found out in Spain that my stamina for weekend activities is quite incredible. I'm looking to break Cal Ripken's record for consecutive games played. So I showered up and was ready to go, I felt like Patrick Ewing with ice bags on my knees. Anyway, thanks to the Colegio I knew of some exciting new places to go. We ended up going to Bar Emilio in which you buy a jug, or genie lamp/bong filled with a delicious mixed alcoholic beverage. It didn't taste very alcoholic but it probably was. Everyone just passed this thing around, and instead of using cups just poured the drink from the jug into their mouths. I tend to admire innovative and fun ways of drinking so I had a blast. A couple of us went to a Spanish chupiteria  (shot bar) next door  in which we bought 20 shots for 10 Euro. However, they were deceivingly small because they filled alot of the shot with flavored stuff. Regardless, still a good time. 

After meeting up with more IES people we decided to give Mae West another shot. If you remember, I got rejected from Mae West for having a bad attitude. We showed up and there was a huge line going up the infamous Mae West stairs. I went up with a girl attached to my arm, and once again was told to leave while my male friend walked right through. I don't understand what I'm doing, maybe its this small goatee beard I have but they don't like me. They almost pushed this girl down the stairs. So essentially, FUCK MAE WEST....they are going to be shutdown anyway because apparently one of their roided up bouncers murdered someone. They can suck a dick...it was unfortunately very sobering, and we bounced to the always fun Granada Diez. Except, it wasn't really that fun. Maybe it is time to try somewhere new

ESPN Classic/ Love Lockdown

Yo, 

Another weekend in Granada.... This weekend was cool because we found a new area to explore but also made me realize we have fallen into a routine. On Friday some Colegio people took us to the Pedro de Augustin area in which I had been really excited to try out but every time we tried to go people bitched about the "long" walk. Anyway, most of the weekend was spent in that area thanks to the direction of the Colegio. Friday night I laid low a little bit, which meant after exploring bars I went home at 3. We went to some cool places and some weird ones, like this heavy rock bar in which a couple friends and I took a shot of Absynth. Apparently, "I was lied to" by Eurotrip because it wasn't green and I didn't hallucinate. It was red, and it tasted so terrible. I couldn't breathe after I took it, and it burned my chest. Before you call me a puss, try it, its a killer. Anyway, I went home at 3 because I needed to get up for Skiing at 7 am. I bounced out of bed at 7, got ready and left my room at around 7:20 for the 8 am bus to the Sierra Nevada (Ski mountain). Unfortunately, the Colegio is the most special place in the world, and they lock the doors from 7 am-8 am. So I was locked inside the Colegio, unable to get out. Recently, a couple of other Americans on our program moved into the Colegio and they met me downstairs, also perplexed as to what the purpose of locking people inside is. Funnily enough, Spanish Colegio bros were locked outside after a night of Discoteca-ing so both groups were trying to break the door down. At around 7:50 we were let out, and we bolted as fast as we could to the mains street to get a cab to the Bus station to the Ski mountain.  At  7:53 we got in a cab and I told the driver, in spanish, to drive as fast as he could without any hesitation for our health. Perhaps, in retrospect, not the brightest idea. He drove, with the belief that we would not make it to the bus. At 8:05 the Bus was still there, but ofcourse nothing easy can happen in Spain so we could only buy two tickets when there was three of us. Everyone else in our group of Americans were on a bus, and we began to argue with the Bus driver about getting another ticket, which the lady at the ticket booth had told us he would sell. This was not the case, as I ended up getting into a heated argument with him in Spanish. He got in my face alot and said essentially, Spanish motherfucker, do you speak it. The Bus pulled out, we were left to ponder what to do with a large group of spanish people in our similar situation. Fortunately a small van pulled in that apparently was a shuttle bus  for Sierra Nevada. Our third member in the group bought a ticket for this bus, which was just a piece of paper that the man wrote on in pen. We boarded the bus, and set off for Sierra Nevada, completing what was arguably the Greatest Underdog story since Giants-Patriots. Disney is in contract for the feel good movie. 

It was a great start to a fun filled Valentines day, in which essentially every girl on the trip is either rocking a purity ring or involved in Love Lockdown with a bf in the states. I personally,  don't think that many relationships will last, or more appropriately and selfishly I hope they don't last. There are many girls who are single, but everyone is somewhat cautious to sexually mingle. Anyway, skiing was pretty sweet. The terrain wasn't too difficult, actually it was a full day of just crushing groomed runs. However, just being out on the mountain was really fun. Anytime I get to Ski I have a good time, especially with some amigas. 

Bad Attitude/Tostada Con Tomate

Once again I fucked around and did not update the blog for about 10 days. The sad part is I have no good reason for the lack of writing... I sleep during the day, errrday. However, today I don't think I will Siesta because it is getting beautiful and sunny outside. Anyway I gotta update ya cats on the last part of my Vida. 

Classes have begun, actually I just finished my second week. I hate class because obviously no one goes abroad to go to class. However, I can't complain too much because I have a four day week, and on Thursday I have early morning spanish and then a scheduled walk to various Islamic architectural sites. Today (Thursday) I only had the early morning spanish class and no walk. The only thing that gets me through the alternating, 8:50 and 9:50 in the AM spanish class is that afterwards I can drink some Cafe con Leche and eat God's gift to the world, Tostada con Tomate. I don't really like tomato but this is easily the most type dope breakfast ya boy has EVER had.  

Enough with school work, I'll delve into my last weekend, because that is the most fun. Last Thursday we went out to a couple of bars, you know just doin our thang. If you recall, the Colegio closes at 3 am on Thursdays and does not reopen until 7 am. Now, for Spaniards this isn't really a big deal because they don't roll through to the Discos until at least 4....however, I tend to stay until 5 mostly. I'm trying to improve, I'll be good by the end of my time here. Anyway, perhaps we start drinking a little early by pregaming with some friends at 10....which is unheard of in Spain. Anyway, Thursday night was goin well, after our pregame of embarrasingly boxed wine for 58 Euro cents we went to some bars and were havin a dope time when we decided to go to Mae West. If you remember, I fuckin lovED Mae West last time we went. However, that was  a Wednesday night, and this is a Thirsty Thursday. Anyway I rolled up with 3 other guys and about 10 girls. We ascended the stairs to where the Mae West bouncer/nightstick carrying fashion police were letting people in. I wasn't very drunk, I'd characterize myself as a little tipsy, and I recall smiling and perhaps laughing. This is important because as I reached the summit of the Mae West stairs, the bouncers promptly said I couldn't go in, and told me to have a good night. If you have ever met me you know I was pissed as shit, especially cuz I was wearin the nicest clothes I own, as well as rolling with many sheilas, so what the fuck. Obviously I'm too puss to fight these jacked up bouncers, but I was content to curse them out safely on the street. Someone, slightly more proficient at Spanish asked what the deal was, and they said that I had a bad attitude. I guess thats what happens when you smile.  Apparently these assholes were randomly not letting people in all night...I can't blame them, I am the Bad Boy of IES. 

After fuming on the street we decided to go to a Disco that had been recommended called Vogue. When we got to Vogue at 2:00 there was actually no one. I took my free drink and tried to enjoy my time. Matt, my roommate, and I decided fuck it we were going to be here passed the 3 am deadline. Half an hour later the place started to pack full with people. It was a little bit of different crowd than the Pijo (preppy) crowd of Mae West...everyone was rockin the dreadlocks and the Disco was gettin lit up with weed all around. I smell weed on the street all over Granada, but I had no idea you could just hit that spliff in the Disco. Me and my group of IES and the Rasta/Dreaded Hippies danced/I shimied for many many hours. Our friends left at around 4:30 leaving Matt and I in Vogue not being able to go home until 7. While many offered their homestays we thought we would just stick it out. We bounced from Vogue at 5 am, and walked all around Granada, we found the only Kebab place still open, we peed in the street. Next to the Colegio I deleriously climbed a tree to pick some oranges and threw them down the street. It was fine until 6:30, from 6:30 until 7 all I wanted to do was go inside the building. Unfortunately, la porteria (door man) actually leaves and returns at 7. It makes me wonder, if we are locked in, what the fuck happens if there is a fire or disaster after 3. Anyway, we sat on a bench outside the Colegio playing Who Would You Rather, quite a fun game, and watched intently at every person who walked by, hoping they were the Porteria. Finally out of the mist, late, at 7:05 we saw our du and he let us in. 

The next two days were more of the same for me, except I went to sleep a little bit earlier 4 and 5. Instead of Vogue we hit up the more Pijo, Granada Diez. Saturday was probably the most fun because although I want to meet Spanish people (girls), it was cool to be with a ton of IES people in the Disco. Notable moments were taking shots at what we determined was a High School bar before G10. Granada Diez is pretty awesome...Discos here are really lavish. This place has gold couches and is a glitzed up old theater. It is definitely a Pijo crowd, and for some reason people were throwing their glasses on the floor. The place was pretty packed full of Spanish and Americans, which is dope. I even was on stage for a little bit, u know, just livin my life. 

Anyway, I'm looking forward to another sweet weekend. Unfortunately tomorrow I have a little fieldtrip, but its too a really cool location, the Alhambra, look it up. All my Colegio boys are done with exams this week, so they told me that it will be Fiesta all the time now. Also, I'm going to be tearing up (Skiing)  the Sierra Nevada on Saturday. One final piece of exciting news is that next weekend alot of us are going to Carnival in Cadiz, which is about 4 hours away. It is apparently the 3rd biggest Carnival in the world, or something like that. There are a millions of buses filled with people heading out on Saturday at 12 noon and returning to Granada at 8 am. 

Until Next time, Ima do me ya can do you 

Spin it Back One Time

So I gotta rewind a little bit back to last week and orientation. It was week two of Orientation and it was really fun. Pretty much everyday we would go to spanish class, I would ask the professora if we could get cafe soon, she would say yes then later we'd just go for a walk. So pretty much we did no work, which is cool for everyone. I loved spanish class, whether it was actually doing work or going on walks. And this was because I am actually in love with my orientation spanish professora, Adriana. Obviously ya boy got jokes and therefore had a special relationship with Adriana during class.  She is really cute, cool and ofcourse Spanish. The only possible obstacle I can see is that she has a boyfriend. But that du is in South Africa, and your number one Pappi is in Granada. All jokes aside she is awesome and I miss her now that classes have started. 

Last Wednesday I decided to go out with my roommate and some friends. We went to this really cool bar called Mohito. Where,  surprisingly they make some type delicious Mojitos. It was a small group of Americans and then some Spanish girls. With Mojitos in hand we started hanging out with these chicas, and suddenly one of them yells in English, who wants to see me put my fist in my mouth. Obviously we all did....then, this girl obviously really drunk took my roommate and I outside to show us how Americans drink. She did cartwheels in the street, and stood on her hands. Apparently after much critical analysis she was doing a keg stand, sans the keg. After multiple Mojitos we decided we would go to a discoteca. Our small group and spanish chicks ended up at this place Mae West, which is actually in a mall. Nevertheless it has fashion police with nightsticks outside. Once inside it looked like a really lame Cowboy saloon bar and we thought that this place had been incredibly overrated. However, we walked to other side of the bar and pushed up some doors and were suddenly on the outside of a huge room with a live band on a stage, essentially we were at a concert. Needless to say we got our dance on, drink on, and probably had the best night so far.  At 2:45 my roommate and I had to book it back to the Colegio. We took different cabs accidentally because we were pretty drunk, he had to hold the door open for me before the Colegio closed for the night. 

A couple of us showed up to orientation Spanish class not feeling to great after about 4 hours of sleep. My roommate didn't get up, he just kept sleeping. 

Next Time I will update ya on the weekend in Sevilla, it was rainy. It never stops raining in this fuckin place, but I love Granada. 

If you are special and you know it

Que Tal, 

I realize I've been slackin hardcore on the blog, ma dus, and for that I do apologize. I realize my words are a regular part of ya daily routine. So I got a decent amount to update you upon over the last 6 or 7 days. 

I've found myself really getting into Granada living, and having a fantastic time. I completely didn't realize we would have to take classes here. I have continued to have a great time with the IES Crew as well as the Spanish neighbors who we have continually gotten friendly with. 

I think the last time I updated I spoke about my new nickname in the Colegio, which is Chavo. I would like to tell all of you reading at home how special the Colegio is. These kids take about 12 classes with the expectation to fail around 5 or 6. This doesn't make them special, because they can take the exams again if they fail. Really great system I know. Anyway they are all taking exams and are incredibly bored. So bored that they resort to, as people walk into the dining hall, getting quiet, everyone staring at the people walking with trays and uniformly saying shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I thought that they were targeting me until I heard them shshhhiiing other members of the Colegio. One time I walked in with my tray and I cupped my ear a little bit, as to say, make some noise....think Allen Iverson back in the day. I think that this could have been detrimental to my cause. I have a new nickname, that is Dimbo. I went from Chavo, or Chavito like tiny D, to Dimbo, the Spanish equivalent of Dumbo. Which is apparently interpreted as I got a Big Ass D****  like an elephant. Anyway moving on, my neighbors who are really cool but equally as bored thought it would be a fun prank to take my roomates bed out of the room while we were in Sevilla for the weekend. I thought it was really funny and so did he, we still have no idea how they broke into the room. A cultural observation of the Colegio students is that friends, or atleast neighbors all go to lunch together every time. Or atleast make sure they have asked everyone in their area. And at lunch, everyone at the table gets up together when they leave, no one leaves before the other. It is very different from an American dining hall. 

Last tuesday my roommate and I played basketball with some Colegio ballers in an outdoor park. I was excited to see some differences, some Euro ball being played. Noticeable differences were that they never checked the ball in, but I would always forget and they would resume playing. Also when the ball went out of bounds rather then starting the ball at the top of the key they would do inbounds passes. I thought that they would be all about the three pointer, but rather they tried to make some ridiculous cuts and passes all the time. My roommate was pretty good, and it was a pretty competitive and fun game. One du could jump out of the building, which is weird for the Spanish. 

Thats it for Colegio discussion