A Bullfight

How a bullfight works: ** caution - it's not pretty, or good for anyone who has strong opinions about animals rights. *

Everyone who is going to be in the fighting area comes out - a few on horses as the people of introduction, a few torreros (not quite matadors, but a little above a stable boy) but men who were going to help the matador if he needed help and to also tease the bull, men on horse back that would pierce the bull with sharp stakes so that it would weaken it. However, the horses are completely covered in armor and padding so that they are not hurt by the bull when it gets upset that the person on the horse is hurting it. Just because the horses had armor though, did NOT mean that I didn't gasp every time the bull was angry and tried to gore the horse. The horses are also blind so they the do not become too spooked. (ha, like that was working that well, you are blind and all of a sudden - bull in your business poking you with it's horns - sounds like a great time.

The bull is let into the ring, and the torreros tease and play with it to wear it down and make it tired.
The padded horses and men come in and the bull sees a new target and wants to make friends, the men on the horses stab the bull twice and then a horn sounds so that the horses can leave. 

The torreros tease the bull again, and if he gets too close they have the chance of being gored (oh wait, we saw a torero get gored in the leg, but he was going to be ok. (just a little sore for a few days joked the men behind me) Once they get the bull's attention, they are able to stab him with two sharp stakes that are colorfully decorated. They do this 2 more times until the bull has 4-6 stakes in his shoulder area. But the stakes do not stay colorful for long, the blood from the bull quickly turns everything dark and red. 

Finally the matador enters and has his time with the bull. He gets it to come close to him and stains blood all over his little outfit (but still looks very good in those pants, tights and funny little slippers) Once he and the audience have deemed that the bull has put up a good fight (I still haven't figured this part out yet-good vs. bad etc) he takes a sword that was hidden in his red cloth, and stabs the bull in between the shoulder blades to sever his spinal cord (? I think) however (brace yourself) he pierces the lung of the bull and the bull dies by drowning in his own blood. (Gory and horrible, but not as bad when you are far away and try to make yourself numb against all of this) 

The bull dies and they pierce the neck to ensure it's death. Then donkeys and more men come out to cart the bull around the ring and then to take him away. The matador receives the ear of the bull for a good fight, and the tail for an ok fight, and nothing for a bad fight. 

Then we start again from the bull entering the area. (I did this. 4 times) 

Overall - interesting and I didn't hate it, but I don't know if I could go to another one just yet. I made it through 4 bulls, and I was fine, but more hungry than anything. An older man even asked when we left if we liked it or not and I stuttered through a response while a friend explained everything - we liked it, but we were hungry. He laughed and said - of course,  your first priority.
Also - the women in front of me were never going to shut up, they were the most talkative people in all of Sevilla. I had a harder time concentrating because of them, however nothing was going to divert my attention from the bright red blood seeping from the bull's shoulders. I felt so bad for it, and yet I know the owner of the bull, the rancher who raised it, is proud of the bull and it's seen as an honor to have his bull in the ring. However, I was most excited to see the handsome bullfighter. (I am going to need a fan again) But he did have some close calls and was even flipped over the bull, but got away without a scratch, just covered in blood. 

Yes, it was gory. Yes, it was violent. Yes, it's not a the best entertainment. But, it is and was a huge part of Spain's culture as well as a country pastime. Some people can watch it, others can't.

Also, I didn't take any pictures of the fight because I was worried about the gore factor, but I am going to "borrow" some from friends who did.

So far in Spain.

My opinions on a few things:

The People:
Everyone here is always dressed well, regardless of what they are going to go do. And even the little kids are dressed well, in their little school uniforms or something else. However, as they age I noticed (like an old woman) that the older they get, the less clothing they wear. When we went out over the weekend, I was worried (again like an old woman - see a pattern yet?) I saw nothing but legs and boobs, and some more legs. However, I noticed that the men were all dressed in nicer button downs and jeans, or some where even wearing slacks, and lemme tell you that made them a might more attractive in my eyes. (Amercian boys - write that down because I am expecting to see some well dressed guys when I get back!) (Although I know Europe and the US are nothing a like. Oh well. A girl can dream) Regardless of how they dressed we had a fabulous time out, and I can't wait to go out again!

I think my Spanish is ok, I need to look over some grammar because it has not been my best, and if I do so I think I will feel better talking to my family and the natives.

THE FOOD - I have never had anything bad here ever. Everything has been absolutely wonderful. And mi mama also made paella (spelling and pronunciation) and that was just wonderful within itself.

How beautiful. Rosa's paella had chicken and all kinds of seafood in it. 

It was wonderful. I had never had paella and I am in love.

She was also very happy for me to be taking pictures of her cooking. I know she's flattered when Camilla and I talk about it. It's hard not to - it's sooo good. 

Everything is beautiful and everyone is wonderful.
People in the group - how I feel about them and how everyone is and how I think they are handling everything.

I am never going to leave this place. Ever.
I need to find me a Spaniard to settle down with. The only problem is that all of them still live with their mothers. :/
ha ha ha

It's hard not to be a Tourist

We left Madrid tired and ready to see the small village of Toledo. Toledo is a town known for its religious tolerance. There are strong influences of each major religion is apparent. The restaurant in the hotel actually had Arabic painted onto the walls, and Moorish carvings on the walls leading down to the restaurant.

El Escorial de San Lorenzo

We got to Toledo after visiting El Escorial de San Lorenzo, which is a beautiful monastery that is actually still in use. We toured around the cathedral, private bedrooms of Phillip II (who commissioned the building) and a part of the monastery. Our tour guide was wonderful. She spoke English and Spanish and would switch off between the two. She was very enthusiastic about everything having to do with El Escorial, and I wanted her to take me on a tour of the rest of Spain. She also showed us the tombs of the past kings from Charles I (Charles V – Holy Roman Emperor) until the two reserved for Juan Carlos I and his wife. (The old king and queen – mother and father of the current king) However, there is a problem. Once Juan Carlos I and his wife reside in the tombs, there is not more room for the new kings once they pass on. Where are the going to be buried?! However, the kings and queens are buried in rotting chambers until they are nothing but bones and then they are put into their respective caskets, ornately decorated of course. The entire process takes about 30 years and was not that appealing to me. It gave me the willies. (Lots of bones and bodies… not my favorite) But everything was still very interesting to see and learn about.

Gardens outside of the Monastery 

Outside of the monastery

We left El Escorial for Toledo in the mid afternoon and got to eat lunch. A bowl of Gazpacho was on my mind, and having it deeply satisfied a need for it. It was wonderful.

Perfecto! 

Then we went on a guided tour of Toledo following a man who was a local who had become a tour guide. However, it wasn’t a regular tour.  We were each given a small earpiece and a walkie talkie looking object, and we could turn the thing on and we could hear what he was saying without having to crowd together to hear his every word.  I felt like such a tourist with my earpiece and my large camera. (I love my Canon – don’t get me wrong, it’s take great pictures but shouts YOU’RE A TOURIST to everyone else)

Alysha (left) and Holly (right) modeling with our touristy headsets. 

This is how most of us wore our earpieces and walkie talkie sets. Alysha pulled hers off the best. 

Besides that I took some great pictures, and some others took good ones too.

Synagogue in the Jewish District. This is one of the only ones that survived after The Catholic kings, Isabel and Ferdinand, created a solid Christian state. 

The main church in Toledo. 

Yep, more church pictures. 

Beautiful and ornate organ pipes. 

Everything in this entire church was orante and gold - including the place for the bishop to preach. 

This one too. 

They even had the sword of Franco, which had a gold glided handle.

The purpose of this entire structure is to hold the wafers. 

It's over 400 kilos of gold and gems. 

So ornate and beautiful. 

A fresco on the ceiling of one of chapels. 

The hat is from a cardinal who was from the Cathedral and under his hat, he is buried. But also notice the statues behind the hat. 

These are seats for the monks to sit when they vote for things. All of them were ornately hand carved. And each chair has a different carving on it. 

More of the organ. and more beauty. 

We went shopping after our trip and I got something for mom, which I think she will really like. But the best part – ice cream, but not just ice cream, Helado, gelato, whatever – it’s the best. Better than ice cream best, so much better that I don’t want to eat ice cream once I get back to the states better. After doing all of those things, we made our way to the top of the hotel, where there was a terrace and we could take pictures of the beautiful sunset over Toledo’s skyline. 

Me with the setting sun in Toledo. 

Those were the perfect way to capture Toledo. 

Toledo and the sunset. 

The following day we headed down to Sevilla, which is where I will be staying for the rest of my time. Ok, some trips here and there, but otherwise, Sevilla is it. It was a long 7 hour bus ride, but it was worth it. I have met my host family, and I am in love with them. Even their little dog - Nano. (he has a facebook, not even Mom has facebook, I think this should change) 

For dinner we had Tortilla Española, my favorite, with salad and coffee flavored flan for dinner. Everything was perfect. 

Tomorrow brings something new and exciting - a bike tour around the city. 

Longest day of my life.

Today has possibly been the longest day of my life. It started yesterday (saturday) around 8 am, (waking up) and won't stop until I close my eyes at the end of this post.
From Airports, to autobuses, I am finally in Spain, and it feels like coming home. The accent feels comfortable, the city smells like I remember it, and everything is wonderful.

Arriving:
Getting into Spain was not difficult at all and the customs agent didn't even look at my visa (that I had worked so hard to get) when he stamped my passport for entry into Spain.
After getting through customs and happily obtaining my bag from the luggage carousel, I found other API students and we went to the meeting place at a caféteria, where we met Juan who works for API and who was in charge of coming to get us. The hotel was wonderful, and walking around was even better, but a nap was desperately needed.

Fear not as soon as we go to the hotel, we saw that a Fiat commercial was being filmed.

There were a few things of high priority. Like, FOOD. I felt like I had been through a desert from the plane, and all I wanted was a glass of wine and some tortilla española. And a nap. 

It even came in its own little pan! I need one of these! Tortillas all the time! 

I got the nap. But there are no pictures of it. 

Sorry. 

The roommate:
I love her already. She's traveled everywhere and has done everything. She's wonderful. I know she reads this. I can't wait to get down to Sevilla with her and hang out with our host familia. I think it's going to be a great time.


Dinner:
I wish I had brought my camera to dinner, because it was everything picture worthy. Varied green salad with a thick slice of warm brie on the top an topped with walnuts. I almost licked the plate. Then came dinner - simple fish - that had been filleted and still had a head, tail and eyes. Side was a small serving of yellow mashed potatoes. The fish was wonderful and cooked to perfection. The only bad part about eating real fish is picking out the tiny bones from each bite. But all was well worth the work.

Then: dessert. We had been discussing gelato and other favorite dishes, and the direct smiled at me (ate with the director and a coordinator because we were running late, and gosh darn, they left without us.) and the chef brought out raspberry gelato and a fried pastry dish filled with a delicate cream and topped with toasted almonds. Then the plate was sprinkled with cinnamon. I was in heaven.

Stupidly  however - I went out.

I wanted to sleep. I should have, could have, would have slept. 

But I didn't.

Everyone wanted to go out and we tried to split up and go to different places, but we only found side streets that were not what we were looking for. Also, I was not looking for any man to come up to my person and begin talking to me about going to his club and getting free drinks. Nope. Not in the least. We also had no idea where we were going, nor where we wanted to go.

That was the whole night. At least until we found an Irish pub, and I split a Guinness with a friend.

I was so excited to go to bed, but I had no trouble falling asleep. Or dreaming, or staying asleep.

Last Weekend in Clemson

The weekend of September 8th, was my last weekend in Clemson before going to Spain. I had the best time, although much of it was a blur.

Many of the people who were at the game didn't want to go overboard because it was only the first game. this was not going to go well with me because I had one weekend to get an entire football season crammed into.

I even got to sit with my little brother! Even though our seats were super high up in the Upper Deck. Didn't matter - there was a good breeze. 

I had the best time in Clemson, and I know I am going to miss it a lot while abroad. But one good thing - I am bringing my tiger rag! 

Update: I met two Clemson Tigers on the way down to Miami on the plane. The were sitting next to me and noticed a notebook I had with Tillman on it. It felt so wonderful to know that there are Tigers everywhere. 

First Post

Boring name for the first post. But that's what it is. I feel it's necessary to go through the motions about what this is going to be about since I am going to try as hard as I can to keep it updated.

I, Anne, am finally going abroad. I will be going to the beautiful country of Spain in the Fall of 2012. I will stay in Sevilla, which is in the southern part of the country, and I cannot wait.

Seville is way down south, and way hot. 

Everyone so far has two questions for me, when do you leave? and - what are you going to be doing there?
1. I leave September 15th and will arrive in Spain September 16th. (hello long overnight flight)
2. I am going to study. It's not called Study Abroad for nothing. However, I don't that there will be too much studying. Hopefully that will give me enough time to explore the country fully (as well as I can in 4-ish months) and have a wonderful time. (doing what - well, I will figure that out when I get there)

Also, all of my classes are going to be in Spanish, which is exciting to me because I hope that means I can solidify the Spanish that I have been learning for the past, oh 8 years! I hope that it will make me fully fluent and that I will love the language even more.

As for right now, I have 3 days until I leave, and I hate it. I do a lot of nothing, and packing, and cleaning and catching up on various episodes of Say Yes to the Dress. Other than that... I am bored. And ready to go to Spain!