a day in the life...

A new day. Yesterday, (which was last Friday) the exploration continued. The previous few days were a bit rough. Still adjusting to life at the university and attempting cooking and living on my own etc. But yesterday’s presence greatly lifted my spirits.

I was on a two part mission: the research of two hotels in the area across the river, for when my parents visit in may… and to get lost. The day began as I crossed the peude colgante, one of first high rise pedestrian accessible bridges in Europe. I browsed the little informational plaque written in four different languages. The translation enlightened me… it was built in the year 1907… and other facts that are escaping me right now. Multiple languages get confusing.

Passing under the tape, I made a dash for the bridge’s elevator. My decision proved fruitless considering it was suspended 160 feet above me… I pushed the button expecting my get away vehicle to descend from such a great height, taking me far above those chasing me with, ‘stop.’ Yet apparently an elevator key is needed to command such a get away. So from my mouth streamed lou siento, low siento, no entiendo. I backed away and moved on. (ok I guess this is a tad bit exaggerated)

My foot stopped on the other side of the river not by my own physical means but by cables suspending a large ferry-type boat contraption. The other side of the river from Getxo provides a spectacular view of the harbor and the coastline. With ear buds in place, my music intensified the feeling of awe. Soon on my way, searching but at the same time wandering, I approached the first hotel. I entered confidently, exchanged ‘hola’s with the attractive concierge, and moved in a direction I presumed appropriate, unfortunately this direction landed me in the presence of many other Spaniards, a meeting of some sort… more ‘lo siento’s. A nice place… I reappeared outside, picked a direction, I’m off. (to be continued... i forgot to upload my pictures. so those are on their way too)

a little drummer boy

You know you’re in Spain when the long-haired, prepubescent boy band Hanson blares on the radio… The Spanish seem to love American music… some of our old stuff is popular as well as the immediate classic, rhiona… remixed… yes. 

The past weekend revolved around the drum. Tamborria, the famous San Sebastian (above) fiesta blew my mind. The celebration began at midnight in the plaza de centro with drummers dressed in either chef or Spanish military garb. The mosh pit ate me alive. Swaying and chanting in unison… I yelled to songs I didn’t know and lyrics I didn’t understand. I think this is what I’ve been wanting. It’s the adventure of a new experience. I felt a part of something grand and alive. I found myself jumping in time with thousands of other incredibly impassioned san sebastians. I can’t believe the energy… nothing in the U.S I’ve experienced comes close… maybe times square for new years but even then… and actually i've never been to new york on years so...  

here's a shot from the center plaza

a bit lagged

I'm trying to keep a running commentary of my experiences. It's taking me some time to post them however. This is an excerpt from the day after i arrived in Bilbao:

The day began at 1700 with a sunset. Jetlag’s a bugger. Catching one last glimpse of the sun… and scratching my head, I wonder… ‘now what’? The guys and I decide food is in order. But wait how do I order food? I… grab my Spanish phrase book, obv! Looking very Spanish in my pea coat and new sperrys, I, accompanied by two American gentlemen, venture out in search of some culture. I find it around every corner and on every face and in restaurant. Espana… I now sit sipping a drink labeled calimocho. (make sure you pronounce the ch as a th… yep, the famous Spanish lisp)(( I know now that’s actually incorrect)). Ingredients: Vino (1.85 euros a bottle at the local supermarcado) and Coca Cola. Muy bien. The discovery continues… can’t wait to see what the future holds… I hope all of you are discovering adventure amidst your own journey  

the arrival

So, within treinta minutes of my arrival in Bilbao, I pretty much exhausted all of my known Spanish phrases. In my attempt to hail a taxi, I used approximately two-fifths of my vocabulary, which mind you is somewhere close to forty… maybe forty-five words. The challenges seemed only to exponentially increase. (some pictures of getxo to keep you interested)

 Yes indeed… our cab driver did get lost. Somewhere among the multiple circles around the round-about, the “I lost… I mucho lost” streaming from the cabby, and the perpetual moments of déjà vu, I realized our apartment may not exist. Also, I may owe this taxi close to 100 Euros. Como ce dice turn the meter off? Oh well. We finally made it. Great we can finally move in… correction… no we cannot.

With the Landlord nowhere in sight, I and the Bilbao boys aimlessly meander about with dos fifty plus pound bags. Huh… now what… oh, 

after stumbling through hola como estas… soy estudianta… quiero la gerente (manager)? We’re directed to the Mon Cheri… am I even in Spain… I am?… ok good… fortunately Senor John speaks Ingles. This guy was a life-saver… and like the candy, sweet… but slightly more useful. Soon calls are made and received and the apartment door unlocked by a gentleman and scholar named Jose. What a relief and a learning experience. (in bilbao) A point of clarification: I live in a suburb outside of Bilbao called Getxo.

            That night we painted the town red with Jose as our tour guide. Jose speaks no English. Reminder: I will learn… Here I go! Ps… Jose showed us a phone booth, 5 cents a minute to call to the states. Verbal communication will commence. 

over the atlantic

First lesson. question: Hola Como estas? answer: Muy Bien. Hey everyone… My adventure thus far has proven very eventful. I arrived in Bilbao just yesterday (now about about a week ago). A recap: Denver to Philly. In Philly, with a smile on my face, I strolled towards the international terminal. I saw the two gentlemen I would spend the next few months… an even larger smile and a couple hugs. We’re on our way! I mean look at the two bozos I get to share my wanderlust with… (the getxo coast)  

A moment later, I’m in line eagerly awaiting my adventure. Across the loud speaker a lady addresses us in Spanish… hun… no entiendo… I nervously laugh as I hop on the plane. I could be in trouble. 

Immediately put to rest, I sit next to a Dutch princess by the name of Heidi who hails not from the land of wooden clogs but from the golden state of California… her and I chat about school, (she’s at Cal Baptist), common acquaintances at Westmont, our inexperience with the language, where we’re studying (her in Seville) and how we welcome with anticipation a young Spanish delicacy know only as… Piglet. Her company was much appreciated and enjoyed. 

a boy in a candy store

Hey everyone... internet has been an interesting challenge... the posts will definitely be more consistent once i establish a wifi (pronounced "wefe in espanol) connection in the apartment. I have a couple of posts saved on my computer about my first few days... those will be up soon, hopefully. But for now, a quick update:

I'm in san sebastian! The grandest fiesta of the year begins tonight. The whole city takes to the streets to bang on drums either dressed as chefs or spanish soldiers... one can easily see the connection. Undoubtedly very rowdy, very loud and very fun... and the city is incredible! Pictures are on their way shortly. The guys and I strolled the city, sipped a cafe con lache and were undoubtedly labeled tourists by many passers by... with our cameras and googli eyes and our numerous 'wow's. The whole experience is still so surreal.  Can't wait see what tonight has in store! Adios!... for now. 

ps. looks like Spain (for obvious reasons) victoriously snatched the popular vote with... two votes... out of five... awesome  

...

I'm just sitting here, it's lunchtime. Wondering about the future, I munch on my sandwich .. umm .. deep. It's snowing outside my window... soon enough I will be flying far above any such flakes, heading towards my future, my destination... my epic... this is my wanderlust. 

The Beginning...

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, toddlers and infants... Welcome! Thanks for listening in... can't wait to share the next few months with you as my spanish adventure unfolds. Feel free to join in with comments, travel suggestions, stories, existential ponderings, etc. and I'm always available at ecrowley@westmont.edu... so let it begin!