I've been putting off this post, teling myself it's best just to wait till after Christmas. Then I decided I should include New Years. And when that arrived I decided I should include Three Kings Day, and now I just have a mountain of things to report, so I tried to put it off some more. But, it can be delayed no more, so here is the super-summerized version of the last few weeks. The most eventful and exciting news (for me anyways) was Jack coming to Spain. We had a wonderful two weeks here (I'm speaking for him too, becuase I'm hoping thats his answer.) I took him around Barcelona the first few days, showed him the sights. He really seemed to take to the idea of sitting in a cafe sipping espresso and eating pastries, so we definitely got our fill of that. We speant Christmas here in Barcelona with my spanish family, although truth be told, it was rather uneventful. It definitely is less of a holiday here since the traditional celebration is held on the 6th of January (Three Kings Day.) But we gave the family some gifts, Little Tomas got Thomas the Tank Engine movies (in english to help him practice) and Marta and Dad Tomas a cookie press, so they can make cookies on their own when I'm gone. Then Jack and I went my favoirte holiday spot, the Chineese resturant to have Christmas dinner. On the 28th we left for Mallorca, an Island just outside of Spain. The trip started out a mess (long story short, the stuttle from the airport to the otherside of the island we booked ahead of time online turned out to be a dud, so we stressed and paniced and finally arrived four hours later then planned, with a 100+ Euro taxi fare.) But after that mishap, we had a wonderful week. The down was perfect, small and quaint, and surrouned on almost all sides by the ocean, which, is the most beautiful I've seen. Perfectly clear, and shades of blue that you always see in magazines. For some reason I'm still fasinated by the school of jellyfish we found, some washed ashore that I tried to save, and the others you could see swimming near by in the crystal clear water. It was a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable week, and when we came back I had a few days left to show him around more of Barcelona.
Now that it's mid January, I've also been trying to sort out my future plans, because as of right now, my visa expires on the 3rd of March, so I've got to make my move. The family really wants me to stay till June, but I'd have to stay illeagaly, which obviously isn't ideal. I'm torn between going back home and starting to get things started back there, or speanding a few more months here. As of now, I'm just going to see how things fall, because i'm completly torn, so hopefully something will happen the will lead me in one direction (and hopefully it's not a police officer deporting me from the country.)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
La fiesta (aka, the drunken mess of 40 year olds)
When Marta (my spanish mother) said she was going to invite a few friends over to celebrate her 40th birthday, I envisioned a few grown adults, gathered around chatting and sipping some wine (because this is Spain, they love their wine.) But, I have never mis-judged something more. My first clue that this quite affair was not going to be so.. quite, was when I saw the guest list. Turns out "a few" friends, meant 50+. Well, okay, Marta is the calm type, surly her friends are too, no problem. But then Tomas (the dad) arrived home with the beverages from the party. Which I'm pretty sure he cleaned out several stores alcohol sections, and no joke, it took to cars to transport it all. They day of the party rolled around, Marta (as she is now does on a daily basis) gave me a fashion show of all the possible outfits, and spent the day primping. It was kind of adorable, she looked like a teenager getting ready for prom. Anyways, as the guests started arriving, I decided maybe I'd scaddadle for a bit with my own friends, and let her enjoy her party without having to remind everyone to speak castellano so I'd understand. And moreover, I've learned from previous experience, that once a little alcohol is in them, they tend to love to fire away questions at me, which is fine, except for slurred-spanish is just a little to difficult for me to understand. When I left the house, the party was almost how I imagined it, everyone merrily chatting (a little louder then I thought) and with a drink in hand. Around 2am, I thought surly the party would be well over, considering it started a good 6 hours before, and I'd just slip in and head off to bed. As I got closer to my house, i heard the beats of lady gaga, which, isn't so unusual since I live near a park, and sometimes people have a boom-box and hang out there. But as I got closer, I discovered the music was in fact, coming from my building. Yes, the music of the pop sensation audible from a block away, was coming from the 40 year old christmas party at 2am. I hesitantly decided to go in, considering I didn't really have much else to do at 2am, and as soon as I opened the door, I man with our christmas tree star balanced on his head immediately greeted me with (very loudly, considering he had to out-yell the music) "Bienvenido a la fiesta de navidad!" (welcome to the christmas party!) Then, Marta came running over, tipsy at best, saying, "es la Stevie, es la Stevie!" (It's Stevie, It's Stevie!) As she ran around the room yelling this, the man with the star followed after her asking "quien es la Stevie?!" (who is Stevie?!) After I was wished a Merry Christmas, or a Feliz Navidad, or a Bon Nadal (or really it was more of a combination of these three) I made it to me room, just as, song change, Tik Tok came on. Needless to say, the party wasn't near over, and instead of sleep I enjoyed a piece of cake and a wonderful playlist of the hottest songs, which, inspired karaoke, dancing, and much more. The party finally ended around 5am, and people started leaving (those who could.. a majority of them ended up leaving the next afternoon.) I guess I should have seen it coming, because there is no such thing as a nice, calm party in Spain. And in case your wondering, the christmas tree star (along with a majority of the other decorations) didn't survive. Luckily, little Tomas made us some nice new ones.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The holidays as never seen before!
Christmas is getting into full swing here, although sometimes it's hardly recognizable to do all the very odd traditions it's attached to here. Two of these seem to stand out the most, and every time I see them, I'm still shocked at a) how they at all represent the Christmas spirit, and b)that not only are they politically correct, but it is harshly frowned upon to ignore said traditions. I will explain:
1) Caganer (which translates more or less into "pooper")
The Caganer is, crudely put, a statue of a man pooping. The traditional Caganer is dressed in black pants, a white shirt, a red hat, and is found with his pants down and in a squatting position, with a pile of poo under his rear-end. This statue is EVERYWHERE here. There is a particularly lovely one in a shopping center, that is two stories tall. But more commonly, you find them inside everyones house, in the manger scene. Yes, thats right. Squatting next to baby Jesus and Mary, is a little Caganer. I really can't get a good background on this little guy, although it's nothing new. Apparently he's been gracing manger scenes in Catluña for quite sometime. And now days, they've varied from the traditional Caganer, and you can get famous soccer players, actors, and yes, even an Obama Caganer.
2) Tio Nadal or Tio Caga (Uncle Christmas or Uncle Poop)
I hope your noticing the trend of the association of poop and Christmas. Tio Nadal is usually symbolized as a log, with a face painted on him and a red hat. For the month leading up to Christmas, the kids "feed" their Tio every night, and tuck him in with a blanket so he doesn't get cold. He sure eats a lot, because every morning the food is magically gone. After a month of good care, the kids then beat the log with a stick while singing the traditional song, and if the Tio is pleased and well fed, he will "poop" out little candies and gifts.
As you can see, I'm bound to have a very exciting and interesting Christmas. And maybe even figure out exactly how poop became associated with Christmas.
I'll admit I'm even more homesick now that it's getting closer to Christmas. I'm going to miss a lot of the traditions and being with my family. I'm trying to imitate some of them here (although sledding is just a little difficult here) and pick up on some new traditions. I think I'd be completely falling apart if Jack wasn't coming in 15 1/2 days (not that I'm counting) so at least I'l have someone familiar to spend Christmas with, even if we are surrounded my pooping statues.
1) Caganer (which translates more or less into "pooper")
The Caganer is, crudely put, a statue of a man pooping. The traditional Caganer is dressed in black pants, a white shirt, a red hat, and is found with his pants down and in a squatting position, with a pile of poo under his rear-end. This statue is EVERYWHERE here. There is a particularly lovely one in a shopping center, that is two stories tall. But more commonly, you find them inside everyones house, in the manger scene. Yes, thats right. Squatting next to baby Jesus and Mary, is a little Caganer. I really can't get a good background on this little guy, although it's nothing new. Apparently he's been gracing manger scenes in Catluña for quite sometime. And now days, they've varied from the traditional Caganer, and you can get famous soccer players, actors, and yes, even an Obama Caganer.
2) Tio Nadal or Tio Caga (Uncle Christmas or Uncle Poop)
I hope your noticing the trend of the association of poop and Christmas. Tio Nadal is usually symbolized as a log, with a face painted on him and a red hat. For the month leading up to Christmas, the kids "feed" their Tio every night, and tuck him in with a blanket so he doesn't get cold. He sure eats a lot, because every morning the food is magically gone. After a month of good care, the kids then beat the log with a stick while singing the traditional song, and if the Tio is pleased and well fed, he will "poop" out little candies and gifts.
As you can see, I'm bound to have a very exciting and interesting Christmas. And maybe even figure out exactly how poop became associated with Christmas.
I'll admit I'm even more homesick now that it's getting closer to Christmas. I'm going to miss a lot of the traditions and being with my family. I'm trying to imitate some of them here (although sledding is just a little difficult here) and pick up on some new traditions. I think I'd be completely falling apart if Jack wasn't coming in 15 1/2 days (not that I'm counting) so at least I'l have someone familiar to spend Christmas with, even if we are surrounded my pooping statues.
Monday, November 22, 2010
American holiday in a chinese resturant with an Irish friend in Spain
Now that the holidays are coming up, I'm starting to have my first case of homesickness. Thus far, I've had times of missing my family, my friends, and random objects that can't be found in Spain, but now i'm experiencing ligament homesickness. The thought of not being with my family for Christmas is just so strange, and on top of that, I'm apprehensive about spending it with my family here, since we will be with all of there relatives, and I'll be the strange american girl in the corner. I'm sure my nerves are just making me dramatic, but it is going to be an unusual Christmas. And it's odd how much you can miss the little things, like baking christmas cookies, watching Christmas movies, and the worst, a REAL christmas tree. But I'm trying to be positive, and think how amazing of an experience it will be to have christmas in Spain. Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and I'm taking that one a little better, and have made a date with an Irish girl I met here, to have "thanksgiving dinner" at a chinese restaurant here in Olesa. I just find that one kind of humorous and figure I can't have a much more international dinner then that.
Other tidbits:
-I started my internship this week, and I couldn't be happier. The photographer is so kind, and really is willing to help me in whatever way he can. He's reviewing my portfolio now, and we're lining up shoots and assignments that I can go out with him on to observe. He's also helping me organize my own editorial project that I can be working on while I'm here. I think I will learn so much, and have such a great portfolio and resume when I start looking for jobs or internships back home.
- Harry Potter+in Spanish= 10x better
I did feel a little stupid though, because we showed up 45 mins early to the showing, so we'd get good seats, and almost sprinted into the theater as soon as it was open, only to learn they were assigned seats, so it was all a waste. But the movie was excellent and really added to my spanish vocabulary (if I ever needed to cast spells that is.)
Other tidbits:
-I started my internship this week, and I couldn't be happier. The photographer is so kind, and really is willing to help me in whatever way he can. He's reviewing my portfolio now, and we're lining up shoots and assignments that I can go out with him on to observe. He's also helping me organize my own editorial project that I can be working on while I'm here. I think I will learn so much, and have such a great portfolio and resume when I start looking for jobs or internships back home.
- Harry Potter+in Spanish= 10x better
I did feel a little stupid though, because we showed up 45 mins early to the showing, so we'd get good seats, and almost sprinted into the theater as soon as it was open, only to learn they were assigned seats, so it was all a waste. But the movie was excellent and really added to my spanish vocabulary (if I ever needed to cast spells that is.)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Pope and other random tales...
The big event of the week was El Papa's (the Pope) visit to the city & I was more then surprised how un-peaceful of an event this turned into. Naturally, I couldn't avoid such a conflict (blame it on my lack of debate outlets) so I decided to go in Saturday afternoon to take pictures of the mayhem. And thus begin yet another "fail" for Stevie in the city. Short version: I arrive at the protest, take out my camera, and, realize my battery is at home on the charger. Unfortunate, but not a big deal. I still had an excellent time trying to understand the disputes between the pro-pope and anti-pope crowds. Once I got the protesting out of my system, I decided that I should get back to the bus stop and head home, since it's been getting dark earlier here, and since La Rambla isn't a place to be alone at night. Some how, the bus stop disappeared. I've been there many times now, and never got lost, but what I decided would be a short cut, ended up getting me terribly lost. So I walked and walked, and finally decided to ask 2 police where it was. They gave me a wonderfully vague answer of straight and to the left. So I just started walking, not knowing HOW far straight or HOW far to the left, but figuring I was in the general vacinaty. After about 30 minutes or circling, I had my second attempt at asking directions, which, was equally un-helpful. By this time, I had already missed the first bus, and the next didn't leave for another two hours, so I decided that I was probably close to the bus stop, and I'd just get something to eat and then pick up my search. Fast forward 1:45 minutes. I have been walking, and walking, and finally decided that the bus stop must not be anywhere close, because surly I would have seen it. My new plan is to find a metro, take it back to La Rambla, and start again. Fast forward 30 minutes. Still walking, no metro in sight, have missed the second bus, and am on track to miss the third if I don't find a metro ASAP. Right when my panic mode is about to set in, I see the glowing red "M" of the metro sign, and sprint down the stairs to look at the map and see where I am. I think people thought I was crazy, because I literally almost died laughing when I saw what station I was at, and how FAR it was from where I started, or where I was trying to get. And, sad to report, it was probably my frazzled, hysterical apperance that caused me, minutes later, to get my wallet stolen while on the crowded train back to La Rambla. Conclution: I made it to the bus stop, realized my wallet was gone, my phone was dead, and had no way to pay for the bus or call for help. Thank god for a sweet old lady who punched her bus ticket twice so I could get back to the safe haven of Olesa. Then Sunday I got to spend all day cancelling cards, replacing info, all that fun stuff. Note to self: Protesting the pope= lots of bad karma.
Other notes:
I start my internship for an amazing photographer on the 17th! I'm so anxious and nervous and excited. And have been busy trying to touch up and add to my portfolio, which he wants to see!
Tomas (the little one) said his first, full sentence in english without prompt. Normally, he'll say words, like spanglish, or repeat a sentence if you tell him it, but this is the first time he just came up to me and told me something in english. Thankfully, his mom was there to witness this, and she is just extatic, because she was convinced that'd he'd never speak english. The sentence "I'm going to win because I'm faster then you." A little cocky, and scary, especially with the look he gave me when he said it. But i'll take it anyday, if he's saying it in english.
Other notes:
I start my internship for an amazing photographer on the 17th! I'm so anxious and nervous and excited. And have been busy trying to touch up and add to my portfolio, which he wants to see!
Tomas (the little one) said his first, full sentence in english without prompt. Normally, he'll say words, like spanglish, or repeat a sentence if you tell him it, but this is the first time he just came up to me and told me something in english. Thankfully, his mom was there to witness this, and she is just extatic, because she was convinced that'd he'd never speak english. The sentence "I'm going to win because I'm faster then you." A little cocky, and scary, especially with the look he gave me when he said it. But i'll take it anyday, if he's saying it in english.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Creepers, Hospitals, and Internships
Part I: Creepers
This week has been one for creeping, both being creeped on, and doing some creeping myself. I went into Barcelona Sunday with my Irish friend, with plans to have a nice, relaxing evening in the park. However, we soon saw this wouldn't be the case when we got on the metro and two men were persistently staring and, well, being creepers. I'm always a little paranoid, so I just ignored it, figuring we'd get off the metro and they'd bug off. However, once we got off and started walking to the park, we realized they weren't going to leave us alone. So we zig-zaged through crowds hoping to lose them, until finally they sat down at a bench, and we continued on. We spent a good two hours in the park, and finally decided we needed some coffee. But, being a Sunday, nothing was open but a little store, so I went in to ask if they knew of a cafe nearby that would be open. The man replied yes, they're everywhere. And I said, noooo, I've been walking around for two hours and there not. And he said, well how about I invite you to coffee and I'll show you. I declined, he asked why, and I said, duh, because I don't know you. I then just decided to leave, while he stood in the doorway yelling, "do you want me to invite you? I will!" So escaping creeper #2, we decided to count our losses and head back toward the metro. But lone behold, creeper #1 was still sitting on the bench, and of course, as soon as we passed by, he got up and continued his pursuit. We figured it wasn't a good idea to get on the metro again with him, so we did our best to lose him, but to no avail. So we headed back to the metro, and right before we got on our train (which coincidentally, he was going on to) I turned to him, and in flustered Spanish muttered something like "if you keep following us, I'm going to tell the security guard." He must of understood, because that was the end of the creeper situation for the night.
I've also been doing some creeping, but I think mine is a little less... creepy. I've been taking lots of photos, but I haven't really been bold enough to get alot of people shots, which is what I really love, so I made it my mission today to practice my camera creeping, and get some good shots of people, since there is always someone doing something interesting. I'm still not as bold as I need to be, but I'm working on it. And hopefully some of the creeping skills of the Spanish will rub off on me.
Part II: Hospitals
Marta, the mother I'm staying with, got sick about a week ago, with what seemed like a simple cold. But last Wednesday, it escalated, and finally Tomas (the dad) decided she needed to go to the hospital. Unfortunately, she has been there ever since (it will be a week tomorrow.) They figured out right away it was an infection, but for the first several days, they were unable to figure out where it was coming from. They've finally got it under control, and she's expected to come home tomorrow (fingers crossed!) But, this all has meant that me and Little Tomas have been together all week, as how Tomas (the dad) has stayed with Marta at the hospital. I was worried about being alone with him all week, because if we had problems I'd have no relief from him. But it's turned out great, and he's been great this whole time, and seems to be trusting me tons more. He's slept in my bed with me all week, and even though that means I get kicked or hit every 30 minutes, I'm glad he trusts me and loves me this much now.
Part III: Internships
I send out an email to several papers and photographers here in Barcelona, asking for an informal internship, just trying to gain a little experience when I have a few hours to spare. I wasn't really expecting anything to come out of it (especially considering I don't know if my letter in Spanish was comprehend able.) But a I got a response back from and AMAZING photographer here in Barcelona, who is so generous and wiling to work with me and help me with what ever I need. He really focuses on social and photojournalism, which is exactly what I would love to photograph, and has been published in Time, BBC, National Geographic, everywhere I would dream of being published. I have a meeting tomorrow to make a plan with him, and hopefully I'll get to go out on lots of shoots, make some good contacts, and have an amazing experience learning more about photography. Here's his website, take a look if you have a minute, his photos are truly amazing. http://www.charliemahoney.net/
This week has been one for creeping, both being creeped on, and doing some creeping myself. I went into Barcelona Sunday with my Irish friend, with plans to have a nice, relaxing evening in the park. However, we soon saw this wouldn't be the case when we got on the metro and two men were persistently staring and, well, being creepers. I'm always a little paranoid, so I just ignored it, figuring we'd get off the metro and they'd bug off. However, once we got off and started walking to the park, we realized they weren't going to leave us alone. So we zig-zaged through crowds hoping to lose them, until finally they sat down at a bench, and we continued on. We spent a good two hours in the park, and finally decided we needed some coffee. But, being a Sunday, nothing was open but a little store, so I went in to ask if they knew of a cafe nearby that would be open. The man replied yes, they're everywhere. And I said, noooo, I've been walking around for two hours and there not. And he said, well how about I invite you to coffee and I'll show you. I declined, he asked why, and I said, duh, because I don't know you. I then just decided to leave, while he stood in the doorway yelling, "do you want me to invite you? I will!" So escaping creeper #2, we decided to count our losses and head back toward the metro. But lone behold, creeper #1 was still sitting on the bench, and of course, as soon as we passed by, he got up and continued his pursuit. We figured it wasn't a good idea to get on the metro again with him, so we did our best to lose him, but to no avail. So we headed back to the metro, and right before we got on our train (which coincidentally, he was going on to) I turned to him, and in flustered Spanish muttered something like "if you keep following us, I'm going to tell the security guard." He must of understood, because that was the end of the creeper situation for the night.
I've also been doing some creeping, but I think mine is a little less... creepy. I've been taking lots of photos, but I haven't really been bold enough to get alot of people shots, which is what I really love, so I made it my mission today to practice my camera creeping, and get some good shots of people, since there is always someone doing something interesting. I'm still not as bold as I need to be, but I'm working on it. And hopefully some of the creeping skills of the Spanish will rub off on me.
Part II: Hospitals
Marta, the mother I'm staying with, got sick about a week ago, with what seemed like a simple cold. But last Wednesday, it escalated, and finally Tomas (the dad) decided she needed to go to the hospital. Unfortunately, she has been there ever since (it will be a week tomorrow.) They figured out right away it was an infection, but for the first several days, they were unable to figure out where it was coming from. They've finally got it under control, and she's expected to come home tomorrow (fingers crossed!) But, this all has meant that me and Little Tomas have been together all week, as how Tomas (the dad) has stayed with Marta at the hospital. I was worried about being alone with him all week, because if we had problems I'd have no relief from him. But it's turned out great, and he's been great this whole time, and seems to be trusting me tons more. He's slept in my bed with me all week, and even though that means I get kicked or hit every 30 minutes, I'm glad he trusts me and loves me this much now.
Part III: Internships
I send out an email to several papers and photographers here in Barcelona, asking for an informal internship, just trying to gain a little experience when I have a few hours to spare. I wasn't really expecting anything to come out of it (especially considering I don't know if my letter in Spanish was comprehend able.) But a I got a response back from and AMAZING photographer here in Barcelona, who is so generous and wiling to work with me and help me with what ever I need. He really focuses on social and photojournalism, which is exactly what I would love to photograph, and has been published in Time, BBC, National Geographic, everywhere I would dream of being published. I have a meeting tomorrow to make a plan with him, and hopefully I'll get to go out on lots of shoots, make some good contacts, and have an amazing experience learning more about photography. Here's his website, take a look if you have a minute, his photos are truly amazing. http://www.charliemahoney.net/
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