On Saturday night after getting all my things moved into the piso, Aaron swung by my place to give me his seal of approval and blessings with 40's of an San Miguel. I found a quote that apparently the Romans said about the Spaniards: Beati Hispani quibus vivere bibere est, which translates as "Blessed are the Spaniards, whom living is drinking."
We headed out the door on foot to meet friends at a brand new bar called Espiritu Chupitos, (Spirits and shots). As we're walking down Calle Iturrama, we hear yelling across the street and see a young man in his 20's with an awful mullet in a mad sprint. Being that they were about 30, 40 yards away and yelling in Spanish my reactions to the situation were delayed. I didnt realize until after 2 or 3 seconds that the sprinter was carrying an elderly women's purse and he was being chased by a little round man who was probably her husband. The whole thing happened in about 5 seconds and awful mullet man raced into the backseat of a little black hatchback waiting readily on the corner; he jumped in, they peeled out.
That was my one chance to tackle the POS with a mullet and I missed it. Grr. After settling on the notion that there really was nothing we could have done, we continued.
Espiritu chupitos was on its second day of operation. Walking through the front door, 12 feet tall of stainless steel about 2 inches thick, it looked identical to that of a refrigerator door at a meat packing plant, I did not know what to expect. Long but not deep the bar was glowing from people's white clothing illuminated by black lights everywhere. There had to be at least 6 bar tenders working the rush at the bar. Behind the bar on a chalkboard that stretched the entire length of the bar was the menu of chupitos. There were hundreds of options. Magico, Bob Marley, Fruit Cake, Flame thrower, and my favorite, Full Metal Jacket, almost every single one included flames, sparklers, a blow torch or an act of some sort. All of the shots required creativity, a steady hand, and no fear of flames. The Full Metal Jacket entailed 2 shot takers; the bar tender would put on a military officers hat and jacket and put ballistic helmets on the heads of the drinkers. The "officer" stood on the bar and screamed lines in spanish from full metal jacket at them, gave them the shots, covered their mouths with a napkin, then spun their heads around violently. For its second day of being open, I was impressed. Oh, and don't bother ordering a beer here, gin tonic please.
My companeros(roommates), are moving in today. One is Pablo, a masters student of biomed engineering, and the other is not here yet. It is quite a full house because I moved in early. The original 2 renters put the rooms on the market starting Oct 1 because they are not leaving until the 4th and 5th of Sept. I needed a place now and they agreed to accommodate me. The only trade off is I have to deal with rubbing elbows until they leave at the end of this week, a little awkward, but hey this is life, and this will be my home.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Pisos and Pintxos
I just returned from grocery shopping because I had to get shtuff for my apartment!!
So I found a piso and I have finally moved in!!
My street is called Inigo Arista, it is named after the first King of Navarra.
Well, it is awesome! I'll keep this brief until pics go up but lets just say, big living room for sweet dance parties. There is a balcony overlooking the street and a small park. Nice kitchen with a DISHWASHER and washing machine (talk about luxurious)! Dining room, well there is a table in a small room connected to the kitchen, 2 bathrooms and my own pulley and line for drying laundry, wooo!! 10 minute walk to the university and all around, great starting point.
**Big bedroom with an extra mattress for international travelers; who wants to visit Pamplona??
I should probably mention I consulted multiple websites to get ideas on what basic groceries and other items are essential in a new apartment and the most helpful was MensHealth.com and Askmen.com. So I needed some help getting started big whoop wanna fight about it?
Remember in home alone when Kevin goes shopping? Same thing, minus the cold weather.
"Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?"
Tonight I am going out with friends from the International Relations committee to introduce the new international students to "pinchos or pintxos". Pincho which translate to "spikes", is called this because these small portioned meals of heavenliness are usually served with a toothpick, (cost is about 2 euros each). Don't forget to was it down with a beer. Yumm
Also when you go out to eat here, plan on clearing out your agenda. The waiters are paid by the hour, not by tips (that's right, no tipping). You are entitled to eat slowly, take your time, and actually enjoy your meal. The only time you see your waiter is if you flag them down.
So I found a piso and I have finally moved in!!
My street is called Inigo Arista, it is named after the first King of Navarra.
Well, it is awesome! I'll keep this brief until pics go up but lets just say, big living room for sweet dance parties. There is a balcony overlooking the street and a small park. Nice kitchen with a DISHWASHER and washing machine (talk about luxurious)! Dining room, well there is a table in a small room connected to the kitchen, 2 bathrooms and my own pulley and line for drying laundry, wooo!! 10 minute walk to the university and all around, great starting point.
**Big bedroom with an extra mattress for international travelers; who wants to visit Pamplona??
I should probably mention I consulted multiple websites to get ideas on what basic groceries and other items are essential in a new apartment and the most helpful was MensHealth.com and Askmen.com. So I needed some help getting started big whoop wanna fight about it?
Remember in home alone when Kevin goes shopping? Same thing, minus the cold weather.
"Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?"
Tonight I am going out with friends from the International Relations committee to introduce the new international students to "pinchos or pintxos". Pincho which translate to "spikes", is called this because these small portioned meals of heavenliness are usually served with a toothpick, (cost is about 2 euros each). Don't forget to was it down with a beer. Yumm
Also when you go out to eat here, plan on clearing out your agenda. The waiters are paid by the hour, not by tips (that's right, no tipping). You are entitled to eat slowly, take your time, and actually enjoy your meal. The only time you see your waiter is if you flag them down.
Learning the language
I believe there are 2 important things I have learned and about speaking Spanish that can help anyone. They are:
1. Confidence
2. Listen
It may be different for other languages, but I am having the same epiphany all over again...
Confidence. Attempting to speak the native language of a foreign country can be debilitating especially when you have been tought how to speak, in a classroom, back home. Therefore if you are eager to learn it you have to let go of your pride and ego and start looking stupid. I have had to bolster up the confidence to converse anytime, anywhere(taxi, stores, directions). I say it how I think it should be said and if I am right, great! If not, hopefully I will be corrected, or they simply understand part of what I am saying. Just speak! Or at least TRY, or else, you will remain a leh hoo eh zerr.
Listen. This, by the way, applies to every language and practically any situation in life. In reference to language; whenever someone is speaking to me in a fast paced, slang, and distracting environment, the only thing I want to do to avoid sounding stupid. What do I do? I attempt to prepare a response that is coherent and not dumb sounding(see above). BUT, the whole time that person is talking to me in Spanish, I am losing the most valuable lesson in language of the day. I am not hearing what they say. It is like a free Spanish session, and I am too preocupied worrying about how I will sound, to even listen to what they are saying or asking!! So, when I come to the situation where someone is speaking to me in Spanish, I actually take the time, to listen, and when they stop I don't just blurt out, uh duhhh SI, SI, SI, I relax and manage to touch upon some aspect of what they were saying, in the best way I can, or anyway I can. I believe that is what formulates a 2 way dialogue in a foreign language.
¡Buena suerte!
1. Confidence
2. Listen
It may be different for other languages, but I am having the same epiphany all over again...
Confidence. Attempting to speak the native language of a foreign country can be debilitating especially when you have been tought how to speak, in a classroom, back home. Therefore if you are eager to learn it you have to let go of your pride and ego and start looking stupid. I have had to bolster up the confidence to converse anytime, anywhere(taxi, stores, directions). I say it how I think it should be said and if I am right, great! If not, hopefully I will be corrected, or they simply understand part of what I am saying. Just speak! Or at least TRY, or else, you will remain a leh hoo eh zerr.
Listen. This, by the way, applies to every language and practically any situation in life. In reference to language; whenever someone is speaking to me in a fast paced, slang, and distracting environment, the only thing I want to do to avoid sounding stupid. What do I do? I attempt to prepare a response that is coherent and not dumb sounding(see above). BUT, the whole time that person is talking to me in Spanish, I am losing the most valuable lesson in language of the day. I am not hearing what they say. It is like a free Spanish session, and I am too preocupied worrying about how I will sound, to even listen to what they are saying or asking!! So, when I come to the situation where someone is speaking to me in Spanish, I actually take the time, to listen, and when they stop I don't just blurt out, uh duhhh SI, SI, SI, I relax and manage to touch upon some aspect of what they were saying, in the best way I can, or anyway I can. I believe that is what formulates a 2 way dialogue in a foreign language.
¡Buena suerte!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Siesta, cerveza, and some sole
Jet lag, (from what I have been told), affects our bodies systems each day day, for every hour different than your place of origin. So 6 hour time difference, 6 days of recovery. DO I feel better today than I did this past week? Honestly, I felt pretty good up until today. By good I mean energetic, focused, enthusiastic and gung ho about "transitioning myself". Today was different though, it seems everything just slowwwedd down.
I ventured to the university on a friends mountain bike(key transportation in Spanish cities bc of the bike paths designated on almost all sidewalks) to take care of some paperwork and explore the university from about 11 till 2:30. While at the university I completed my requirements in order to be a full time employee starting Tuesday. Woo!
After, I stopped by Johns office, and he was there to remind me it was yummy mid morning break time, an important part of every Spaniards day! A very essential meal to keep the brain running on all cylinders and in peak shape, including but not limited to: a small coffee (cafe con leche) and a little sandwich called, romano (delicious Iberian ham and a light tomato spread). Other options are offered of course, like tostadas, pastry, but tomorrow is another day, right?
Now everyone talks about the siesta and how great it is and blah blah blah, hello...I am American, if I have free time, I am doing something! But I realized today that I just don't have a choice about how my siesta is gonna go down.
Well I had free time, once 2pm rolled around I was going to work out to P90X, then meet tenants at different apartments and make things happen! Well, I popped in P90X (compliments of Brian Schober) and as I was watching the introductory "BRING IT" work out video, in my workout gear, ready to go, I FELL ASLEEP!
OK so maybe this mid day nap is the way to go, does that mean i need less sleep at night? I would like to think so.
Tomorrow afternoon John will be running the kick off bbq that will be welcoming international students. He works for the departamento relaciones internacionales and is coordinating the arrival of about 150 students from over 75 different countries. More importantly, I will be operating the bbq, wow my life needs to stop revolving around food. When we went food shopping at Cajafour, (Europes version of walmart), the first item designated by the university on the shopping list, nonetheless than cerveza San Miguel. Orientation/boozee fest!
After food shopping John and I stopped by Bar el Labrador to meet with another American named Aaron. He is a professor at the university and teaches American Law. We were able to sit comfortably alfresco style on this cool summer night and order from the menú del día. This menu offers 5 to 6 different options for 3 different courses, appetizer, dinner and desert, and includes a beer for 8.50 euros, where are these deals in America?? I was feeling adventures so I ordered cow tongue for the entree, yes tongue. And boy did it look like one when it came out! Before you loose our lunch, it was actually a mistranslation and determined based on taste, texture and google translator that, lenguado, (filet of sole) sounds like lengua, (tongue). Que delicioso.
This weekend will be bringing in many different students to the university and I am helping John in anyway possible; to get to know how the university works and to meet students as well as the faculty that run the show. Saturday will be the paella party followed bya night out for pinxchos(northern Spain's tapas) mmm, and Sunday will include a day trip to the beaches of San Sebastion http://www.sansebastianspain.info/
In regards to the siesta, i think its a habit i may not want to break.
Hasta Luego
I ventured to the university on a friends mountain bike(key transportation in Spanish cities bc of the bike paths designated on almost all sidewalks) to take care of some paperwork and explore the university from about 11 till 2:30. While at the university I completed my requirements in order to be a full time employee starting Tuesday. Woo!
After, I stopped by Johns office, and he was there to remind me it was yummy mid morning break time, an important part of every Spaniards day! A very essential meal to keep the brain running on all cylinders and in peak shape, including but not limited to: a small coffee (cafe con leche) and a little sandwich called, romano (delicious Iberian ham and a light tomato spread). Other options are offered of course, like tostadas, pastry, but tomorrow is another day, right?
Now everyone talks about the siesta and how great it is and blah blah blah, hello...I am American, if I have free time, I am doing something! But I realized today that I just don't have a choice about how my siesta is gonna go down.
Well I had free time, once 2pm rolled around I was going to work out to P90X, then meet tenants at different apartments and make things happen! Well, I popped in P90X (compliments of Brian Schober) and as I was watching the introductory "BRING IT" work out video, in my workout gear, ready to go, I FELL ASLEEP!
OK so maybe this mid day nap is the way to go, does that mean i need less sleep at night? I would like to think so.
Tomorrow afternoon John will be running the kick off bbq that will be welcoming international students. He works for the departamento relaciones internacionales and is coordinating the arrival of about 150 students from over 75 different countries. More importantly, I will be operating the bbq, wow my life needs to stop revolving around food. When we went food shopping at Cajafour, (Europes version of walmart), the first item designated by the university on the shopping list, nonetheless than cerveza San Miguel. Orientation/boozee fest!
After food shopping John and I stopped by Bar el Labrador to meet with another American named Aaron. He is a professor at the university and teaches American Law. We were able to sit comfortably alfresco style on this cool summer night and order from the menú del día. This menu offers 5 to 6 different options for 3 different courses, appetizer, dinner and desert, and includes a beer for 8.50 euros, where are these deals in America?? I was feeling adventures so I ordered cow tongue for the entree, yes tongue. And boy did it look like one when it came out! Before you loose our lunch, it was actually a mistranslation and determined based on taste, texture and google translator that, lenguado, (filet of sole) sounds like lengua, (tongue). Que delicioso.
This weekend will be bringing in many different students to the university and I am helping John in anyway possible; to get to know how the university works and to meet students as well as the faculty that run the show. Saturday will be the paella party followed bya night out for pinxchos(northern Spain's tapas) mmm, and Sunday will include a day trip to the beaches of San Sebastion http://www.sansebastianspain.info/
In regards to the siesta, i think its a habit i may not want to break.
Hasta Luego
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Moving to Pamplona
Tomorrow will mark one week of living here in Pamplona, Spain. I am very fortunate to be in the position I am in now. I just Graduated in August from a university in the US to starting on Monday working as an "ayudante" at the university of navarra(http://www.unav.es/).
I have been bombarded with different cultural, social, traditional and language barriers since coming here. My original plan was to arrive in Pamplona by myself, stay in a hostel and research pisos(flats), via the internet, until I had found one suitable enough to live in. Like I said, I have been very fortunate.
A friend from wayy back (co counselor at a summer camp in grammar school and hs to be exact) also lives here in Pamplona and works for the department of international relations at the university. John, who has basically showed me all the ropes, has taken this experience from being extremely daunting and nerve wracking to making it as smooth as all hell. He was there to pick me up at the train station, give me a tour of the city in his new; well, recently purchased, pre owned Peugeot, which can move pretty quick on these tiny pamplona streets. He agreed to let me crash at his apartment until I find my own piso.
This week I have been bouncing around the streets accomplishing small tasks to prepare myself for the year, first and foremost trying new food, practicing my rusty spanish, buying a new cell phone, opening up a bank account, and mostly piso hunting. I will continue looking for a piso and if all goes well I shall be moving into my very own place this weekend.
I have been bombarded with different cultural, social, traditional and language barriers since coming here. My original plan was to arrive in Pamplona by myself, stay in a hostel and research pisos(flats), via the internet, until I had found one suitable enough to live in. Like I said, I have been very fortunate.
A friend from wayy back (co counselor at a summer camp in grammar school and hs to be exact) also lives here in Pamplona and works for the department of international relations at the university. John, who has basically showed me all the ropes, has taken this experience from being extremely daunting and nerve wracking to making it as smooth as all hell. He was there to pick me up at the train station, give me a tour of the city in his new; well, recently purchased, pre owned Peugeot, which can move pretty quick on these tiny pamplona streets. He agreed to let me crash at his apartment until I find my own piso.
This week I have been bouncing around the streets accomplishing small tasks to prepare myself for the year, first and foremost trying new food, practicing my rusty spanish, buying a new cell phone, opening up a bank account, and mostly piso hunting. I will continue looking for a piso and if all goes well I shall be moving into my very own place this weekend.
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