One more night @ Purple Nest

Tunes: Again, more old American rock/pop in the lounge.

Last night was great. After looking for a place, I took a little nap, then went for a jog through the park. I didn't know how far I was running, but I counted the number of bridges I ran under: 8. If you check a map, I ran from Pont de Real to Puente de as Glorias Valencianas. Beautiful park with lots of people running. It was dark outside, but the well-lit path, large trees, and many reflective bodies made everything quite magical. Brisk night. I stumbled upon the Campo de Rugby, and saw about 50 guys getting into it. Talked to one, and I might come by to practice with them.

So, we (the people at the hostel) got smart last night and cooked together. In total, it was about 1euro/person for pasta with vegetables, chicken, red sauce, bread, and drinks. We were up until 3:30 hanging in the lounge talking up a storm. I met Luis, a Mexican engineering student, and we hit it off. He was really excited to talk to me, because I speak "mexican." I was basically his translator from English/Spain Spanish to his spanish. Sooo fun.

Later, I had about a 1 1/2 hour discussion with the front desk man and two Italian girls. It was pretty bizarre, because we could communicate pretty well, even though the girls only spoke very little spanish. That really fed my soul, because we talked about religion, Jesus, relativism, and a bunch of cultural stuff. Right before we headed for bed, the three (awesome/friendly/funny) Turkish guys joined in on the convo.

Hopefully, I'll find a place today. Tonight is my last night here @ Purple Nest, unless if I dish out some more money. Let's pray that I get a place.

Later,

Josh

Walking and walking

I just realized my blogs were posting with a US time stamp, so add 7 hours to whatever time you see, and that's when I posted it. It's fixed now, so here marks the change.

Tunes:Go to Sleep (Little Man Being Erased

I'm pretty exhausted. Last night, I braved the Spain night life for the first time. There was a welcome party for the Erasmus students, and it was PACKED. Didn't bring my camera, because I wanted to have it for the rest of my trip. It was fun hanging with the hostel people, but I think I'd prefer going out with locals: this crowd was a bit rowdy.

Didn't get to take a siesta today because I planned to meet someone for a room in their apartment, and they didn't show. So I walked around a bunch, had an amazing lunch, bought dinner groceries, then came back to Purple Nest. Speaking of lunch, I had my first encounter with PAELLA Valenciana. It was soooo good. I got it from the same little café as yesterday (I'll post a picture sometime soon)

I'm gonna have to take a short nap. Run, another apartment at 9pm, dinner, then some huge gathering (2000+) at a the park tonight.

Cansado, pero con una cama y KOL,

Josh

PS, I'm going to put this in a song someday:
" Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory!" Ps 24:7-10

Random

Just bought one eggplant, one tomato, and a baguette for dinner at a little shop. Cute little place, and I mean little. I'm about to post some pics, and then cook dinner.

Oh yeah, the random things. Bear with me, because I like bullets:
-I have yet to see a black person walking with a non-black person. Must explore.
-EVERYONE smokes EVERYWHERE. It's making apartment finding difficult.
-Bicyclists ride on the sidewalk. I fear for my life.
-This city never stops.
-There are SO many natural areas/parks. I don't think I've even brushed the surface.
-Apartments are cheap. About 150-250 euros ($210-$350). I'm convinced they're so inexpensive because everyone spends their money on alcohol, tapas, cigarettes, café, y fashion.
-There are about 4 cafés on every street.
-We have a beer vending machine.

Saludos

Scampering zombie

Day two.
Tunes: Elephant, White Stripes

I finally have a converter for my electronics, so I can use my computer for more than 10 minutes. That also means that this is the first time in a while I've listened to my music--as soon as I heard the White Stripes, a large smile spread across my face. I'm pretty tired, and I'm about to take advantage of this siesta time. I have a meeting with a guy for an apartment at 4:20. They look pretty fantastic, but we shall see.

This morning, after many failed attempts to get out the door (due to printing malfunctions), I went to the university to get my info packet. I thought an info packet would have info on what I'm to do these next couple of days. Apparently not. I get to brave the internet to find which classes I want and when.

After I got my "info" packet, I ran into Ilaria, my Italian friend. We both were in dire need of café, so we stopped in at a small restaurant. I ate something that looked like a paella sandwich. It had lots of potatoes and eggs. I'm not exactly sure, because they spoke Valenciano. Anyway, it was delicious. Way too much for one sitting, so it was also my lunch. I'm a huge fan of their coffee--I think their café americano is 2 shots espresso, 2 shots hot water (not totally sure). Delicious.

Ilaria accompanied me to the store where I bought my power converter. She's pretty rad--as I said previously, she doesn't speak english, so everything is in Spanish. Perfect. We might have some classes together. She's from northern Italy, in the mountains, but she hates the cold... Apparently, the northern Italians are like the "southern comfort" Americans. There are 3 southern Italians here, and there is a stark difference between their personalities.

Right now, I'm chilling with Chris, an English bloke who's traveling around. We both have macs--as ANDREW CRAFT said, they don't really have Apple over here. So I hope I don't break my Roady (2) aka Josh in White aka my laptop.

OK. Siesta.

Ciao

First Day, Part deux

Tunes: Random American pop on a Spanish radio station

Getting tired, but I still need to stay up a bit more to get on schedule. This place reminds me of French House, probably just because of the large mix of nationalities. Been hanging out with a German and Italian--the German doesn't want to speak English, and the Italian doesn't speak English, so I'm hanging with the right crowd. We braved the Supermercado to get groceries for dinner. Lemon chicken salad, with random tastings of box white wine, foreign beers, and bottled water. They don't drink tap water here.

I have 1:44 left on my computer, because I didn't go to the right mall to get a power converter. That will have to wait until tomorrow. I also have an orientation meeting with my advisor. I have no idea which building I'm going to. Apparently, there are so many streets, that everyone knows where to go based on landmarks--it's gonna take me some time.

I still need to eat paella (ANDREW CRAFT). But hey, I've only been here about 7 hours.

Random: There was a rocking giraffe child's toy in the Zurich airport.\

Hasta mañana

First Day

Tunes: Random european techno playing in the lounge.
Okay, so I'm in the hostel, and I've already had one go at the city to get my sim card. It was a solid experience. The people at Vodafone didn't speak English, which is exactly what I wanted. I was able to get everything I needed, and while I was talking to the Vodafone rep, a lady who was also shopping helped me with some specifics (she has a vodafone).
(BTW, my number is 673-180-755. I think I get free incoming texts.)

The lady's name is Heidi, and she has a lot of energy. She found out that I'm at the university, and apparently her daughter is too! So, she gave me her information because she studies French and English, and figured we could do an "intercambio." After some talk, she insisted that I come to see her shop so she could give me 2 maps and a Valencia phonebook. She also invited me to a "happy hour" on friday at 7PM to meet some locals. I'm stoked. She didn't speak a lick of english, but I was able to understand about 95% of what she was saying.

I realized, after noticing many prolonged glances in my direction, that I stand out:
-I have a red beard
-I wear a mountain hardware jacket, not a peacoat
-I'm tall
-My jeans aren't dark
-I'm blonde. I've seen about 3 blonde people, and they were either on the plane or the metro.
-(I'm using a city map)

So... this is really fun. I'm going to go to the store to buy a power adapter and some food for dinner (unless if I stumble upon a tasty looking restaurant). I'll upload photos when I have power for my computer.

I'm Here!

Okay, not enough time to post yet, but below are the blogs I wrote on my flight. Didn't have internet until I got here.

1/25/10 3:59PM
Tunes: The Autumn Film & Goldfinger. Odd mix.

I’m sitting in the Dulles airport, waiting for the leg to Zurich. I passed my CLEP examination, and my sister got accepted to the UT Health Science Center for PA school. I like how she put it: “when life gives you lemons, God gives you the water of life.” He is providing in more than these two ways. I don’t enjoy sitting in the terminals—there aren’t any balconies or open-air lounges. Also, I can’t bring myself to pay for WiFi, so I’m going to stick to my books (not a complaint). Speaking of, I have the last 200 pages of Atlas Shrugged. I didn’t want to bring the entire book with me, so I tore it. Painful.

I have great music and two Tylenol PM for my next flight—thanks Glen & Stacy. If I can manage, I will sleep on the flight over, and wake up at 8:00AM local time. God willing, I will ease into my new time zone.

It’s fun listening to all of the different languages and seeing the different styles of dress. Pretty soon, I will be the one who’s interesting to listen to and stare at. The 35-day journey is very rich in my mind, as I have been mulling over it during my flight. Can I fast from America?
Highlights of my Austin-DC flight:
1) Flying over, through, and then under the large clouds while listening to Metric. I wrote about it.
2) “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” Psalm 22:26
Well, I’m off to read about Jesus’s death, Atlas Shrugged, and and talk to this Spanish family sitting next to me.

1/26/10 8:45AM Zurich
Tunes: Swiss German
Turns out, Tylenol PM doesn’t stop babies from crying or planes from bouncing. Probably got about 45 total minutes of sleep, but I feel pretty good. Praise the lord for bathrooms, deodorant, and fresh shirts. This airport is stunning—I’ve been mostly wandering around, but I’m going to grab a coffee, a bite, and a book. Mucho gusto, Europe.


10:39AM Zurich, terminal A71
Tunes: Snowfall

I had the inter-continental breakfast: One kaffee, one frischner orangensaft, and one gipfel (Coffee, fresh orange juice, and a croissant). The coffee was amazing—strong like espresso, but very smooth and round taste. I thought it was funny that they had an “American Breakfast,” which consisted of sausage, eggs, bacon, hash browns, orange juice, and coffee. I guess we really do eat that much…

Psalm 23 kept me company. I’m not sure of the exchange rate, so I haven’t purchased anything more than breakfast. That is quite a feat, after passing multiple chocolate shops and stores with 50% off signs. Tricky airport advertising.
I love watching the many different airport cars dance about. There seems to be a different car for every task, and they are waltzing in the snow. I depart at noon-05, and will be in Valencia at 2PM. Time to read more about Francisco d’Anconia, and his spectacle of September 2nd.