Throwback Thursday: My travels of 2008-2012

I decided to publish my own version of the popular #throwbackthursday with a photo montage of many of my travels from 2008-2012. Enjoy! 

Patagonia, Chile

Santiago, Chile

Atacama Desert, Chile

Patagonia, Argentina

Machu Picchu, Pero

Equator in Ecuador

Madrid, Spain

Sevilla, Spain

Paris, France

Marrakesh, Morocco

Barcelona, Spain

Gibraltar

Portimao, Portugal

Munich, Germany

Edinburgh, Scotland

London, England

Castilla y Leon

During spring break I decided to venture to leave the familiarity of Andalucia and explore of new part of Spain: Castilla y Leon. This autonomous community is located just northwest of Madrid and is know for its abundance of castles, Roman architecture, medieval history, cold temperatures (due to mountainous and elevated plains), and typical gastronomy of meat and beans. I was unable to find any willing travel companions, so I reserved hotel rooms for one, downloaded a book for the trip (Ernest Hemingway's for whom the bell tolls) and hopped on the 8 hour bus ride to my first stop:


Salamanca.
Salamanca is probably most well know for its University, which is one of the oldest Universities in Spain. Spaniards and foreigners alike flock to Salamanca to study, and it is an especially good place for foreigners to learn Spanish. I felt very scholarly wandering around all the different faculties and going into the public library pretending I was a student.

Legend of the frog
On one side of the main university building there are images carved into the wall, mostly skulls and ancient looking things. However, on one of the skulls about halfway up, a frog has been carved sitting smack dab on top of the skull. The legend says that if a student of the University of Salamanca finds the frog, they will have good luck. If a non student finds the frog, they can make a wish and it will come true. Well good news, I found the frog!

University of Salamanca

See the frog?? (On the skull in the middle of the picture)

Next stop: Ávila

The coolest thing to see in Ávila are the old stone walls that were built to protect the city that remain intact and completely surround the old city. Arriving in the city and entering the old city through one of the tunnels in the walls makes a person feel like you have stepped back in time to a era where a rock wall actually could offer protection from enemies.

Last stop: Segovia

I've been interested in going to Segovia for a long time, ever since I did a report for a Spanish class on the 
Roman aqueduct in the city. The aqueduct, which was used to transport water from the river through the city, has various stories and legends about its creation. The most well known legend is that it was created by the devil himself at the request of a poor slave girl who was tired of trekking uphill all the way to the river every day. The girl made a deal with the devil, who in return for her soul, constructed the aqueduct overnight. Since that time one of the city's biggest plazas and a handful of restaurants and cafes have been built around the aqueduct, perfect for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the view. (Although its doubtful that many locals were as in awe at the sight as I was!)

Although I remain loyal to my Andalucia, I enjoyed the chance to see another part of Spain and immerse myself in all the culture, legends, castles, and history of Castilla y Leon.

Spanish Fads

I spend enough time with Spanish tweens to typically keep up with whats "cool" and "hip" (gosh I sound like my Dad...) From my observation, fads in Spain seem to spread like wildfire, and the amount of time it takes for something to get popular here is far less than in the States. Also, while it might be hard to believe, the following fads not only exist with teenagers but with the old AND the young. And me.

1. Whatsapp

This is a convenient way that everyone uses to get around super expensive text-messaging plans. Smart phones are fairly cheap here, which makes it possible for people to get this instant chat messenger. Its like text messaging, only faster and better. I know that whatsapp is not a Spanish thing, but I include it in the Spanish fads because everyone who is anyone here has whatsapp. Chatting with your friends? On whatsapp. Need to arrange a meeting? On whatsapp. Discussing work issues with a coworker? On whatsapp. Bored? On whatsapp. Or, as an Andaluz would say; wassa. 

2. British/American flag paraphernalia

"I love London! Nope, I've never been."

I see it EVERYWHERE. Whether its sweatshirts, pants, purses, belts, earrings, pencil cases, phone covers, or even shoes, to be in possession of stuff with either the Union Jack or the Star Spangled Banner printed on it is a must. Even better if you can manage to stylishly represent both at the same time, and of course it doesn't matter if you have ever visited the country in question.
To confirm this, I innocently asked one of my London, England sweatshirt-bearing students when/if she had been to London. She answered (haughtily) that no she hadn't, but es la moda. (Its the fashion).

When in doubt, wear both flags AT THE SAME TIME

3. Pou
When my students first began asking me, "Leah, tienes pou?" I was clueless of what they were talking about... but after about the fifth person asked, I decided to investigate this thing called pou.  Should I be embarrassed to admit that I am now the proud owner of the tamagatchi resembling blob-like creature called a pou?  Like tamagatchi, you must feed your pou, play games with it, put it to sleep, and dress it. Unlike tamagatchi, pou has inexplicably spread to all generations, with Spanish people as young as seven and as old as 60 playing. Its completely pointless, utterly silly, but surprisingly addicting.

Hello, Pou

A few other random fads:


-The Simpsons. Spain is about 10(?) years behind the rest of the world when it comes to the Simpsons, who are surprisingly popular here. The funny thing is, they have no idea that The Simpsons in the US have essentially come and gone in popularity.

-Katy Perry. Yes, she is popular everywhere. But I've NEVER seen fans as enthusiastic and widespread as the 13 year old female Spanish population.

-Leggings...no matter the shape, size, or age. I've never been much of a prude, but seriously? Some people could leave a little bit more up to the imagination.

Chirigota groupie: Cadiz Carnaval 2013

This past week was Cadiz Carnaval, or as one of my friends put it; the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. What could be better than day after day of dressing up, letting go of reality, and hitting the streets with your friends? It almost gives the Biblical phrase, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we shall die" a literal meaning for me. The entire week I ate, drank, and was merry and now I am in bed with a fever feeling like I am going to die. I wouldn't take it back for the world. However, for me its not so much the partying that calls my attention as the pure arte gaditano in the form of singing groups (chirigotas, comparsas, coros, quartets, etc) that compete for weeks leading up to carnaval then spend the entire week performing all throughout the streets. 

While many of the chirigotas are difficult to understand at first (they are full of local jokes and colloquialisms that even other Spaniards from outside of Cadiz have difficulty catching), one of my favorite pastimes is choosing a few quality groups and learning their songs. With the help of my Spanish peeps who translate from local Spanish in actual Spanish I have been able to get a good grip on a few of the chirigotas, and have come up with what I consider to be the 3 main elements of a chirigota:  

1. Politics 
Arguably the most important part of the chirigotas, you can't miss the chance to take a jab at Rajoy (Prime Minister of Spain), King Juan Carlos, the mayor, or basically any governmental or administrative office. The theme of 2013 seems to be Rajoy and his recortes, or budget cuts. The people especially bemoan the cuts in education and healthcare, furious that a ride in an ambulance now costs 5 euro as opposed to being free like before. (FIVE euros. I'm sometimes tempted to mention that its $500+ in the USA, but then what's the point of starting the typical USA vs SPAIN conversation?) 
With budget cuts being a hot topic this year, it makes sense that one of the most popular groups uses their chorus to respond loud and clear to Rajoy's cutbacks by telling him to "recortate un huevo". 

See those scissors, Rajoy? Better watch out. 

2. La Crisis
It's sad but true; the economic crisis in Spain is constantly at the top of everybody's mind. This is especially true in Cadiz, whom people have lovingly nicknamed "Capital iberamericano del desempleo", Iberian capital of unemployment. They sing about not being able to buy food for their families, about families losing their houses to the bank, and about not being paid at work. As the chorus of another group spells it out loud and clear:

Superamos los recortes de Rajoy y Zapatero
Superamos con el Cadiz por lo menos seis descensos 
Superamos al fin del mundo pero mas difícil va a ser;
Superar en 2013 al final del mes!


ROUGHLY translated:
We can overcome the cutbacks of Rajoy and Zapatero
We can deal with six relegations of the Cadiz soccer team
We can even reach the end of the world, but its going to be even more difficult to:
Make it to the end of the month (or next paycheck) in 2013!

Watch it here (0:44):

Chirigota video

Highway to Cadiz: city of unemployment

3. R-rated material
Yes, a chirigota wouldn't be complete without the smattering of jokes that make prim and proper people blush and try to hide their laugh, and leaves gaditanos rolling on the floor with laughter. You can count on at least one joke about the male anatomy, and this year '50 Shades of Gray' makes multiple appearances. There's no need for more details... Lets just say that considering the other main topics of the chirigota, this provides much needed pure comic relief. It also shows the thin line that Spaniards constantly walk between funny and inappropriate. 

*gasp* did they really just say that??

All in all, I had a really great time enjoying the essence of Carnaval and basically becoming chirigota groupie #1:

Cadiz 3020: Los que acabaron el segundo puente

Los erasmus pocos y pario la abuela

Cadiz 3020: Los que acabaron el segundo puente

Las autenticas 

Los cabrones

Los erasmus pocos y pario la abuela

Los recortaos