Me... I'm in Spain!!!! (for emily)

<------- (Paul, Gillian, Me, Anita and Blanca making dumplings for the Chinese New Year) 

26 de enero, Midnight:34.

AMAZING weekend!!! On Thursday we all went to a discussion about olives, olive oil, making olive oil, etc. Did you know that Spain is the largest exporter of olive oil (acite) in the world? Later that night a bunch of us went up to the far corner of the city to a tiny hard to find, unmarked basement bar for some live salsa music. It was great because we were definitely the only non-locals and everything was so casual (everyone dancing was in normal clothes and a lot of it was improvised). The music was amazing!! I am completely in love with it. It was also at this concert that it really hit me- I’m in Spain!!!! Until now I guess it just hadn’t set in. Anyway, we stayed pretty late, making for interesting classes on Friday. After classes we all went out for drinks and tapas as a farewell to William, who is returning to Taiwan. Lots of fun- about 6 hours worth until it was only me, Caz and Rafa left. We also met a gorgeous Californian firefighter (bombero) named Robert. After a dinner consisting mostly of jamon and queso, I headed off to meet up with some Spaniards at a bar near my house (Including Miguel Angel from the post office and Coralie who I’ve been emailing). They were a blast! More or less 15-20 people in this group of ages from late 20s to 50s. We went to several bars including a Spanish karaoke bar which was incredibly entertaining! We also did a little dancing. Finally around 4 a.m. I was exhausted so Miguel Angel dropped me off at my house on his scooter/motorcycle (in the rain, the whole time I was a little nervous and thinking I was very glad my mom couldn’t see me).
Saturday I woke up early to go search out markets with the ingredients I need for my guacamole. After I whipped up a batch I headed to Paul and Gillian’s GORGEOUS new house for a party celebrating the Chinese New Year. I had another “wow I LIVE here” moment when I ran into someone I knew (one of the professors) in the tiny streets of the Albyzin. At the party, Blanca (the one from China) had been cooking since 7 a.m. and we all jumped in to help her make these delicious little beef/onion dumplings. After we all finished our feast we sat around reciting/singing poetry, nursery rhymes, songs, etc from all of our various countries. When I left their house I got a call from Robert (the caifornian) wanting to meet up for drinks so Caz and I invited him to join us. We went to a fancy bar and made friends with some other Spaniards who bought several rounds of drinks and were absolutely HILARIOUS. Then Caz, Robert and I walked down to a bar called “Voulez Vou” where we had some questionable chupitos and lively conversation. Despues, Robert and I did a little dancing at a bar across the street.
Sunday, we met back up for walking around in the rain, discovering a few old buildings and chocolate and churros (a lot different than mexican churros- no cinnamon, the chocolate is this beyond-delightfully-think dipping goo.) Very romantic.

SABES QUE.....

Last year, an average of more than 80% of fires were caused intentionally in Spain.