Turquoise water? Yes Please!

Today I rented a car for the first time in my life. It was AMAZING!!! Alice, Celia, Perine, Theo and I all chipped in and got a car for the day to explore the island. We drove up into the mountains and could see all the way to another island, Tenerife.  Plus the towns along the way are more authentic feeling. They are real Spanish towns instead of the touristy towns along the south coast where we are.

When we told the rental car owner where we were headed:  to Pico de Nieves, he just looked at us and said “Pico de Nieves?!?!” with the most skeptical look on his face. Pico de Nieves is home to the highest point on the island in the mountains and he apparently thought we were crazy for thinking we could drive there ourselves. He told us how difficult mountain roads were to drive and wanted us to be aware that they were very difficult.  I tried to assure him. “Sir,” I said, “I have driven all over the Smokies, and have been on some pretty nasty back roads so I am sure this will be fine. Absolutely no need to worry!” He again looked at me like I had escaped from somewhere, and said in the most patronizing Spanish, “THESE are not like American roads (stupid tourists)… American roads are big, these are VERY SMALL (thinking: when will they a-learn that America is not a difficult place to-a live, why would this girl a-think she knows how to drive in the mountains?!)”

It was at that moment that I realized I was one of ‘them.’ You know, those terrible Americans who go overseas and talk about how much better or how much worse conditions are in America vs wherever they are. I hate those people, and now, I glumly thought, I must hate myself….

But alas, I was right… The roads were a cinch! Take that Spanish man!!! I challenge the next self righteous Canarian mountain man who thinks his mountains are harder to drive in simply because they are NOT in America to come to my neck of the woods. Let’s see how they do driving a Chevy 1500 long bed pick up on the backwoods east Tennessee mountains in the rain at night with no windshield wipers and a missing headlight and then they can tell me that because I am an American girl, I can’t drive their mountains. OK I am finished. It wasn’t that I was bitter or anything, more just that I am glad I don’t have to hate myself. Glad that for once when an American claims something about their country it is true and not just ego ridden nonsense.  But I still hate ‘those’ people… This is not an excuse to be one of ‘them,’

That all being said, the mountains were breath taking and the drive had a new fantastic view after every turn. Then we got to go to Puerto Mogan (which is like a little Venice with cute little bridges over canals and what not… Basically my new favorite town because it was full of terraces, flowers and boats.. nuff said) and then we finished the trip at Playa del Amadores which came complete with the stereotypical white beaches and turquoise water that was so salty I could float with ease. Oh and did I mention I went for a dip at sunset? So as I was floating the current in the turquoise water off the coast of Spain, I thought “Man I am glad it is sunset, this would be really lame if I didn’t at least get something to make it remarkable…”

And now, after I accompanied six French people to drinks on the beach in Playa del Meloneras, I am back in my apartment, typing this up while it is fresh, I will be posting it tomorrow right before I go to the World Windsurfing Competition.  And on that note, Buenos Noches (interesting aside, here they don’t pronounce the ‘s’ at the end of a phrase so it is pronounced Buenos Noche and Gracia etc. etc.)

P.S. Playa means ‘beach’ in Spanish.

And I am sorry if this blog makes me look like a cad saying “HA HA HA aren’t I a lucky sort” and while it is true, I am both a cad AND a lucky sort, It was never my intention for this blog to highlight those facts. And for this, I humbly beg your forgiveness.

Viva la Salsa

As I sat reading a Jane Austen novel on my terrace, chugging coffee and praying I would have the energy to make it through the party last night I realized that I was closer to being a middle aged librarian than a 23 year old in Spain. Not that this is any front page news. This I have known for quite some time. And when I showed up at the party and stood next to the gorgeous Spanish women in short, skin tight dresses and full make up, compared with my barely there eye shadow and knee length sun dress, my worse fears were confirmed. But no worries, this party was delightfully Spanish and I was soon salsa dancing all my worries away! The people I was dancing with knew I couldn't speak Spanish but didn't seem to mind. You see I went with Alice, Celia, Perine, Theo and Francois, the french friends here. They were invited by Fernando who said any friend of theirs was a friend of his so I could come too. And because any friend of Fernando was a friend of the entire 200 people at the party, I was by association a friend to EVERYONE. By the end of the night I had spoken almost no English and so much broken Spanish and French that I almost forgot to think in English. So I did my generation proud after all. I stayed up til four in the morning at a house party in Spain salsa dancing.


Oh and the party was invite only and had a bouncer in a suit at the families gate checking people in. There was a pool and candles everywhere, a full bar with anything you could possibly dream of, a huge dance.  floor with smoke and laser lights and all in this guys house. It was too amazing! But I haventt much time so I am out Tomorrow, we explore the island and see the volcano. 

I understand Flight of the Phoenix

My feet are gone. It is true, and sad. Today I did something foolish. Today I decided I could handle walking the sand dunes in the burning hot African sun in just my sandles. I have never run so fast as I did today trying to keep my feet from blistering. You should have heard Alice and I running and laughing and screaming 'OUCH OUCH OUCH!' up the dunes: It must have been amusing for the locals to see. We didn't stay long at the dunes for obvious reasons but decided to instead pass the time at a cafe. I finally understood the horror of the movie Flight of the Phoenix. Before I would watch it and think 'it must be hot' now I think on it with something bordering on terror. The sand is so hot, and I had an ocean to look at and plenty of water§ The idea that they built a plane in this heat with hardly any water and no end in sight. And the sand is so bloody hot. I donùt think I will be able to watch that movie again until winter....

No worries for me now though, I am back at my hotel and sitting by the pool again typing this. Tomorrow I am going grocery shopping and trying out a little restaurant by my apartment and then going to a party at a friend of Alice's. I donùt know if I already mentioned it, but apparently there is a pool at there house and Alice thinks we will be out late. So Sunday we will sleep and go to the beach and watch the final game of the EuroCup. It is Italia vs. Espana so we are going to an Italian bar that will play the game so it can be even more exciting!!! Then Alice is off on Monday and Tuesday; so we will rent a car and go see the volcano, and go hiking. I cant wait to see the mountains because it has been so hazy here that you can barely see them in the distance. Alice said it was never like this before I came, so she wants me to leave so she can see the sky again. But hopefully the hike will be nice. We have to go in the evening because the locals say it is too dangerous during the day: It gets too hot. Apparently some tourists died last year hiking in the heat of day. Natural selection.... And the last planned excursion is for a 'little Venecia'. The rumor is that it has canals instead of streets like Venice and is beautiful. Cant wait to see it!!!

Not much else to say. I will be sure to write something more interesting next time: about what I have actually done, not just what is in the plans... for plans change. But fear not, the volcano and I WILL meet!!!

Maspalomas

I am sitting by the pool of my little apartment. Alice is letting me use her computer, but it is hard to get used to typing on it because the keys are all in different places than at home. Spain is great. The beach is amazing, but the sun is so hot that there are days it is recommended to not go out in it for people with as shockingly white complexion as me. But i just lather up the SPF and do what nature intended, lay on the beach like a pink seal.  The flight from Belfast in was about the longest thing I have ever endured. They delayed our plane for four  hours so instead of landing at 6:40 it ended up being 10:40. Luckily, I made friends with some really nice Irish ladies. They found out we were all headed to the same place and let me join their duo. It was a mom and her daughter who had traveled all over together and were going to take a week in Gran Canaria. Some how I found out they keep horses (an uncanny ability I have to direct the conversation to livestock) and cows!!! I realized I liked these people when Andrea pulled out her phone and started showing me pictures of her cows and horses and her wee dog. We talked about beer, and they told me Guiness doesn't ship well so they were glad I had some 'real' beer there. Then we talked about farming, which breed of cow is better (Tom: they LOVE herefords, they are really expensive and only for showing; not eating.) we talked about the Grand Prix and how much better it is than Nascar. And then made fun of people as they passed. It was great. But once I landed in Las Palmas I had been travelling for 31 hours and had only slept 4. To make things better, the last bus left the airport at 10 so Alice and I wandered around negotiating for the cheapest taxi. Then to walk to my place, I made it home at like 12:40 and about balled my eyes out. But aside from being a huge baby, everything is great!! My apartment is really cute with a balcony on the top and bottom floor. And the locals who live here are great.


One REALLY exciting thing is that the EuroCup is going on right now. Spain is in fits because they won the soccer game last night against Portugal. I watched the first half, but wanted to walk home before dark and didnt get to see the last. HOWEVER, everyone in my complex had there stereos and tvs on full blast so I could hear the announcers the whole time. But because I didnt understand the announcers, the only way I knew they scored was when the walls were shaking because of jumping and shouting. Then the familiar Spanish soccer chant 'Ole, Ole-ole-ole, Ole, Ole' it was beautiful. I have heard Americans chant it to be cool at soccer games but it truly sounds great when Spaniards are cheering it for Spain. Tonight it is Germany vs Italy. I dont like Germany but I want them to win because half the island is German, the other half Spanish and the final game on Sunday will be like a little war! 


Another crazy thing is that I have been hanging out a lot with Alices friends from France and have had a good time practicing my French because they dont speak english well. I never would have thought I would be speaking more French than Spanish here. But alas, it is true. Now off to eat some dinner, tomorrow I am going to the sand dunes and who knows what else. Saturday there is a party at a persons house who Alice works with and then Sunday we go to the Volcano!!!!! 

Ireland, you are everything I hoped you be!

I am sitting in a 'wee wooden chair' that I was directed to when I asked for an internet spot. I am currently in Belfast International Airport with a dopey grin on my face, listening to the Irish music over the speakers and waiting on my flight. In case you were curious, I did cry when I landed. Not the racking sobs I had originally anticipated, but I welled up and had a quivering lip. It was just too amazing. IT is really cloudy here (and 50 degrees F, why am I leaving again?) so I couldn't see a thing on arrival. Just clouds. But as the plane started lowering and I started to see darker patches coming through the white haze, I knew land was about to show. Just sitting there waiting to see Ireland for the first time was a marvel in itself. I kept thinking 'here I go, now I get to see it.' (two ladies just now walked by me talking in their Irish lilt and I about peed myself) So anyways, the clouds broke and for as far as the eye could see was green. The most marvelous green you can imagine. Green grass, green trees, green everything! It looked so poetic that for a moment I worried if I would have the strength to get on the plane and leave. P.S. That moment is still here. 

Oh by the way, New York was AMAZING. I got to see some old friends, eat a hot dog out of a super sketch road cart, walk around Times Square, see the Empire State Building, etc, etc, etc. BUT the best part was getting kissed by THE Naked Cowboy in Times Square. And by best, I mean the most prompting me to quickly get a wet wipe and sanitize myself. Then it was back to Jersey, to board a plane at 9:30pm. Once on the plane, they told us we might want to close our windows because the sun would be coming up in two hours. (Flying east at night=short sleep) So I ate dinner (chicken and rice) and listened to the Avett Brothers and fell asleep. Three hours later I woke up again, ate some breakfast (melon and croissant.. Irish, huh?) while watching the New Girl on the telly and then BAM! Tears. Green. Heaven! I AM IN IRELAND!!!! So, now I go to the bar.. called Lagans Pub and drink a stout, eat some lunch and wait for my plane. P.S. It is like 5 am your time as I type. Then at 2:30pm my time and about 8 am your time, I will be boarding my plane for the Canaries. Next time you hear from me I will be at the beach. With a good book. At the beach....

Life Lessons with Liam Neeson

Well, I have finally gotten all my ducks in a row. T minus six days and I have finally gotten my currency exchanged, a check card acquired and a place to stay booked. It wasn't until a few days ago that I realized "hmm, I leave America in eight days and I have no means of spending money and no place to sleep arranged.. Perhaps I should remedy this. But, I am the worlds greatest procrastinator. Truly I am. It's almost disgusting. So it just got taken care of.. But its better than waiting until I was there.

My mom has been a help in my trip preparations. Helping my plan a budget and what not. My dad has been a help too. He rented Liam Neeson's "Taken" and had me watch it. He told me he just wanted to me to know... Well now I know that I dont want to steal Liam Neeson's kid unless I want my wife shot! Point taken, Dad!

So again I say, in EXACTLY six days, I will be in New York City, waiting on my connecting flight to Ireland, excited out of my mind. I pity my friends in New Jersey. They are going to have to put up with me for 8.5 hours. On a normal day I am hard to be around for 8.5 hours. I tend to be a "little much" in everyday life. There is a list of 100 millions things that make me freakishly happy and I tend to let anyone within earshot know how freakishly happy I am about those things. (And I have pipes, so the 'earshot range' is about ten miles) So imagine normal excited Mac on steroids, what with the fac that I get to fly and sleep in the sky and all... Again I say, I feel kinda sorry for my friends in New Jersey.

So there you have it. Not much else to say until the trip starts. As of now, my only planning left is to decide to carry on or check my bags.. Pros and cons to each if you ask me. Check my bags: No lugging a back pack all over huge airports, then again I might never see my bags while in Europe.. Carry them on: No worries about missing bags, but no hand lotion either... What a delimma. Anyone with ideas?

New York, New York

Today I was looking over my flight schedule. I was sighing/lamenting over my eight and a half hour layover in New Jersey.. What could I do for over eight hours in New Jersey??!! Well my oh-too-kind mother reminded me of a very good friend we have in New Jersey. I gave her a call, filled her in on the details and, to make a long story short (too late, I know) she and her husband agreed to meet me at the airport and take me to "The City" during my layover.

What city you may be asking yourself? Well maybe you aren't asking yourself that. But, being raised in the west like I was, and being HORRIBLE with geography, I had no idea that the Newark airport was just over the river from NYC. So I will be enjoying my layover in New York. Doing what? I am not sure, my friend and her husband said they would plan something fun. But I feel that just being in the city with them will be enough.  I  honestly never had a desire to stay for long periods of time in a city that size, but I am very excited to walk around, window shop, eat and be in New York at all. It is something I never pictured myself doing, but I must say it will be hard to not compare my life to a movie! And it will be another thing checked off my bucket list!

So on top of my new excitement (New York) I am also losing sleep over the idea that in 16 days I will be in Ireland. I will eat dinner in New York City and then have breakfast the next morning in Ireland!! I was looking up the Belfast area to see what possible trouble I could get into during my layover and found Lough Neagh not too far from the aiport.. This I feel is something I should explore. What kind of explorer would I be if a lough was something I could pass up? Not much of one at all. Not much of one AT ALL!

So as if eating dinner in New York City, falling asleep over the ocean then waking up and having breakfast in Ireland weren't enough, after my Irish breakfast and lunch I will be having dinner in Spain! All of this I have discovered literally as I type. This, my friends, is why I will struggle to sleep the next few weeks. And because of my lack of sleep.. When I land in Ireland at 9:00a (my body will feel like it is 3:00a) I will most likely burst into tears and brokenly sob about 'how I can't believe this is actually happening' causing concerned onlookers to quickly flee away from me. This, in turn, will make me sob even more and I feel the lake I explore will grow in depth by a few feet with my visit...