SUNBURNS! CURSE UV RAYS

You want to know the worst part about getting a new bathing suit? ( I got one by the way. I got that bikini I mentioned.) Anyway, the worst part about getting a new suit comes when the cut of your new suit is far from being similar to the cut of your old one. So the poor skin that is nice and white from having never been exposed to the harsh sun is now screaming “Wait!! NO! We are supposed to be covered! What are you doing!” And the skin that is used to soaking up the rays is hidden and demanding a private counsel with the sun, no doubt plotting some horrific sunburn on the whitest parts of your being. The sun, who misses its tan friends obliges.. and you wind up with red peeling skin and a painful nights sleep. Not that I am bitter or anything.. ahem, moving on...

So my family went on a little road trip this weekend to Oklahoma. My parents are moving back there this August and we went down to the cabin to organize and plan, etc. While we were there we basically just goofed off. Its a great way to life, FYI. Days spent in the river, nights on the bank drinking cool beverages and listening to music. We also went on a kayaking trip. Not long, but long enough to get some good sun on my legs. Usually the outdoor recreation I do requires long pants, but I made a pact with my legs this summer to let them soak up the sun as much as physically possible. My legs are ecstatic! Hopefully this will alleviate some of the pain and hate that you noticed in the first paragraph. If I go to Gran Canaria with the sun already introduced to my leggies, maybe the sun will a be little more chill and a lot less burn-me-to-a-crisp. This is my deepest hope.

As for my trip preparations, I have been looking at prices for lodging this week. Its really not too bad (I am staying in a hostel, by the way) I have found a few pretty nice places starting at 20 US dollars night. This works for me and my wallet in a big way. The place I am looking into has private rooms so I dont need to worry about all my belongings as much and they have el cheapo bicycle rentals so that should be fun. I am just waiting on mi amiga to let me know if it is close enough to her (I find it is best to check lest I am biking 100 billion miles up hill both ways.. )

Oh, and I literally JUST got super pumped because as I was typing this I decided to check on my countdown to see how much time I had until I was airborn (and by “my countdown”, I mean I check the calender and count the days off myself) and what do you think I found when I was counting? Well it just so happens that I only have 25 days until the big trip. So now you can become super pumped with me!

And that is all I have to say about that.

Volcano? Yes, please!

The city: Maspalomas. The Island: Gran Canaria. The country: Spain. The continent: Africa.

Off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara, Gran Canaria is one of the two largest islands of the Canary variety. There are a total of seven islands in all, but Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the most populous. They are also the most visited by Europeans. Luckily for me, the fact that the islands have so many Europeans visitors means they speak both English and German on the coast. I say luckily because I was the idiot in school who decided NOT to take Spanish; a choice I am now regretting. However, I did learn that the accent of the people is more like Latin American and less like traditional Spanish. But I guess I really don't need to worry about accents.. How different can 'deme una caja de tabaco de mascar, por favor' sound in Mexico vs. Spain right?

In case you were curious.. I just said “Give me a box of chewing tobacco, please.” For some reason I get the feeling I wont actually need to say this phrase. I'm not sure where that feeling is coming from, but I feel it is best to trust my gut. However, it is in my 'Spanish for Travelers' book.. So learn the phrase I must!

Another thing I learned whilst studying away on Gran Canaria is that, on top of gorgeous beaches, I will be enjoying a nice even climate. Basically perpetually sunny and 80 degrees. Hmm.. how will I survive? I guess I will just suffer through it.

So remember that bikini I mentioned? I mentioned this because I envisioned myself laying on the beach for fourteen days. In fact, I was so confident that I would just be laying on the beach that I was only going to pack sun dresses, bathing suits and sandles. But once again, my research has informed me of some VERY interesting facts. Such as the fact that there are mountains and canyons on the island. Such as the fact that there is a volcano. Such as the fact that there are jungles and forests. Such as the fact that there is free camping on the beaches. Such as the fact that the whole island is only 640 ft2. Meaning these facts are very easily traveled to! This makes me a VERY happy girl! So I will now make room for hiking shoes and shorts and my tent. Ahh, how your perspective changes with just a click of a button!

(Momentary aside: My dad is worried I will get lost exploring the jungle and volcano.. I can't begin to imagine why he would think this.. Me? Lost? Pshaw! I scoff in your general direction Dad! When have I EVER been lost? Nevertheless, I will bring a compass to please him. Worse case scenario I hike south til I hit the ocean..Maspalomas is south..How hard could it be?)

I might also add that there are sand dunes that make you feel like you are in the Sahara Desert. Quaint lighthouses and villages that are screaming, “Mac, come enjoy us! Please, please please.” OK! OK, no need to get worked up light houses! Villages, calm the heck down, I will enjoy you both!

Are you curious about the cuisine? I was.. I was also worried.. Simply said I am not a fish eater. This is, I think, my greatest flaw. What I wouldn't give to go to an island restaurant and NOT order chicken. I have tried fish cooked a hundred different ways, hoping.. Nay, Praying.. that I would love fish. But to no avail. While on Gran Canaria I will try it a hundred more ways. Well, it is an island isn't it? So fish it will be.. I heard rumors of octopus rings.. I think I would like to try octopus rings. I am not kidding. But no worries, Mate. I also read about the serving of spicy meat. This could work for me in a big way.

So there you have it. Jungles and volcanoes, octopus rings and free camping. What more could a girl ask for?

And so, I leave you with another helpful travel phrase: No quiero que me la saque, gracias. (I don't want it extracted, thank you. In my book, they listed this under Dental Section. But I feel that given the price for parts on the black market, its a helpful phrase all around!)

P.S. I laugh at the idea that I actually thought I could lay on the beach for 14 days. Really? I have known myself how long? Luckily God knows me and provided me with volcanoes and canyons and jungles to play around in. Thanks God!

So it Starts!

I finally did it! I did it! I did it!!!!!!

“What?” you may ask, “What have you finally done?”

I finally bought my first international plane ticket!

Where? Why, to the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa!! To say that I am supremely stoked would be the understatement of the century. I have been shilly-shallying around with the idea of going overseas for, Oh... I don't know, MY WHOLE LIFE.. So when I finally hit the submit button and booked my flight my Mom said “Oh, I thought you would never do it! I am so proud of you!”

Who cares that I have no idea what these islands are like. The food, the people, the anything..... All I know is that in a little over a month I will be getting on an airplane and taking a little trip o'er the pond!

Ok, so this idea of not knowing anything is a slight exaggeration.. I do know that the islands are Spanish, therefore, one can reasonably deduce that language spoken there will be Spanish. And luckily for me, a little over a year ago, while en route to New Mexico, I stopped in Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit my Granddad and he loaded me down with travel books. Who knew that when I took it, my new “Berlitz: Spanish for Travelers” book would come in handy so soon! Not I said the Fly...

And, lest you think I am an irresponsible fool.. I also know someone who will be there when I land. Alice, a French exchange student who has stayed with my family the last few summers will be working there this summer. When I think of Alice and I turned loose on a Spanish Island... Well lets just hope we don't get arrested.

So my next month will be spent in travel prep! I will be figuring out a budget and transferring currency, looking up more information on the islands so I can be a little prepared, studying my little Spanish phrase book and buying a bikini.. Wait! What? You heard me! A bikini.

After that month of preparation, I will pack up, drive to Nashville and take a 28 hour trip until I land on a far away island.....

No big deal, but I might as well mention that I will have a LOOONG layover in Ireland too. Who has two thumbs and will be drinking a Guinness in Ireland? This girl!!! Actually, on the way home I will be landing in Belfast at around midnight and not leaving until 11 the next morning.... I plan on bringing along a hammock and setting it up in the airport so I can rest in style. How wonderful that my last night abroad will be spent in Ireland, huh?

So, now that I have you hooked (its OK to admit it, I have that affect) you need to check back in every so often to see how my travel prep is going, learn a little bit more about the island I am going to and then get updates once I arrive in Spain....

Until then: Hasta luego!