Fire and Dancing, although not necessarily together

2 second update: Test tomorrow, Spaniards love a bad joke as much as I do, dancing as a new karate form

Well today on my way to class I passed a building that was billowing black smoke. Apparently what had happened was a transformer had blown and subsequently the entire section of city didn't have electricity, including the school (in which the emergency lights last for 20min). They hope they'll have the power back for the test tomorrow. Secondly and perhaps more excitingly I just passed a store that was called "Yellow Rat Bastard." I think someone was watching to many English sitcoms.

Other than that I'm afraid I have very little to report. Oh wait! I do have some great news. Apparently the Spanish love a bad joke as much as I do and believe me, these ones were bad. Think wordplay, one liners, and 1001 more jokes for kids. Now imagine them all in a language you don't necessarily understand. Genius.

Additionally, I'm afraid it's true, I was dragged to go salsa dancing. Although those people who know my prowess on the dance floor will now that I don't go hip swaggling without a good fight. So we were out with a group of people at a club and of course I pulled out the best moves in my arsenal. Featured were the macarena, asereje (spanish version of macarena), and of course the epic Irving dance, sometimes all in a row. I know, I don't know how they could handle all the incredibleness at the same time either. Well, one of the ladies (could only have been a Spanish lady since she immune to the brilliance of such maneuvers) suggested that maybe a salsa class was in order. So I quickly replied, "Alright, I'll go to salsa, if you play rugby." Long story short, now I have to find a rugby ball.

But to make a long story a bit longer, the actual dance class:

So we show up to the place and it is completely empty. So I thought I'd hit a bit of luck. But it was not to be, a bit later there were more people and we rushed to group of about 6 couples pad-footing around the floor. And so the class started, one foot forward, one back, side right, side left, turn left while rotating right foot, no not that foot, yes thats it, no you were supposed to use the other arm, but don't worry my foot will feel better in a couple of weeks etc... all rather simple. Then it was time to learn a routine. After the first step was shown, the instructor saw that I had immense promise (read: no where to go but up, because any lower would be impossible) and had us move as close to him as possible. It was a bit complicated, and he kept adding moves right after the previous "this is the last one." By this stage, the group had grown to a fairly large size making it rather impossible to do the "left twist then arms spread out to the side while stepping to the left and back three times" move without causing marginal damage to those around you. So I am glad to say my battle dancing, created in Guatemala, continues.

Rule 1: Turn faster than the people next to you have you have more momentum for collisions.

Rule 2: If you're doing a complicated move and someone is in your way, stomping on their feet tends to get the idea across that they shouldn't be there (this includes your own partner)

But apart from perfecting my new kung fu form, it was fun. I've learned new dance moves that I probably can't remember nor do in any civilized place and learned the word for splashing. For example, if you don't point at the toilet seat, you have a high probably of splashing. Don't ask how that came up in normal conversation because I have no idea.

Other than that nothing new, except the other night that I was hanging out with a Spanish guy in a dress, but possibly more on that later.

A Multimedia Message

Someone must have told them I was coming, because they put up signs everywhere*:

Although someone forgot to arrange the weather. This was the view outside my apartment right before my run, note the snow:

But there is more than frozen water to see:

This next one just had a good color scheme:

And don't worry Mom, I found fruit!:

And of course the triumphant return of THE sandwich (although I can't seem to find brie....):

Which I described today in class, how Steven and I traveled around Europe eating bread + cheese and when feeling extra adventurous adding tomato. They all thought I was insane.

See even more exciting photos as they come out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46353136@N06/

*Although the signs seem to be celebrating the 150 anniversary of Washington Irving and the Alhambra, so they apparently swapped my location and name and got my age wrong...

Disaster Besets This Small Mediterranean Locale

2 second update: darts (no need to read anymore)

So I just got back from the late night antibiotic dispenser (read: pub), and I'm afraid to say I just lost at darts to a Spaniard. Wait. That's not true, we tied. Well, I guess that's still just as bad. The first game we played was 5 player cricket (for those who don't know, it doesn't involve any balls or bats but can be just as dangerous) on one of the machines. I must admit I wasn't sure of the rules for most of the game (only figured out there we were playing for points after about 1/4 game) but I rallied myself magnificently and went on to win. Then, for such brilliant performance, it gave us two extra credits. Thus, I was pitted against my rival of the previous match. It was a blistering match. You could cut the tension with an electrified meat cleaver (maybe). First he threw 3 20s, then I got a triple 20 and a 18, then he got a triple 18, then I threw two 18s, then he threw a triple 15, then I threw triple 17, the game was afoot, then he threw.... essentially after about 5 minutes we were honing in for bullseye. He was about 50 points ahead, but I had opened bulls first. Anyway, he must have cheated somehow because he won by about 27 point. Bugger.

On the bright side, I think my knee is getting better so I'm going to try and re-injure it tomorrow...

YES!

The Cocoa Krispies were delicious!

All Down Hill from Here

2 second update: bit under the weather, more snow, first day classes, new directional strategy

So I can now officially say Mission Accomplished! I got lost. Yesterday. That's really all the details apart from the fact I broke a bottle of Lychee alcohol while on my travels. I was adeptly avoiding a gaggle of people when the shopping bag (from the only open shop- a Chinese MiniMarket) went far left and made a rather distinctive sound on a pointless small post. Of course I did not notice until I felt a bit like I had forgotten my potty training. After having tasted some from the remnants of the bottle before throwing it all away, I can say I was only marginally less disappointed at losing the wine than the fact it had dribbled on my pants (Those who have tasted some of my excellent choices of drinks in the past can relate).

Perhaps less importantly (cough cough) I started my first class today. Four hours from 9-1 with a short 20 minute break in the middle. It's certainly going to be interesting. The two teachers are very nice and from Granada. The second teacher is quite a character, her actual name is Africa, and it was her birthday today, so she was 24 even though she was born in 1966. So our homework from the first teacher is to write an essay about Seattle, and the second was to find a joke, of which I found this:

-A person calls the news to report that he had just had quintuplets

-The journalist responds, "Can you repeat that?"

-He responds "No, no, after five I'm done"

I know, absolutely hilarious. Say no more....

Also, I have finally met the other roommates, and they are all from Germany. One is studying law, the others language translation. So I practiced my two or three German words, made little to no sense, and then spoke English.

Additionally, I'm afraid I feel a bit sick and hurt my knee on a run yesterday but more importantly I have discovered that the best way to get back to my house is downhill. So the theory evolves.

Tomorrow I look forward to getting no laughs at my joke and having Cocoa Krispies for breakfast. Its the small things really...

Day Something or Other

Two second update: Found a place to live, took Spanish level test, got phone, discovered brilliant new directional strategy

This is day 4 and I've already missed writing for day 2+3, and I'm pretty sure it'll only get worse from here. So here is the semi-weekly (soon to be semi-monthly, then semi-yearly, then once in a blue moon) update although I should probably apologize for the following rambling....

Traveled around yesterday with a Scottish guy from the hostel, dangerous prospect. But we didn't go for drinks, we went for tapas (far more sophisticated). Although, I should mention that drinks do come with free tapas (although according to the Australians, who have all apparently left their country and are traveling in Granada "Eating is Cheating") . So we had a good night of "tapas." He was here for a year half a year ago (say that ten times fast), so we went around to all his old haunts, and ended up at a discotheque...

Before that I had a actually relatively productive day. Took the Spanish level test in the morning, which had two writing sections and a speaking part. The multiple choice I think went alright, but I'm fairly sure the speaking part was a little off. The second I sat down to have the conversation with the lady, my brain entirely switched off. Thus, although everyone else was told their level, I have to go back later and find out. I think I thoroughly confused her...

After that I did my favorite thing, making tons of phone calls. for house hunting. That was relatively interesting, me massacring Spanish and them speaking to me like I'm four...

Me: "Buenas Dias"

Them: "Si"

M: "Me llamo Ricardo y estoy estudiando en Centro de Lenguas Modernas"

T: "Repite"

M: (repeats)

T: "Si"

M: "I want to rent a room" (translation provided free of charge)

T: "Si"

M: "Is this possible?"

T: "Si"

M: "Can I see the room?"

T: "Si..."

I went to about three places, the first two were not so bad but completely empty (except for the fact I managed to get caught in a mini-blizzard on the way to the second... snow, wind, small enclosed area. Yes it was snowing). At the third, I found the natives and boy do they love to shop (lines twisting around the store with everything on sale). So to make a boring story end, I took the third. It has three other roommates, at least one who lives in Granada (only met one), and a tiny room.

Other than that, I've found a SIM card although I have no idea what my number is. Went to a modern art museum and have discovered the best way not to get lost in Granada, whenever unsure of where to go just head uphill. Doesn't matter where I am or where I need to go, uphill always leads me in the right direction

Day 1: Trying to get lost

Managed to get through the flights with no trouble, although I should mention that Madrid has possibly one of the worst designs of an airport. I have managed to pull a brilliant Richard maneuver (name pending work)...Once in Granada airport I realized I had no idea where I was supposed to be. Luckily I had the Rick Steve's which told me to take the bus. So I immediately jumped on the bus, only to realize I had no idea which bus stop to jump off. So I decided to follow the group of Americans who were being lead by someone. So I got off at that stop with my surprisingly hefty bag and asked the first person directions to the Tourist office... and of course it was only 3 blocks away. Once there I got a map and asked directions to the hostel, another block away. Not bad for pure chance. Having no idea where to go but ending up at the exact same place that I wanted... So now I am drinking Sangria at the small bar at the hostel after having completely failed to lose myself after wandering around the city.. and apparently it's a holiday today (Three Kings) so most things are closed... tomorrow I'm going to try get at least a little lost