"Jiji Jaja": Living the Life

Chilling on a rock at Samil beach, looking out onto the Atlantic and the Islas Cíes

Carnival is here!!!

And it's becoming ever more evident that I'm not going to be able to keep up with that as much as I originally thought.... So we're going to breeze past the last couple weeks so I can focus on the bigger, current-er things.

And for you aural pleasure: Ricky Martin- Más

So you may be asking yourself, "What does Tony do with his time in Spain? Is he being a studious, hard-working student?" The answer, of course, is yes. But there is more to my life than studying and working on my academics (even though that's my absolute first priority).

To give you some hints as to what I do with my free time, here are some possible job titles that might describe my extracurricular activities:

Reigniting my passion for the best sport in the world!!!

Look out, ladies of Spain!

I'm eating so much.  SO MUCH!!!

So that's been life lately. And I'll be starting a few more segments for your enjoyment.

Spanish Gnomes
(AKA How did that get there?):
A little-known fact: The Peninsula is inhabited by a population of magical, benevolent gnomes. I've had several experiences with said gnomes during my stay here thus far. Nobody ever sees these mystical beings, but you know when you've been visited when you wake up in the morning, and you find presents!! Also, these gnomes make it so the previous night is a bit fuzzy, or even forgotten altogether! Amazing, right?  So far, here are the presents that have magically appeared, in order:
1- A hickey (kinky little creatures)
2- A note I left for myself (I outsmarted them!)
3- Me, in bed (muchas gracias, tíos)
4- A silk rose (Qué románticos sois!)


Café Count:
Coffee here is the most delicious substance on the face of the earth. I'm not exaggerating.
So, despite the impending caffeine-crash when I get back State-side (let's face it: Folger's just isn't gonna cut it after this), I've been draining cup after cup of coffee.  Of course, the only logical next step is to keep a tally of how much coffee I'm drinking. Starting today (February 17 2012), I'll be keeping track of the amount of the Manna from Heaven that I put in my body.

The Ropa Española Initiative:
(I don't often let my rainbow flag fly, but I think we can all suffer this one thing)
I've been joking for a while that I'd be doing some pretty serious shopping in Spain.  It is no longer a joke.
And given the fact that I'm only allowed one piece of checked baggage for my flight back, I've come up with a wonderful goal: I'm replacing all of my American clothes (you know, those things that never fit me and make me look like a Hippie) with Spanish/European clothes. I'll be donating a lot of my American clothes by the end of the semester. And each blog, I'll be adding a picture of one my new acquisitions.
This time, an instant classic: The leather jacket.

Yup- busting right out there, this guy's already getting a lot of attention.  And the jacket too. Snatched off the racks at the Zara, this is definitely one of my favoriter purchases: keeps me sizzling hot and drives them ladies crazy (see above).

And most importantly, I'm transitioning well into my life as a professional traveler.  Over the past few weeks, I've taken a few trips, mostly local, but fear not! I'm in the process of nailing down the plans for a few international journeys.

One of my favorite places here in Vigo is, of course, the beach (well, second only to the classrooms, but that goes without saying).  There are a few beaches here, and although I plan to hop around to all of them at some point, Samil is the most visited for now.  It's still a bit too chilly to get into the water, but you can bet once it gets warmer, I'll be jumping in every day after class.

A little cliché.... whatever, I'm on a beach!

I've also been spending a lot of time with the other internationals.  ESN organizes a bunch of things to get us out and explore and, in their words, DESTROY PORTO!!!  One of our first little adventures was an evening at the Guía, an old church just on the outskirts of the city sitting on top of a hill.  My paralyzing fear of heighths kept me from enjoying the view from on top of the bell tower, but I had good company nonetheless.

And the coup de grâce: Last weekend was our trip to Porto, Portugal. I love Vigo a lot, but Portugal is the most beautiful place.  I know I exaggerate and joke around a lot, but I'm being completely honest when I say I might live there one day.  We took a little tour of the city, road a boat through the river, went to a wine tasting... I can't wait to go back!! I got to use my Portuguese there too!!! (Even if a few people got a kick out of my accent.)  The food was incredible and the people were beautiful; I was nearly literally drooling for my entire stay there. I'll go back there soon (it's only 2 hours away from Vigo) and take some more pictures for you.

We stepped into a café in Porto, then this guy shows up...

So that's it for now!! However, this weekend is Carnaval!!! So I'll be sure to have plenty to add next time.

Beijos!

"You know that feeling when your belly hairs get caught in your belt buckle?" Playing catch-up

Welcome back!!

I know you all have been dying to know what's going on in my life since last we spoke.  In all reality, I've been way too busy living it up and whatnot to take a few moments to update my modest little blog.  So, mainly just to let you know that I'm alive, here it is folks.

So it's been a little while, and there is literally a ton of things that have been going on, so I'll try to hit everything and highlight the big things.  One more note: I have not yet found an adapter to charge my camera battery, so pictures are going to be a little lacking for the next few blogs.... I'll make up for it though.  Maybe.  No promises.

So let's kick this off with the housing situation. Sure, it sounds super easy and chill when they tell you, "just get here, stay in a hotel for a few days, and you'll get to find a flat when you arrive." (Sarcasm.) And then you get to the International Office and they give you a list of three landlords for you to meet up with.  By yourself.  Wandering the streets of a foreign country.  It's chill.  (Más sarcasm.)  But really, it wasn't so bad, but it was a little stressful there at the end.  My wonderful guardian angel Andrea wanted to help me, but the guy at the International Office had other plans.

  

So I went off to find a flat!!

Yup - had to stay a couple more nights at my hotel.  It was so cheap though, so I didn't mind.  (We need a font that tells you I'm being sarcastic.)  I had actually found a really great flat in a really great part of town and it was huge and beautiful and thought it was perfect!  I was wrong.  I was just chilling at the university literally hours before I was going to sign for it when one of the then-current tenants approached me, and with the most serious face and thick German(?) accent, he looked into my soul and uttered "Whatever you do, don't live in that flat."  O.O

So needless to say, I did not go back to that flat.  Ever.  God was looking out for me however, as He often does, and sent me Ethan and Erin.  I met these guys (see photo above: Guy on the left and girl puttin the moves on me) and we, in our frightened state, banded together! We marched back to the International Office to give them a piece of our mind! (not really.)  They told us to meet up with more landlords and whatnot...... so great.  But Erin already had this lovely flat picked out, so we all went to check it out.  The landlady was really nice- we let her know we were interested in the place (there was going to have been two free rooms, but two other women were yet to move out), and when she found out we were still in hotels, she let us know we could stay there.  And we did.  And we did not leave.  Flat taken!!! Booyah! And I got to take the pink room!! (pictures to come soon) even though I know Ethan wanted it sooooo bad!  Then our fourth flatmate moves in- a beautiful German girl named Bella.  And we were the four best friends that anybody could have!  We're like a wolf pack....

So that's the housing story.  Here are some pics of the view I have from out terrace (that's right- I have a terrace).

 And that's really all for now, kids.  I have class in the morning (we can talk about that adventure next time....), but I have a ton more to catch you up on (new people, shopping, night life, etc)! And another ton that's probably not going to make it on my blog for one reason or another....inquire inside.

But I think I've accomplished my goal of letting everybody know that I'm still alive and having the greatest time of my life.  Hasta la próxima!