Attempt 1: Fail.
Weather undesirable for flying. Regroup for a second attempt tomorrow.
Attempt 2: To be executed Thurs, May 19 - 12:25h
Expected to arrive at destination at 09:20h on 5/20. Continue mission as planned.
Over and out.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Southbound
New post, New country, Same ol' blog.
This time, I'm leaving the jamon, flamenco, and Castilian Spanish behind and headed a new direction: South. I'm gonna live in the big city, bigger than New York in fact, and learn my way around some good beef, the tango, and the Argentine dialect! My world is going to be turned upside down, literally. It will be winter in Argentina instead of summer. I've heard that even the toilets flush the opposite way (I'll have to remember to check on that)! In any case, it should be a good time, and I invite you to follow my Argentine adventures here.
What am I doing there?
I'm completing a requirement for my master's degree in public service. I'll be working for a non-profit organization called Cruzada Argentina. The organization does rural development work through schools in the impoverished northern areas of the country. I'm really excited to be working with their newest initiative - The High School Support Program - that provides vocational classes and other skills to give kids a better opportunity after graduation to enter the workforce.
The adventure starts May 18! Stay tuned for what is sure to be buenos tiempos (good times) in Buenos Aires.
This time, I'm leaving the jamon, flamenco, and Castilian Spanish behind and headed a new direction: South. I'm gonna live in the big city, bigger than New York in fact, and learn my way around some good beef, the tango, and the Argentine dialect! My world is going to be turned upside down, literally. It will be winter in Argentina instead of summer. I've heard that even the toilets flush the opposite way (I'll have to remember to check on that)! In any case, it should be a good time, and I invite you to follow my Argentine adventures here.
What am I doing there?
I'm completing a requirement for my master's degree in public service. I'll be working for a non-profit organization called Cruzada Argentina. The organization does rural development work through schools in the impoverished northern areas of the country. I'm really excited to be working with their newest initiative - The High School Support Program - that provides vocational classes and other skills to give kids a better opportunity after graduation to enter the workforce.
The adventure starts May 18! Stay tuned for what is sure to be buenos tiempos (good times) in Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
"I'm Leavin' On a Jetplane..."
Trip home
First leg: Bus from Jerez to Madrid; June 21-22, 2010, 21:55 to 5:55
Almost didn’t make it. Waited until 3 hours before to buy my bus ticket, thinking…Monday night, no big deal. People should be working and not vacationing quite yet. HA forgot I was in Spain for a minute there. It was the last ticket. Booya (phew!)
Jessi 1 – Procrasination 0
My seat was in the back next to a Congolese man. He spoke French and his native Congolese tribal language. I speak English and Spanish. We communicated well enough for him to make a proposition – if I would be his Spanish girlfriend and accompany him through Madrid. Tempting, but I bought him a Coca-Cola instead.
Second leg: Barajas (Madrid airport); June 22, 6:30 to 11:05
The repressed memories are resurfacing. Not being able to find the baggage claim nor my parents that had come to visit me and the resulting shame from having to ask in English after 3 months of Spanish immersion (Study Abroad 2007). Arriving in Madrid, again, couldn’t find the baggage claim or where in the world – I mean, airport – I was supposed to be (Upon arrival for Teaching Assistant year 2009). Being homeless for a night and sleeping on the cold, hard airport floor before flight to Paris. Actually, the real homeless people had it better because they found the cardboard boxes, sigh. (Semana Santa 2010). 150 euros for my overweight luggage…pa-leeease! (Upon departure from Teaching Assistant year 2009) Barajas- ¿porqué me jodas siempre?
Third: Flight Madrid – Washington D.C., 11:05am to 2:50pm (calculate 7 hours for time change)
Went from lacking to luxury! I watched movies, tv shows (incl. Father Ted, mmhmm Emma, if you happen to read this ever), played computer games (not on my computer, either!), and stuffed my face full of airplane food (honestly, I don’t know why people complain about it). I sat next to someone who neither smelled nor proposed. It was probably the best 9 hours of this lengthy trip.
Fourth: Washington Dulles Airport, 2:50 to 6:06pm
For those of you who know the story about how disappointed I was when I got back from Salamanca underage (20 ½) and thirsty…I got my beer this time! Sam Adams summer ale – good, draught, and American. It came with an American price as well: $7.34, ahh, so expensive! (And don’t worry, I didn’t forget the tip) All the sudden the culture shock sets in. I keep saying ‘perdon’ to people I step on. I’m paying sales tax on my purchases. Not all is bad though. For example, I bought Skittles! And ate the whole bag within 5 minutes. American accents; so far I’ve racked up Texas southern, hick southern, ebonics, Latin American Spanish, western surfer-ish and everything in between. (I am notably lacking New England and the Northwest, though). And then there are the cultural nuances that I just can’t explain.
Fifth: Flight from Dulles to Charlotte, NC Douglas Airport, 6:06 to 7:31pm
Short.
Sixth: Charlotte Douglas Airport 7:31pm to present
More America, lo bueno: killed two birds with one stone (steak + quesadilla) and ate them for dinner.
Also FREE Wifi! And that is how I bring this blog to you in real time (almost).
I have been writing it as I go along today instead of from stale memory tomorrow, when all of this will feel like a weird dream. That’s my excuse, by the way, if some of the entries are a little off…I’m REALLY tired and currently in hour 30 of my trip, only 4 or 5 of which have been sleeping hours.
What I have to look forward to:
Flight Charlotte Douglas to LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS! 10:30 – 11:28pm.
*sigh of relief* that carries all the frustration, confusion, illusion, contentment, and excitement that I have felt for the past couple of days.
Trip TOTAL: 33 hours and more euros/dollars than I would like to count.
First leg: Bus from Jerez to Madrid; June 21-22, 2010, 21:55 to 5:55
Almost didn’t make it. Waited until 3 hours before to buy my bus ticket, thinking…Monday night, no big deal. People should be working and not vacationing quite yet. HA forgot I was in Spain for a minute there. It was the last ticket. Booya (phew!)
Jessi 1 – Procrasination 0
My seat was in the back next to a Congolese man. He spoke French and his native Congolese tribal language. I speak English and Spanish. We communicated well enough for him to make a proposition – if I would be his Spanish girlfriend and accompany him through Madrid. Tempting, but I bought him a Coca-Cola instead.
Second leg: Barajas (Madrid airport); June 22, 6:30 to 11:05
The repressed memories are resurfacing. Not being able to find the baggage claim nor my parents that had come to visit me and the resulting shame from having to ask in English after 3 months of Spanish immersion (Study Abroad 2007). Arriving in Madrid, again, couldn’t find the baggage claim or where in the world – I mean, airport – I was supposed to be (Upon arrival for Teaching Assistant year 2009). Being homeless for a night and sleeping on the cold, hard airport floor before flight to Paris. Actually, the real homeless people had it better because they found the cardboard boxes, sigh. (Semana Santa 2010). 150 euros for my overweight luggage…pa-leeease! (Upon departure from Teaching Assistant year 2009) Barajas- ¿porqué me jodas siempre?
Third: Flight Madrid – Washington D.C., 11:05am to 2:50pm (calculate 7 hours for time change)
Went from lacking to luxury! I watched movies, tv shows (incl. Father Ted, mmhmm Emma, if you happen to read this ever), played computer games (not on my computer, either!), and stuffed my face full of airplane food (honestly, I don’t know why people complain about it). I sat next to someone who neither smelled nor proposed. It was probably the best 9 hours of this lengthy trip.
Fourth: Washington Dulles Airport, 2:50 to 6:06pm
For those of you who know the story about how disappointed I was when I got back from Salamanca underage (20 ½) and thirsty…I got my beer this time! Sam Adams summer ale – good, draught, and American. It came with an American price as well: $7.34, ahh, so expensive! (And don’t worry, I didn’t forget the tip) All the sudden the culture shock sets in. I keep saying ‘perdon’ to people I step on. I’m paying sales tax on my purchases. Not all is bad though. For example, I bought Skittles! And ate the whole bag within 5 minutes. American accents; so far I’ve racked up Texas southern, hick southern, ebonics, Latin American Spanish, western surfer-ish and everything in between. (I am notably lacking New England and the Northwest, though). And then there are the cultural nuances that I just can’t explain.
Fifth: Flight from Dulles to Charlotte, NC Douglas Airport, 6:06 to 7:31pm
Short.
Sixth: Charlotte Douglas Airport 7:31pm to present
More America, lo bueno: killed two birds with one stone (steak + quesadilla) and ate them for dinner.
Also FREE Wifi! And that is how I bring this blog to you in real time (almost).
I have been writing it as I go along today instead of from stale memory tomorrow, when all of this will feel like a weird dream. That’s my excuse, by the way, if some of the entries are a little off…I’m REALLY tired and currently in hour 30 of my trip, only 4 or 5 of which have been sleeping hours.
What I have to look forward to:
Flight Charlotte Douglas to LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS! 10:30 – 11:28pm.
*sigh of relief* that carries all the frustration, confusion, illusion, contentment, and excitement that I have felt for the past couple of days.
Trip TOTAL: 33 hours and more euros/dollars than I would like to count.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Tying up Loose Ends
Life is bittersweet in this summer heat and with all the goodbyes to left to say. In these last few days, before we all go our own way, we reflect on the good times and finish up the rest.
Beach Boppin'
Check!:
Lisbon (Fall)
Cadiz (Fall)
Valdelagrana- hop on the train, hop off...suddenly at the beach!
Cortadura- with the big waves
Conil- cozy up to the beautiful cliff-side...careful though, the rocks in the water hurt
Rota- sand, 100 montaditos, water, cien montaditos, who can say 1-euro jarra de cerveza??
Still to go:
Caños de Meca
Mediterranean?
Spring Tapas
Check!:
Pimientos fritos- Fried peppers take the number one spot. Feria food, but I've made them at home since then.
Caracoles- yes, snails. Fish 'em outta the shell with a toothpick and suck 'em down
Fideos con Langostinos- noodles with jumbo shrimp..not so much springtime, but it was on the Ruta (route) de los Caracoles
Whatever that delicious specialty was in Sevilla that my coworkers introduced me to...fried fish platter (but not pescaito frito) Wish I could remember how it's called
Still to go:
pescaito frito- fried fish
Helado Favorites
Double scoop winner- Plátano con caramelo (caramel banana) and chocolate
The go-to when the choices are overwhelming- Tiramisú
When I'm in a nutty mood- Carapinos- caramel-pine nut
Only found in Rota- Chocolate with Chocolate cookie bits
La Cepa de Rosa, Jerez fav- Vainilla con brownie- Vanilla with brownie bits
Lived in Jerez all year and still haven't done that?!
>Cathedral
>Alcázar
>Zoo
>Real Escuela de Arte Ecuestre
Don't forget about the work that inevitably comes with play
TO DO:
Go to Correos and send Flamenco dress home
Prepare last English tutoring classes
Shopping for regalos/recuerdos
Throw useless stuff away (eeeek, I'm a packrat so this will be painful)
Pack
What I will miss most:
Stinky cheese- manchego, viejo, payoyo
Jamón (literally translated, "ham", but it's so much more)
Spanish green olives and cheap olive oil
Fanta limón
Dressing up beer and wine with lemon fanta
Sherry
Surprise birthday parties
Andalusian flowers and wildlife
Spanlish, Franglish, and Españofrénglideutch
Accents
Sitting at a terraza for hours with one café con leche/cerveza/tinto
"Is this really true about your country?" conversations
Beer at the movie theater
Chuches in the chucherías (gummy candy)
Spaniards singing in the Streets (random or not)
El Mejor Piso
Re-adjustments upon return to the States:
(Picture: Arkansas River from Cajun's deck)
Practice political correctness
6:00 dinner time
Driving a car instead of walking
Remember not to call people and hang up before they answer
3:00pm? Yes, stores are open, and yes I can get things done
Keeping up with American efficiency (while retaining the virtue of patience I have acquired here in Spain)
-These are the ones I'm ready for at least-
Beach Boppin'
Check!:
Lisbon (Fall)
Cadiz (Fall)
Valdelagrana- hop on the train, hop off...suddenly at the beach!
Cortadura- with the big waves
Conil- cozy up to the beautiful cliff-side...careful though, the rocks in the water hurt
Rota- sand, 100 montaditos, water, cien montaditos, who can say 1-euro jarra de cerveza??
Still to go:
Caños de Meca
Mediterranean?
Spring Tapas
Check!:
Pimientos fritos- Fried peppers take the number one spot. Feria food, but I've made them at home since then.
Caracoles- yes, snails. Fish 'em outta the shell with a toothpick and suck 'em down
Fideos con Langostinos- noodles with jumbo shrimp..not so much springtime, but it was on the Ruta (route) de los Caracoles
Whatever that delicious specialty was in Sevilla that my coworkers introduced me to...fried fish platter (but not pescaito frito) Wish I could remember how it's called
Still to go:
pescaito frito- fried fish
Helado Favorites
Double scoop winner- Plátano con caramelo (caramel banana) and chocolate
The go-to when the choices are overwhelming- Tiramisú
When I'm in a nutty mood- Carapinos- caramel-pine nut
Only found in Rota- Chocolate with Chocolate cookie bits
La Cepa de Rosa, Jerez fav- Vainilla con brownie- Vanilla with brownie bits
Lived in Jerez all year and still haven't done that?!
>Cathedral
>Alcázar
>Zoo
>Real Escuela de Arte Ecuestre
Don't forget about the work that inevitably comes with play
TO DO:
Go to Correos and send Flamenco dress home
Prepare last English tutoring classes
Shopping for regalos/recuerdos
Throw useless stuff away (eeeek, I'm a packrat so this will be painful)
Pack
What I will miss most:
Stinky cheese- manchego, viejo, payoyo
Jamón (literally translated, "ham", but it's so much more)
Spanish green olives and cheap olive oil
Fanta limón
Dressing up beer and wine with lemon fanta
Sherry
Surprise birthday parties
Andalusian flowers and wildlife
Spanlish, Franglish, and Españofrénglideutch
Accents
Sitting at a terraza for hours with one café con leche/cerveza/tinto
"Is this really true about your country?" conversations
Beer at the movie theater
Chuches in the chucherías (gummy candy)
Spaniards singing in the Streets (random or not)
El Mejor Piso
Re-adjustments upon return to the States:
(Picture: Arkansas River from Cajun's deck)
Practice political correctness
6:00 dinner time
Driving a car instead of walking
Remember not to call people and hang up before they answer
3:00pm? Yes, stores are open, and yes I can get things done
Keeping up with American efficiency (while retaining the virtue of patience I have acquired here in Spain)
-These are the ones I'm ready for at least-
Monday, May 10, 2010
Guest Post
Spring is winding down, days are getting hotter, Feria Jerez 2010 has come and gone. And now start the goodbye parties. The first one to whom we had to say farewell went home to France this past weekend. He recently revealed his writing skills when he let me read a poem he'd written about his Spanish adventure. And, as it fits with the theme of my posts and the waning phase of our year in Spain, it seemed appropriate to share here. It's a farewell to Andalucía:
Le vent tourne. Je quitte ce vent sableux pour la fraîcheur de l’océan. En te quittant Andalousie, je laisse dans les rues de Jerez une part de moi-même. Perdrais-je de ma mémoire la musique orientale de Jookoo ? Perdrais-je le souvenir des danses Gypsi des belles andalouses ? Je regarde pour la dernière fois ce soleil, meurtri et mélancolique. Il est le fruit tendre et mûr de ce pays, la chaleur envoûtante des longues nuits de fête et de plaisirs. Je quitte la belle du Sud, mes rêves de paradis s’assoupissent. Ce soir, des étoiles dans le ciel brillent dans mes yeux. Je me dis que je verrais les mêmes en France, ma chère andalouse. Te revoir et mourir avec toi, c’est une douce phrase qui bourdonne sans cesse en moi, une chanson d’amour, où l’on se sépare en larmes mais en se promettant de se revoir très vite.
Written by Sylvain Caillaud
Author Mini-bio:
Hailing from La Petite Boissière, a small town in Western France, Sylvain came to Jerez to do an internship. His career interest is eco-tourism, and the beaches and sierras of Andalucía provided a broad and beautiful stepping ground for his apprenticeship. In the two short months he was in Spain, he managed to strike a connection with an impressive portion of the melting pot of twenty-somethings in the city.
Don't worry! I'm not going to leave you to butcher the poem by copying and pasting to translator.com. Here's the English version translated by the author himself:
The wind changed. I’m leaving this sandy wind for the coolness of the ocean. In leaving you Andalusia, I lost a part of myself in the labyrinth of Jerez… Would I lose the memory of oriental music of Jookoo? Would I remember Gypsi dancings of the lovely girls? I’m looking for the last time this Sun, wounded and melancholic. It’s the ripe and soft fruit of this land, the enchanting warmth of the long nights of parties and pleasures. I’m leaving the Beautiful of the south, my dreams of heaven are dulling. Tonight, stars in the sky are shining in my eyes. I say, I would watch the same in France, my dear Andalousian. To see you again and die with you, it’s a soft phrase ringing in me, a love song which we separate in crying but which we promise to meet you again, quickly.
Thanks, Sylvain! Te echamos de menos. Bisous
Le vent tourne. Je quitte ce vent sableux pour la fraîcheur de l’océan. En te quittant Andalousie, je laisse dans les rues de Jerez une part de moi-même. Perdrais-je de ma mémoire la musique orientale de Jookoo ? Perdrais-je le souvenir des danses Gypsi des belles andalouses ? Je regarde pour la dernière fois ce soleil, meurtri et mélancolique. Il est le fruit tendre et mûr de ce pays, la chaleur envoûtante des longues nuits de fête et de plaisirs. Je quitte la belle du Sud, mes rêves de paradis s’assoupissent. Ce soir, des étoiles dans le ciel brillent dans mes yeux. Je me dis que je verrais les mêmes en France, ma chère andalouse. Te revoir et mourir avec toi, c’est une douce phrase qui bourdonne sans cesse en moi, une chanson d’amour, où l’on se sépare en larmes mais en se promettant de se revoir très vite.
Written by Sylvain Caillaud
Author Mini-bio:
Hailing from La Petite Boissière, a small town in Western France, Sylvain came to Jerez to do an internship. His career interest is eco-tourism, and the beaches and sierras of Andalucía provided a broad and beautiful stepping ground for his apprenticeship. In the two short months he was in Spain, he managed to strike a connection with an impressive portion of the melting pot of twenty-somethings in the city.
Don't worry! I'm not going to leave you to butcher the poem by copying and pasting to translator.com. Here's the English version translated by the author himself:
The wind changed. I’m leaving this sandy wind for the coolness of the ocean. In leaving you Andalusia, I lost a part of myself in the labyrinth of Jerez… Would I lose the memory of oriental music of Jookoo? Would I remember Gypsi dancings of the lovely girls? I’m looking for the last time this Sun, wounded and melancholic. It’s the ripe and soft fruit of this land, the enchanting warmth of the long nights of parties and pleasures. I’m leaving the Beautiful of the south, my dreams of heaven are dulling. Tonight, stars in the sky are shining in my eyes. I say, I would watch the same in France, my dear Andalousian. To see you again and die with you, it’s a soft phrase ringing in me, a love song which we separate in crying but which we promise to meet you again, quickly.
Thanks, Sylvain! Te echamos de menos. Bisous
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