Madrid/Valencia/Barcelona…
So, I’m not going to make excuses anymore I was just having too much fun to write anymore and even though the memories are starting to fade away, I know I have had a great time and isn´t that truly what matters. I wrapped up things in Madrid with a bang. Met up with some of the people from the plaza who where from all over South America and went to the weekly Samba bongo session in the park. The park filled with manicure gardens plays host to the alternative likings of Madrid. On every Sunday you can find close to two hundred people dancing to the rhythms of Africa´s past in between towers and columns from the ancient past. People dancing so fast and so hard that Sangria is everywhere and there is a pulsing heart beat to the city. After dancing until the sunset we decided to go to a lovely dance session but not before adventurous Sara decided to gross a small stream flowing into the lake… a wonderful banana split fall followed along with wet and bloody hugs. We followed that up with fresh clothes and a night in a jazz club that had free sets of French jazz. The crowd was into it and the lead singer got down with his harmonica. Madrid is definitely one of my favorite cities. The next day saw the modern art museum which was hosting a fantastic exhibition on digital media. The most amazing magnetic sculptures and a room full of bean bags set out for the audience to relax and enjoy the genius of John Maeda. I then had to say good bye to one city and hello to a new one. Valencia. City of great architecture, paella, strange smells and host of the holy grail. It is one not to be missed. It was my first time at a huge hostel and though it was nice it was a bit isolating. The Italian government must have named this place vacation town because everywhere you looked olive skin filled the rooms. Groups usually don´t intimidate me but when you have two groups of fives together it becomes a bit daunting. I had just met such good people in Madrid and I couldn´t muster up the energy to go out and put myself out there. SO I decided to call it an early night and went to bed. Next morning I decided to conquer the city alone. I booked my first double Decker bus tour which was exciting until the scorching heat came out followed by the humidity. I got off as soon as could at the City of Arts and Sciences. Unbelievable. It looked like something out of a science fiction movie. The city in the 1960´s redirected their river after a bad flood and decided to turn the dry river into a palatial park. The park contains gardens, rec centers, skate parks and the Valencia´s master piece. The complex is made up of four buildings based on organic architecture. Too much to put in words. After I finished being awe struck for about two hours I went to the Aquarium. Every animal Jackie ever wanted to be was contained there. I even got a little home sick in the Penguin section. I got lost, sweat a lot, put credit on my phone and headed back to the hostel where I met the wonderful Katie. We are bunk mates and she just happen to be finishing up her six weeks in Valencia. I know I am the luckiest person. We met up with a friend of hers and had some great paella and moved on to the bars. Everywhere you turn there are two for one specials and boy did we take advantage of that. We ended the night at a beach club playing the name game that was a terrible mix of tiredness and drunkenness. Katie really wanted to see the sunrise on the beach so we stuck around ran on the white powder sand straight into the ocean. Moon lit, sun lit, warm water. I ask why is this not present for all drunk nights? We stayed until we saw the first sun spots. Taxi races, deep late night talks, vodka limons, and way too much Heineken. Hungover. But no the Brits are never truly phased by hangovers so we carried on. Three hour lunch, cathedral, holy grail (the only one recognized by the Vatican), climbing a tower till our thighs felt like they were ripping off, sweeping views of this perfectly balanced city, and then we were back again. We picked up another roommate Nikola and moved on to a excellent dinner of tapas. Patatas Bravas. I love Patatas Bravas. After we indulged ourselves we went grabbed some mojitos and called it a night. I couldn´t book a hostel because they were all full so decided to stay an extra night. Went for a walk in the park in the morning changed rooms and met a new friend Olivia. We had a lovely three hour dinner which consisted of checking out the fashionistas that attended the weddings in the area, no brides unfortunately but it was great afternoon of being girls and acting silly. We went out with two other girls from Montreal and hit the salsa club. Great time. Woke up at 8 went to the train station. Kicking child, not enough money for the taxi driver, and I was in Barcelona. Came in relaxed had a lovely chat with my bunk mate Ryan the lion. Siesta. Went to the market picked up a fresh baguette and had a lovely little lunch. Perfecto. Ended the night with a scenic pub crawl, talks of architecture history, drunk girl falling in the port, jesus christs with a crown of lcd lights saving her, strike a pose, jackie chan attacking our cab, tighty whiteys, watching hostel at 530, watching the sun come up, bed. And the fun has only just begun. Goodbye first month, you will be missed.
