"Not Broken, Just Bent..."

Pardon my french, but screw the bullshit love stories of Disney Princesses.  Give me a love like P!nk (Alecia) and her husband Carey Hart.  She's an amazing role model for young girls who is not afraid to be different.  Not mention I am completely addicted to "Just Give Me A Reason" with the fantastic Nate Ruess.

Behind the Scenes

Just Give Me A Reason Official Video

Bullfighting Museum

 Bullfighting trophies- including ears and a tail!

(Above pictures are from my visit to Salamanca's Bullfighting Museum)

I am buying tickets for my first Carnaval del Toro in Ciudad Rodrigo.  Each part of Spain has a specific time of year when they are allowed to have their bullfights, and there are large Carnavales accompanying them.  Everyone dresses up similar to American Halloween and gets absolutely crazy.  They are largely tourist attractions now.  It is a myth that all Spaniards still think of Bullfights with pride, but there are still many who enjoy the tradition.  The bulls themselves are raised specifically for these fights,  and a huge source of honor for the people involved.  I will most likely be skipping the bullfight- still excited to experience my first festival!   

Deceitful Beauties

 Picture of Michelle with the Flamenco team at Cueva de la Rocio

It is impossible to fully appreciate Flamenco without realizing that it is the art of gitanos or gypsies.  Our show took place in the gypsy village where many live in caves. The pictures above are in one of the caves, the decorated round ceilings visible.  Gitanos are seen as thieves, which is intertwined with their exclusion from the rest of Spanish society.  In their nomadic society they have created a culture all their own, known most famously for Flamenco.

I attached a video below to try and give a small taste of the experience.  I found the show to be passionate and mesmerizing.  The performers all had beautiful figures, but often that is where the traditional ideals of beauty ended.  Their features were very strong (almost masculine), others had very weathered faces.  Both were quite fitting given that theirs is not a gentle existence.  The music heard in the background was played live.  Gypsy singing is always a lament for their people past and present- a howl of pain that could never be mistaken with a shameful sob. (Sorry for the lame quality on the pics!)

La Ciudad Dorada de España

Salamanca: The Golden City of Spain. 

Instagram Edition. 

 Librería de segunda mano. 

I found this second hand bookstore on my walk home, complete with creepy staircase and basement filled with books.  A little overpriced, but couldn't help buy a psych book on happiness and the spirit: "El camino de la felicidad" by Fulton J. Sheen. 

 

La Plaza Mayor- The beautiful center of the city at day break.

One of the Universidad de Salamanca buildings. 

 Touring the City

Beautiful Carvings in one of the Salamanca Cathedrals.

Un poco sobre este lugar magia (A little about this magic place): The city of Salamanca is in the chilly highland plains, part of Castilla y Leon.  Universidad de Salamanca is the oldest university in Spain, and 3rd oldest European.  Today not only are the original buildings still standing, but almost all are for classes.  When I found out my academic conselors office was in a palace, it was impossible not to be slightly overwhelmed with the grandeur of it all. As if that wasn't enough, historic figures associated within the universidad include Miguel de Cervantes (famous of course for Don Quixote) and perhaps less favorably Hernán Cortés (conquistador who led to the fall of the Aztec Empire). 

More pics and trips soon!

Don't Blink- Magic is Momentary...

That moment before things get real: its the spark at the very beginning of any hook up or relationship. It's the magic that keeps us wanting more, but reality quickly dims it.  Doubts, insecurities, annoying habits are all too real for a blossoming feeling like that one.  I used to think that if someone could make you feel that amazing then you should hold on to that moment, recreate it endlessly and that's what love should feel like. I've been on both ends of the situation, but I never really thought about it before.

When I was in London most of the guys lacked enough real chemistry to interest me beyond that initial moment.  There were only two that had that intoxicating spark.  Of course they were the two I could never find again even if I had wanted to.  The first I met at a pub in Shoreditch (my favorite scene for drinking and concerts in London), but I was with another guy so there was no chance of making that happen.  The second was a Londoner in Edinburgh for a Stag-do (aka bachelor party) at the same time I was visiting Scotland. After a completely crazy night of bar and club hopping with his group, we walked back to my Travelodge. He was a total gentleman, and expected nothing in return.  I never asked for his number or email because he was leaving for another military tour shortly.  It was a perfectly preserved moment, with no ties to ruin it.  The first guy on the other hand ended up being friends with other people in the Shoreditch scene so I was able to talk to him again, but nothing came from it.  So instead of that charming mysterious guy at the bar, he now is remembered as the guy that I never heard from again. That's when I understood why it is not worth it to chase the spark if it was never meant to be. It cannot withstand the pressure of reality.  

So now I cannot help but wonder if maybe love is a combination of spark, chemistry, and compatible realities? Of magic and cold hard facts? Is this why when we are young every moment seems special? Have we unknowingly exchanged some of our innocent belief in magic with the demands of the real world?

Holiday Cheer!

I've been home for almost a week, and it has been a whirlwind! I kind of jumped right back in, everything is still very much the same but I am different.  With so many things that used to matter I am now more like an outside observer, only mildly amused by it all.  There are two things for which my love has strengthened though: my family and cooking.  No surprise there, they have always been important to me. My days home are filled with both, whether its surprising my sisters with their favorite pancakes or making dinner together.  It's been absolute heaven!  Below are some pics of the girls setting up their own yogurt parfaits tonight with pomegranate seeds, bananas, apples, and pecans. 

  Annalie adding the apples

Bananas!

Holiday Parfaits all done! 

Changing Everyday

(Above: A picture I took of a painting from the Courtauld Gallery ceiling.)

Sometimes life just hits you with one of those "Wow, when did I get so grown up?" moments.  Today is my very last Sunday in London.  In between preparing to pack my things for the trip home, I was writing a thank you card for my tutor and suddenly struck by the fact that this once in a lifetime experience is actually coming to a close.  The United Kingdom became a home to me; made me a globally aware person; gave me a completely new sense of freedom.  I am a better person for my experiences here. Intelligence is the ability to gain and understand information- that is individual.  Knowledge, however, is available to everyone because it comes from experience and education.  Study abroad is one of the greatest ways to become more knowledgeable in every way.  You can be the smartest person in the room, but what is it really worth if you miss out on opportunities to learn firsthand because you think you know everything? I believe in a well rounded perspective, and that would be impossible to achieve if I never explored outside my own society.  There are few moments when I feel like its okay to openly praise myself, honestly there is nothing worse than an over-inflated ego, especially on a blog which screams high sense of self-importance, but I am so proud of myself for taking this opportunity. They say live each day to the fullest, and I am sincerely trying to do just that. For me, I've learned that part of that is being grateful. Appreciation helps us realize just how great our lives really are so that we take no moment for granted.

Never let your life pass you by, I refuse to!