Madrid & Toledo

                  

Beautiful views above the city of Toledo. 

 My favorite at the indoor market of San Miguel in Madrid. 

 Ancient Gypsy Temple

 More of my yogurt obsession. 

 Amazing door carvings.

This sign explains my life. Food + Wine= Happiness. 

 Protest against the privatization of healthcare in Madrid.  We were lucky enough to be right in the middle of it.  It was like seeming all my research on public versus private healthcare last semester in the UK come to life.  Clearly, it is a UNIVERSAL issue. 

Curfew (2012)

A story of redemption.  Growing up is hard.  We lose ourselves when we are hit with the terrifying realities of what our lives have become.  Sometimes it takes the innocent black and white perspective of a child to help us sort through all the grey that has clouded our vision.  That is what Curfew does- it takes the ugliest of what the world can do to us and shows how something pure & full of love like a child can stop us from giving up on everything.  This almost 20 minute masterpiece takes out all the plot filler to deliver a vivid picture well worthy of it's Oscar nomination.  Written, directed and starred in by Shawn Christensen.

"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?