oh what a night

A very fun weekend in Madrid- actually, our first. Friday we had a day-long celebration in Matt's honor. We started festivities at 13.00 as I took Matt on a picnic in the park by our house. We then decided to go to the movies and wound up meeting Alex. We saw Two for the Money in Spanish, I can't remember the title, with Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey. We wandered around Sol for a bit and got Matt started on his 21 shots. After, we returned home to have dinner with his host family.

He even got a cake!

Matt and his host family: Patricia, Vanessa, Jorge, Matt, Mauri

We quickly got dressed and ready to go, as we had many people meeting up with us in Sol at midnight. We convinced Matt's "brother" and his girlfriend to come out with us, so they drove us into Sol...which we thought would have been more convenient; however, we arrived on Spanish time, half an hour late. We met up with Sara, Monica, Alex, Yvonne and our friends who we met in Cadiz. We wandered around and hit up close to a dozen bars, giving out "chupita gratis" cards. I was the corresonding secretary of the evening, as I had to take record of every shot Matt took. I had made him a little book for his birthday which said had room for the picture, and another page for type, time, location, who bought it and Matt had to sign his name after every shot. It was a strenuous task, but I think it will be fun to look back on.

There weren't too many of us, but we made fun of the entire night. We added some friends to our list, Francisco and Ronaldo. I believe they were friends with Miguel and Edguardo...they kinda just showed up in one bar and stayed with us the entire night. They were very fun though, so no complaints. A good time had by all.

Alex and Yvonne

Matt's "brother," Jorge, and his girlfriend Vanessa

A Matthew Sandwich (I reduced the red eye and now I look creepy)

Miguel bustin' some moves

Alex trying to imitate the lemur from Madagascar

(the resemblence in uncanny)





Lemon

Waiting...

Look! We made non-American friends!!

We finished the night off at a very crowded bar called El Sol, coincidentally in Sol, and Matt had his 21st shot - we have all the pictures, signatures and the shot glass to prove it.

We made ended our night around 5:30; however, the Metro did not open until 6 and it took us until 7.30 to get home.



Saturday didn't start until 16.00 and didn't last very long. Some of our group was in Germany, others went skiing, so Matt and I just decided to ride the Metro and explore the city. We wound up just going out for dinner in Bilbao. We chose the place for the name. It turned out to be pretty good afterall, though.




Today we went to Expo-Ocio 2006 which was a big exhibition where all stores and travel agencies and banks and everything just come and show off what's new. There are 10 pavillions and each one has different stuff in it. There was one that was like a baazar and had all sorts of cool stuff. The entire expo was like a combination of a flea market and the Dutchess County Fair..just high class. All the pavillions were carpeted and all nice and clean. There was also a marching band just as we were leaving.

After the feria we met up with everyone to go to the Jack Johnson concert. I felt like it was a scheme to get all the Americans together, 'cause they did a pretty good job. The venue (an old bullring) was PACKED, and I heard very few people speaking Spanish. It was a great concert though.

Laura, Nicole and Matt, before the show started.

Justine and Kate

One of the opening acts

Crazy colors...there was too much backlighting to get a good shot

Jack Johnson

Bubble Toes Live- Click here!!!!

I got home at about 24.00 and my senora had dinner out for me. While I was eating, she was getting my breakfast ready (which usually she leaves out coffee, place setting, cereal, sugar...) which I have never seen her do before. It was a little disappointing because it's always felt like my breakfast arrived by some magical force, kinda like Santa on Christmas, you wake up and there are presents under the tree. Ok, Ok, I'm crazy, but hey, it's the little things in life that count.

Anyway, it's after two here and I definitely need to get some sleep before tomorrow. Good night!