Fiesta, Art, Flying Houses and Peace Day

Caitys very regular blog posts have inspired me to try to write a blog more often.

Lucky for me I got over my cold just in time for a good weekend.  There was something fun going on every night because a few of the Erasmus students were leaving and my friends were all seeing them off.  There was dancing till 5:30 am, pictures, beer, many languages and some late night (early morning may better describe it) kababs.  The highlights were watching all the young girls dance with a very happy old man on Saturday, and trying to keep up with Lidia's foosball skills on Thursday.



When it wasn't the early hours in the morning I did my normal wandering with my camera.   Rodin's The Thinker along with about 6 other Rodin sculptures showed up at the Plaza Marcado for a little art on the streets thing.  And I got this picture of the flying house.  It was getting close to night and there was no sign of any construction works having been there for some time.  I think that whoever runs the crane though it would be funny to leave this shed hanging in mid air for the weekend.  It definitely caught my eye.

Back at school:
Today was peace day and we learned this fun song.


And a final bit of update.  I have decided to apply to teach in Korea next fall.  Korea has a lot to offer for American English teachers and it sounds like an opportunity that will not only let me see yet another incredibly different part of the world it will be the wisest thing for me financially.  Korean english jobs pay very well and you get a free studio apartment and they will pay for your airfare.  They also have things like free healthcare, one month extra salary at the end of the contract, 30 days paid vacation.  Apparently most people with a similar background to myself who teach there usually save 10-15,000 in a year.  The visa process is similar to Spain so I will be coming home this Summer to take care of that.  Originally I was a bit worried about culture shock and quality of life in Korea but I have recruited a friend to go with me and Seoul is one of the biggest cities in the world and I am sure a year or two in Asia can only make me appreciate the world even more.

That and I think the students bow to their teachers when they walk by.


“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

-Mark Twain

Logrono Adventure

Not a whole lot to say but I wanted to post some photos of an adventure I took with my roommates.  We went for a "hike" and stumbled upon some crazy abandoned buildings that were completely destroyed and had tons of cool graffiti.  We stopped at the supermarket on the way home so I snapped some photos so you guys could see what our markets look like.  I had to leave some of the meat photos out cause they are just too gross (let me know if you want to see personally).

Happy New Year

Sorry I have not updated in so long for those who read this.

I am back in Logrono now after having Christmas/New Years break in Portland Oregon.  The trip back to Oregon was absolutely terrible.  It took me nearly two full days from location to location.  But now I feel like I could travel anywhere and it wont phase me.

It was nice to be home but the trip seemed a bit short.  I wish I had had more time to spend with friends and family, but I can't complain since I did get to see them.  I saw a few movies ate a few good meals and went out a couple of nights, it was just like I remembered.

I've been back in Logrono now for just more than 1 week.  Things are really picking up for me here.  I have started to get paid for some freelance writing jobs, I picked up a couple more tutoring jobs and my time is finally getting filled up.  I have decided that I do not want to teach in Spain again next year but I have a few other ideas floating around that I will mention later.  It feels really good to be able to find other work while I am here and save up some money.  I am planning to save up a bit and do some traveling in Europe before leaving since it may be the last time I make it out here for a long time.  I've always wanted to visit Germany, Czech Republic, Croatia and maybe head back to London to see my old stomping grounds again.

Last night the roommates and I had a little family dinner since it was our first night that we were all home  and able to eat together.  I made Chicken Alfredo, and Jodie made garlic bread and we had some Cava.  It was a good time.

I am planning to go see a couple friends in Paris AGAIN..... because it will only cost me 30 euros to get out there for the weekend, and well... I simply love Paris.  Then after that Mike will be coming to visit me here in Spain for a little more than 1 week, followed by Jared's visit for 2 weeks.  My dad will be out here in April during my next break and we are going to go to Nice and Venice.  There will be plenty of fun blog posts in 2011 which is looking like it will be a great year.

As for not returning to Spain next year, I do love Spain but I just don't think I can commit another year in the same place.  I don't want to stay put.  I was thinking about just returning to Oregon and trying to find a career oriented job, but with these well-paid freelance writing/advertising jobs seemingly falling into my lap I think that I may want to continue on my journey.  My roommate Megan told me about a job that would be open to me teaching English (now that I have experience) in Santiago Chile.  It is not necessarily a year long commitment either.  It sounds great I just need to decide if the pay/time is going to be something I can live off of and continue with freelance work on the side.  Anyway it's just an idea for now so don't get all worked up thinking you will never see my lovely face again.

I am posting some pictures I took while on a walk in December here in Logrono.  Look out for more travel posts in the months to come.