Hey everybody.
- No, I didn't fall of the face of the Earth.
- Yes. I am this bad at keeping up with diaries/blogs/updates/people.
- No. I did not forget and actually am constantly plagued by the fact that I'm so behind on this and none of you know what's been going on. Also by the probable truth that you won't read this, because there's been nothing to read. We'll see.
Let's start with the list from the post before Semana Santa.
Weekly soccer games:
To be quite honest, when I'm not traveling, this is my favorite part of my week. I look forward to playing football so much every Monday that if it's ever canceled I'm pretty sure I'll be miserable and unpleasant for the next five days. I play with a bunch of European guys, and two other American girls: Jane (from NC) and Amber (from PA). The guys are German, English, Italian, Spanish, and South American, mostly. We play on the pitch at the uni polideportivo every week – except once when there was a mix-up and we played on something similar to a concrete basketball court, but for football. I've become a standard defensive player, and actually earned the respect of the guys who started the semester thinking all girls were useless (I exaggerate). Which I suppose implies that I've improved! Yay! Gabriel, from Germany (who played on a semi-pro league team), has actually commended me a bunch on my improvement, so I'm really proud of that, actually. I love love love playing.
Also, one of the guys is French-Canadian and a hockey fanatic, which makes him an expert on being a 'trooper' (basically, and athlete that can take a beating and keep on playing really well). The week we played on the concrete field, I took a direct shot to the goal by Gabriel straight to my pelvis, two or so more shots to my legs, and slammed heads with Amber, all the while still playing. So, now I'm a trooper, too. :)
Mike Burton kicks a penalty shot at Jonathan Kleinpass during a pick-up international student football game. European/American Competition:
Well. This one didn't go so well for me, to say the least. Basically, this was a drinking game contest that started on a trip to Barcelona (that I wasn't on) with a series of Sangria pitcher chugs. Europe won that one, so upon finding that out, I took it upon myself to contact our Italian friend Carlo, who plans a bunch of international student parties (and put himself at the head of the 'European Team') to plan a night of beer Olympics. This finally, amidst a lot of chaos and last minute coordinating, took place.
We started at Garland/Rachel/Jane's piso (apartment) and had social drinks, and a spaghetti dinner. When things go too loud, they asked us if we could relocate, so we went to Valerio's piso, and set up a game of flip-cup. It ended up being more Italy vs. US because Carlo's brother and friends were in town, and the Italians won flip cup. After that, we played a game of real beer pong. It was really really close – down to one cup each – and our champion James made the last Italian cup, thus tying the US and Italy for the night.
Why didn't this go well for me? I was sitting near the US end of the table when James decided to celebrate enthusiastically with a fist pump in the air, thus punching a light fixture and shattering glass all over me. One bloody hand later on his part, and me waking up with shards of glass in my bed the next morning, and we had saved US dignity. Sort of.
Well. This one didn't go so well for me, to say the least. Basically, this was a drinking game contest that started on a trip to Barcelona (that I wasn't on) with a series of Sangria pitcher chugs. Europe won that one, so upon finding that out, I took it upon myself to contact our Italian friend Carlo, who plans a bunch of international student parties (and put himself at the head of the 'European Team') to plan a night of beer Olympics. This finally, amidst a lot of chaos and last minute coordinating, took place.
We started at Garland/Rachel/Jane's piso (apartment) and had social drinks, and a spaghetti dinner. When things go too loud, they asked us if we could relocate, so we went to Valerio's piso, and set up a game of flip-cup. It ended up being more Italy vs. US because Carlo's brother and friends were in town, and the Italians won flip cup. After that, we played a game of real beer pong. It was really really close – down to one cup each – and our champion James made the last Italian cup, thus tying the US and Italy for the night.
Why didn't this go well for me? I was sitting near the US end of the table when James decided to celebrate enthusiastically with a fist pump in the air, thus punching a light fixture and shattering glass all over me. One bloody hand later on his part, and me waking up with shards of glass in my bed the next morning, and we had saved US dignity. Sort of.
Italian and American international students prepare for a game of 'flip-cup', an event in a Europe v. American drinking contest, which the Italians won.(Photo: Carlo Bitetto)
Right-o. Next post: Valencia, Madrid!
Hasta luego!
Alex
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