We Speak No Americano. Do you?

I'm flirting dangerously with being over frat parties entirely. If I wasn't before, this exposure to the night life that a city offers has diminished nearly any desire to pack into a house basement to listen to iTunes top 25 while attempting to crawl through a thick 1-inch layer of Natty Light. Of course, if performed with the right people (aka Bucknellians) this isn't an outright nightmare.

Granted most of central Pennsylvania, specifically Bucknell, does not have a thriving night life to utilize. Therefore, our mindset has always been 'when life gives you lemons... trade them for limes, do tequila shots in your dorm room with your pregame playlist you spent precious study-time hours on preparing and pray the buzz lasts the night', or some variation of the sort. Given the confines we are forced to suffer, it would be unfair to my hold past 'going out' climate in negative esteem. Rather, I will detail how fulfilling and invigorating nights in Granada are and put your near tears as you either fondly clutch your bottle of Andre or are desperately double fisting 40's.

I think what's so compelling is the variety of "activities" that a city can offer each evening. Although I didn't believe this to be particularly unique to Granada more than any other city, I do think the city's demographics have shaped it different from other cities.

You are probably aware that I'm well versed in the art of people watching. After a month of careful observation, I've noticed that Granada is the definition of old meets new. While the older generations are at the heart of the more traditional roots the city offers, there is a distinct youth-urban flare that remains somewhat under the radar.

Not to limit by any means, but I would associate tapas bars and exclusive bars with the older generations. These would be the groups ranging in age anywhere from a few years out of college to our parents ages. You know, the mature, sophisticated of the bunch. Certainly I do not wish to take away from the wonderful taparias in the city. For those that are unfamiliar, tapas are a huge calling card for the city. They certainly are a cheap way to maintain a controlled state of mind amidst the many hours of the night. The youth run the city with botellon and the insane discotecas. Admittedly,  my personal experience with clubs has been limited. (I know, I know, I dance like I live at clubs... well I don't).

So, whether its sitting in Paddy's Irish Pub making friends with Paddy, owning Hannigans Irish pub on karaoke nights, discovering Chinese and seafood styled tapas, feasting on shawarma, getting free drink passes from randos on the drink, owning Granada 10 every time we go, locating a bar with beer pong, or simply struggling home in the wee hours of the morning, Granada rules. What's the point of this blog post, really? That was just a sampling of what was accomplished in the first month. Sorry I'm not uh... sorry.

For your listening pleasure, in addition to Waka Waka and Alejandro being two huge songs here that you should already be familiar with, I've attatched two of my favorite since arriving here. Enjoy:

We Speak No Americano
Stereo Love

ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAINS!

There's something about the rugged outdoors that calls to me constantly. Perhaps it's derived from my youthful ventures of hiking(wandering?), building forts, and spending nearly all free time in between meals in the woods that has created such a desire to occasionally separate myself from urbanized society. For those who are familiar with where I live in Gettysburg (mailing address places us in Biglerville, while technically we reside in Arendtzville) and the surrounding are, the term Boonies is really the only appropriate word to describe home.

Understandably, the shock from residing in the Boonies for 20 years and subsequently moving to Granada was and still is quite extraordinary. I feel like I'm living one of those sappy "moving to the city to chase my dreams!" songs, except that my dreams are to visit every bar, every discoteca, and steal a beautiful Spanish child. Not sorry.

Our god-send Allie DeRosa provided us a list comprising of select bars, discotecas, weekend trips, and other activities to do during our stay here. This last has basically been our Bible, so thank you Allie (and the other Kappa hoez who added to it). Being the extreme mountain man that I am, the 'weekend getaway to the Alpujarra' captured my attention almost immediately. Further inquiry and research provided that we could rent homes at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range for outrageously low prices. In just over an hour this past Thursday, we quickly browsed all available houses, settled on a medium-sized, quaint home in Orgiva that fit 8 persons, called, and finalized our reservation for the upcoming weekend.

It was perfect in every respect. The house was just the right size for the 6 of us that ventured there Friday night, 3 more that joined us Saturday afternoon, plus an additional 4 friends whom we randomly passed walking to the grocery that camped out in our backyard. Don't tell the Land Lady. It had a patio and pool, and was constructed in the middle of an olive orchard.

We collectively purchased groceries for the weekend, and had some lovely family dinners each night. Friday we hiked the huge hills behind our home, and my butt muscles still hurt. It was incredibly fulfilling reaching the top with sweat pouring and blood leaking from our wounds we were forced to endure on our trek. Slight exaggeration maybe, but not really.

Saturday was not quite as physically exerting as Friday. I merely woke up, ate some breakfast, napped by the pool, ate lunch, laid by the pool, randomly collected our camping friends from the street, ate dinner, played some games and made healthy life choices... womp.

My favorite part of the weekend was waking up and walking outside to only be greeted by the almost haunting silence of nature. For a few seconds it was as if there was no one else for miles... and then Johanna (LA GRITON) woke up. Though the weekend was unforgettable overall, those seconds of silence and solitude I'll treasure most.

I'm already famous in Orgiva. TTFN :-)

Political Correctness? Over my Black Ass

I've never quite understood the need to be politically correct. I suppose it spawned from the incredulous notion that as a U.S. citizen, you apparently have the right to not be offended. Ever. This seriously perverted misinterpretation of founding freedoms is raping society and forcing us to walk on eggshells near our neighbors.

Interestingly, during a portion of our Intensive Language course today, we randomly stumbled upon comparing which topics are appropriate to discuss in public venues and which are not in Spain and the United States. Our teacher was flabbergasted that religion and politics usually are a no-no, unless you're speaking privately with friends. Though this notion was justified by the desire to not offend each other, our teacher retorted that she once has a student from Israel and Palestine in the same class, and also a few Muslims in a class of predominantly Catholic-Christians. Instead of speed dialing the United Nation's pathetic excuse of a "Peacekeeping" force to monitor her classroom, she simply engaged her students in conversation. Not debate, not personal attacks, not even challenging their beliefs. It was an opportunity to actually learn from each other. And her students did indeed learn from each other. Imagine that.

Though our culture frequently clings to the words understanding, tolerance, and respect, rarely are there any instances to actually do so. It's almost refreshing this time to hear a European tell me my country has problems. I couldn't agree more that this is an issue.

BUT ENOUGH OF THE BORING STUFF.

 Gaga. Just kidding, this entry won't be about Gaga. Although, she is taking on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". So kudos to that Mother Monster. Not to mention she cleaned up at the VMAs. It was even on Spanish news programs here. Speaking of 'cleaning up', Ke$ha wore a trash bag to the awards show? Fitting. I'm still sad to be missing Ke$ha and b.o.b. at da Buck. They would have a rad concert while I'm gone. Not to mention Sammy Adams. Flove that kid. Buck's very own Douglas Bogan is opening for the Bean Town Cracker. Best of luck to him. I do miss DJ Doug throwing down some sick tracks at the finest Frat parties on the East Coast. After attending some discotecas, I can honestly say Bucknellians truly know how to get grimy and dirty on the dance floor. Not sorry for partying.

Now that my ADD is out of the way, I would like to get to my topic: food. However, I'm tired and I want to watch another episode of Heroes before I nap. So, I'll save food for the next entry. Don't worry, it won't JUST be pictures of the heavenly cuisine here... I'll put some spin on it and give you some 'food for thought'. I'm hilarious today. Peace and blessins

SOY PAULOOOOOOOO

I debated all summer on starting a blog, but was unsuccessful in narrowing down a certain topic of interest that I believed would be worthwhile. I still am searching for that focus, but I feel like I might only reach that point through online evolution. Now is a respectable point in time in my life to start a blog considering I'm two weeks into what will more than likely be the greatest four month journey of my life.

Currently, I am living/studying in Granada, Spain. It's difficult to comprehend that two years ago I was just starting at Bucknell, having recently graduated from Gettysburg Area High School. These past few years have been tumultuous, but fun nonetheless. I plan to use a portion of my time on here to record special happenings or memories from my journey, but I don't wish to further drown you, dear reader, in more of "Today I did blah blah blah".

Each person has a unique perspective on how they see the world, so my goal is to hopefully incorporate my own into this blog. After all, if you're reading this, it means you're probably (un)fortunate enough to know how odd I am. But seriously, I became exponential weirder this summer; shout-out to Sam Martin and Steph Walters for that.


Creating a blog for my hundreds and hundreds of fans to follow seemed fairly logical in the grand scheme of important life choices. Moreso that I was simply drowning under the influx of blogs over the recent weeks, and wanted an opportunity to be one of the cool kids. Either way, strap yourself in, loyal reader.