Coming to the End....

I know I´ve been slacking on blogs as of late but I swear I´ll be back full force in the next few weeks.
My official countdown here in Spain has begun.... I´m down to a little over 3 weeks to go.
Not exactly sure how I feel yet.  I guess that will be one of my first new blogs ;)

CHECK BACK SOON...

Besitos.

Spring Break in Berlin

Next Blog about the MOST INCREDIBLE 7 days that I spent in Deutschland!

Brittany vs. Evil Ex-Roommate: The Saga

Shortly after moving to Madrid in September of 2009, I found an apartment just 5 minutes from my previous academy.  I wanted to live with a few Spaniards in order to practice Spanish more.  Being in a rush to move our of the previous place I was living, I took a room with 2 Spanish guys and a Swiss girl.  The roommates changed every few months as the Swiss girl returned home and other people moved in and out.  That is for the exception of one guy who we´ll refer to as El Diablo (aka ED). 

Well, we had our normal roommate drama within the house.  You know things like someone didn´t wash their dishes and who was the last person to buy papel higenico (toilet paper)... things like this.

I lived there until the end of June 2010 when I finally decided I wanted a change in scenery.  Plus, I went home to the US for all of July and didn´t really want to pay rent for a room I wasn´t going to be living in. 

I told my roommates at that time of my plans, including El Diablo and everything was fine.  I started packing up little things as I looked for a new apartment to move into that next August.  As May was coming to an end, I asked ED if he wanted to use my fianza (security deposit) to cover my last month of rent.  He said he´d prefer if I paid so he could collect my deposit by the end of the month.  I STUPIDLY agreed not thinking it was abnormal.

Make a loooooong story short, I never got my fianza back. He told me that another ex-roommate took it and after talking to that ex-roommate he said that indeed ED had it..... blah blah blah! So basically my money simply disappeared! To make matter worse (which I take complete blame for and still kick myself for til this day),  I never got a formal contract signed proving that I paid a deposit. I know I´m an IDIOT! So ED walked away with 400€ in his pocket.

After talking to the landlord and even a student who is a lawyer, I realized that there was nothing I could do.  Putting my tail between my legs, I moved out and went back to the US for the month trying to forget about this ordeal.  Well kind of.... for the first half of my vacation, I put comments on all the websites where ED was trying to rent my old room stating that nobody should rent from this apartment and warning people about what happened to me. 

Needless to say, I received some very disgruntled messages from El Diablo and also found out that he went to my work asking for my new address and trying to get in contact with my friends in order to find me.  Creepy Stuff!  I returned to Madrid in August to unpack into my new apartment and finish out the summer working.

Within my first week back to work, one of my administrators told me that someone was calling from the police station to get in contact with me. I asked if they left a number and but was told they didn´t.  The next day I received a call from a weird number while I was in class and afterwards listened to the voicemail.  It was from the COMISARÍA (police station) asking me to return the phone call.  Well, I was a little confused so the next day I walked sown to the station to talk with them in person and asked why they wanted to talk to me.  However, no one had heard of me or knew why I received these phone calls.  So I left convinced that it was my insane ex-roommate trying to scare me.  Well, the phone calls continued to my work so eventually I just got on the phone with my administrator next to me so I could figure out what was really going on.

Turns out it really was the COMISARÍA and I had to go down there again to talk to an officer.  They wouldn´t give me any other information over the phone but I had my suspicions that it had to do with ED; I just didn´t know why?  Few days later, I went to the station and talked to a very nice lady.  She explained that a claim had been brought against me... by guess who? EL DIABLO!  The officer must have sensed my suprise and aggravation.  He was reporting me to the cops???? He stole my money! What parallel universe was I living in?

She asked me before explaining what the charges were if ED had any reason to say I did something.  SO explained the whole fianza debacle even the part about my messages on the apartment websites.  SHe nodded and took notes, while also, keeping her patience as I was flustered and trying to get all this information out in Spanish.  After I said everything I could think of, she looked at me and asked, ¨Well, when you left the apartment, did you bring anything to your new place that wasn´t exactly yours?¨   It took me awhile to translate it and then I said in a state of shock at the accusation, ¨Wait, like did I steal anything?¨ She gave me a little smile and nodded.  Was she SERIOUS!? Oh, yes she was! ED went to the police and said that I stole a bunch of things from him including a Playstation (or Wii, don´t quite remember) and games and I never paid the last month of rent!  I mean what an A-HOLE!

Of course, I denied it.  And then got a little emotional as I realised the full extent of the situation.  She calmed me down and told me not to worry about anything... yeah, easier for her to say!

 I left after I signed the statement and right before asked the officer what would happen next.  She said she would have to call ED back in to get his full story and it probably wouldn´t go much further.  Worst case scenario, I would have to talk to a judge in the TRIBUNAL! Awesome, now I was really freaking out.  Was there a possibility I would have to pay this jerk more money? Even worse, was there a possibility that this situation could get me kicked out of the country? I had no idea´all I could do was wait for another phone call.

STAY TUNED FOR THE THRILLING CONCLUSION.....

Mercado de San Miguel

As my time continues to wind down here in Madrid (less than 5 months to go), I realized I should tell all of you some of my favorite places to go in the city.  A list of Must-Sees/ Eats in Madrid.

This one should be at the top of almost everyone's list: El Mercado de San Miguel (Saint Michael's Market, if you want a literal translation but it's easy enough to pronounce in Spanish so no use changing it)

I was first introduced to this place 2 Christmas' ago by my good friend Michelle.  She and her students were having a tapas/ holiday party there and she asked if I wanted to tag along.  I had no plans so I agreed figuring it would just be like a big bar or something.  It was anything but.... 

That night,in general, was probably in my top 20 nights in  Spain and a large part of it was my first experience in El Mercado de San Miguel.  Subsenquently, I've spent quite a bit of time in this magical place over the next year and a half.  Friends and I celebrated Valentines Day there, I've brought all my friends and family who have visited me to take part in at least a glass of wine and cheese platter. This is also one of my favorite romantice spots for a first date. 

The food in gourmet and delicious.  The wine flows with a sense of elegance and sophistication without a huge dent in your wallet.  It's a fantastic escape to the tourturous Madrid summer heat.  However, one would need to get there early or without being in a hurry, as it can be quite difficult to find a table especially for larger groups of people.

If you're in Madrid for a short time, I would recommend El Mercado for a quick glass of wine and small tapas before heading to dinner somewhere else in the center.  Or for a relaxing dessert break after a long lunch.  They have one of the best assortments of chocolates and small pastries that I've seen in Madrid.

It's located near Plaza Mayor, one of the biggest tour spots in the city.  However, it's hidden behind some of the side streets off the Plaza so a tourist that wasnt well informed probably wouldn't come across it by accident.

To sum it up, El Mercado de San Miguel is a MUST SEE here in Madrid and one of the places I will truly miss when I'm gone!

LA CRISIS hits home... and my wallet

So for 2 years all my students talk about LA CRISIS... the economic crisis that has swept the world.  I talked about the hard times in the US but more from the view of an outsider as I haven't felt the economic hardships of this troubled time for awhile.  I listened with a sense of pity and understanding as countless students told me about how hard it was to find work throughout Spain.  Almost every new class I start, I go around and ask them to share basic information about themselves and at least 3 of my 7 students say "Well, I'm unemployed at the moment hoping that learning English will help me get a better job!" Now similar phrases have been lost on me as the crisis has become more of a symbol of.... (as bad as it sounds) more work for English teachers. 

However, today I was hit with a fist full of reality. 

As some of you may or may not know, since October I've been working partly at the US Embassy here in Madrid.  I can't say much for 'matters of national securtiy' hahaha but no, seriously I can't.  It's a pretty sweet gig.  Only 6 hours a week but relatively easy money.  I've been teaching a lot of their maintanence and housekeeping staff along with chauffers and general Spanish office workers.  Classes were enjoyable.  I've gotten to meet a lot of Americans here in Madrid which is also nice.  Best part... full blown AMERICAN STORE downstairs with non-inflated prices!!!!! So since October I've been able to gorge myself on all those goodies I've been missing from back home.

And then the bad news.....

In the middle of my classes yesterday, my students walks in and looks at me suprised.  He said, 'Oh, I wasn't sure if you were actually going to be here!"   I looked at him with a smile and said, "Why wouldn't I be here.  It's class time."

With a sad face he quietly said, "Oh, you haven't heard yet!"

He goes on to explain in a mixture of English and Spanish that the US government sent in a huge budget cut to the Embassy in Madrid.  And the first thing to go.... ENGLISH CLASSES! Along with that, they're cutting several staff jobs in the residence and extreme power cuts where they can.

I was stunned as this was the first time I was hearing this. I asked when the classes were scheduled to end.  My student replied, "As far as I know, immediately!"  I couldn't believe it.  Surely they had a fixed contract with my agency till at least the end of the trimester??? I mean, RIGHT?

After all my classes, the story had been corroberated by 2 other students and 3 more non-students.  As I left the Embassy refusing to believe that was the last time I'd see my students, I called my agency to demand an explanation.  Apparently, they had yet to receive the memo either... but my colleague that also works for the Embassy informed me just minutes ago that it was true.  I am no longer employeed at the US Embassy. 

But how could this happen.  As told some of my other students and Spanish friends and they simply can't believe that a goverment like the UNITED STATES could be that hard up for money as to cancel a few English classes.  But it's true.... it's the first time in over 2 years that I have felt the sting of the economic crisis. 

Well, crap!

Brussels, Belgium

Yet another part of my whirl-wind adventure with my grandmother and aunt was a trip to the grand city of Brussels.  And can I just say.... WOW!

HISTORY

Independence


A revolution which preceded the achievement of independence, started on 24 August 1830. By July 1831, Leopold I was declared king. Subsequently, Brussels began to expand and new city districts were added in the 19th and 20th century which resulted in the demolition of the old city walls. Brussels gathered momentum as a place of libertarian thinking and as such provided a haven for people like Baudelaire, Marx and Hugo. Although production and facilities expanded, the overflow of population created a situation of inadequate housing. The second king, Leopold II, faced both these domestic issues as well as Belgium' s colonial decisions in Congo.



The 20th century

The beginning of the century saw a flourishing of Art Nouveau style in Brussels under the aegis of king Albert I, but this period came to an abrupt end as Belgium was occupied by the Germans in the First World War despite its neutrality. Flanders saw the worst of the warfare and today provides a resting place for the thousands of soldiers who died there. With the Peace treaty of 1919, Belgium gained the German-speaking area in the southeast.

The country barely had time to breathe as it was again occupied by the Germans in 1940, after which king Leopold III surrendered to them. After the war ended, the king, who had resided in Germany towards the end of the Second World War, was suspected of Nazi collaboration and abdicated in 1951. The throne was taken by his son Baudouin, later to be succeeded by Albert II.

The economic boom of the 1960-s and recession of the 1970-s and 1980-s gave way to Brussels' stature as the heart of Europe, as in 1958 it became the headquarters of the then European Economic Community (now the European Union), as well as NATO in 1967. Nowadays Brussels not only functions as the political and business centre of the region but also as the headquarters of many world famous corporations.

http://www.brussels.org/history/


Okay well there you have the historical significance of Brussels.... most of which I just learned on google.

When my family (My Aunt Colleen and Grandmother Sandy) decided to come and visit, I took on the responsibiltiy of finding places for everyone to enjoy.  Of course, the majority of our time would be spent in Spain (Madrid, Toledo and Granada) but I also wanted to check out someplace new for me.

We'd travelled to England and France in previous years.  My grandmother was planning a trip to Greece the following year.  I was heading to Germany for Spring Break.  And there was no way to do Italy or anything in Asia for the time span we had.  So I was open to suggestions when a few colleagues suggested Belgium. I wanted something very lavish without the lavish prices and language barriers.  I had never thought about traveling to Belgium but after so many people raved about the over-the-top city centers and lush country side and abundant food and beer supplies, I knew I had found our destination.

The three of us arrived in Brussels not really knowing what to expect except for a few map printouts and google city searches.  Boy or boy, were we surprised.  The way this city manages to mix the old world with the new is breathtaking.  The Baroque facades found in the main square mixed with the gleaming metal of the EU headquarters is jaw-dropping.  The elusive little peeing-boy that we spent 3 days hunting down added that comical touch we desperately needed.  The people... amazing! The food.... savory! The dessert... pants-expandingly delicious! The beer.... YUUUM!  I can't say enough about this city.

Since all three of us were tourists instead of my usual role as guide, we took the typical tour bus throughout the city.  We relaxed and enjoyed our snazzy hotel.  All three of us dined in the square and met an exuberant bunch of Norweigen men whom were awe struck by my grandmother (though we didn't dear tell them how we were related) We each split and went our seperate ways for an afternoon as I wanted to do more historical tours and the other wanted to relax and shop around.  Unfortunately, my last morning there I came down with a weird bug that lasted the last 2 days of their trip to visit but even that couldn't take away from the magnificance of Brussels. 

I completely recommend this city.  I definitely wish I had more time to learn their history better.  Enjoy the photos :-)

Granada (La Alhambra), Spain

A WORK IN PROCESS.... THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG ONE! :)

Granada is one of the most important cities within Spain and in my opinion around Europe in terms of diversity and beauty.  Located towards the sourthern part of the country, its warm tempertures and rich history make it a top tourist destination.  I know it was for me and after being in Spain for well over a year, I felt a bit ashamed that I had never made it down to the infamous Alhambra.  Well, in late August my grandmother Sandy and aunt Colleen made their first trip to Spain to come visit me.  I took a few days off of work to travel with them so what a perfect opportunity it was to discover this breath-taking city together!
HISTORY

Granada’s history reads like an excellent thriller, with complicated plots, conspiracies, hedonism and tricky love-affairs. Granada began life as an Iberian settlement in the Albayzín district. Muslim forces took over from the Visigoths in 711, with the aid of the Jewish community around the foot of the Alhambra hill in what was called Garnata al Jahud, from which the name Granada derives; granada also happens to be Spanish for pomegranate, the fruit on the city’s coat of arms.

After the fall of Córdoba (1236) and Seville (1248), Muslims sought refuge in Granada, where Mohammed ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr had set up an independent emirate. Stretching from the Strait of Gibraltar to east of Almería, this ‘Nasrid’ emirate became the final remnant of Al-Andalus, ruled from the increasingly lavish Alhambra palace for 250 years. Granada became one of the richest cities in medieval Europe, flourishing with its swollen population of traders and artisans. Two centuries of artistic and scientific splendour peaked under emirs Yusuf I and Mohammed V in the 14th century.






It all went pear-shaped as the 15th century wore on: the economy stagnated and violent rivalry developed over the succession. One faction supported the emir, Abu al-Hasan, and his harem favourite Zoraya. The other faction backed Boabdil, Abu al-Hasan’s son by his wife Aixa. In 1482 Boabdil rebelled, setting off a confused civil war. The Christian armies invading the emirate took advantage, besieging towns and devastating the countryside, and in 1491 they finally laid siege to Granada. After eight months, Boabdil agreed to surrender the city in return for the Alpujarras valleys and 30, 000 gold coins, plus political and religious freedom for his subjects. On 2 January 1492 the conquering Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Fernando, entered Granada ceremonially in Muslim dress. They set up court in the Alhambra for several years.

Religious persecution soon ensued. Jews were expelled from Spain, and persecution of Muslims led to revolts across the former emirate and their eventual expulsion from Spain in the 17th century. Lacking these talented elements of its populace, Granada sank into a deep decline from which it only began to emerge with the interest drummed up by the Romantic movement from the 1830s on. This set the stage for the restoration of Granada’s Islamic heritage and the arrival of tourism.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/granada/history


PLACES TO SEE

Which destinations should you visit on-foot? One is the Generalife Gardens. This is one of the world's loveliest gardens, and was once the home of Arab kings. But there's more to the gardens than pretty flowers. You can also view fantastic usages of water in the gardens. In fact, some people have compared the way that the water flows throughout the Generalife Gardens, as music or poetry.

The Alhambra from the 1300s is yet another major attraction that's worth climbing out of your rented car or truck, to see. This is where Moorish king governed Southern Spain until 1492. One of the must-see objects to view here is the fountain that faces the central courtyard. A set of 12 stone lions are used to support the magnificent fountain. Recently the fountain's big cats have been restored.

(Unfortunately, the lions were moved into an enclosed area last year or so and not available to be photographed.  Therefore, I had to take this pic from the internet.  I wish I could have seen it in its original glory)


Santa Ana is yet another destination that justifies parking your rented vehicle and then viewing. It's located at Plaza Nueva's northeast end. The features of this structure include an ornate doorway and a tower that resembles a minaret.

Yet another site that you should include on a walking tour in Granada, is the Palacio Arzobispal. Known in English as the "Archbishop's Palace," this structure faces the Granada Cathedral's west side. It primarily dates back to the 17th century.



Another must-see site during your walking tour of Granada, is the Carmen de los Martires. The water nymph located at the entrance is one of the top sites to see here. Then once you enter the formal garden, you can also enjoy a terrace that contains tall palm trees. These trees help to shade a three-level fountain underneath. Then while walking along the path, you can also enjoy a viewing a huge circular pool. A statue of Neptune overlooks the large pool.



Visit the Convento de San Jeronimo. It's located southwest of the Hospital San Juan de Dios. The church's walls are adored with wall paintings from the 1700s. Take the time to view the figures of Gonzalo and his spouse, which are positioned on either side of the high altar.



Before arriving in Granada, you should book your hotel online. That will guarantee that you'll have accommodations once you arrive in the Spanish city.