Monday, June 11, 2012

Ginebra y Tónica … giNEbra y tónica




I may have overdone it with the gin and tonics. On Saturday, a day trip to Valencia found me less than pleasant and a little screwy in my insides. Those who have traveled with me know my ways of “go-go-go!” I’m all adventures and field trips but I have to remember to remind myself that sleep and water are essential and alcohol replaces neither. But a good night’s rest has reset me and I am ready for week two of Alicante (Alacant if you’re nasty… or Valenciano).

The thing about Spain that I love the most is its awe. I mean, I cannot walk more than a few steps before I am stopped in my tracks by some marvel, be it man-made or natural. Yesterday I trekked out of the main city with a compañero to find a spot to swim. We were looking for a place that wasn’t too sandy and deep enough to have a decent swim. We got off the tram and walked down towards the water. We walked along the beach for a few and then come to a sort of mountainside. Out in the distance was the meandering coast and further inland, silhouettes of mountains beyond mountains.
Closer to the where I’m staying is El Castillo de Santa Barbara. From the top you can see the entire city. My favorite point of the view is where the coast grows a little widow’s peak of sand. Really, the Mediterranean coast is just an old sweaty man’s forehead. : )

I’ve also been meeting some pretty swell people. Today I was walking around the university seeking out a hoodie for my dad. It was hot as balls and when I got to the campus shopping center it was just a librería and a papelería. Another reason I obviously belong here: They have stores completely dedicated to writing utensils and such! But there were no hoodies.

So I was tired as hell from walking around the huge campus in the melting heat and decided to sit down with an horchata. I saw a lovely spot beside a handsome broken legg-ed man. Rust colored hair, green eyes, super-tanned and his itty bitty puppy, Kanka (the Turkish word for Homie!) His cast was decorated in all sorts of colors and designs, which obviously upped his charm factor way high. We got to talking and it turns out he’s a ballet dancer! Pobrecito – un bailador sin sus peirnas! He also is a congo instructor at a place near by and I was so graciously invited to attend – uh… Count me in, Thanks. ALSO he’s an aspiring songwriter who is teaching himself guitar. ::drooooool:: He wants to get together on the beach and have the “the writer” help him write a song. I’ve heard the music. It’s wonderful. If all else fails, seriously, I will have no qualms about being a traveling minstrel. 

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