Running in Spain...take 2

"cambio mis piernas por tuyas"(i'll trade my legs for your's)- Old man on the bench as I run by.

Last year I wrote a lil diddy about running in Mérida, and how it was quite the obstacle course yet amusing none the less.  Here in Valencia, Running is much more ... fun, I guess would be the word...let me digress...

The Turia River once ran through the center of the city, essential cutting it in half.  It flooded in 1957 and was converted into parks, soccer fields, ponds, fountains and now is home to the City of Arts and Sciences .  Thus there are an abundance of paths with people biking, roller blading, walking and of course, running.  The first time I was in Valencia (fall 2007) I was in great shape, running nearly everyday and going to the gym as I was still playing lacrosse.  Fast forward 3 years later, I'm running 3 to 4 days a week, the occasional ab workout and playing lax maybe once a week.  SO for me, getting the energy to run, and do a good work out is sometimes hard.  But, in the River, there are sooo many people running that it creates an environment  where you want to run and for me, pushes me to run a little bit farther and a little bit harder.  There is a half marathon in a month that I am considering doing just because its something to challenge me..but we'll see.

As for a normal run, I clip on my iPod and just go until it feels right to turn back.  This week's play list features Shakira's new song "Loca" and  "Alors on danse," def a tune!

Bellota de Oro.

As most of you know, I spent last year in a little city called Mérida ("mary-duh") in the province of Badajoz ( "baaadahjjjo") in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura.  It was amazing and will without of doubt be one of the places in the world that I will call home, no matter where I end up. (Valencia is a wonderful city with lots going on but fails in comparison to the home-y and welcoming feel that Mérida has, and Merida has the best Jamón Iberico EVER)

Campo! 

Back to the point of this entry, a recap of my fabulous weekend in Mérida.  The journey from VLC to Mérida is about 8 hours in a car, 9 in train and in a bus (my mode of transport) 10+ hours.  I had to stop in Madrid and change buses, which at 7 am in the morning is just plain annoying.  But, the journey is well worth it.

I woke up on the bus somewhere between MAdrid and Merida and could tell just by looking at the terrain that I was back in Extremadura.  I was anxious to get out of the bus  but also was feeling a bit like that scene from Love Actually where you see everyone walking through the gates to hug their children, family and friend? I was happy, yet nervous and excited all at once.  As soon as I saw Fernando and Gonzalo waiting for me at the Bus Station I couldn't stop smiling and it just felt right to be back in town. Not surprisingly, it was surreal to see them again without the rest of the gang hanging out (Shout out to brits, americans and sara!) We went to my favorite place for afternoon beers and breakfast: Chamorro! and waisted no time in getting down to business:  Cañas (little beers) and tapas, yum! Shout out to ANA CRUZ who came and joined us before she had to head in to work. A couple more friends and some new British girls living in Merida also showed up.

Pablo, Fernando, Joaquin

After a couple hours we took a trip to a house out in the country side (casa del campo, from here on I will say "campo" and you will say "oh that means a house in the spanish country side").  We chilled out all afternoon, it was awesome.  Later that night we went to my favorite late night spot in Mérida, GAROA!!!!  I consider it a Spanish twist on a college/townie bar, you know or at least recognize everyone but it's got a cool hip design and great music (spanish and english). Overall a great first day night back in Extremadura.

Must add a side note that  I stayed at my friend Fernando's house and he was a great host, dealing with me wanting to do and see as much as possible in a limited amount of time thanks Tiiioooo!

Botellón

Saturday was filled with more cañas and tapas, lunch in Campo and Botellón (think tailgating but there is no athletic event, just the bar) later that night followed by another night in Garoa.  Sunday was a relax day...chinese food, tv and much needed naps.

On my last day in the Capital (Merida was once the Roman Capital of the Iberian Peninsula, hence the nickname "Capital") I headed into town to  meet up with a few more people and do some shopping.  I had breakfast with my friend Pedro and even stopped by the Foreigner's office to say hello to all the people from last year had helped us.

New Kicks

After I set out on a shopping trip. Yes, I know I now live in a much bigger city, with much better shopping, but there's something to be said about walking down a Main Street rather than taking an escalator in the mall.    Anyway, my shopping list was short: a pair of Kawasaki sneakers (a brand from Denmark, not the motorcycle) and a Bellota de Oro....A gold acorn (the pigs for the Jamón Iberico only eat acorns, which are plentiful in Extremadura) Thus by having a "bellota de oro" necklace, I'll always have a little piece of Extremadura with me. Yes, I am mildly obsessed.

Rufo, Monica, Blanca y Oscar in Garoa

Monday afternoon I spent with a teacher from last year and the British girls, coffee for me and Tea for the Brits.  Later that night I finally got to spend time with the couples pictured on the right, again it was surreal not to have the others from last year with us but it was really nice regardless.

That night we went to Garoa and once again danced up a storm, chatted with everyone and anyone (including someone with the nick name "glass breaker" ) and went home much later than one should ever admit to.  In the morning  Fernando brought me to the bus station, I enjoyed one last Tostada con Jamón, got on the bus and fell asleep after yet another unforgettable weekend in Extremadura.

Lacrosse....in Spain!

Lacrosse is not the most well known sport in Spain, yet each time I've come I have to bring my stick.  I can always find a wall, or convince my friend Sara  to play catch but anything more than that has been wishful thinking....until now.

Thanks to Facebook, I found a Valencia Lacrosse "team" that consists of a few guys who are part of a following in Spain that play Lacrosse.  Last night they had a practice/meet up, so I convinced Sara to come check it out with me.  As it was all guys, I switched to using a guy's stick halfway through and eventually even threw some gloves on.  We actually did a couple drills and had a decent work out. In a word it was awesome.  I couldn't stop smiling just because at last the two things I love in life, Lax and Spain, had come to a co-existance.  Sara, a relative newbie to the sport, did a great job and held her own again the Spanish dudes for sure.   In November there is "play-day" here in Valencia with teams from Madrid, Sevilla and a couple other places coming into town.  It is going to be mostly guys, but they said I could play if I wanted to, and who am I to say no?!  Helmets, gloves, pads...and of course full on checking...this could be awesome. 

As for the work side of things here in Spain, I have been to school a couple times, met some students and teachers but still haven't started to work work. The teachers seem really relaxed and want me to observe a bit before jumping right in and  are willing to take it slow in the beginning.  I have my first "private class" this afternoon, wouldn't say I am jumping with joy to start those, but it will be nice to start earning some Euros instead of spending my precious US dollars.  As for Spanish social life later tonight I am hopping on a bus and will arrive in Mérida, EXTREMADURA around 2 pm...I gotta feeling its gonna be a good WEEKEND! 

Update

Oh life in Spain...So far, so good over here on the Iberian Peninsula.  As from previous postings info...found an apartment and am pretty happy with the living situation.

Now, looking at the map to your left, I clearly live at the green arrow.  I live close to the soccer stadium and the university area, and close to a metro stop..Love the metro.
Oh and... Mail and packages should be sent here:

Maggie Mullin 

Ciudad de Mula, 12 No 22

46021 Valencia, Spain

Just kidding...maybe

I haven't really started working yet, but visited my school to get to know the teachers.  I am working at a mini-university called Complejo Educativo de Cheste .  It has a couple of different schools on campus and I will be working with the Vocational School helping out in classes with English for Tourism/Hospitality, Electricity, Airplane Engineering and Mechanics.  Needless to say, I will be learning some new technical terms in Spanish as well.  It's quite different from last year, dear I say, like comparing apples to oranges....but that's what it is.  Instead of walking to school... I take a bus...to another Bus....and walk about another 5/10 mins to the building where I'll be working.  (Also, missed the bus on the way home by waiting at the wrong spot...ooops!) Tomorrow I get to meet the students...should be interesting.... more to come tomorrow for sure...

This coming weekend is a Puente ( literal translation..bridge, in this instance...long weekend!) SO I am heading back to Extremdura to enjoy Buena Gente and the Jamón! Taking an 8 hour train to get there...but certainly worth it. 

Besos..fotos to come soon...maybe !