Thursday, June 04, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
The Lounge of the Hostel
I love how everyone's an Ikea fan here.
Not so sure about the lizard on the wall, though.
Oh, and? It's 9:20pm. Look at me go!
Not so sure about the lizard on the wall, though.
Oh, and? It's 9:20pm. Look at me go!
Like Pudding
Check out how thick it is! The sides of the cup stayed coated with it
even as I sat there for a while reading and enjoying the cool
atmosphere.
even as I sat there for a while reading and enjoying the cool
atmosphere.
Dinner!
San Chocolateria de Gines, west of Puerta de Sol. Memorize that name
so if you're ever in Madrid, you can go here for hot chocolate and
churros. They FANTASTIC. AND the place is air conditioned.
so if you're ever in Madrid, you can go here for hot chocolate and
churros. They FANTASTIC. AND the place is air conditioned.
Day 2: Art and Jet Lag
Behold! The view from my hostel window!
I discovered that the hostel has free Wifi- woot! Sadly, this
discovery came after my day's treks where I took pictures on my
regular camera, not my cell phone. I'll take more on my phone
tomorrow and send in a bunch.
So.
The flights here really couldn't have been easier. Both were smooth
and both arrived early. I liked the schedule I found - going to JFK
(3.5 hours), then to Madrid (6.5 hours). I think that broke up well
and made the lengths non-interminable. I had the exit row on the
second flight, and the other seat in the row became empty. The
armrest wouldn't budge, but I could at least spread out my stuff. And
spill my Sprite all over myself and my immigration papers.
I read two books and didn't sleep very much. My suitcase arrived with
me, and together we hopped on the metro and found the hostel. It was
10am (2am according to my body), so I dropped off my bag at the hostel
and headed back out to enjoy Madeid/stay awake.
The plan to get over jet lag, according to Rick Steves, is to stay up
when you arrive until a normal bedtime, then sleep all night and wake
up on local schedule. It makes for a brutal first day, but gets you
over it faster.
I headed for the Museo Thyssen, which I enjoyed. They have a nice
collection, and I really liked the way the floor plan makes for a
smooth walk-through. Sure, my vision started to get blurry around the
edges as sleep deprivation set in, but it was still enjoyable. I
especially liked watching all of the school group tours. Apparently,
they pack in the field trips at the end of the school year here, too.
They had animated guides, too. I couldn't take any pictures in the
museum, but I sketched one of the guides and I'll stick a photo of
that on next.
I walked down Calle del Prado debating whether to give in and go sleep
or visit another museum (it was about 13:00 by then). When I ran into
a Museo de Jamon y Queso, I decided lunch was next. I got a "picnic"
- a ham sandwich, a bottle of water, and an orange for 2€, which I
ate sitting outside the botanical gardens across the street (which
Emily and I visited 9 years ago this month!).
Feeling a little revived, I walked to the Museo Reigna Sofia. I was
really tired by then, so I walked through most of it in an intolerant
blur, but I did see Guernica (the reason I went to that museum), and
it was stunning in person, as most great art is.
3:00 and back to the hostel. I checked in and took a 2 hour nap.
I've told myself I'm not allowed to sleep again until at least 8:00,
so I'm trying to figure out what to do in the meantime. I mean, sure,
Spain is at my feet; but I'm hitting that grumpy phase of exhaustion
where nothing sounds good.
Except maybe some Spanish hot chocolate.
Typing this entry via iPhone has taken up a nice chunck of time,
actually. 1.5 hours until bedtime!
I discovered that the hostel has free Wifi- woot! Sadly, this
discovery came after my day's treks where I took pictures on my
regular camera, not my cell phone. I'll take more on my phone
tomorrow and send in a bunch.
So.
The flights here really couldn't have been easier. Both were smooth
and both arrived early. I liked the schedule I found - going to JFK
(3.5 hours), then to Madrid (6.5 hours). I think that broke up well
and made the lengths non-interminable. I had the exit row on the
second flight, and the other seat in the row became empty. The
armrest wouldn't budge, but I could at least spread out my stuff. And
spill my Sprite all over myself and my immigration papers.
I read two books and didn't sleep very much. My suitcase arrived with
me, and together we hopped on the metro and found the hostel. It was
10am (2am according to my body), so I dropped off my bag at the hostel
and headed back out to enjoy Madeid/stay awake.
The plan to get over jet lag, according to Rick Steves, is to stay up
when you arrive until a normal bedtime, then sleep all night and wake
up on local schedule. It makes for a brutal first day, but gets you
over it faster.
I headed for the Museo Thyssen, which I enjoyed. They have a nice
collection, and I really liked the way the floor plan makes for a
smooth walk-through. Sure, my vision started to get blurry around the
edges as sleep deprivation set in, but it was still enjoyable. I
especially liked watching all of the school group tours. Apparently,
they pack in the field trips at the end of the school year here, too.
They had animated guides, too. I couldn't take any pictures in the
museum, but I sketched one of the guides and I'll stick a photo of
that on next.
I walked down Calle del Prado debating whether to give in and go sleep
or visit another museum (it was about 13:00 by then). When I ran into
a Museo de Jamon y Queso, I decided lunch was next. I got a "picnic"
- a ham sandwich, a bottle of water, and an orange for 2€, which I
ate sitting outside the botanical gardens across the street (which
Emily and I visited 9 years ago this month!).
Feeling a little revived, I walked to the Museo Reigna Sofia. I was
really tired by then, so I walked through most of it in an intolerant
blur, but I did see Guernica (the reason I went to that museum), and
it was stunning in person, as most great art is.
3:00 and back to the hostel. I checked in and took a 2 hour nap.
I've told myself I'm not allowed to sleep again until at least 8:00,
so I'm trying to figure out what to do in the meantime. I mean, sure,
Spain is at my feet; but I'm hitting that grumpy phase of exhaustion
where nothing sounds good.
Except maybe some Spanish hot chocolate.
Typing this entry via iPhone has taken up a nice chunck of time,
actually. 1.5 hours until bedtime!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Europe! Day 1: Airports
I know the picture isn't very exciting, but I am indeed at the
airport, waiting for a few hours for the flight. Whoo!
In a bit, I'm going to hunt me down some lunch to take on board and
some Paradise cookies because they're delicious.
I didn't sleep much last night- about 4 hours, probably less. I'm
hoping that will translate to my being able to sleep on the plane, but
past experience begs to differ.
It's raining here.
I don't think I will be able to blog as much as I did in NY, since
I'll be using international rates, or with the lengthy entries like I
did in Russia, since I'm not bringing my laptop. I did promise my
mother I would post some sort of signal that I'm alive each day. That
may appear on Shot-a-Day more often than here, but I'll try to hit
both. The link for S-a-D is on the right, by the way.
Okay, typing by iPhone is tediously slow. I'm going to read some more
of Europe 101 (yay Rick Steves!).
More later!
airport, waiting for a few hours for the flight. Whoo!
In a bit, I'm going to hunt me down some lunch to take on board and
some Paradise cookies because they're delicious.
I didn't sleep much last night- about 4 hours, probably less. I'm
hoping that will translate to my being able to sleep on the plane, but
past experience begs to differ.
It's raining here.
I don't think I will be able to blog as much as I did in NY, since
I'll be using international rates, or with the lengthy entries like I
did in Russia, since I'm not bringing my laptop. I did promise my
mother I would post some sort of signal that I'm alive each day. That
may appear on Shot-a-Day more often than here, but I'll try to hit
both. The link for S-a-D is on the right, by the way.
Okay, typing by iPhone is tediously slow. I'm going to read some more
of Europe 101 (yay Rick Steves!).
More later!
Monday, June 01, 2009
The Last Midnight
I did the dishes; took out the trash; ran to the bank and the post office; purchased everything I need; sat on the phone with AT&T to set up international stuff; cleared my trip with the bank and credit card company; paid my bills; made, printed, and copied my complete itinerary; redid the contents of my iPod and iPhone; and packed everything into a purse, a small backpack for the plane, and my suitcase which weighs in at... 30 pounds! (Most European airlines have a 20 kg weigh limit (about 44 pounds).)
Oh, and I also (finally) realized that I'm going to be in Spain. And Prague. And Greece. And Turkey. There! Getting sunburned, seeing the sights, riding in a hot air balloon; walking on Greek dirt, seeing Turkish moustaches, waking up to calls to prayers, gone for four weeks THERE!
And it's not even midnight yet.
I'm off to bed. As soon as the video I decided to upload at the last minute finishes.
Oh, and I also (finally) realized that I'm going to be in Spain. And Prague. And Greece. And Turkey. There! Getting sunburned, seeing the sights, riding in a hot air balloon; walking on Greek dirt, seeing Turkish moustaches, waking up to calls to prayers, gone for four weeks THERE!
And it's not even midnight yet.
I'm off to bed. As soon as the video I decided to upload at the last minute finishes.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Some Cats Know
Holy cow is life crazy!
So, as noted in the photo-posts, I've been traveling a little lately. At the moment, I'm in Grand Junction, having driven up to SLC and back this week in order to rehearse "Making Waves". I've just printed up the final script of that for our SLAC performance in July, and now I'm facing a lot (LOT) of memorizing in the weeks to come. Whoo-boy.
I got to go play with Emily yesterday, which was delightful. We went out to dinner, stocked up on treats at Target and snuck them into a movie theater to see "X-Men Origins: Wolverine!" Then lots of talking in the car until way past bedtime, as we usually do. It's been a good week for seeing old friends: in addition to seeing Heidi, Katharine, Melissa, and Andy at rehearsal, I also got to spend a few hours at good ol' DPJH eating curry and playing Rock Band with Ben, Janelle (and the kiddos), and John. Erin even stopped by!
My parents have been very helpful this week with getting everything done. Thanks to them, my car's been fixed (again), I found a second pair of shoes to take on the trip, I found some great cheap long pants to pack along (a surprisingly difficult task), and I've had a nice mini-vacation relaxing with them. Well, not so much relaxing, but it's still been nice. They'll be cat-sitting for the next month, and after two days alone with the beast while I was in SLC, they declared that she needed to be shaved lest they both choke to death on all of the fine gray fur floating around the house. So, as shown on Shot-a-Day:
Before
After
Bright and early tomorrow morning I'll be driving back to Denver (sans "Meows", sadly). I'm leaving early with the intention of getting there in time to see a 1:00 showing of "Brothers Bloom" with Rachel and co. It'll be a crazy two days getting everything settled and so on, but with luck, I'll be able to leave for Spain on Tuesday, totally prepared.
TUESDAY! Holy CRAP!
So, as noted in the photo-posts, I've been traveling a little lately. At the moment, I'm in Grand Junction, having driven up to SLC and back this week in order to rehearse "Making Waves". I've just printed up the final script of that for our SLAC performance in July, and now I'm facing a lot (LOT) of memorizing in the weeks to come. Whoo-boy.
I got to go play with Emily yesterday, which was delightful. We went out to dinner, stocked up on treats at Target and snuck them into a movie theater to see "X-Men Origins: Wolverine!" Then lots of talking in the car until way past bedtime, as we usually do. It's been a good week for seeing old friends: in addition to seeing Heidi, Katharine, Melissa, and Andy at rehearsal, I also got to spend a few hours at good ol' DPJH eating curry and playing Rock Band with Ben, Janelle (and the kiddos), and John. Erin even stopped by!
My parents have been very helpful this week with getting everything done. Thanks to them, my car's been fixed (again), I found a second pair of shoes to take on the trip, I found some great cheap long pants to pack along (a surprisingly difficult task), and I've had a nice mini-vacation relaxing with them. Well, not so much relaxing, but it's still been nice. They'll be cat-sitting for the next month, and after two days alone with the beast while I was in SLC, they declared that she needed to be shaved lest they both choke to death on all of the fine gray fur floating around the house. So, as shown on Shot-a-Day:
Before
After
Bright and early tomorrow morning I'll be driving back to Denver (sans "Meows", sadly). I'm leaving early with the intention of getting there in time to see a 1:00 showing of "Brothers Bloom" with Rachel and co. It'll be a crazy two days getting everything settled and so on, but with luck, I'll be able to leave for Spain on Tuesday, totally prepared.
TUESDAY! Holy CRAP!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Where Am I Going?
Because many of you kind folk keep asking, because it is confusing, and because you all don't have access to the awesome eye candy calendar Rachel made me for Christmas, here's a quick reference for where I'll be when for the next several weeks:
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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