Thursday, November 29, 2012

U.S. Ambassador Visit

Hey!
Today the United States Ambassador for Spain came to SUMC: Mr. Alan Solomont.
He talked about the relationship that the United States has with Spain and how he goes about
trying to improve and strenghten it. Mostly this involves promoting American values such as diversity and tolerance. The relationship has an economic aspect with encouraging Spanish companies to invest in American buisnesses, basically integrating the two economies. Another aspect of his job is to protect American citizens domestically and abroad. Considering I am one of thousands of American college students studying abroad, it was nice to see the face of the embassy that protects me and my peers. He reassured us that the relationship between Spain and the United States is very good and that our governments cooperate. Public opinion in Spain of Americans is high at the moment; which is always comforting in a world where several places are anti-American. I was surprised to hear that the United States Ambassador, Alan Solomont, is not fluent in Spanish. I would have thought that this was a requirement of the position. Who knows what the future holds for international relations undergrads with basic Spanish.
Have a splendid weekend!
-Jenny

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My Sister Is Here!!!

Yep! My sister is finally here!
This weekend we visted Málaga (the birthplace of Picasso and Antonio Banderas). We took a six hour bus there and luckily caught the two hour train back. I really loved Málaga, the Marina was gorgeous at night. I also visited a hammam (bath house) which was really refreshing. So far I have shown my sister Malasaña, Gran Vía, Moncloa, and of course Sol. Tomorrow I am taking her to the Reina Sofía and Retiro Park.
Take Care
~Jenny

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Un Fin de Semana Extraño

What a weekend!!

Wednesday night I saw Steve Aoki at the Madrid Arena for Halloween. The venue was gigantic and packed to the brim with costumed teenagers. The popular costume was "Alex" from A Clockwork Orange, who happens to be my favorite anarchist anti-hero. For the most part people wore the most ridiculous clothing they owned or masks. All the DJ's were fantastic as well as the light show to accompany the tunes. Friday when I boarded my plane to Paris I grabbed a complimentary copy of El País and the front page was about the Steve Aoki concert! Apparently, in all the commotion of the show a hallway pile-up resulted in the deaths of three concert goers. I was shocked the show continued well after five people were attended to for asphyxiation and trampling related aliments. Two of the victims were taken to the hospital on my street and are in critical condition. I couldn't get the article out of my mind. I didn't think of concerts as dangerous until this weekend. As I scanned the article I remembered how crowded the hallways were and how packed the dance floor was. It would have been easy to get caught in a stampede.

Slytherin has all the fun
I didn't actually do any sight seeing in Paris, I guess I wasn't in the tourist mood. Traveling can be exhausting. I did get some neat stuff at a Kilo store, where the price of the sweet vintage clothes is based on its weight. I got a jean vest, Harry Potter tie and sweater for about 10 euro. The tie came in handy for my friend's building's Halloween party, conveniently planned to take place after Halloween. I dressed as a Slytherin student, it was awesome.  




I stayed in Paris with my friend Maddie (aka Margaret) and she showed me around her neighborhood. Friday night we went to Pitchfork Music Festival, where we heard Animal Collective, The Walkmen, and The Tallest Man on Earth. I wish I had more time in Paris but, I feel even if I was there for two weeks, or two months, I wouldn't be satisfied with my time there; I'd always want more.
Margaret putting in an earring
And now I am back in Madrid! 
-Jenny