December happenings...

December 4, 2010

The beginning of Puente

During our week long break, called Puente, we decided that instead of traveling out of the country or camping down south where we would be extremely cold because our lack of gear, we thought it would be fun to try to discover and start digging the cool parts of Madrid. While we were walking around the Malasana area (the hip area) we found a bunch of posters advertising the upcoming shows around the area. On one poster we found a band that we really liked called Fool’s Gold that were opening for some Spanish band called The Pinker Tones. The Pinker Tones looked like an intense electronic band, so we were curious if this could be the same Fool’s Gold band that we knew back in the states (since they have been playing at large festivals and def do not sound electronic). We found on the internet that it was the same band and were then extremely excited that we would get the chance to see them play here. We also found a band called Anni B Sweet that was playing the same night that we were going to try to make. So come Thursday night, we had mostly googled the bars where they were playing and somewhat knew how to get to each one. Along our journey to find the bars, we came across all kinds of wild events going on for the Christmas season --- ice skating rinks outside, the largest “churro and chocolate” stand you’ll ever see, and all kinds of lights – but we had to keep moving in order to make it to the show. We really felt like we were in the movies as we weaved in between all the streets trying to find the “big show” for the night. We finally came across the street for the later show (Anni B Sweet) and tried to buy tickets before hand but couldn’t because they hadn’t started selling them yet. We kept on and were having no luck finding our mystery street and location. I finally stopped in a café to ask if anyone knew of this place. One of the workers gave me a typical Spanish answer, “go down a street, turn right, then ask there.” The other work took pity on me or thought I was cute…I couldn’t tell. But either way, he drew me a map on a napkin of how to get there and we were on our way! After asking around and wondering a little more, we happened upon the place we wanted to be.

When we finally walked up to the venue, we stopped up and asked if it had started. The show hadn’t started so we walked around a bit then came back. When we came back the show was going on but were informed that the show cost 18 Euro. Ouch. We stepped aside (not out of any line, there was none) to contemplate if it was worth 36 Euro for the both of us for one band because we didn’t care to see the headlining band. So a women came out and asked the ticket taker what was going on and then looked at us. She came up to us and asked if we were going to go in. We said, well, we would but we don’t want to pay that much because we only want to see the first band. She said, “ok, just pay for one then.” We agreed and went in to find Fool’s Gold performing to a pretty much empty floor. TRAGIC! It made no sense to me. This band is fantastic and has a sound like no other. We took it upon ourselves to make the dance floor look as a live as we possibly could with two people. And let me tell you something. We did. The dance floor was exploding with energy from the two of us dancing away. At one point Caitlin said I looked like a monkey. I thought it was a compliment. The band actually does use African beats and instruments. That was my inspiration I said. Song after incredible song we danced away and cheered for our American band. They of course took notice to us and frankly didn’t understand. At one point they asked, “Ok, who paid you off to be here?” Jokingly, of course, but nonetheless surprised by our presence (it wouldn’t have been so strange if it hadn’t just been the two of us). We shouted back that we were from Iowa and that made them even more amazed saying they found a new respect for Iowa . Nonetheless they loved us and played the show directly to us. It was fantastic. At one point, the hat I wore received a compliment by the lead singer, so I threw it up to him to wear for a song. The guitarist would come down and solo for us. Everything was surreal and energetic. When the set finished, Caitlin and I were exhausted. I talked to the guitarist briefly and he said after he gets packed up he wanted to talk more with us. I said cool then went off to the bar to get Caitlin and I some waters. I asked the bartender (in Spanish) could I have two waters please. He said “si” and brought up two bottles of water, which you usually have to pay for. I said (in Spanish), “oh, do you just have tap water (free water)?” He responded in English, “These is free.” I looked confused and then he said, “You are in the band, no?” Ahh, of course they are free for band members! I thought for no more than a millisecond and said with all kinds of newfound coolness, “Yea of course, thanks.” Nice. The bartender thought I was in the band. That’s awesome. I headed back to Caitlin and gave her the water and told her the story and she found it amusing. At that time the band members started coming up to us and we thanked them for the show and they thanked us for being at it. The bongo and exotic drum specialist was especially pleased to see us there and kept repeating, “You guys get it, like really get the music!” and it pleased me that he knew that we knew what it was they were doing. He then asked If we wanted to come down to the room downstairs where the band was hanging out. We said, “yes.” Then we were off to hang out with the band. While we were in the room hanging out, eating food and feeling like a part of the band the guitarist kept asking us questions about us and why we were here in Madrid and was genuinely interested. I then bombarded them with questions about their band, how they got started, how the music came to them and about their tour. It was unfortunate to hear that the tour through Spain was a pretty big flop and how excited they were to head home. They said it was humbling for them to come to a place where they weren’t on top of the world. They’ve had a lot of success in other parts of Europe but for some reason Spain didn’t “get it.” I think Spain is still caught up in the electronic, techno music fad. Needless to say, we had an excellent time telling the band about Madrid, what to see, what not to see and more importantly not to fret too much about Spain. At least they have two Iowans that support them in Spain.

Blake

December 13, 2010

The rest of the break

Well not a lot more has happened since the show that quite lives up to the excitement but we have been making some good use of our time off. On Friday and Saturday we decided to decorate our apartment with some colorful paper and glue we were able to gather from our schools. I brought home a roll of big green paper and began cutting out trees. Lots of big trees. We made a small forest across our wall in the living room. Then with some other scraps and various things from our recycling pile we made a Santa with all of his reindeer flying across a night sky that also extends the length of the wall. We made our tall cupboard into a huge snowman and glued lots of silver paper circles together along a piece of string about 20 feet across that looks like falling snow from the ceiling. We wrapped a picture to look like a present, made candy canes for the kitchen cupboards, and cut out lots of pretty snowflakes. We finally made a nativity (yes out of paper) with the three kings, camels, and all. We were pretty decorated out after that and there were paper scraps EVERYWHERE. When we got the place all cleaned up again it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

On Sunday, we invited some of the interested people in the Community of Christ church to come to our apartment so we could meet them. A recap, if you do not recall, or are new to the blog; we are involved in the Community of Christ church, although I am not a member, I attend with Blake and his family when I am around Cedar Falls. We inquired about activity in Spain before we left since it is a world church. We found that although there is no established church at the moment, there are many people interested in the ideas. During our meeting with our new friends, a Pilipino man in his 60’s and his daughter in her 30’s we discussed how we came to find each other, possibilities for the church growing in Spain, things Blake and I could do to help while we are here, and about similar churches that are already here. It was very interesting talking with them, and getting to know all about them. We still have a few more people to meet and we are not sure what we can do other than be part of this network of people, but it is nice to be a part of it.

We’ve been staying in the apartment a lot the last two days because it has been raining all the time, but we did manage to venture out a few times and I finally got a coat (I did not know it would get this cold here; its snowing and all…). We also found some really cool vintage shops in the same area the shows were playing and got Blake an entire new outfit…I did not have such luck. But it was all very awesomely inexpensive so we could afford it. We are being pretty stingy with our money here, as we really only have enough to live on, but we really do not want to cut into our accounts at home, for when we return, we have lots of student loans to pay. We have a lot of fun cooking and cleaning together here, maybe because it is not too terrible with only the two of us but it really is the first time we have both done all of this on our own…and, we really like it. As for home we do miss seeing everyone, including the animals. We get a lot of joy seeing you all on skype J. We also miss ranch dressing, peanut butter, maple syrup, and reeses. (Incase anyone wants to send a care package). Really though, I don’t think it will be a problem living a few more months without every single luxury in the world that we seem to have at home. It has been nice to start living more simply, and realizing the things we really need and really do not need at all.

December 21, 2010

Lately we have been all over the place in Madrid, taking as much of it in as we can before we leave for the long Christmas Vacation. We've met some new people, even some Spaniards, been practicing lots of Spanish (that has been hard to do since we are only allowed to Speak English at work), playing the Uke, watching every single Harry Potter intently, and we even caught an old Woody Allen movie called Radio Days.

I will go into a little detail about the film because it was a very cool experience. We discovered this little old theatre place called Cine Dore, hidden away on a quaint side street. We checked out the movie times and found that each month there are sort of themes. This month some recognizable names were Woody Allen, Charlie Chaplin, and Alfred Hitchcock. We waited in line to see a late show, but it sold out before we got to the door, so we bought a ticket for tonight and just finished watching it actually. There was an old man sitting next to us who was really enjoying the movie and getting such a kick out of it. It made our time more enjoyable just listening to him.

Today I started packing for our vacation. I may have forgotten to mention earlier that we are going to Greece... pretty excited! We are doing a help exchange (www.helpx.net) and we are going to stay with a family on the very southern most point of the Peloponnese (and the little house is right on the sea!). They only want us to practice English with their two boys, ages 10 and 7, for a few hours each day. In exchange, we will have our own room, three meals a day, and a lovely family to spend Christmas and New Years with so we won't be lonely. We leave Thursday the 23rd and will return to Madrid on January 9.

Ooh say can you see by the dawn’s early light…Playball!

Wait…I mean Merry Christmas to all, and to all, goodnight J

Caitlin

Fool's Gold




















I'm getting pretty good at crapes...we need to remember to refridgerate the liquid chocolate next time though :s









Some Lee dolls I found randomly














Christmas at the Argotsinger/Leinen Piso













a handmade postcard for mom












well, handmade everything was the way to go this year



























yeah. these are the cupboards.



I was wondering if I should put Jesus in the manger... It doesn't make sense to me why we even put the nativity up if we leave Jesus out. I was just following tradition. I think next time I will put him in right away so we know what were celebrating all this time these decorations are up.