Embassy of the United States of America
Madrid, Spain
WARDEN MESSAGE
February 9, 2009
The following Notice is for maximum dissemination to U.S. Citizens.
WARDEN MESSAGE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS
On February 8, the Spanish Supreme Court banned two Basque political parties, D3M and Askatasuna, from participating in the upcoming regional elections in March.
On the morning of February 9, a bomb, believed to be the work of the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, exploded at the Campo de las Naciones in Madrid. There are also media reports of violence in the Basque region the night of 6 February when commuter trains and buses were set on fire.
ETA remains active in Spain, and further attacks are a possibility in the period leading up to the March 1 regional elections. ETA generally provides advance warning of its attacks and has historically avoided targeting foreigners, instead directing its attacks against the police, military, local politicians, and Spanish government targets, as well as attempting to disrupt transportation and daily life; however, foreigners have been killed or injured collaterally in ETA attacks despite advance warning. Two examples of this are the Barajas Airport bombing in December 2006, in which two Ecuadorian nationals were killed, and the bombing at the University of Navarre in October 2008, in which 17 students were injured, including one American student. In addition, bombs have been used as part of criminal extortion of businesses, particularly in the Basque region.
The risk of “being in the wrong place at the wrong time” in event of an ETA action is a concern for foreign visitors and tourists. U.S. citizens living or traveling to Spain should remain vigilant, exercise caution, monitor local developments, and avoid demonstrations and other potentially violent situations.
In addition, there are reports of violence in Galicia, where regional elections will also be held on March 1. While foreigners are not expected to be targets of demonstrations, Americans are urged to avoid political rallies or demonstrations.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Update, sorry.
Yes, I'm back! And so sorry it took so long! Since I left you not too much has actually happened... We took my host sister out to smoke shisha with us which was quite the experience if I do say so myself! But after that she left for Brussels to visit her bf for a week and then again for London so it's been pretty quiet around this house. I have seen Segovia, Avila, Barcelona, Lillo (skydiving), and now this weekend went to Toledo. So I have been taking advantage of my weekends here...
I missed the bus to Toledo this weekend. We were at Kapital Friday night, which is a dance club with 7 floors of different music and people! Plus, it was the weekend of Carnaval, which is a huge party throughout all of Spain kind of like Mardi Gras but with more extravagant costumes and many more performances! So the dance club was completely wild :) It was an amazing time and we stayed out dancing and wandering around until 6am, but I definitely paid the consequences at 9:05 when I received the call from Jackie asking "Donde estas?" The bus left at 9:15. I luckily was able to frantically find the station and take my own and met a nice girl who led me to find my friends... so I saw the city after all, which rocks :)
After that we intended to go the Real Madrid game but by the time we all found each other, and the correct ticket window, in the frenzy that is futbol, the only tickets left were upwards of 100$... so that is the one experience in this trip that I missed out... A little disappointing, but I honestly think I couldn't have seen more in my time here! I've seen pretty much every monument in Madrid, the surrounding cities, idk what more there is! And I am so happy about that...
Oh one more thing... terrorists are big here. More in a sec.
I missed the bus to Toledo this weekend. We were at Kapital Friday night, which is a dance club with 7 floors of different music and people! Plus, it was the weekend of Carnaval, which is a huge party throughout all of Spain kind of like Mardi Gras but with more extravagant costumes and many more performances! So the dance club was completely wild :) It was an amazing time and we stayed out dancing and wandering around until 6am, but I definitely paid the consequences at 9:05 when I received the call from Jackie asking "Donde estas?" The bus left at 9:15. I luckily was able to frantically find the station and take my own and met a nice girl who led me to find my friends... so I saw the city after all, which rocks :)
After that we intended to go the Real Madrid game but by the time we all found each other, and the correct ticket window, in the frenzy that is futbol, the only tickets left were upwards of 100$... so that is the one experience in this trip that I missed out... A little disappointing, but I honestly think I couldn't have seen more in my time here! I've seen pretty much every monument in Madrid, the surrounding cities, idk what more there is! And I am so happy about that...
Oh one more thing... terrorists are big here. More in a sec.
50 things I've learned about Spain:
1.) Spaniards not only think all Americans are easy, they also think we're dumb as rocks.
2.) Noone works--- no matter the time of day, they're out for a walk. They don't care to work and apparently don't need to, who knows why. (With the exception of quality metro enterntainment!)
3.) You are always in the way. In no way is it possible that they're in yours. Move, damnit.
4.) The dogs here have been bred from something much different than those living in America. They have tendencies to:
- wait patiently for their masters
- walk calmly without a leash
- do their business when and where they feel like it
- eat vegetarian!............. and I have yet to hear one bark.
5.) Strollers come equipped with plastic shields so small children can be silenced with ease.
6.) Speaking of children, parents let them roam hundreds of feet ahead of them, not seeming to care that they're in a city of 3million (and with enough independence to ride the metro solo at age 8, which you'd never believe)
7.) The only thing they teach you in driving school here is how to parallel park with 2cm to spare. The rest is void.
8.) Chirping means safety, but there's no guarantee. Cross at your own risk.
9.) On a rainy day plan to wear not only your coat but safety goggles as well. Umbrellas break for noone, it's your prerogative to survive!
10.) Lottery stands are everywhere and anywhere, and some people sell the tickets off their own chest! The odds of winning? Probably less than in MN.
11.) 50% of people go out for a stroll every sunday. Women wear fur coats as a norm and typically require a man walking beside them. They have no plans, just to be seen.
12.) PDA is fashionable. Find it in the metro, on the street corners, in the park, you name it...
13.) Don't count on a long bed, nor on a plump pillow.
14.) If you like your personal space, I strongly advise you to stay away from Madrid, and especially to avoid the metro.
15.) Porros en la calle? Por que no.
16.) All the signs may be in english but that doesn't mean they want you to know they speak it!
17.) If you liked dinner last night imagine it on a bun for your mediodia bocadillo.
18.) Flip flops: they are not allowed here.
19.) Smoking---it's cool, hip, and must not be bad for your health yet here because they haven't slowed down. You get enough second hand smoke that you won't have to spend a euro cent to get your own pack.
20.) Sunflower seeds are the best snack available, with the most common disposal being the metro floor.
21.) When you live nest to the fire station you're bound to see them but if not it's as if flames are a mythical creature here!
22.) Buying a scarf here is like buying a diet coke back home.
23.) Wine is sometimes cheaper than water. Drinking is very easy and you can buy your liquor either at the supermarket of by the bottle at your local bar.
24.) Pastries, churros, and the like are easy to come by. But people here don't do munchies.
25.) It is common to speak two or more languages. Europe is one big family and you can visit the cuz for real cheap...
26.) Estancos---buy your tobacco and your professional metro abono at the same place, now that's convenience.
27.) Museo de Jamon, need I say more?
28.) p.s. why doesn't anyone have a cat?
29.) Ham not only comes on a leg sitting on your counter and packaged neatly, but also in a convenient spread. (Pate, que asco.)
30.) If you see a black man wandering through the park, you can bet he's a dealer.
31.) Pizza is not the same here. They top it with tuna pretty often and sometimes even make it in a microwave!
32.) If you're looking for Americans what you actually need to look for is an Irish pub, especially Dubliners!
33.) Peluquerias: apparently Spaniards can't get enough of haircuts because these are plentiful!
34.) What else could be this numerous and convenient but Doner Kebab?! YUM
35.) Who needs one nice cell phone when you can have one of every style and sound!
36.) Try not to pass out in the metro, you just may lose something.
37.) Russians are a completely different species.
38.) The word drought here seems to mean that it rains only 3 days a week instead of 5 or 6. Don't believe a word they say.
39.) Pharmacies are neon and on every street.
40.) Who would ever dream of walking around the house barefoot? Bring slippers unless you'd rather be perceived a complete loony.
41.) One appliance that has yet to be introduced to Europe is driers. On the line or over the rack it your best bet. One thing I miss is the real shape of my clothes!
42.) Your teachers would love to have a heart to heart over a cigarette (of course) or at the bar... My school brings us out for a free drink at least once a week. Like I said, different world.
43.) People may stay out until 4 or 5 but the metro closes at 1:30. Period.
44.) Nothing good happens after metro close.
45.) Sangria comes by the pitcher and very soon you'll be feeling like a real espanola attempting salsa in the middle of the empty dance floor.
46.) There is no spanish billboard chart... Every now and then a song from Spain will come on the radi but for the most part it is just American. You will find the same trend in television.
47.) News is important here. People read the newspaper in the metro, on the street corners, in the park, just as often as they suck face.
48.) If you lose Jackie, you can bet you can find her in McDonalds. If you lose Dave, just give up.
49.) Skip church, that is the only day to visit anything free... and Rastro. Look into it.
50.) When the French girls leave, you bet your ass you'll miss hearing "I fucking hate you David."
2.) Noone works--- no matter the time of day, they're out for a walk. They don't care to work and apparently don't need to, who knows why. (With the exception of quality metro enterntainment!)
3.) You are always in the way. In no way is it possible that they're in yours. Move, damnit.
4.) The dogs here have been bred from something much different than those living in America. They have tendencies to:
- wait patiently for their masters
- walk calmly without a leash
- do their business when and where they feel like it
- eat vegetarian!............. and I have yet to hear one bark.
5.) Strollers come equipped with plastic shields so small children can be silenced with ease.
6.) Speaking of children, parents let them roam hundreds of feet ahead of them, not seeming to care that they're in a city of 3million (and with enough independence to ride the metro solo at age 8, which you'd never believe)
7.) The only thing they teach you in driving school here is how to parallel park with 2cm to spare. The rest is void.
8.) Chirping means safety, but there's no guarantee. Cross at your own risk.
9.) On a rainy day plan to wear not only your coat but safety goggles as well. Umbrellas break for noone, it's your prerogative to survive!
10.) Lottery stands are everywhere and anywhere, and some people sell the tickets off their own chest! The odds of winning? Probably less than in MN.
11.) 50% of people go out for a stroll every sunday. Women wear fur coats as a norm and typically require a man walking beside them. They have no plans, just to be seen.
12.) PDA is fashionable. Find it in the metro, on the street corners, in the park, you name it...
13.) Don't count on a long bed, nor on a plump pillow.
14.) If you like your personal space, I strongly advise you to stay away from Madrid, and especially to avoid the metro.
15.) Porros en la calle? Por que no.
16.) All the signs may be in english but that doesn't mean they want you to know they speak it!
17.) If you liked dinner last night imagine it on a bun for your mediodia bocadillo.
18.) Flip flops: they are not allowed here.
19.) Smoking---it's cool, hip, and must not be bad for your health yet here because they haven't slowed down. You get enough second hand smoke that you won't have to spend a euro cent to get your own pack.
20.) Sunflower seeds are the best snack available, with the most common disposal being the metro floor.
21.) When you live nest to the fire station you're bound to see them but if not it's as if flames are a mythical creature here!
22.) Buying a scarf here is like buying a diet coke back home.
23.) Wine is sometimes cheaper than water. Drinking is very easy and you can buy your liquor either at the supermarket of by the bottle at your local bar.
24.) Pastries, churros, and the like are easy to come by. But people here don't do munchies.
25.) It is common to speak two or more languages. Europe is one big family and you can visit the cuz for real cheap...
26.) Estancos---buy your tobacco and your professional metro abono at the same place, now that's convenience.
27.) Museo de Jamon, need I say more?
28.) p.s. why doesn't anyone have a cat?
29.) Ham not only comes on a leg sitting on your counter and packaged neatly, but also in a convenient spread. (Pate, que asco.)
30.) If you see a black man wandering through the park, you can bet he's a dealer.
31.) Pizza is not the same here. They top it with tuna pretty often and sometimes even make it in a microwave!
32.) If you're looking for Americans what you actually need to look for is an Irish pub, especially Dubliners!
33.) Peluquerias: apparently Spaniards can't get enough of haircuts because these are plentiful!
34.) What else could be this numerous and convenient but Doner Kebab?! YUM
35.) Who needs one nice cell phone when you can have one of every style and sound!
36.) Try not to pass out in the metro, you just may lose something.
37.) Russians are a completely different species.
38.) The word drought here seems to mean that it rains only 3 days a week instead of 5 or 6. Don't believe a word they say.
39.) Pharmacies are neon and on every street.
40.) Who would ever dream of walking around the house barefoot? Bring slippers unless you'd rather be perceived a complete loony.
41.) One appliance that has yet to be introduced to Europe is driers. On the line or over the rack it your best bet. One thing I miss is the real shape of my clothes!
42.) Your teachers would love to have a heart to heart over a cigarette (of course) or at the bar... My school brings us out for a free drink at least once a week. Like I said, different world.
43.) People may stay out until 4 or 5 but the metro closes at 1:30. Period.
44.) Nothing good happens after metro close.
45.) Sangria comes by the pitcher and very soon you'll be feeling like a real espanola attempting salsa in the middle of the empty dance floor.
46.) There is no spanish billboard chart... Every now and then a song from Spain will come on the radi but for the most part it is just American. You will find the same trend in television.
47.) News is important here. People read the newspaper in the metro, on the street corners, in the park, just as often as they suck face.
48.) If you lose Jackie, you can bet you can find her in McDonalds. If you lose Dave, just give up.
49.) Skip church, that is the only day to visit anything free... and Rastro. Look into it.
50.) When the French girls leave, you bet your ass you'll miss hearing "I fucking hate you David."
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Paracaidismo en fin.
Skydiving? Stories? Well I got into this amazing jumpsuit and helmet and got a couple of quick instruccions, though you still have no clue what you're doing. Board a tiny plane that only holds 10 people and get up into the air---at first it was jerking me higher and higher and I could feel your stomach start churning which made me a lot more scared than I needed to be---By the time I got up there, which is 15,000 feet in the air, I could look down and just see a bunch of fields far away! They slid the door open and there we were in the middle of a blue sky ready to free fall! The instructor hooked me up close and sat on the edge of the plane to prepare himself. This means that I was not seated anywhere, just dangling in mid air by my harness...He yelled ARCA (arch) and I threw my neck back and my feet back under the plane. Now note, I am in a bright yellow jumpsuit so I am basically just making myself as close to a banana as possible at this point, if you can imagine it, and suddenly there was nothing underneath me and I was plummetting to my death! Well not really...but in the first feww seconds it sure feels that way! I threw my arms in the air and looked all around, and I am not kidding you when I say that felt as close to heaven as it gets... For the next 60 seconds I basically was just flying until he pulled the parachute and started bringing me down, with tricks and all. The whole ordeal doesn't last more than a half hour but after I was done I was in complete disbelief---and such an adrenaline rush that I was screaming running in circles ready to do it again! I cannot even explain it, it was an amazing experience and I would give anything to relive it! Ahhh I wish I could do it justice trying to explain it, but I guess that's about the best shot I have up my sleeve. Try to imagine it!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Barca en unos minutos
Wow, where do I even begin to explain what has happened in the last week?
On Thursday after taking my exam we ran to grab the metro and headed out on our plane to Barcelona. After arriving Jacki and I explored while Dave took Devon out to explore. Shortly afterwards we began our first night on the town. It inluded:
- David talking to every prostitute on the street (prostitution is legal in Barca given you have a day job and no pimp!)
- David looking for a soccer ball to buy for approx. 40 minutes
- David buying a third bottle, Bailey's, on the street
- David passing out in numerous places on the street
- David getting his wallet stolen
Hahahaha in reality it was not all him doing things, I did meet a Spaniard on the street who proceeded to shove his tongue down my throat! The night ended shortly after we put this kid to bed though, around 12:30. Oh, my friends!
Friday we walked for about 9 hours to tour the Gothic District, go to the Beach, and wander the city center. We did that actually very often, my feet were falling off of my ankles by Sunday morning!
It was so great when Amanda arrived, so good to see my buddy! You couldn't guess. It was good to go out with her, though that night was equally crazy including dancing with englishmen on their stag do (their version of a bachelor party) and receiving a rose from rando morrocan men who thought I was pretty! Yay! We spent most of the walk home from the pub crawl looking for food and not until we got home and saw the look on the face of the people working the hostel did we realize it was 4am. Goodnight again. Saturday to more sights and I stayed in, which I am ok with!
Overall a very eventful weekend but too many stories that are not suited for the internet ;) This week has been pretty chill... Took my host sister to smoke hookah!
It was sad to leave Barcelona and really sad to leave my Amanda but here I am back in Madrid. Making reservations. Online. For paracaidismo. Do you know what that is? Go google it and then you can comment on my crazy decisions!
So sunday I'm off for that business, I think I'll make sure to write my will before I go. What do you want?
On Thursday after taking my exam we ran to grab the metro and headed out on our plane to Barcelona. After arriving Jacki and I explored while Dave took Devon out to explore. Shortly afterwards we began our first night on the town. It inluded:
- David talking to every prostitute on the street (prostitution is legal in Barca given you have a day job and no pimp!)
- David looking for a soccer ball to buy for approx. 40 minutes
- David buying a third bottle, Bailey's, on the street
- David passing out in numerous places on the street
- David getting his wallet stolen
Hahahaha in reality it was not all him doing things, I did meet a Spaniard on the street who proceeded to shove his tongue down my throat! The night ended shortly after we put this kid to bed though, around 12:30. Oh, my friends!
Friday we walked for about 9 hours to tour the Gothic District, go to the Beach, and wander the city center. We did that actually very often, my feet were falling off of my ankles by Sunday morning!
It was so great when Amanda arrived, so good to see my buddy! You couldn't guess. It was good to go out with her, though that night was equally crazy including dancing with englishmen on their stag do (their version of a bachelor party) and receiving a rose from rando morrocan men who thought I was pretty! Yay! We spent most of the walk home from the pub crawl looking for food and not until we got home and saw the look on the face of the people working the hostel did we realize it was 4am. Goodnight again. Saturday to more sights and I stayed in, which I am ok with!
Overall a very eventful weekend but too many stories that are not suited for the internet ;) This week has been pretty chill... Took my host sister to smoke hookah!
It was sad to leave Barcelona and really sad to leave my Amanda but here I am back in Madrid. Making reservations. Online. For paracaidismo. Do you know what that is? Go google it and then you can comment on my crazy decisions!
So sunday I'm off for that business, I think I'll make sure to write my will before I go. What do you want?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The sun'll come out...
Tomorrow.
Can I just say I am excited to go to Barcelona tomorrow?
One thing I am not excited for: testing tomorrow.
On that note let me leave you with something pretty :)
Can I just say I am excited to go to Barcelona tomorrow?
One thing I am not excited for: testing tomorrow.
On that note let me leave you with something pretty :)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Espanol gana Australia Open por primera vez!
Sooo The school pulled us Minnesotans out of class to tell us there wasn't space for us to go to Toledo, despite the fact that we were the first on the list and a majority of Estudio Sampere's income at the moment. Que pena. Well, I was determined to get out of here this weekend so I organized a day trip to Avila, an ancient city an hour out of Madrid that boasts old churches and convents and a humongous city wall that dates back to the eleventh century. Not that you'd care to know. But it was kinda cool. Wanna know what wasn't so cool? Siestas exist there! When we got out of eating at the creperia (which is a growing theme) everything in the streets was closed! Everything! We asked someone in the street if we could go to a movie and she said no, there wasn't a whole lot we could do. LOL so we wandered the streets and ate some more---I wish I could remember the last food I ate in the U.S.---but besides the point... We ate and wandered. We conquered Avila.
I spent the rest of the night at home taking a break. And it was wonderful.
So then it was Sunday. Rain... snow!... More rain... Mist shit... we eventually found a bar that was showing the Superbowl last night which was pretty exciting so we went! BUT I was really really disappointed because they were showing rando european commercials instead of the authentic superbowl commercials of 2009 (we all know that's the only reason I would watch football anyway) so my roomie and I left after the first quarter---which was actually pretty reasonable because by then it was 1am here anyway!!
And now it's today, and I need to study so I can pass my exams on Thursday.
I spent the rest of the night at home taking a break. And it was wonderful.
So then it was Sunday. Rain... snow!... More rain... Mist shit... we eventually found a bar that was showing the Superbowl last night which was pretty exciting so we went! BUT I was really really disappointed because they were showing rando european commercials instead of the authentic superbowl commercials of 2009 (we all know that's the only reason I would watch football anyway) so my roomie and I left after the first quarter---which was actually pretty reasonable because by then it was 1am here anyway!!
And now it's today, and I need to study so I can pass my exams on Thursday.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)