All good things must end, but some good things influence us forever.

Well, it has ended. The program is over, and there are many places to see and visit and to absorb from next. However, it is hard to accept that the program is over. The experience, the great people, the fathom of the culture, the beauty of the beaches, the transformation of a town, they are no more a daily part of our lives. It is truly a bittersweet experience, yet it is more sweet than anything else.

It is funny how expectations work, or better yet, how they don't work. I have seen, experienced and learned things far beyond my expectations, from both the surrounding new world and about myself, both as a future professional and as an individual. I would completely recommend this program to any architecture student, or any other eligible person willing to make a unique experience out of their summer breaks. A few pieces of advice, though:

Don't be shy. Explore, Adventure, all within being safe of course, but dammit, get out of your safety bubble and absorb the world.

Learn at least basic Spanish before coming, it will do worlds of difference for your experience. It sounds silly and obvious but I've noticed it isn't something that is done whole-heartedly, making some people only wanting to 'get by' instead of mixing and mingling with the locals.

And most importantly: Open your mind to this program. There is a uniqueness in the approach, compared to studios done in UC Berkeley campus. It will compliment your academic and your personal mindset forever (hopefully).

Anyway, I had promised a few more panoramic shots, so I will post them with great pleasure.

 This shot is from top of the lighthouse in a town called Altea. If you notice on the top-right-ish part of the image, there is a red circle that indicates where the next panoramic (the one below) was taken from.

 Altea from a Panoramic scenery balcony. Red circle indicates the pier where the 1st Panoramic was taken. Beautiful Stuff.

This is from our beloved Guardamar! From atop the castle, looking into the town with the beach at the top edge. I guess a single cannon will defend the town perfectly.

This is a shot of Guardamar's main plaza, with Church and State on either side of it. 

This is the entrance plaza of Calatrava's Opera House in the city of Valencia. There is an entire complex of buildings designed by Calatrava in this city, in case you didn't know. I'll show a few more panoramics from this site.  

One of the several interesting interior spaces from  the same Opera House.

The Science Museum, same city, same designer. The Opera House is in the background.

The Science Museum from below the massive staircases on the last Panoramic. It is indeed an interesting massive project.

Anyway, that is all for now. My deepest thanks to Alex, Pacia, the Summer Abroad Staff and to my peers who made this trip not only possible, but an unforgettable experience. I will miss Spain, Guardamar, and all the extraordinary people that were part of my life these two months.

Thank you.
-Oscar Corral

I am a moment hunter...

I haven't always done this as a full time job,
I didn't have the time.
But being here in Spain,
away from (almost) all responsibility at home,
and what seems the elongated Spanish time
has allowed me to take my job more seriously.

You see,
I crave for those instances
when time and space make an agreement to create something…
these somethings are rare.
they are special.
I see a certain thing at a certain time,
a certain place, with certain people.
All which make it an irreplicable memory.

Sometimes these are moments of chance,
they are moments of surprise.
They don't have to mean anything
to anyone, but you.
They don't have to hold some astronomical phenomenon,
intellectual thinking,
or some cultural significance.
They just have to strike you.

With movement unhurried,
they are times that force one
to expel the outside world of all its worries,
and focus on one singular event or action.

Moments when the lighting is perfect,
and the view is one of a kind.
Yet these moments are not just for the eyes.
The are for listening, for smelling, for tasting, for the touch.
They are an absorption
of emotional & sensorial experiences.

How do you become a moment hunter you ask?
i don't really know,
its just instinctual.
A person who is looking for something he doesn't know of.
He doesn't know what it looks like.
He doesn't know what it smells, tastes, or feels like.
But when that moment comes,
and he has found it
(almost epiphany like)
he knows it.

Some are slow to come.
some build up.
some come at you from nowhere.

So when found..
snatch,
seize,
and enjoy every moment of it.
Because some last all night.
Some last for a second
And some are missed by the blink of an eye.
But when caught by the moment hunter…
it lasts forever.





These are SOME of the moments in my travel through Europe I will never forget…

 ...and some i choose to keep secret.

Thoughts from the Centre de Tenificio:

During one of our many trips to the city of Alicante, we were able to visit the Centre de Tenificio by Miralles.  Alex told us that most of the locals hate the building because it’s not classically beautiful and is made mostly of concrete.  And I have to admit that I had the same opinion when we stumbled out of our taxis and took our first look at its exterior.  It loomed over the curb like a giant, grey, concrete, mass.  Near the door a concrete column reached out awkwardly at a seemingly random angle.  The building appeared disordered, irregular, and slightly disturbing.  But when we got inside and began to move our way through the spaces I began to understand the intentionality of the building and why so many architects flock to it every year.  Alex told us that the designer’s intention was tectonic, or that he cared more about the structure than the form.  The irregular angles of the columns and the non-rectangular spaces had been determined by structural analysis to create a building with maximum structural efficiency.  It was interesting that the spaces that most architects would fuss over to fit a certain program or make pleasing to the eye the architect let go to the nature of physics and gravity.  It must have been very freeing.  My favorite parts of the building were the random spaces that seemed to have been accidentally created.  I was sitting on one of the benches in the main auditorium when someone ran up to me and told me, sounding very excited, that I had to see the bathroom.  I didn’t really see how a bathroom could be worth seeing but I followed her anyway.  The entrance was a dark and narrow as we walked down a ramp and a set of steps.  The space suddenly opened up into a large circle with an expansive ceiling.  I craned my head to see light pouring in through openings at the top.  A concrete wall sliced halfway through the middle of the circle, supporting a number of sinks.  I half expected moaning murtle to come out of one of the toilets or Hermione to be making polyjuice potion in one of the stalls because it was just so (this is going to sound really cheesy) magical.  It was amazing that one of the most spontaneous and beautiful spaces in the building was the bathroom, a space that often is pasted on at the end to make a check off a list.  I feel that studying architecture in Spain has helped me to see the country through a lens that goes much deeper than the typical attractions, and itches its way into core issues of the country and its people.   For example why the people of Alicante are uncomfortable with Miralles’s beautiful and unpretentious building, the economic factors that contributed to the possibility of its construction, and whether or not it will play a different role in the community in the future.   Some of these questions remain unanswered, but for the time being I’m perfectly happy just sitting in awe and sketching a random bathroom in Alicante.

-SCE

Perdón, estás perdido?

[Excuse me, are you lost?]
A guide for the helpless Asians in Spain

Due to the large population of Asians at Berkeley, I assume this topic will still be of considerable interest and relevancy in the years to come. Not Asian? There is only a one percent chance that you leave this post less informed than you were before.


I guarantee the first word that will be said to you by a local is ‘Nihao’.
What? You’d like to be addressed with anong haseyo or konichiwa? Doesn’t matter. If you’re Asian, you have no choice but to be Chinese. Well, at least at first glance. But it’s too much of a hassle to explain anyway (if you even know enough Spanish to correct them).
If you’re lucky, you’ll be Chinese in the first place. Then you might just find these greetings amusing and it may warm your heart knowing that Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan have been quite successful in disseminating Chinese culture through the peaceful method of kung fu movies.

Now let me ask you this: Have you ever known what it’s felt like to be a movie star? The president of the United States? Kobe?
No? Well you absolutely will not get that treatment here either. People will stare, but it’s more along the lines of you having something stuck between your teeth, trying to rock a reverse mohawk, and holding a three-headed dog-- all at once.  
Nevertheless, I urge you to embrace it. Smile. Flip your hair. Do a backflip. Not like you’ll get this much attention for being an architect, right?

I guess there is a valid reason for this. The only signs of Asian culture here are scattered China Bazars and China ‘International’ Restaurants. The owners are perfectly fluent in Spanish. It’s also their language of choice. So don’t try getting buddy-buddy with them by speaking Chinese. Trust me, I’ve seen people try and the only thing you’ll get out of it is a blank stare. If you want to get into their inner circle, their Triad society, you better know your Spanish. It is the most bizarre thing, but it is nevertheless awesome.

The China Bazar will be your best friend. If you are ever to want a piece of Chinese economics in your life, it is the country’s ability to produce and sell goods at ridiculously low prices. Uh can you say Walmart? (I’m just kidding, that totally goes against our righteous American values). Anyway, they have rulers, scissors, notebooks, pens/pencils/markers, glue, x-actos and everything else that you would ever need. So don’t stress if you forget any generic studio supplies at home.

The most important thing, however, is that they are open during siesta as well as on Sundays, when the rest of Spain is being normal and enjoying siesta (Things don’t change, do they? Rhetorical question).

On a side note, Vicente has sworn that the best Chinese restaurants are in Torrevieja.

Spanish culture may seem completely different from that of Asians, but hey, didn’t your elementary school teacher tell you not to judge a book by its cover? When you take the time to look past the surface (and maybe a few more additional layers), our similarities are actually quite uncanny.

Point 1: Come on, our flags are the same color (I am referring to the People’s Republic of China here)-- that must mean something right? Minus the symbolism, our great- ancestors must have seen eye-to-eye when determining the representation of our respective nations.

Point 2: Tell me that paella is not the Spanish form of fried rice, and that empanadas are not just like dumplings.  And aren’t churros the sweet version of Chinese oil sticks? Coincidence? I think not.

Speaking of food, don’t hold back on the Korean barbecue, sashimi, dim sum, pho, pad see ew, sisig, etc. before you get on that flight.  Be very meticulous in planning your last meals.  Oh and please make sure that Mexican food is on that list (I can’t resist it. I’m from LA).
There is a beacon of hope amidst this dismal void, however. I managed to find a boba joint in the heart of Madrid.  I’d recommend that you order two drinks because I chugged my jasmine milk tea within three minutes.  The first will be for you to satisfy your carnal cravings, and the second for you to truly savor.

There is one aspect of Spanish culture that is completely opposite from that of Asians. That is their ability to take a chill pill. If you’re not doing practice problems for those MCATs, LSATs, GMATs and every other ‘AT’ test on the planet past the SAT, it’s fine. Let go. Immerse yourself.

I, personally, love it.

**Disclaimer: This post, by no means, is meant to be racist, derogatory, or offensive. I myself am Chinese on the outside, but I sure do have a hell of a lot of Spanish pride. I took four years of Spanish in high school and loved it (and passed the AP test. BOOM. Shoutout to Sra.Menna and Sra.Donnelly).  And yeah, that’s me out-cheering you at the fútbol games.
Viva España.

P.S. There’s this song called ‘No Hay Dos Sin Tres’. Youtube it. It’s off the hook.

-Jackie Wu

WHY SPAIN IS AWESOME.

1. Siesta aka National Naptime

2. Clubs are crackin at 2am and end at 7am.

3. The beaches are beautiful and clean.

4. The weather is warm enough to swim at night.

5. It gets dark at 10pm.

6. No tax or tip.

7. Wine is cheaper than water.

8. People in Spain don't run on a tight schedule and are never in a rush, like Americans.

9. The bonfires, fireworks, firecrackers, and the burning in celebration of the Summer Solstice.

10. They won the Eurocup.

11. The architecture...

 -T.Kan

I am in the middle of my fourth week in Guardamar, and my 6^th week in Europe. I’ve already been to the hospital nine times.

Guardamar is an edgy little town. Its beaches are gorgeous but they are accented by crumpling demolished homes. I like it.  At the same time this is a touristy town and its population is increasing everyday. It’s an awesome place to be studying Architecture. Every day is a new adventure and exploration of this historically rich town. 

During today’s Mid Review I discussed the river’s relationship with the city of Guardamar. The river and city are extremely disconnected from one another; consequent thousands of years of human infiltration. The current situation is one that must be addressed: The city-river system is dysfunctional. My project addresses this issue and attempts to provide a solution.

The Euro cup took place last weekend. During the games the entire city population literally stop doing what they normally do and watch the game. The game is shown in the streets, on the beach, in bars… its impossible to miss. Everyone wears red. Everyone is involved. It’s incredible.

We watched one of the games on the beach. After Spain won there was a huge bonfire. I decided that it would be a good idea to jump over the flames. I thought about it for fifteen minutes. I finally decided to go for it—not because I have outstanding jumping abilities but because I realized that I would continue thinking about it until I jumped over. Unfortunately I didn’t quite make it over the bonfire and my left foot landed on top of the flames. Here’s a nice picture for visual reference. 

I’ve been in crutches for over a week, and I have to go to the hospital to get rebadged every day. Was it worth it? Not quite. But maybe it will be a funny story to tell one day. In the meantime, I’d like to give a shout-out to everyone who’s helped me out in the past week. THANK YOU! … and I no, I no longer have the urge to jump through flames.  

I am in the middle of my fourth week in Guardamar, and my 6^th week in Europe. I’ve already been to the hospital nine times.

Guardamar is an edgy little town. Its beaches are gorgeous but they are accented by crumpling demolished homes. I like it.  At the same time this is a touristy town and its population is increasing everyday. It’s an awesome place to be studying Architecture. Every day is a new adventure and exploration of this historically rich town. 

During today’s Mid Review I discussed the river’s relationship with the city of Guardamar. The river and city are extremely disconnected from one another; consequent thousands of years of human infiltration. The current situation is one that must be addressed: The city-river system is dysfunctional. My project addresses this issue and attempts to provide a solution.

The Euro cup took place last weekend. During the games the entire city population literally stop doing what they normally do and watch the game. The game is shown in the streets, on the beach, in bars… its impossible to miss. Everyone wears red. Everyone is involved. It’s incredible.

We watched one of the games on the beach. After Spain won there was a huge bonfire. I decided that it would be a good idea to jump over the flames. I thought about it for fifteen minutes. I finally decided to go for it—not because I have outstanding jumping abilities but because I realized that I would continue thinking about it until I jumped over. Unfortunately I didn’t quite make it over the bonfire and my left foot landed on top of the flames. Here’s a nice picture for visual reference. 

I’ve been in crutches for over a week, and I have to go to the hospital to get rebadged every day. Was it worth it? Not quite. But maybe it will be a funny story to tell one day. In the meantime, I’d like to give a shout-out to everyone who’s helped me out in the past week. THANK YOU! … and I no, I no longer have the urge to jump through flames.  

Fireworks Alicante Style

Fogue Res 2012

In lieu of Forth of July, we here in Spain get to be witnesses and spectators of the bonfires of Saint John. As it turns out, all of Europe celebrates the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the first day of summer. People all over have bonfires on the beach. It is a revival of a long tradition dating back to the pagan roots which are much deeper here than back home. Either way, Alicante uses this tradition in a ridiculous and rare fashion. The day of bonfires has metamorphosed into a two week long festival with two types of firework displays, bull fights, food, parades, floats, and dance parties.

There are two types of fireworks, the masculine and the feminine. The masculine is during the day at 2pm of the first week. It is a show of noise. Everyone gathers as close as they can to the display and gets overwhelmed by the explosions as a sound concert. It goes into your bones, and deep into your chest. Those who designed the display make a rhythm of canon fire. They play with the height of the fireworks to affect the sound and the layering of explosions. Everyone is excited and facing the square, however there is nothing to see only hear and feel.

On the second week are the feminine fireworks. They begin at midnight (the time when people start going out at night here) on the beach. Everyone sits with their family and friends and make mounds of sand within which to sit and gaze at the fireworks. And they are works of art. There is a soft display followed by a pause and a bit more intense display and pause with canon echoing off large apartment buildings back to you again and then another soft display. The buildup is not continuous; it goes back and forth and back and forth playing with you. The funny thing is, you can’t hear it. They are huge displays of light, with little to no sound. The canons are a crack with a bright white light that fills the sky for a split second, yet the sound does not match.

It is almost as if the Spanish here took our understanding of fireworks and separated them into two different parts. It doesn’t make any sense, but then again it is more intentional and thought-out than any fireworks display I have ever seen in my life: a wonderful show of color and light, noise and intensity.

In between the two weeks of firework is the burning of effigies. There are 86 or so communities or neighborhoods or streets which organize themselves and compete for the best float. On one night, they all get burned. It starts at midnight with the one in front of the town hall. After which it is a mad race to find out when and where there will be another event. Random and nonsensical, the people of Alicante sing and dance while those attending the fire hose down buildings and onlookers to keep them from getting too hot. In front of the city hall, the flames go higher than the 5 storey buildings only 30 feet away. People down wind, be advised! Huge speakers are placed right at ground zero and are covered with tarps. The people in the front taunt the firemen to hose them down while the anticipation builds. After the effigy is lit and burning the music breaks out and dancing and singing fill the narrow streets.

Epic.

 

Effigy of Dali

 City Hall, pre-bonfire

-Alaska

New Studio Experience

Even before I came to Spain, I've been hearing that Spain studio is a totally new and different experience. And indeed, it is nothing like any other studio I have experienced in Berkeley. For starters, there is no allnighters involved, well, because studio closes at 9pm. Even if you want to, you can't stay up all night trying to finish your project in studio. Second, you see and learn so much more than just architecture. You experience new culture and people. I guess this video of our site visit to  Centro de Tecnificación de Alicante would be a good example of that. Instead of frantically taking pictures of the building and sketching the site and taking mad notes on the surrounding environment, you can actually enjoy being in the space and spend time exploring the space. Can you ever imagine doing this in your other site visits in other Berkeley studio? I think not. ;)

I am loving my studio experience in Spain!

-SK

Alhambra

Thus far, on this journey, my most memorable experience was the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.  This building was exceptionally astounding because it took me by surprise.  I was not well versed on the Moorish influences in Spain, and found the Islamic carvings and architectural style to be very unique.  The city of Granada itself was very different than other big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Alicante, as the cultural influence of Islam were very apparent in the typical city daily life.

After we hiked to the peak of the mountain, basking in the harsh 96-degree afternoon heat, we descended leisurely through the gardens leading to the building. The plant life surrounding the building were extensive and well groomed, but caused extensive allergy attacks.  The exterior of the Alhambra left much to be desired; its façade consisted of a simple waffle-like pattern and looked weathered and sandy beige.  As I made my way into the building, I marveled at the intricate carvings that were delicately etched from floor to ceiling.  Every inch of the walls was perfectly planned and decorated ornately and with careful precision.  The arches were uniquely shaped, distinct from that of other European inspired architecture.  The carvings were so well maintained and preserved, the marble and slate floors smooth and unmarred by footsteps.  The echo of sounds inside the domed areas was accentuated by the materiality.  The pools of water were calm and almost motionless, the walls fortifying the water from the breeze.  The crystal clear water created a serene mirror in center of each of the different courtyards, reflecting back up into the sky.  The drabble of the fountains and the irrigation ducts created weaving orthogonal pathways through the building, connecting each pool of water to the next.  The trickle of water was always nearby, flowing ever so slightly, surrounding me with peaceful sounds.  In the baking heat of the afternoon, I decided to drink the water from a fountain.  Despite the heat, the water was crisp and refreshing. 

As the pink tinted glow of early evening settled in, the picturesque gardens looked romantic and beautiful.  We stopped often to photograph the landscape, as we had a great view that enveloped the city of Granada.  The hillsides were dotted with houses and the greenery was lush and bountiful.  The descent from the mountain was comfortable and tranquil, as the early night air cooled and reinvigorated us.

I continued my exploration of the city that evening, and everywhere we walked, we had a view of the Alhambra from below.  As the blackness of nightfall settled in, undisrupted by urban city lights, the Alhambra glowed proudly, almost suspended in the sky perched upon the darkened mountain.  The building reigned from above and towered even more impressive at night.  It was lit up from the base of the walls, and the lights created a green and yellow wash of color along the entirety of the building.  Its presence cascaded down with authority and made everyone stare in awe.

-Kathy Tong

* Pictures to come when internet is working better....

Midreview!

Today, we had midreview, presenting all the work we’ve done on our mylar boards so far.  The diagrams we have produced, for the most part, have been about the River Segura and the Mercadillo, a market that occurs every Wednesday morning.

To keep in the spirit of diagramming, I did a 30 second sketch of each presentation of all the students, taking note of key gestures, moments, and words. As you can see, all of us have a different way in viewing and describing the two landscapes. 

Group 1

Group 2

- Cynthia Bathgate

I'll just say it outright that I should have listened better to Mrs. Maldonado in high school during Spanish class.

Being in a foreign country that doesn't use English as its main language has been rough. I have the gist of the important words and phrases but it's really difficult to fathom even having a simple conversaion when you know a couple words from the thoughts you are trying to express.

I feel like a fool when I get excited from hearing English words in a crowd of Spanish speakers. Now I know the feeling a foreigner gets when they come to California speaking their native language and I give them a look of confusion. Even hearing Mandarin being spoken, of all things, (though I can't speak it) sparks my interest. Not that occasional offensive "ni hao" I get from the randos on the streets or in the markets but legit Mandarin. Even those people speaking it seem to have somewhat of a handle on their Spanish.

To make it worse, I'm going to be visiting three other countries (Morocco, France, and Italy) where English isnt the main language that will be spoken. Awesome. I love it here, don't get my wrong. I am having the time of my life and I know I probably won't be back in Europe for a while so I'm trying to take my time and soak in the culture. At the same time I guess you can say I'm a bit homesick. That's definitely a first for me. For the rest of summer I'll be wandering around the streets of Europe but for now I'll keep dreaming about California until I'm back home tucked into my own bed.

-A

Spain - Now in Panoramic view

The experience in Guardamar and in Spain has been nothing less than spectacular. While the town of Guardamar has a more serene beauty to it, Spain’s variety of cities offer an array of cultural, scenic and entertaining activities for any kind of lifestyle. Flamenco and live performances, Museums and archeological sites, Bars and Nightclubs are scattered throughout the larger cities. However, Guardamar seems to be an ideal site for our studio class: it has a peaceful nature, it’s located in a site that is culturally rich, and you can reach the beachfront in less than 5 minutes from almost anywhere!

Anyway, we’ve toured a few cities so far. I’ve documented interesting views of most cities, and would like to share them to better demonstrate the true spectacle Spain is (at least better than I could describe in words). Hopefully you'll be able to see or load them with enough resolution as they're all supposed to fit a 2048 x 1100 screen. 

This is a view from the Alhambra into the city of Granada, a city with a very functional combination of Arab, Muslim and Spanish cultures.

This is the bottom part of an archway within the Alhambra. As you can see, the amount of detailing and craft is nothing short of Masterwork: the entire palace section of the Alhambra is full of intricate detail.

This is a shot of the Catedral-Mesquita in Cordoba. The polychromic arches belong to the Arabic influence of the site, while the central white corridor and dome was built around it by the Christian kingdom which reclaimed this city. 

This is a 180 degree view of the Christian center of the Catedral-Mesquita. You can barely see the polychromic arches on the edges of the image. Trust me, this image might be beautiful, but being in there just gives you chills, feeling the massive proportions surrounded by exquisite craft. 

This is a view from the Observation tower belonging to the Parque de las Ciencias, which is Granada's prime museum. It was designed by an architect called Carlos Ferrater, but strangely there are no tours or information regarding the building's Zaha-like design or history. 

Lastly, this is a panoramic view of the city of Alicante, from the beach. I have to mention risking my camera to get this shot: I was standing in the water waist deep to take these images! I wanted to show the backdrop of the beachfront, which is the Castillo de Santa Barbara. You'll get to tour it if you join this studio, yet I need to go again since I didn't get a panoramic view from top. Maybe I'll have one for next post, and also a daytime shot from inside the water!

I hope you enjoyed my panoramics. I intend to have many more, since they give an enormous amount of detail when looking closely at the originals (some are 30 Megabyte images!). Still, I feel these, at this size, are enough to encourage any curious student to take this course, or at least any traveler who isn't sure visiting these areas are worthwhile. Trust me: they are!

Cheers!

       - Oscar Corral  

The High of Futbol

I missed that high. The high of outrunning your opponent and getting to the first. The high of tackling the forward right before they're about to shoot. The high of making the perfect run. There's nothing like a soccer high. Nothing else gets my blood pumping and gives me more joy. I used to collapse on the field after a soccer game drenching myself with water and laughing uncontrollably. No matter what the outcome was, I was always ecstatic. It's funny how I forgot that feeling, that high. It's now been four years since I touched a ball. Four years since I last even turned on the T.V and watched a soccer match. Four years since I remembered that feeling....

As soon as I passed by a bar in Spain and I saw the Spanish staring intently at the screen that was playing a Eurocup match, all those memories came back. And I love Spain for reminding me of my love for the game, or as they call it the love of futbol.  

I never really understood why in the US soccer was never popular. As my coaches used to say, "Soccer is the ultimate team sport." The Spanish understand that. They realize a goal isn't just scored by the forwards but that it requires effort from everyone on the team. Every touch, pass, and tackle matters. There are of course those star forwards. The flashy goals that excite everyone but there's so much more subtlety to the game. Yes, the goal's the ultimate reward but really, anyone can score a goal. It's not hard. It's much harder to get the right touch. That right pass. That right play. In the US, people don't get the subtlety. They don't have patience for soccer. They want action. They want to see shots made every couple of seconds like in Basketball. They like the instant reward and gratitude. Soccer's more of a story of patience and of working together. The Spanish get that. I feel like it's because of their lifestyle that they enjoy futbol so much. Or at least, that's what they observed. The Spanish it seems like the subtlety and enjoy little things. They like to enjoy a nice cup of coffee instead of always taking it to-go like most Americans; They love to spend time for naps in the middle of the day, siesta, while American would scoff and laugh at the idea of a nap time in the middle of their busy days; and they love to enjoy a nice meal with a glass of wine while many Americans just like to zip through their meals and most only drink to get effed up. This leisurely lifestyle must be one of the reasons why the Spanish realize the importance of soccer. They take time to observe all the subtle details of soccer: the blocks the goalie makes, the tackles the defenders make, the passes that the midfielders make, and the runs that the forwards predict and go on. Futbols a beautiful sport full of action, if watched right, and the Spanish take the time to do that. Americans are just always on the go and don't appreciate every little detail. And because the Spanish enjoy all the little intricate details, I feel as if they get more of a reward. After all, the reward of a goal in soccer is much greater than a reward of a shot made in a fast paced game of Basketball. Fans go crazy with every goal because it's a rare occasion. It may only happen maybe once in a whole entire game. And that reward is amazing.

It's funny how two cultures can be so different... And I'm glad that I came to Spain. It made me rediscover my love for soccer once again and I hope to never lose sight of that love, that high of soccer, ever again no matter how busy and fast-paced my life gets in the U.S.A. 

reflections, as of midreview

Observations on Spain thus far:

1. Everything is sort of “chill” here. Meaning, “Spain time” is like Berkeley time on crack. Things get postponed at the last minute. People flake out on you, often. Things don’t happen the way you think they will/ in the amount of time you think is normal for the US. Meals can take up to two hours. It’s very laid back, and if you are not like that, you’ll have to adjust or just be constantly freaking out.

You’ll get used to it (sort of).

2. There is less concern for refrigeration in Spain. Eggs are not refrigerated. Milk either, until you open it. Few places are air conditioned. Ice is more of an extra.

3. Everything has history here. You can sense the layers and the changes over time, or in some cases the timelessness of historical buildings juxtaposed with modern ones. Things like the Alhambra (in Granada), the mesquita (in Cordoba), the castle in Alicante....you just don't see things like this is the states.

Things I love about Spain (in no particular order):

1. the mercadillo.

Such an event, once a week. Like a farmer’s market on steroids, with pretty much anything you could ever want. My staples so far: fresh fruit (usually apricots or peaches), lettuce and other vegetables, dried fruit and nuts, and usually some candy. All within a short walk from the pension and in an environment I’ve never seen in the US.

 a video assignment we did, made up of photos taken every 5 minutes at the mercadillo

2. fiestas.

They really get into it here. Week long festivities for the summer solstice/ patron saints? Yes. Things are so organized, and everyone participates. It must be sort of amazing to grow up here…

fireworks and bonfires in Alicante

 

3. the beach.

It’s within walking distance of the pension. In about ten minutes you can be swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. They have umbrellas and chairs for everyone to use. And who doesn’t love the beach?

4. the way Alex runs a studio.

More laid back. More traveling. More experiencing amazing things that also produce amazing diagrams. Less of that terrible feeling that comes with studio –that you have been working for days straight and have nothing to show for it; that you haven’t slept in three days and are delirious and sleep deprived.

I love how he tells us that things don’t always have to have some deeper meaning, and that it’s ok to just do something because it felt right. To use your intuition. I always hated that feeling of not knowing what to do…here you can just  DO it, and it will turn into something. Even mistakes are beautiful.

diagrams on mylar

 

5. granizados.

Café and chocolate. Horchata (ask Alex for the best place to go). I have never in my life liked slushies or slurpies, but granizados are another story. It’s basically a drink the consistency of a slushie that comes in multiple flavors. Café (coffee) is delicious, especially if you want and iced coffee. You can order café con hielo (with ice) but it’s still hot coffee that you pour over ice. Granizados are already icy and cold and awesome. The café is sort of strong, and tastes a bit like its spiked with something (not your typical mocha or frappucino), but I think it’s just really strong coffee, and it really hits the spot.  Chocolate is a chocolate slushie, like the hot chocolate you get with churros, but icy and cold. What more do I need to say? Go to Valor. Get the granizado chocolate. Con churros if you like them. So good.

granizado chocolate (and churros) from Valor

 

Things I miss from home

(possibly in this order…it sort of changes depending on how hot it is, what we had to eat that day, and what I might be doing if I was at home instead of Spain on a particular day):

1. home.

In general. Family, friends, summertime staples like BBQs with corn-on-the-cob and hamburgers; campfires with smore’s; midnight showings of movies because there is nothing else to do in my hometown. Knowing the language...

2. ice.

 Ice water, iced coffee, air conditioning that makes a movie theater feel like an icy cold room where you need to bring a sweater. Ice water especially. I’m sure they would bring ice if I asked (“con heilo”, in case you were wondering how to do so), but it’s hard to remember to ask when at home it’s just automatic. Coldness in general is somewhat lacking here. I’ve sort of gotten used to it. But not really.

3. internet.

Internet exists in Spain, but not like it does back home. Truly free wifi is very very rare. The wifi at the pension is totally random. I honestly have no idea how it works. One day, I’ll be able to connect from my room; the next it says I’m connected but nothing loads; then sometimes it won’t connect at all. Sometimes my roommate gets it and I don’t, and other times I do and she doesn’t. Sometimes it changes over the course of one day. Sometimes the people with iphones can get wifi on their phone only, or maybe their computer only. Sometimes you have to be downstairs in the café. Sometimes you don’t. I’ve uploaded pictures to the internet and downloaded skype on this connection before, but I’ve also have time when I couldn’t load Google or open an email. You sort of get used to it, but it’s also somewhat maddening. It’s like an ongoing game of where-can-I-find-the-internet? Will the internet work today? I find myself giving the internet little pep talks, like “come on internet; you’ve done this before, you can do it; please work…” I’m definitely not cut off entirely, but it is an adjustment.

4. home cooking.

Vegetables and non-oily food. My mom’s salads. Summer BBQs. The pension is great, but you start to miss home cooked meals. And I’m not Asian, but based on what I’ve heard from those that are, Asian food is really missed (we’ve seen a few Chinese restaurants, but I’m not sure how good they are…)

For that matter, just familiar foods or brands of foods. If you plan on coming here, and there is anything that you eat every day, or really want to have, and you are even the slightest bit unsure of whether or not you’ll be able to find it, you may want to bring some staples with you in a checked bag. It would be worth it. If I could do it again, I’d pack more snack-y things for sure.

5. water.

Going to eat somewhere and ordering water and getting a nice big glass of ice water that keeps getting refilled throughout your meal. Ordering something else to drink, and still having water as well. Here, they have sparkling or still water, but if you just order “water” they will bring you a 3 euro bottle of bottled water. If you ask for tap water, they might bring it to you, but they will probably think you are strange. And the one time I successfully did this, it never got refilled. And if you do get tap water, there is usually never ice.

6. Trader Joes.

So many yummy snack foods. Everytime I go to the mercadona to buy snacks here, I never seem to find that one thing that I just really really want, that will hit the spot.

7. 24/7.

This term does not exist in Spain. Sure, you’ll see places that say “24 hours” but this does not mean the same thing here. Here, it just means that it’s open longer than other places, or maybe that it’s open during siesta, but not that it is actually open 24 hours a day. Who would have ever thought that I’d miss Walmart or Winco? 

-Naomi Vollmers