17 July, Monday
Spent all yesterday on a train from Nice. Carlos was still in Valencia when we arrived in Cartegena, so we slept in the train station. Even though they locked the station, they let us stay inside and sleep. Moved outside this morning. Carlos will be here around 3pm. Nothing like 18 hours at the train station.
This morning we exchanged money. Rate: 118 pts /$1, but after commission it was 108 pts /$1. I used my ATM card. Withdrew 20,000 pts = $169.49 (if no extra commission charge). I guess it could be better if the dollar increases in value before the transaction goes through.
21 July, Friday
Getting a beautiful condo for all 7 of us, with a great view of the sea on both sides, a patio over twice the size of our condo in Florida, a bed for everyone, complete kitchen, a radio, on the beach, in downtown La Manga, for less than $15 per night. It's a dream come true!
We are on the 12th floor and have a wonderful view of the Mediterranean. We are right across the street from the beach, which takes about 30 seconds to walk to.
We've been staying out really late every night. We got home around 7am this morning from the discotechque (Brad, J & I). There was hardly anyone there, but J & I talked while Brad talked with Lourdes - a girl he's been interested in the past few days.
I met a girl for a couple days, but we sort of lost interest in each other. She didn't speak much English and I didn't speak much Spanish (although I've been complimented a few times for speaking at all) and after 2 nights I basically ran out of things to say. Anyway, it was for the better.
Carlos' friends are really friendly. Jose Ramon (Carlos' best friend) is a really nice guy - and funny! Most of them stay at Carlos' girlfriend's condo, and we usually go out with them.
Carlos, Sarah, Jose Ramon, Marie Carmen, Natallia, Raul, Maria, Lourdes, "The Psychologist"
We usually go to Sarah's condo around 12am to meet Carlos & friends, then we go to El Circo - a big group of bars/discos packed together.
My typical agenda in Spain:
12pm
Wake up, get food
Eat breakfast
1pm - 9pm
Go to the beach
Go to the grocery store, etc.
Sleep
Make dinner
Hang out
Go to the beach again...
10pm - 12am
Drink
Play Uker
Eat dinner
Buy alcohol at little store next to pool
Walk to Sarah's condo (half hour)
12am - 1am
Drink with Carlos & friends
1am - 4am
Go to El Circo
Drink & dance
4am - 6:30am
Discotechque - Dance
Have 1 beer
6:30am - 7am
Walk home, hitch a ride, etc.
7am
Make breakfast
Go to bed
The only complaints I would have are slow elevators and no hot water. The condo is VERY nice and pretty big - slightly smaller than our condo in Florida. There is no way seven guys could get a hold of something like this in The States, or even here for that matter. We really lucked out.
We may do something different tonight since El Circo is going to be too crowded.
Things to do this afternoon:
Write a letter
Write postcards
Call Mom & Dad (if Brian wakes up on time)
Go back to the beach
Go to store for food and wine
Whatever the date is
I'm pretty "messed" up right about now. It's 7:59am and I'm still up. I made myself a 3-egg omelet for breakfast and a bowl of cereal. Met a couple of dorks who I think I could have taken on myself (started talking "crap" to Brad and me). One was from Miami but spoke English like a foreigner. Actually, they ended up being pretty ok, even though they were complete maricones.
Had a great conversation with Carlos about girls and coming to Los Estados Unidos. I will go with Rob tomorrow to Sarah's and see those guys for once during the day. Right now I'm eating Kellog's Frosties (Frosted Flakes in the US). I'm sitting on the patio and it's beautiful. I'm watching the sunrise over the Mediterranean.
I am in jeans and a T shirt right now. It's beginning to get quite warm. It's only quarter after 8, but it's kind of hot. I really should get to bed so I can get up at a decent time (even though a decent time to get up would be right about now). Maybe I should be the first one on the beach, and go lay out.
Maybe I should just get some sleep.
25 July, Tuesday
On a train to Valencia (4:15 - 9:15) to visit Carlos' family. Last night we had a big dinner/get together on the beach. Cost us 1000 pts apiece, but it was a lot of fun and the food was great. We spent much of the evening at the beach on the (calm side). Had a good time (besides Natillia who was incredibly obnoxious).
Rob was completely wasted by the end of the night. And even worse, I wasn't. Had to walk him home and listen to him talk non-stop the whole way. That was after he beat Jose Ramon in wrestling in the middle of the parking lot and wouldn't let him up. Carlos and I just watched. It was pretty entertaining.
Some Rob Quotes"
"I'm gone..." (over and over)
"We're walkin' fuckin' circle eights."
"Whoa, I'm kind of stylin' when I hop the curbs"
"I have enough spaghetti for at least 2 people."
"When I finish my spaghetti, the sun's gonna be like fuckin' 9 in the morning."
"I like this little guy." (talking about his palm leaf)
