Ronda

I want to say something about Ronda being a woman's name, but I'll spare the world one less dad joke.


Cheap but awesome hotel!


























All and all, it was probably the most beautiful place I've been on this earth (so far).
It's about 2.5 hours away by bus. Almost got left at the bus station in some random town which was a rush, so anyways.

Ronda has the best bull fighting arena in Spain. I was a little too lazy to get up and go, but nevertheless, it exists. The town is separated by a huge cliff, but they built a massive beautiful bridge several hundred years ago connecting the two.

I am frankly sick of looking at these pictures. I just saw so much awesomeness and the pictures don't do it any justice.

Go there. I feel like I remember there being a school that App has an exchange program with in Ronda. I don't think I could do 4 months there though.

Glorious

For 2.5 Euro you can get a cup of awesomeness - cafe con leche and a delicious treat.

It's torture - straight torture son.

The City

So here's some nuggets from the city.


Dude draws a crowd. I don't know how his back can handle it.


Our friend here is taking a break - beer and a cigarette for my elvish comrade. Hustlin'


More of the Catedral


Building in el centro


Park near the plaza de España

I am attempting to capture the great hair cuts of Europe on camera.
No luck yet. I will continue the fight.

Fútbol

So I went to a fútbol game btwn Sevilla and Villarreal.
Copa del Rey - Quarter finals I think.
It was awesome. Sevilla won 3-0.

This is what it looks like if you don't have a zoom lens - junk.
Guys in front of me stood up ever time I was taking a picture but it's all good.

hopefully I'll get to see Messi play before I leave.

Plaza de España

Hey hey I have a blog - you're looking at it. I hope you like it.

Got some fresh fowtoes for ya.
They are of the Plaza de España.
Super cool place.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I watched 30 minutes of the latest Twilight movie in Spanish (please forgive). Although it is going against my strict anti-mainstream policy, the language barrier protected me from the negative effects. I just saw Hollister models walking around in their undies and that girl from that movie the Messengers. Everything I imagined. Anyways...

This place is like a 15 minute walk from my house.

I didn't adjust this at all - kind of cool how it turned out.

This one isn't of the Plaza - it's on the way though. Art Museum?

Thanks friends. I'll let you know if I get a chance to watch another American gem in Spanish - my hopes are in the Hannah Montana movie (fingers crossed).

D

7 Day Update

Bros. I'm alive and in good health. I'm well-fed. Not much more you could ask for; I mean it is a recession.

<----Today was a good day. Cafe con leche, cigar and an intense book on a Spanish patio.

I know what you're thinking, "wow Dave, super chill pad."

Yes it is and thanks.

haha yeah.






Anyways...

I'm not real big on the whole putting myself out there - especially on the internet (fear of stalkers, rabies, etc.).

I'm just gonna keep on keeping on.


More cool photos to follow soon (not kidding).

Mas Fotos

So lets blog...

So here is where I attend school - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. It's kind of an ugly place to be, but hey, have I ever gone to school because I liked the campus? I guess if you don't count App.

The rest of these photos are of the center of the city

This here is the Cathedral of Seville.
It's the second largest cathedral in western Europe - thanks Google.

I haven't used my camera in years.
This city is just so amazing that you have to try to take a bad picture.

Had to put this one in here.
Apparently this patio inspired the opera "Barber of Seville". @mom


So that's it. Seville is pretty amazing, safe, and easy to navigate (except if you try and not pay for the metro and get on the wrong train).

So until next time - big ups to my homies.

I'm in Sevilla

So here I am. I've made it. After almost 24 hours of travel, I'm here in Sevilla. Things are already challenging, but I have a pretty awesome place to stay. I have my own room with bathroom and there is a balcony right beside my room. It's gonna be awesome. Also, the food is great.

Here's a picture off the balcony.


Later blogosphere.

No Smoking Spain

Bad news for me.

From Cigar Aficionado's website -

Spain Bans Smoking Across Country

Gregory Mottola
Posted: January 4, 2011

The largest consumer of Cuban cigars in the world has banned smoking in its bars, restaurants, cafés and most public enclosed spaces. Effective Sunday, Spain's government has tightened its smoking restrictions, imposing fines of 30 euros ($40) for first-time offenders and as much as 100,000 euros ($133,000) after three violations. Restaurant and bar owners will pay between 60 and 100,000 euros for each violation.

According to Reuters, the Spanish government claims that smoking kills 55,000 of its citizens each year, though business owners feel that the smoking ban will kill a large percentage of their profits, as the country has a deep-rooted culture of smoking in cafés, tapas bars and restaurants.

When anti-smoking laws were first imposed four years ago, most privately owned establishments were able to choose whether or not to accommodate smokers. Now the choice has been made for them.