perdido en la traducción

Porque Diego me recomendó que yo escriba bilongueas por todas las entradas de blog y quiero practicar my español cada oportunidad que tengo, estoy escribiendo a vosotros otra vez en español. Entonces, desde martes o lo cual día escribí una entrada última, no mucho ha pasado, pero me dio cuenta de mucho, especialmente me fijé en las diferencias entre los EEUU y España, y cuanto me español había empeorado desde mi clase última de español en Cornell.

Primero, cuando llegué en Santander el domingo fui a un bar con José como ya dije antes para mirar el partido de futbol entre Santander y Barcelona (más como Santander y la mitad del equipo de España que ganó la Copa). Pero dejé el primer evento que fracasó mi español. Estaba mirando el partido y un chico estaba sentado delante de yo. El joven dio una vuelta para preguntar me “¿Ves?” ¡Que fácil! No. Pensé, ¿que son bes? ¿cómo b’s? ¿bays? ¿De qué está hablando este chico? Entonces, no dije nada y otra vez me preguntó, “¿Ves?” No quería parecer como un idiota (como soy, a veces) entonces contesté, “No.” Veía perfectamente, no estaba en mi visión del tele, pero dije “no” y el movió para podría ver mejor. Me dio de cuenta lo que estaba tratando de preguntar y dije “Oh! Si, puedo ver.” Pero los daños todavía estaban hechos. Todos en el bar sabían que no podría hablar en español, que yo era un extranjero.

Eso es solo uno de los fracasos de mi español y la palabra fue tan fácil, pero mi mente no pudo encontrar la igual en inglés, entonces inmediatamente dijo, “no.” No y sí son mis palabras reservadas, y las uso cuando no sé cómo responder.

El mismo día salí con mis compañeros de Cornell y fuimos a Peter Pan. Una regla del juego de beber era, si rollas 11, puedes escoger a alguien quien tiene que beber una chupita se llama “bomba” (de veras no sabíamos el nombre y Caitlyn, una mentirosa, lo dio un nombre de mierda). Por supuesto, Caitlyn rolló 11 y escogió a yo. Siendo mi primero día o porque estaba descansado de viajar, fui al bar para pedir un bomba, pero pedí en inglés “Can I have what he just had.” El barman me dio una mirada como si fuera estúpido. Complemente me olvidé que estaba en España y tenía que hablar en español.

Pero la confusión no viene solo de los fracasos de español. Los horarios aquí son tan diferentes que los en los EEUU. Las tiendas abren tardes, tienen siestas, y cierran muy temprano. También tienen tortillas diferentes, de huevos, no harina! Me asustó que no podría comer quesadillas como en los EEUU hasta Caitlyn me dijo que hay tortillas americanas también, solo tengo que buscar más. Es la misma situación con manteca de cacahuete. Pensaba que no existe aquí, pero Hillary la encontró en una tienda.

Finalmente, el internet es difícil para encontrar. Tengo suerte porque donde vivo ahora, tengo wifi, pero no es como Cornell donde hay wifi en cualquier lugar. No sé como los españoles pueden vivir sin acceso a internet todo el día, pero quizas eso es porqué tienen siestas, quién sabe.

English Version

Because Diego recommended that I write all of my blog entries in English and Spanish and I want to practice my Spanish each opportunity that I have, I am writing to you again in Spanish (and of course, English). So, since Tuesday, or whenever I wrote last, not much has happened to me in terms of events, but I have realized a lot, especially the differences between USA and Spain, and how much my Spanish has gotten worse since my last class at Cornell.

First, when I arrived in Santander on Sunday I went to a bar with José like I said before to watch the soccer game between Santander and Barcelona (more like Santander and half of the Spain team that won the World Cup). But I left out my first failure in Spanish. I was watching the game and a boy was sitting in front of me. He turned around and asked me “Ves?” (Can you see?) How easy, right! No. I thought, what are bes? Or B’s? Bays? What is he talking about? Then, I didn’t say anything and again he aked me, “Ves?” I didn’t want to look like a idiot (like I already do at times) so I answered “No.” I saw perfectly, he wasn’t in my way, but I said “no” and he moved so I could see. I realized what he was trying to ask and I said “Oh! Si puedo ver” (Yes I can see). But the damage was already done. Everyone in the bar knew I couldn’t speak Spanish, and that I was a guiri (foreigner)..

This isn’t the only time that I have failed speaking Spanish, and the word was so easy, but my mind couldn’t find the word in English, so I immediately said “no.” No and yes are my back up words, and I use them when I don’t know how to respond.

The same day I went out with my friends from Cornell and we went to Peter Pan. A rule of the drinking game we were playing was, if you roll 11 you choose somebody to take a shot called “bomba” (really we don’t know the name and Caitlyn, the liar that she is, gave it this bullshit name). Of course, Caitlyn rolled an 11 and chose me. Being my first day and because I was tired from travelling, I went to the bar to order a bomba, but I ordered in English, “Can I have what he just had.” The bartender gave me a face as if I were stupid. I completely forgot that I was in Spain and had to talk in Spanish.

But the confusion doesn’t only come from Spanish fails. The hours here are really different than in the USA. The shops open late, have siestas, and close early. Also, they have different tortillas, made from eggs, not flour! I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to eat quesadillas like in the USA until Caitlyn told me that there are American tortillas also, I just have to look more. It is the same situation with peanut butter. I thought it didn’t exist here, but Hillary found it in a shop.

Finally, the internet is hard to find. I am lucky because where I live right now has wifi, but it is not like Cornell where wifi is wherever you go. I don’t know how the Spanish can live without constant access to the internet all day, but maybe this is why they have siestas, who knows.

bienvenidos santander.

¡En celebración de llegar en España, voy a escribir mi primero blog española en español!

Entonces, hoy es martes. Llegué en Santander el domingo. El domingo encontré mi “host family” y salí con mis compañeros de Cornell. Mi “host family” consiste de una madre se llama Lourdes, una padre se llama José, y dos hermanos se llaman Diego y Oscar. ¡Sí! Vivo otra vez con un Diego. Porque estuve el primero día de la liga primera, fui con José a mirar el partido entre el equipo de Santander, Racing, y Barcelona. Por supuesto Barca ganó, 3-0, pero disfruté mirando mi primero partido de futbol en España.

Después, mis amigos de Cornell: Josh, Caitlyn, y Hillary, me recogieron de mi casa a las 11 por la tarde, porque esto es lo más temprano que alguien sale en España. Fuimos a una plaza y el bar más barato de Santander, Peter Pan. Jugamos un juego de beber con dados se llama Quinitos. Bebimos calimocho, una combinación de coca cola y vino rojo, y calimora, calimocho con la adición de licor también. Regresé a casa después.

El próximo día era Día de Santander. Entonces, camino por la ciudad para explorar y conocer la ciudad. Encontré una plaza con mini tiendas que vendieron varios productos y la oficina central del Banco Santander. Paré a una plaza y me relajé y miré a la gente. Después de almorcé, caminé a las playas. En Santander, hay como diez playas, y son hermosas. Algunos tienen vistas de montañas mientras otras tienen arena bastante suave. Me reuní con Caitlyn, Hillary y su compañera de piso Reina a la Segunda Playa del Sardinero. Había mucho viento y hacía un poco frío, pero no me molestaba mucho. Regresé con ellas a su piso después, está muy cerca a la universidad pero muy lejos de mi “host house”. A pesar de su apariencia afueras, es muy cómodo a dentro.

Hoy tuve mi primero día de clase de idiomas. Tomé una prueba para decidir en qué nivel de clase debo estudiar. Creo que pasó lo bien y espero que coloco en un nivel bastante bien.

Pues, echo de menos todos que todavía están en los EEUU, y trataré de decirles todo que pasa aquí en España si les interesa. ¡Entonces, hasta luego!

So, for all of you who either don’t speak Spanish and are too lazy to put this into an online translator, or you do speak Spanish but are too lazy to try to read this, I will translate it. Also, for all of you who speak Spanish well, don’t make fun of my Spanish too much, I am trying, and hopefully will be better by the end of the year, but I make no promises.

English version:

So, today is Tuesday. I arrived in Santander on Sunday. Sunday I met my host family and I went out with my friends from Cornell. My host family consists of my “mom” Lourdes, my “dad” José, and two brothers Diego and Oscar. Yes! I am living with a Diego another time! Because it was the first day of the Liga, I went with José to watch the match between Racing Santander and Barcelona. Of course, Barcelona won, 3-0, but I enjoyed watching my first soccer match in Spain.

After, my friends from Cornell: Josh, Caitlyn and Hillary, picked me up from my house at 11 at night, because this is the earliest that anybody goes out in Spain. We went to a Plaza and the cheapest bar in Santander, Peter Pan. We played a drinking game with dice called Quinitos. We drank calimocho, a comination of Coke and red wine, and calimora which is calimocho with liquor added to it too. I returned home afterwards.

The next day was Santander Day. So I walked through the city to explore and get to know the city better. I found a plaza with mini street stores that were selling various products and I also saw the headquarters of the Bank of Santander. I stopped in a plaza and relaxed and people watched. After I ate lunch I walked to the beaches. In Santander, there are about 10 beaches and they are beautiful. Some have views of the mountains while others have the softest sand. I met up with Caitlyn, Hillary and their roommate Reina at the Second Beach of Sardinero. It was really windy and a little cold, but it didn’t bother me much. I went back to their flat after, it’s really close to the university, but really far from my host house. Despite its appearance from the outside, it was a really nice apartment.

Today I had my first day of language class. I took a test to decide which level I should be studying. I believe that it went well and I hope that I place into a decent level.

Well, I miss you all back in the States, and I will try to tell you everything that happens in Spain if you are interested. Until later!

London Calling

My computer is a little bitch. Earlier today I was in London Stansted Airport, waiting for my flight to Santander. I am a nervous traveler when it comes to airports. I am not nervous about flying, that is no problem, but rather, I hate the thought of missing a flight. I was afraid of missing this one in particular because not only was I in an unfamiliar country without means of contacting anyone, but also because I knew Josh and Caitlyn missed this flight last month. So I arrived at Stansted three and a half hours early and got through security with still three hours to kill. I decided, what an excellent time to update my blog. Although I couldn’t access internet without paying £10, I could write about London in Word. What a great idea, right? Well, I thought so, until after about 45 minutes of writing (and not saving) my computer decided it was time to configure some updates. Fuck you Vista, update on your own time, not when I am pseudo-blogging. Needless to say, I lost all that I had written. It wasn’t literary gold, but I thought it was going well enough. Anyways, now that I have some time to kill in my host family’s house, I will try again.

SAVE

Pre Departure.

Before leaving for Europe, my parents came out to pick me and all of my crap up from Ithaca and bring me to NYC for my flight out of Kennedy. We spent two nights in New York. We didn’t do too much with such a short stay, but I did get to see Avenue Q (which showed me how racist my family is: Dad – “Turkey? Who would want to go there?”; Mom – “You have a lot of Orientals at Cornell”; Meghan – “Everyone should just learn to speak English”), and the Met. We didn’t make it to MoMA like my sister and I had hoped as it was closed on Tuesday (and all Tuesdays, who knew?) and there was a line outside down the block on Wednesday. All in all it was a good trip, but it served to remind me that I was ready to go to Europe. I love seeing my family, but those few days were enough (I will still miss you guys).

SAVE*

Day 0.

It took me over 2 hours in all to get from my hotel in Newark (what an awful city by the way) to JFK. Good thing I left almost seven hours early (see aforementioned neurotic tendencies about flights amplified by the fact that it was international). Jamie was already there when I got to the terminal about 4 hours before my flight, and Kim arrived within the next couple of hours. We just hung out until the flight and time went pretty fast as we were all pretty pumped about our London visit. Our plane took off on time and all went well. I watched Date Night on board the plane because I was too giddy to sleep and am kind of a bit in love with Tina Fey. There were so many other movies I wanted to watch too, but figured I should try to get some sleep. But seriously, I almost regret passing up Shutter Island and Kick Ass.

Anyways, part way through my movie, probably around 11:30 or 12 they served a pretty decent Indian dish for dinner. As a college student, I never pass up a free meal, no matter the time, but Virgin Atlantic was really trying to fuck up my schedule. London is 5 hours ahead, so I was eating dinner and 4:30 in the morning. How am I supposed to adjust to Europe when I am served dinner at midnight?

After the movie I put on some Mumford & Sons (Virgin has a great onboard music selection) and fell asleep (kind of). We got breakfast in the morning and landed. We made it through Customs well enough and even managed to make it on the Tube in one piece and without getting lost! I guess the New York Subway was good practice.

SAVE

Day 1.

Our hostel, Smart Russell Square Hostel, was decent as far as I could tell. The staff was nice, the facilities worked and were clean. My only complaint was the lack of outlets. There were 2 outlets for 21 people in each room. Yes, that’s right. ONLY TWO. How the fuck are 21 people going to coordinate sharing 2 outlets? I’m surprised no fires started with how many plugs were plugged into other plugs.

Anyways, we made our way to do the touristy things. It was raining fairly lightly, just like London should be I guess. We first took the Tube to Buckingham Palace. It was amazing how close to it I could get. I was expecting a set up like the White House where a gigantic yard separates you and the presidential home. But no! I could probably have egged the place, not that I would want to out of fear of the guards in the fuzzy hats. They may look cute, but I heard somewhere that they are lethal. I don’t want to take my chances.

So we walked around the circle near the palace and I spotted Big Ben in the distance. This is when I realized that everything in London is so close. I’m pretty sure I could walk around aimlessly and run into things I learned about in history or English class, or at least things that are older than the United States.

We made our way toward Big Ben, stopping on the way to take I’m a Tourist Taking Cliché Pictures in a London Telephone Booth photos. It was great fun to be sure. It started to rain sometime around then, but that’s to be expected while in London, right? So we saw Big Ben and

Parliament and walked across the River Thames (rhymes with hems, not James) and saw the London Eye. We noticed that we completely missed Westminster Abbey even though it’s right next to Big Ben, so we walked back to see that, but happened upon Trafalgar Square on the way.

We were pretty hungry, tired and wet by this point, so we decided to get out of the rain and get something to eat. We found a pub in what was most likely a business district. Everybody was wearing suits or work clothes. Kim and Jamie got some Fish and Chips while I got a burger and we each got some beer. Spitfire was a little dark for me, but it was so good just to be drinking legally I didn’t mind.

We decided to wait until dark before we headed out again so we could see Big Ben and Parliament at night. It paid off, although we were basically falling asleep in the pub from lack of sleep the night before. Everything looked so great lit up at night. Tired and ready to head back, we stopped by Piccadilly Circus, London’s Times Square. It was good to see, and I’m sure there was a lot to do, but after seeing it, we were ready to sleep.

SAVE

Day 2.

Waking up early after hardly sleeping and travelling was surprisingly easy, especially because what was in store for our second day in England: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. We needed to catch our bus at a Holiday Inn near Kings Cross, so we got up an hour before our tour so as not to miss it. We got to the hotel 45 minutes early and were sure we would have nothing to worry about. The concierge at the desk told us to sit down and the driver would come in to pick us up. Great! Not. The driver did not come get us. It was 15 minutes past our pick up time, and we did not want to miss this trip. Fuck you concierge. We had to catch a taxi and rush to Victoria Station to catch the final bus. Luckily we did, but it cost us 15 precious pounds.

Windsor was “lovely” (as our guide put it). But really, the town was quaint, albeit touristy, and the castle and abbey were beautiful. We saw where Henry VIII and so many other kings were buried. We met a royal guard and he even talked to us! He said something along the lines of “You should take your picture and move out of the way soon, I need to get going.” Kim was in love.

Stonehenge was really something. I imagined it being out in the country, which it was, but I also imagined like a mile hike to see it. This was not the case. It was really close to a major highway and the parking lot was only five minutes away. Despite all this, it was pretty incredible.

We stopped in Lacock (lay-cock, apparently not la cock) for lunch after Stonehenge. Several movies have been filmed here, including HARRY POTTER! We saw Professor Slughorn’s house, Jamie and I acted out being Harry’s parents in front of their place and we visited a restaurant which was attacked by dementors. It was a really small, almost medieval town.

Finally we made it to Bath, easily my favorite place in England. I wish I had more time there. The place was great. Everything was built with a “honey gold” stone that shone in the sun. There were tons of pedestrianized areas and great old buildings. The architecture was exactly how I pictured Europe. We toured a museum showing the old Roman baths situated on top of the natural hot springs and explored the area a little bit before heading back to London.

We got back to our hostel with a mission of going out. We headed to Camden Town, which was crawling with 20-somethings looking for a good time. We ate at a shady little place that served burgers right on the side of the sidewalk and found a Cuban Salsa Bar. The drinks were expensive (7 pounds) and Jamie attracted all the men with her salsa moves. It was a good time, but with the drinks costing more than we could afford we found a cheap bar, Belushi’s and spent the rest of our night there.

SAVE

Day 3.

On our last day we got up early to see the British Museum. We got to see the Rosetta Stone, Greek, Roman and Egyptian Relics, the Sutton Hoo Helmet and a statue from Easter Island. We then headed to Tower Bridge. It was fantastic. I wish every bridge looked like that. We then found the Globe Theater (it’s a recreation, not the real deal) and bought tickets to see Henry IV Part 2. That’s right! I got to see Shakespeare acted out in the Globe Theater! Bud and Bal would be so proud.

We then made it to the Tate Modern. I had high expectations. I was immediately disappointed. Seriously. It looked like a gigantic prison made of brick, but also reminded me of the tower in LOTR. It was an architectural piece of crap from the 70s. Gross. The art inside wasn’t much better. There were some Picasso and Mondrian pieces, but some of the modern art was just so… dumb. Maybe I just can’t appreciate some things, but let’s be honest, I could paint something white or hang up a mirror.

We then went to Saint Paul’s. It is gigantic, and

much more impressive that what I expected. It was beautiful, and the weather was actually nice, so we enjoyed just sitting down and people watching. We then went back across the Thames, found a nice Italian place to enjoy our last dinner and went to the show. I had no idea what Henry IV was about, and still don’t. I was tired and zoned out a lot. Parts were funny, and I’m glad I went, but that was enough for me. We headed back to our hostel and I saw Jamie and Kim off before going to bed.

All in all, London was a great start to Europe, and I can’t wait to see more!

*I learned my lesson about saving, and actually saved much more often than this.