...And it begins!

Okay...

After three blissful weeks in Spain, I returned to NYC realizing that the game was officially over! All my partying in Barcelona, every night till 7 in the morning, well, that wasn't gonna happen here, especially with school starting and all!

Everyone at school (today was our official first day-registration, meetings, all business stuff) kept asking me what my trip was like. I've begun to realize that there are truly no words to describe my experience there. Quite often I've found myself using the phrase: "Divinely Orchestrated" and I definitely believe that to be true. I felt as if every detail of my trip from the flight purchase to my super-safe landing back in NYC, GOD designed ...perfectly! I met some of the most amazing people while I was there. Especially in Madrid. And found that I was able to see a whole different side of humanity. I found a much more genoerous and open side to the human experience. People who were willing to give and share and really get to know you. I found Spain to be a country of people who really "listen". Coming from NYC, with its hustle nd bustle, I find that nobody here takes the time to really listen. Out of a desperate need for "efficiency", New Yorkers anticipate every word that falls from your lips never allowing you to take the time to fully articulate yourself. Its really frustrating and makes for tense and unfulfilling conversation. But in Madrid, I was floored by people's capacity to listen...to just be there and hear you. ALL of you! It was a beautiful thing!

In addition to the beauty of people's hearts, I found that the country itself was a sight to behold! On my way to Barcelona from Madrid, I took the train and was able to glide through the Spanish countryside. My goodness! So many rolling hills, pastures, fields, and wide open spaces. Of course in the states we have beautiful spaces, but when you're in Europe its a whole diffrent story! These are the kinda hills that when you were a kid and you watched the Sound Of Music, you thought to yourself, "I wanna be on that hill with Julie Andrews!...Just spinnin' around singin' for no reason!" When I finally arrived in Barcelona, I stayed at a hostel right on Anton Tapies, right in the middle of it all. I remember going to Las Ramblas and checkiong out La Pedrera. I also checked out La Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell. All beautiful! I tell you Antoni Gaudi was truly an architectural genius! He has this uncany ability to make the most Gothic of looks seem completely contemorary...as if they are actually from the future! Stunning, really! The best part of Barcelona was its nightlife. Living in NYC, I've done my fair share of clubbing and figured that I, by now, have developed enough stamina that I could party with the best of them. I was completely unaware that it was possible to come home, take a siesta, have a late dinner , then go out for dancing at midnight and stay out till 7 am! I soon realized that this was the norm ion Barcelona, I caught on so quickly that I began to follow suit. For 5 days staright I partied like it was 1999...er, scratch that...2009! (Partying so good-it had obviously been aged 10 years!).

Some of the men in Barcelona were definitely a sight to behold! Whoooo- tan and buff! I've never been so happy to be a single woman in my life! So many guys...so little time! But I was good, I only seriously flirted with like, a dozen or so...just for posterity's sake, of course!

Back in Madrid, on the Flamenco front, I was luckily able to take a week's worth of classes at Amor De Dios. It worked out well and I had a fabulous teacher. All the classes were taught only in Spanish. But it made total sense and funny enough, taking a dance class all in spanish will do absolute wonders for one's vocabulary skills! I was able to observe classes in footwork, el truco,(the fan), and la mantanilla (the shawl). One of the simplest , most vital elements of the dance form is the ability to identify very contrasting rhythms and to keep up with the rhythm with clapping (las palmas). Surprisingly difficult...but so much fun to learn. I really think this is a danceform that I want to continue studying and I know I'll find more ways to incorporate it in my art.

Now that I'm back, it's all about classes! I registered fo classes today and everything really starts next week...YIKES! But I feel like, with all the fantastic memories of this trip, I should be able to sustain myself at least until Christmas!

SPAIN...I'll be back soon...real soon!