To Spain

January 3rd

The early departure was indeed tiresome and sad as we flew from Madrid to Frankfurt, Germany, and then to Dallas and then OKC. The flight seemed to take forever as we were all anxious to get home and get a good night's sleep in our own beds before school the next day.

I spent the trip sleeping, listening to my iPod, watching movies, chatting, and thinking about how much I would miss Spain. I wanted to stay for another month, our trip was just not long enough.

Today, I think about some of the little things about traveling to a different country and all the experiences that go with it. I remember the Swiss chocolate (Milka) that I bought on the airplane. It is still the best chocolate ever (and luckily I found some at Disney World 5 months later).

I think about the street performers and the exotic things they did. I think about the late night hot chocolate and churro treats. I reminisce on such things as the chapel in Barcelona where Christopher Columbus first announced his discovery.

The amazing streets and alleys and shops and the black market selling knock off Luis Vutton purses and Polo cologne. I think about our great guide Antonio and all the sponsors that helped make the trip possible. A big thank you to them for making the trip one of the best vacations and experiences I have ever had.

I think about the food and how we did not like most of it. I remember Ben Britton eating corn nuts at 3am and that still makes me chuckle. Ben was eccentric, but cool. All the people that went were just really great people and I love them all.

Los Conquistadors was so amazing that I cannot even describe the joy and happiness I had when hanging out with these guys. To Mitch Cook for his tireless preparation and flawless execution. To all my fears of being robbed (I never felt remotely threatened or in danger). To VIPS for showing us a true Texas burger unlike any burger I have ever had. To the idea that they serve tap beer at Burger King. To Magnum for opening my eyes.

To the greatest New Year's Eve I have ever seen. To the long and boring plane flights, for without them we would have never made it. To all the museums and Dali and Picasso, now I appreciate you more fully. To the Spanish people for being so interesting and beautiful. To Barcelona for being so glorious and beautiful and to Madrid for enlightening my mind.

To Spain for changing my life.

Last Day in Espana

January 2nd

The last full day in Spain and we are all a little sad. This day was an interesting case and I think this might have been one of the coolest days.

This was to be a free day that we could spend doing as we wished (with a sponsor of course). Some of us followed our fearless leader on a day of adventure through some of the historic stops in Madrid.

We subwayed and walked for hours as we moved in between the hot spots. We went to see the soccer stadium of Real Madrid and that was very impressive. We then went to Retiro Park and looked at the gardens and statues on the river. The gate in the city was also interesting.

This group we had (very strange- Tara, Kevin, Pratt, Dani, Parker, some sponsors - just a weird combo, but we all had a great time) walked to the Hard Rock for shirts and we saw a great view of the Spanish flag.

We visited the statue of legend Don Quixote and ate at VIPS. All in all it was a great day walking around enjoying the history (I had to coaxed into not buying a sword at an awesome store). After dinner, Mitch took the Conquistadors out to a local pub that was airing one of the college bowl games and we enjoyed each other's company until well after midnight.

We stayed up all night because we had to leave the next morning at 3am. So, we fashioned our own hot tub (in the bath tub) and build a fort with sheets. After less than 40 minutes of sleep, we went to get on the bus to go to the airport in Madrid.

Start of Something Fresh... In Spain of Course

New Year's Day

We rose early for a trip to the Royal Palace of Madrid where the Spanish king and queen reside for important state functions. It was so magnificent and the interior was very lavish. I thought the outside was impressive, until I went in and saw the ancient carpets, chandeliers, paintings, and thrones. It was all well worth it.

Next, we broke into small group and Los Conquistadors went out to see Madrid (this is what we called our group as we determined that we were the conquerors of Spain). We subwayed over to the museum that houses the infamous Picasso work "Guernica." I am ashamed to admit that I did not actually go in and look at it (I was tired of art museums and I did not want to fork over the 6 euro admission fee). So, Kevin and I looked at it in the gift shop.

We grabbed our new favorite treat, Magnum, a chocolate-coated ice cream bar, and went to look at the Atocha Train Station, which is infamous. We watched street performers and even purchased tiles that were painted on the spot.

Los conquistadors spent the rest of the day taking in the sights and enjoying each other's company as we stopped at various interesting shops and stores along the way. We enjoyed dinner at our new favorite place, VIPS. Though where near authentic Spanish food, we loved ol' VIPS (my companions were fed up with the strange Spanish dishes, so we ate here and Burger King for the remainder of the trip). I was upset with this because I wanted to try new things and get the full Madrid experience. But I couldn't complain because the "Texas Burger" treated me well.

After dinner, we caught a movie across the street from our hotel. The movie was King Kong and it was a terrific experience inside the theater (the movie was in English with Spanish subtitles). Next, we hit nightlife and enjoyed a hot chocolate, churros, and Tapas at the local cafes.

We hit the bed hard and we began to get the feeling of homesickness and also the feeling that the next day was to be our last day in Spain.

Los Conquistadors

From left to right: Jonathan Pratt, Me, Kevin Pojezny, DH Dilbeck, Mitch Cook

Holiday in Spain

New Year's Eve

As I recollect on past New Years Celebrations, only one stands out in my mind. That one was the celebration that took place in Madrid.

We wake up the morning of the last day of 2005, and we cannot wait for the fabled celebration that night in downtown Madrid. We got in the bus and went out on a tour. This time we go down to the entrance to the city as they call it. Two towers line the road as we look out on the largest city in Spain.

We spend the day walking, tour busing, subwaying, and running through the streets of Madrid as we take in the grandest of sights. A simply marvelous action-packed day.

We get back around 8 for a dinner at the hotel (one of the better meals of the trip). We then rest before going back out for the New Years Celebration. We partake in most of the festivities, but it is mostly too crowded to even move.

The Spanish have a tradition for bringing in the New Year that involves the eating of 12 grapes in certain time increments as the clock counts down. The celebration was a mere 2 blocks from our hotel. The downtown square has huge screens set up for the countdown.

Right at midnight, flames fill the sky as the fireworks burst in every direction. Everyone is screaming and cheering and I could not be happier. As I look around at all of the smiles, I know that this year is going to be great and no way to kick it off better than a Holiday in Spain.

During the flight to Spain, our whole group chanted the words to the Counting Crows song "Holiday in Spain." We knew what we were doing and that night was so spectacular that the song still resonates in all our heads. There could be no more applicable song for us that new year and we knew it.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, while others went to pubs and bars to bring the new year in their tummies, we paraded back to the hotel singing the words to the lasting song. We had done exactly what the Counting Crows did, we caught a plane to Barcelona because our city was a drag.

That was the best New Years celebration ever, and I hope everyone gets to experience a great celebration at least once in their lifetime. I wish everyone a very happy New Year, and may all your goals and wishes come true.

Trainspotting

December 30th

Still on the Spain trip and still absolutely loving it.

Today, we arise early for travel from Barcelona to Madrid. If I recall correctly, it was about a six hour train ride. The train was nice though as it was spacious and comfortable with TV's and a restaurant. Not too bad, but we were all sad to leave Barcelona because it was so amazing.

The train station was wonderful and if I am not mistaken it can be seen in one of the backdrop shots in The Bourne Ultimatum. We left the station and took a bus to our hotel.

This hotel was quite different than the Barcelona hotel. This time we had a four person room that included the student members of our small group - DH, Kevin, JP, and I. Also, this hotel was situated right in the middle of downtown. We were less than 2 blocks from the cultural heart of Madrid and the town square. O, and right across the street was a movie theater.

The hotel was nice and we almost succumbed to the temptation of rest in the comfy beds after a long day's travel, but we knew that Madrid night-life would be calling our names. We had a nice dinner at the hotel and then hit the streets for a look at shops and malls in the area surrounding the town square. It was amazing! And there were so many people everywhere!

After an incredible look at night-time Madrid, we headed back to the hotel after stopping for a Tapas treat and some more great hot chocolate. The spacious room was more than adequate for four exhausted guys. We went to bed with great anticipation for the next day as we would be experiencing New Year's Eve at one of the best parties in Europe and even the whole world.