Episode 6, 5/16/2009 – “Vamos a ponernos crunk.”

Today was possibly the most epic day ever. One of those days when you lay in bed at 4:00am and restlessly stir because you’ve experienced an eternity in a single day. At 9:30 we left for Itálica, which is an ancient Roman city that was the inspiration for Gladiator. We got a guided tour of the site and its spectacular amphitheater by one of our professors. It was impressive, though disappointing that not more of the ruins exist (being that the town of Itálica is built on top of the ruins). I took LOTS of pictures and absorbed as much of the spirit and feel of the place in my mind as I possibly could. Itálica was my first experience with anything “ancient” being within my touch, so it was a little overwhelming to tread where years-dead Romans once tread.

Afterwards, we went to the beach. Literally. To a place called “Matalascanas”. It was about an hour’s drive, so I took brief naps, which turned out to be an excellent idea. The beach itself was fantastic (also lots of pictures were taken). Our group generally stuck together and we swapped witty conversation (my favorites being reminiscences about classic Disney films and discussions about Julia’s intense whiteness).

I feel obliged to inform you of particular European custom that was quite…interesting. Yep, there were boobies. Lots of topless sunbathing going on here in plain sight. Skinny people, fat people, even 50+ year old mothers. It was a bit shocking and not as much sexy as it was incredibly awkward. Yep…That story really had no point, but I felt like I should share.

Post said nudity, Christine, Andrea, Greg and myself decided to splinter off for a walk where we collected shells and “frolicked” in the FRIGGIN COLD water. Good quote: “esta agua es FRIGGIN COLD”. The water WAS freezing, but we got in anyway and (ala “Finding Nemo”) touched the “Piedra Grande” near the water. Afterwards, we spent some euros on ice cream and took photos. Excellent memories.

We rode back and prepared for a night out on the town. And now, as Monty Python says, for something completely different. Well, I was walking down the street near where I live and on the street corner there was this girl standing in the alcove of a storefront closed for the night. Note that this is a very busy street in a rather crowded area, even at night. The area closes down around 20:00 and she was huddled in the nook, bracing herself against the metal bars that they put down when the stores closes. She was around 16, I’d say, and dressed to…well…she was WAYYY too young to be dressing like that in the first place. I was walking by and we made eye contact. All of a sudden, she steps closer to me and woops there goes her blouse, exposing one of her boobs. She didn’t say anything (I guess I was expecting her to) and I was too shocked to even turn my head back. Even now I can’t decide whether or not she was a ho (as traveling ho’s are apparently quite rampant in Europe), a Janet Jackson impersonation gone wrong (aka Wardrobe Malfunction part 2), or simply a very confused girl attracted to this dashing foreign man walking by (…lol one might say I have a gift?). In any case, it was a truly bizarre experience. I joined up with the group and put Ms. Looseboobs behind me.

As always characteristic with our group, we have grand plans of “doing stuff” that through divine providence always ends up that we sit “doing nothing” and having a damn good time doing it. We had grandiose plans of finally going to Buddha (the 3-story discoteque extravaganza across the river). Our group got a little fragmented and we lost a few people to splintergroups but we rallied the troops and pressed onwards over the river. Our night comprised the following homies: Stephanie, Justin, Holli, Bobby, Greg, Katie, Nick, Sarah G., Rachael, etc. and myself. Enticed by the thought of 4 euro mohitos, we trekked across the river to the always-poppin’ Calle Betis, which is the absolute epicenter of the Sevillan nightlife. The 4 euro mohitos were a bit too crowded, so we plopped down on a sidewalk near the river and a waiter came up to us and took our order for drinks. It was a memorable night, spurred by that fascinating Spanish concoction sangría. SHOUT OUT: Christina, you were totally right, that stuff IS funny juice! Stephanie, Katie and I ordered tapas for the group to share and we ended up staying there for the entire night, “poniendo crunk” (as the Spanish call it) taking pictures, swapping stories, and having an excellent time. We decided that we were too tired to go to Buddha, so we saved that for another day. Nosotros ya pusimos bastante crunk para esta noche.

I walked back with the gang and got to bed at around 4:00 (am, mind ye). Epic day.