EuroCup semi-finals. Spain. vs. Russia

So, I now understand why Real Salt Lake needs a stadium in Utah. Soccer is awesome! I hope that it gets big in the U.S. like it is here in Europe. Every four years the EuroCup is held and this year Spain is doing very well. We went and watched the semi-finals game at Plaza de Colon in downtown Madrid last Thursday night. It was so fun! There were 30,000 people there! It was Spain vs. Russia. Spain won! 3-0. They are now on to the finals against Germany. It was so fun at the plaza. Though, it was a bit nasty with 30,000 sweaty bodies from the 90 degree heat all crammed together. They had a couple of huge, big-screen TV's for everyone to watch. It was insane! They sure love their futbol here. We had a
blast and decided that next time we come to Europe
we are going to go see a Eurocup game.















The picture at the very top does not even do the size of the crowd justice. This picture was taken at around midnight. That kid across the way was like four! They love futbol! Oh, and when it gets even slightly hot here this is what happens as seen in the picture above. Honestly, what is that outfit?

A little piece of Mexico while in Spain

I was watching the news and saw that there was a festival going on at Plaza Mayor in Madrid and decided we had to go after I saw them cooking Tacos Al Pastor. Those tacos are amazing and are my favorite food from the mission. They are yummy spicy pork with sweet chunks of pineapple and as much hot sauce as you can handle. Megann really liked them and we both decided that Mexican food is way better than any of the food here in Spain. We also ate flautas or what we know as taquitos in the Walmart. All the food was fantastic! At the Metro stop at the famous Puerta del Sol there was a Mariachi band playing 'Mexico Lindo.' The best part was the Megann and I both let out our Mexican yells after they were done, "Ay, ay....arriba, arriba," and people were laughing at us. Wait a minute, a Mexican festival can't possibly be complete without a shrine to the Virgin Guadalupe as well as an Evangelical church preaching to us about being saved while a guy wears a devil costume and pretends to bind another guy in bonds of sin.

SPAIN'S MATRIX

So, at one of the subway stops in downtown Madrid there is a huge wall with lights going down it, instantly I thought to myself this looks like the Matrix without all the 1's and 0's. The best part was as we were taking these pictures several tourists passed by laughing because they knew exactly what we were doing.











SPAIN'S TWIN LEANING TOWERS

Close by the Metro stop from above there are these really cool leaning office buildings referred to the "Puerta de Europa" or Europe's Door. They are both at a 15 degree angles and are 26 stories tall.

If I get lung cancer later in life blame the people in Madrid!

Ok, something else about Madrid. Way too many people smoke here. I mean hard-core. I hate being in restaurants for a while because people just don't care. Oh, and if you are at an enclosed bus stop people just smoke like crazy and they don't care if you can breathe or not.

So, today there was a guy that was so desperate for a smoke. We were waiting for a train to come and this guy jumps onto the tracks and picks up a cigarette because it had a little bit left on it. Come one! So, word to the wise. Don't smoke! It is so disgusting and it makes people crazy...including me!

Madrid

There are some really beautiful things to see in Madrid and then there are some things that just make you wonder. Let's start with one of the beautiful things. First, we have the Palacio Real or "Royal Palace." Second is a trend that needs to stay in Spain. In case you couldn't tell that is a boy on the right and he is wearing white Keds. Maybe he got them from an old box in my mom's closet. He has on skinny jeans, a tucked- in shirt, and tops it off with braided leather belt. Third is the besame mucho, "kiss me a lot," lady; she was singing at one of the stops on the metro karaoke style. Fourth, is Megann eating the wonderful chocolate and churros; they are amazing! Fifth is me in front of the Temple of Debod, it is an Egyptian temple sent to Spain as a gift. Sixth is Megann's ANTM pose! Amanda that one is for you! Oh, Amanda your photo shoot will have to wait a couple more weeks.

Valencia

After Paris we flew to Valencia, Spain. It is on the southern coast. First we must tell about our experience in the airport. The low-cost airlines in Europe have a strict weight requirement. Only 15kg for checked baggage and 10kg for carry-ons. If you go over they charge 15 euro/kilo. So, when we first weighed our luggage we were WAY over. I mean we would have had to pay 150 euros which is over $200 US dollars. So, we decided to cheat the system. We threw out some things we didn’t need and decided to wear our clothes to reduce the weight. Mitch had on 2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, and 2 jackets. He had to throw out a lot of stuff too. I had to wear 12 shirts, 2 pants, and two jackets. I was seriously so chunky! When I had to take off my jackets to go through security I am sure they were very confused by my clothing choices. Well, we got through with ease and the flight was actually really great. We only paid 50 euro total to fly a distance similar to flying from Salt Lake to San Diego. If you can meet the weight requirement it is a great way to fly!

So, Valencia is known for its beaches. Unfortunately, when we first arrived it was rainy so we couldn’t go. We really just did nothing for the first few days. Then, the sun came out yesterday and it was so fun! So warm and the water was great! Though, we accidentally went to a topless beach! Mitch was so flustered and I just laughed. Most women weren’t topless so we just had to go in an area that there weren’t topless women. Also, most of the women were old and had major saggy boobs! So funny! Though, a group of kids from a school came and all of the teenage boys were just checking out the topless girls! It is a pretty city but we recommend only come for 2-3 days and not 6 like us. We have been kind of bored. I pretty much fried at the beach unfortunately because pretty sure I have not been out in the sun in nearly 2 years. Now to Madrid!

1st is the rose bridge, 2nd and 3rd are fallas (pronounced fayas) is the falla museum. They are made of wire frames and covered with paper mache. They make a ton of them for a huge celebration in March and burn all of them except the one favorite at the end of the celebration. The last picture is a cologne ad that is very Zoolanderesque.

The top picture is kind of random but we just had to take it. Why are the display models aliens? I definitely gotta get those clothes.

Pari does not hold the key to my heart

Oh, Paris. We actually hate Paris. I know, I know. Everyone is probably thinking that we are crazy. We have been there 3 times (unfortunately) this being our third time and we are still unimpressed. Though we do have one disclaimer; everyone must go to Paris at least once. But, just go for one day. This is what we suggest. 1- See the Arc de Triomphe along Champs d’Elysse. 2- go to the Notre Dame but just go in on the main floor (don’t climb the stairs to the top because you will get the same view with the Eiffel Tower) 3- Go to the Louvre. It is a must to see the Mona Lisa. But, because the Louvre is so freaking huge just see that and the other Italian paintings on that floor. Trust me. We finally saw everything at the Louvre and it was our third time. 4- Go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower at night. It is sooo beautiful! The tower twinkles and the view of the city is great.

Back to why we hate Paris. Here are the reasons in order.

1- Parisians are AWFUL. Seriously, they are so rude and just mean. Do they not understand that if it weren’t for tourists in their country their country would be in even more of an economic crisis than they are now?

2- It is foul. Seriously, it wreaks of urine. I cannot tell you how many people I have seen just stop walking and start peeing. It is just a dirty city. Last year at one of the train stations a pipe was leaking urine. Sick!

3- I know this is rude to say but there are these really annoying beggars there. They all have a card written in English about how one of their sisters at home is very sick and they need money. The saying is exactly the same on all of their cards. They just go up to you and say you speak English. It just annoys me because it is so dishonest. There are so many of them!

4- Only get a 3-star hotel and up. Let’s just say that last year there were some miscellaneous hairs on our bed. Sick! I almost barfed!

5- Way too overpriced!

With all of that said one still must go. It is quite an experience the first time.

1st is the Notre Dame, 2nd and 3rd are the aftermath of an overfed pigeon (poor Megann!), 4th and 5th are the Louvre, and last is Moulin Rouge