Rock in Rio Madrid

This past weekend was the Rock in Rio concert in Madrid. Rock in Rio is a series of festivals held in Brazil and later in Portugal and Spain. I haven't been to Brazil yet, but Portugal and Spain are my two favorite countries (excluding USA), and I love a good rock concert, so this is pretty much the best possible idea for a concert.

I have a few friends who went this past weekend and they said it was so much fun. Rihanna was apparently a total knock out, sporting a fiery red bowl cut and a cone bra. Other big stars who performed were: Bon Jovi, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Tiesto, John Mayer, David Guetta and Metallica. I think the next one will be held in 2012, anyone down to come with?

DJ Universe

There is a baby wailing so loudly on the bus I am starting to think it is:

a. more likely a retarded person mumbling
b. so loud it might as well be sitting on my lap

After a while I can't even pinpoint the direction the noise is coming from because it's everywhere. I turn around because I think maybe there is a chance it's behind me. Instead, I see a black-as-night Moroccan man digging for his boogers, finding them and then staring in awe. Literally. I take off my sunglasses and give him the grossest look I've got so he knows I'm blatantly staring at him in complete revulsion. He doesn't catch my eye, too busy examining his findings. I turn back around. Some new black-as-night men have entered the bus and are shouting in a foreign tongue. One is playing music from his mobile. My new pet peeve since living in Spain. People who think it is appropriate to blast music from their mobile phone in a confined space. All I can think is WHY didn't I buy new headphones yesterday instead of leaving it for this afternoon, because for the 4th time since I've been in Spain one of the headphone ears has stopped working making it physically impossible to block out this torturous track the Universal DJ has dealt me on todays life playlist.

I close my eyes and smile. It really is the bad tunes on your life soundtrack that make you appreciate the good ones. Can't wait to see what the Universe has in store for me next.

Teatro Cervantes in a different light

Last night "C" took me to Teatro Cervantes to watch her boyfriend play with one of his bands. Obviously I was excited to go see live music again and I dont think I will ever pass up the chance to see a performance at the Teatro Cervantes. They were playing there to benefit an organization that researches schizophrenia. It was really fun and very informal. After his band finished another band went on and the lead singer spoke to the audience in the balcony and encouraged them to come downstairs and fill up the empty seats. No one hesitated. In fact practically everyone except for "C" and I made a b-line for the stairs to get closer seats. I could not believe it. It was a very nice gesture on the artists part, but sadly for the eager audience members, they were turned away by the theater staff and had to come back up to their original spots. There was tons of dancing in the aisle ways and it felt more like a concert in a park than a fancy indoor theater. Very refreshing!

Live from Malaga

I didn't realize my great appreciation and love for live music until I went to school in Nashville for four years and then moved to a city where it does not exist. Well at least up until last night it didn't. Last night Emily and I met up with "C," a girl I have intercambios with. She took us to ZZ Pub where her boyfriend plays every Thursday night with his band "El Trío del Saco." They play rock and blues and it was exactly what I have been craving since I've been here. A few Lenny Kravitz and Rolling Stones songs later and I knew I needed to become a regular. The bar has a different band every night of the week, except Saturday and Sunday. It's unfortunate there is only one bar with live music in Málaga, but at least I found it!

"Single Ladies"

Emily discovered this youtube video and it is hilarious. They dubbed Beyonce's song "single ladies" with this Spanish song "Paco Paco" and somehow everything matches up perfectly!

One Week Left

With one week left before I leave for Spain I have been trying to distract myself from thinking about the drastic change in lifestyle I am about to have/my hiatus from home by embracing what everyone loves about New York: Broadway, fashion and restaurants. I recently took my mother to see the musical Rock Of Ages. It was so much fun. Not only is there a cocktail waitress that races up and down the aisle taking drink orders DURING the show, but there is also amazing rock music that reminded me of belting out 80's music at frats with my friends not so long ago. Although I think my mother was a bit outside of her comfort zone with the crude language and strip club scenes, it made for an entertaining and fun night out. So if you often find yourself saying, "I wanna rock" go see this!

I also treated myself and my boyfriend to Jersey Boys. I have always heard so many great things about this show and was even fortunate enough to watch the main character, who plays Frankie Valli, perform at a friend’s birthday party. The music was so fabulous I came home and went straight to my i-tunes to download “Beggin” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

This past weekend I went to a friend’s fashion show. His name is Alexander Berardi and I have known him since high school. It was my first fashion show and hopefully not the last. Alex is so ambitious and I am so proud of everything he has accomplished. I loved so many of the outfits, particulary this floral print sway dress. Check out his line here. I wish him the best of luck in the future!

I also went to a delicious tapas restaurant with my girlfriends. It's called Pipa. I didn't know this but apparently "Pipa" is Spanish slang for "having a good time." A pitcher of sangria, a few tapas and some live music later and I was definitely having a good time. The restaurant is adorable and has dozens of beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. We sat outside and enjoyed some of the last summer weather. It was a perfect warm up for my trip to Spain and made me long for tortilla de patatas, croquetas, dátiles con bacon, canurillos de jamón y queso, y champiñones al ajillo.

The rest of the week will be devoted to revamping my euro wardrobe (scarfs, boots, leather, layers) and brushing up on my español. I have also started to look at apartments online. ah!!