Argentina's River Dancers: Malambeando

Last night I revisited Teatro Cervantes with my mother to see "Argentina's River Dancers: Malambeando." It was exhilarating. Argentinian dance is centered around three movements: tango, milango, and malambo. I have seen several flamenco, tango and drumming performances before and this blew them all out of the water. I want to say it was "Fuerzabruta"/ "De La Guarda", + irish riverdancing + tango + the movie "Step up." There was drumming, tap dancing, tango, and they used this jump rope type thing with an object attached to it and whipped it against the floor in unison (I really don't know how else to describe it.) They were so in sync and it happened so quickly that the ropes made a halo-type formation around the dancers. Overall the performance was diverse in content, extremely energetic and fun. They are coming to New York in 2010! Check out this website if you are interested in learning more about them.

shu's new shoes

My fellow Spain lovers can attest that it does not matter what kind of study/work abroad budget we are on, there is always some extra € to buy Spanish shoes.
Here are Shu's recent shoe purchases (all purchased for less than €40) :
Above: brown flat boots-essential in Europe. Very comfy and looks great in pics.
Above: (i don't even know the name for this type of shoe) Purchased at Blanco. Not comfortable, but very cute.
Above: Also purchased at Blanco. Also not comfortable, also very cute.

2016

What does this number mean to you? It might mean a lot and it might not mean anything at all. Maybe 2016 is your building number or your pin# at the bank...Maybe you'e turning 50 in the year 2016... Maybe that is the year your children will be done with college...Maybe you believe 2012 is the end of the world so 2016 will never happen.... Maybe you dont even want to think about where you will be in 2016....

It is impossible to walk down the street in Málaga and not see a reference to the year 2016. Málaga is the candidate for European Capital of Culture for the year 2016. When I first arrived in Málaga I was overwhelmed by the amount of construction and renovation going on in the city. I now realize that this is to ensure that Málaga is looking its finest by 2012 (when the allocated winner will be awarded). Throughout the city streets, and especially on calle larios, there are blue footprints with the printed image below. This image also appears in newspapers, theater playbooks and in restaurants. Although it seems far away, this date marks the turn of a Spanish city to be unveiled before the rest of Europe and the whole world as European Capital of Culture for the year. This is a really big deal and I hope that Málaga gains the support and backing it needs to make this possible. Buena suerte!

Ch Ch Ch Churro!

There are a few events that have occurred in my life that I can dramatically and confidently describe as "life-changing." I'm not talking about having divorced parents, going to college, or moving to a foreign country. I'm talking about those little things that you stumble upon, or that stumble upon you that completely rock your world. Por ejemplo, two years ago for my 21st birthday my mom bought me a facial at Lancome. I had had facials before and was pretty disappointed when I realized this was going to be part of my 21st celebration. In my memory facials were painful, long and left horrible marks on my face that I didn't think possible with all of the water that I drink to prevent them. The facial at Lancome however was "life-changing." It was relaxing, soothing and I felt completely rejuvenated afterward. It changed my life. My most recent "life-changing" experience was my visit to a churreria. I don't have a sweet-tooth, I am much more of a french fry and onion ring kind of girl, but these churros really rubbed me the right way. There were three fresh hot heavenly sticks placed before me. I carefully dipped them in chocolate and they found their home in my mouth. Above I am standing in the churreria. Life changing.

Trip to Ronda

Saturday my mom and I traveled to Ronda for the night. Ronda is a beautiful town less than two hours from Málaga and home to the oldest bullring in Spain.

Above we are standing in the bullring! There is only a bullfight here ONCE a year (in September). Get your tickets now, literally.


I'm on a horse! It was so funny, while we were inside the bullring and museum I kept telling my mom I was really dying to go horseback riding ( random I know). When we exited the ring there was a man charging 2euro to sit on his horse. Good enough.
Here we are standing in front of the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.

White Pants

Memorial Day Weekend is by far one of my favorite weekends of the year for many reasons.
a. I generally celebrate it with Alice and her family in Shelter Island
b. It marks the beginning of the summer
c. It marks the beginning of when I can wear white pants.

We are all familiar with the rule: don't wear white after labor day (or before memorial day). I am not sure where this rule came from but I can only assume that it is to ensure that people only wear summer fashions during the summer months (I can see how wearing white open-toed shoes in January might be unwise). My new favorite thing about Spain is the ability to wear white pants all year round. Due to the lack of these holidays along with the amazing weather this rule does not exist in Spain. Above I am sporting my white pants in the end of October (total fashion faux pas in the US).

Mu in Málaga

Yesterday my mom arrived in Málaga! Aunque ella está un poco enferma, she is pushing through and we are having a great time. Here is a video from the lookout point on the way to Castillo de Gibralfaro.