Blood Coming Out Of My Cat's Ear

Barcelona then, was the first stop of my trip. I had quite a few adventure stories about Barcelona and the Catalans and their very strong national pride is one that will culminate in outright hatred of such people from Madrid. Indeed, as the English capital throughout Catalonia not marked * g * - and all signs and names of stores are in Catalan (and only if you are lucky, also in English) written. This, however, as I later explained Jorge from Zaragoza to do less with exaggerated national pride of the Catalans themselves, but with arrangements of the Catalan government. namely, as shop owners If your business only in English (and not in Catalan) name (even if they themselves do not speak Catalan or so have nothing at the hat), there's' ne hefty fine. An incredible in my eyes arrangements in times of a united Europe. How absurd is it, you realize, even if in the shops just not Catalan, but "just normal" English is spoken.

We started Friday night and arrived early Saturday morning to 5 in Barcelona (Sants Station) at. Since it was far too early, of course, to start any businesses (you could still see occasional revelers from the night before, and not even the cafes at the station were open), we are in the waiting area again für'n hour upon's ear down to us by a security guard in a friendly but firm tone pointed out here not to sleep, as many "bad people" go his own, which would have except for our luggage. After a coffee to strengthen it went straight towards "Camp Nou" stadium - we wanted to, finally, tickets for the game of the year on the following Tuesday between the FC Barcelona secure and SV Werder Bremen - by all or nothing (in fact, for a place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League ) went. Although I'd already tried everything possible to get hold of tickets, but somehow, all efforts so far have failed. The Werder quota was used up at FC Barcelona as a non-member could only buy the tickets directly on the ground and a windy ebay seller was then not yet his word to get me tickets. 1 card I could get from a nice girl on Werder ticket exchange, but I wanted to stop sit together with Jakob. So we arrived early at 9 at the stadium - and when we do not send a neverending victory lap had turned around the entire stadium, we met at last on a Barca-member that was on the road for tickets too, and we tacked us on his heels and finally the ticket counter were inside the stadium grounds. And after another half hour wait we finally had our tickets in hand - 61 € per ticket (prices ranged from 50 € to 140 €, with the cheapest category was already sold out) not exactly cheap, but we were happy and facilitated. Then we went to check in to the hostel - the Centric Point Hostel , which can only be strongly recommended because of its great central location, a great big community space, and multilingual, friendly staff. Having our stuff in our 10-person apartment, which we shared with almost only girls (from Canada and the U.S.), had stopped, we continued with sightseeing. We were of course all the tourist must-sees such as the Placa de Catalunya , the Gothic quarter with with cathedral, the promenade of La Rambla with the Columbus statue and the harbor. Architecturally Madrid Barcelona is superior to some, and so everything seems a little international (Sometimes there is more English than English and German is one :-)) and friendly than in the English capital. Another issue that was Barcelona anyway because of the great weather (we had the 4 days each around 20 ° C and mostly blue skies and sunshine) liked him on sight. And a beach in the city has a special treat - then came right back on a bit of sadness that it did not work with my internship in Valencia. Evening were James and I parted ways. (Which incidentally should have been pretty cool) As he went with a buddy to a concert by The Roots , I decided to Pacha's - a Nobel nightclub, in which I thanks to our hostel for 5 instead of purely usually 20 € admission was (and in addition we were still free hinchauffiert bus :-)). Had my range is just before the departure of a group of Frenchmen who had come only for this weekend to celebrate after Barcelona, and had a long, long night of partying.

Sunday and I overslept Jakob course breakfast, and then when we finally by 2 (afternoon) were ready to do something, we decided a quiet afternoon in the park shows - which also includes the Barcelona Zoo - and the close to spend at local beach again perfect weather. Evening was watching a DVD then announced in the hostel.

Monday Finally, we took another must-see before in Barcelona - the Park Güell, which was created by Antoni Gaudi . This living in Barcelona and is acting artist - what a surprise - there is very revered and many of his own and built in typical style buildings are found precisely in that park because the park is on a hill on the outskirts of the city, also gives a beautiful and impressive views over Barcelona. On the way back to the hostel we were still the famous church of Sagrada Familia "- from the more than 1000 years in ever-changing styles (on) built is - and other buildings by Gaudí on. That day was also felt quite clearly the rising anticipation for the game of the year next week, we saw everywhere already green-white-clad Werder fans walking around ... In the evening we met up with Dinah, I on the Hospitality Club know had learned. Overnight accommodation was not possible, but at least one meeting was then still in it. We staggered to an African restaurant where you got for 5 € a really good food (rice with chicken, beef or fish) - a secret that I had received in turn from another Hospitality Club member. We had a total of 3 enjoyable hours together, ate and talked then we went a bit Barcelona at night, meaning we walked through some streets - before we again adopted.

And Tuesday was the big day finally arrived. We were still considered us to look at the Olympic site. Since there should be according to information from a hostel staff member to see not so much (which coincided with my experience from Sydney), we ultimately rejected the plan and went again into the familiar La Ciutadella Park, just to have a couple of times sun and recite to us spiritually and morally to prepare in an what should come to us because there tonight ;-). On the way, we bought ingredients to prepare a typical ham and cheese Bocadillo that we wanted tonight to take to the stadium (and did) and what is here at half-time is like butter on bread. Around 3 we went then to the direction of Placa Reial, where, according to information from Julia , the Werder-girl that I had bought almost a card, should meet all the Werder fans - and was so. The entire place (which is actually a large courtyard, surrounded by 4 large houses is so) dipped was in a green-white sea of Werder's supporters, who enjoyed strong (and beer drinking), but all very peaceful. When then went around 17.30 clock more and more fans towards the stadium, and we strolled - still time to the hostel, and then finally to the "Camp Nou". But more on that next post.

Sample To Breakfast Invitation Wording

Back in town

I'm back safe and sound from my 9-day trip through the north east of Spain to Madrid now ar *** cold returned. In just that week were two holidays here in Spain - Wednesday and Friday. There was the Thursday's from my company "paid" because I had worked at another bank holiday. And since I'm still short hand Monday and Tuesday took a sabbatical leave in order to provide a bit more time to travel have. Another reason these 2 days can take still free, was that to take place that Tuesday, the decisive game of Group A in the Champions League between FC Barcelona and Werder Bremen, and since I wanted as a die-hard football fan of course, present be.
My little tour guided me for 4 days after Barcelona , then for almost 2 days after Zaragoza and finally we went for 3 days after Bilbao (of which I then finally was 1 day in San Sebastian : - )). My preferred mode of transport was the bus again - even if it's holding a bit longer, so the prices are still unbeatable, and if you go overnight, they may, also save the odd night * g *. After Barcelona, I was with 'a buddy from Gran Vía - Jakob from Austria - the road), to Zaragoza and Bilbao's went without a companion. But I was still not here because I tried to learn for the first time "Couch Surfing" from an ingenious project to know new people while saving money on accommodation. The detailed trip reports can be found in subsequent posts. Overall, the
was last week again very varied and exciting. The holiday has done me really well - now you go with fresh vigor in the last 2 weeks of work before I will take a week, "home leave" in Cottbus. New Year's Eve but I will be back here in Madrid - am looking forward to's "swallow grapes" on Sol. And then it's off most likely 'a party of my colleagues - there it was allegedly in the last few years ago always high. We will see ...

Fasting And Stomach Acid

latest work

So - have long been reported nothing more of my work. So much to tell because there's not even - I'm sitting there with all the other containing People from the "technical staff" (that's hits the best because we cover quite a few different areas of activity - we are all practical analyst, designer and programmer in one person) and look for the places in the code where I want to make my changes, test the and then create an update. With all the other people I understand Supergut me by the way (I was now invited to the New Year's Eve party of my colleagues, is fat-determined) - there is almost always a good atmosphere and it is much laughter, and despite (or perhaps precisely because * g * ?) but mostly we speak different languages - English to English and I. But both sides to improve step by step their shortcomings ... :-) (Always works better understand, just missing unfortunately I always noch'n bunch of grammar and vocabulary basis ...).
But now to the curious (or at least newsworthy) things that have happened in recent weeks. Until yesterday they were really well all the things about which one could smile more or less, but yesterday there was time for a change a bitter mood damper: Our secretary (24) was fired. It is thus already the third person in less than three months, which was during my time here and was gone ;-). One of the reasons I let my views at this point, not because I find it's honestly not correct and can not understand how something in a democratic country with (one hopes it) Freedom of expression can be extracted. But OK, here is how it was, now we are therefore left without first secretary, but the potential successors already imagine :-). "Funny" is that so that our group photo that we were made 1 week in advance (and to which we all cleaned out nicely) and had appeared in the extra suit, again, "obsolete" is. (Oh yes, if someone is looking for me: I get up, front view, right rear, and our ex-secretary is the young lady in front of the center of the image). But the more amusing things: Firstly, there would be

the thing with the hole in the ceiling. Yes, heard it right: One fine day - I believe it was on a Monday, and outside it was raining properly - had a small wet spot in a mosaic of (square, 40 x 40 cm) in the ceiling " our "Hall formed. Well, after he was seen by all the curious, we went back to work first. It was just interesting that this spot was always larger at first, and suddenly something bulged down the wallpaper, so that over time it looked as if there wanted to slip something ;-). At some point, then ripped the wallpaper in one place, and it started slowly runterzurieseln a few small pieces and look disgusting. But The coronation was still, after we had returned from lunch (and had forgotten the place a short time), there was suddenly a hissing sound and came down with a loud * Rummy * the complete part and slammed to the ground. A girl that was sitting right there has got almost get a heart attack :-). Then the first floor above it was seen through the hole. Meanwhile (since then passed again determined 3 weeks) has not done much, the missing piece of the ceiling is covered only with a plastic film (if more water comes down, the problem lies in the floor under).

And now what disgusting * g *. 2 weeks ago I was a little cold (even the effects of one night when I was walking in the pouring rain through Madrid). In any case, this also my sense of smell and taste was impaired Ordet - I took almost nothing was. So much for the preliminaries. Actually, it is namely the lunch that we (the technical staff) almost always take in one of our offices (before I started, people were actually getting somewhere at noon meal in any restaurant (the long lunch break of 1 1 / 2 hours enough for it anyway too loose off) - but as I said since the 'ne area is very expensive here, I could not and would not afford - and so I started the first sandwich, stuff for later Warm-up for the microwave (which is with us in the kitchen) to bring. Meanwhile eat almost all others, also with us in the office :-)). On that day I had my 'ne tortilla de patatas - Aw, kind of potato gratin (not to be confused with these hard tortilla chips), so with the typical food in Spain - the day before at the supermarket bought and brought a lunch stop. Since I posted something and therefore not as hungry, I put only half of the tortilla in the microwave, I grabbed the other half back in the fridge. When I took the finished tortilla in the microwave, I had (despite stunned nose) just feel that there is something strange smells, but in the end I thought nothing of it and let me taste it. Our "dining room" I looked at two of my colleagues and asked if I would smell this funny smell - he probably came from the air conditioner. I - I grade the last bite of pure sliding - came back into the socket and said that I had previously smelled in the kitchen also has something funny and hope that it was not my tortilla (which I imagine but could not because I like bought only the day before had said and she should be preserved until mid-December). So I went with one of my colleagues to check into the kitchen to the other half of the tortilla - but even as we entered the room, beat we meet a beastly stench, and this time I could also smell it (despite the cold) clearly. Without question, which had by heating (the obviously bad tortilla) have come with the microwave. For safety, I let my colleagues still smell on the other half of the tortilla, and he turned from in disgust. Everyone can imagine how I felt now. Not really bad of the tortilla, but just that feeling, "Oh sh ***, I've eaten something tainted". The coronation is yet to come. We then first all the windows flung open, trying to find out this disgusting stench from the offices - and the next half hour, then of course jokes made at my expense, so because of why I had not noticed and that I should ever make my will ;-). . Haha :-( In any event, I immediately grabbed me in affect even the second half of the tortilla and thrown into the (women's) and flushed down the toilet, there was occupied level in men the next day I came to work -. Without any complaints. . had been lucky so again What was less well, however, was that the Damenklo was blocked -. the water was running while rinsing easily from no more Oh man, shot me right in my head that determines the tortilla was then introduced me to our first secretary. to account, why I the tortilla into Damenklo (and not the men's room) was inserted. I knew with my smattering of English, of course, not as I should explain it (our secretary spoke only English that is, not even a hint of English). In the background I saw only the other party, and actually it was indeed hilarious. The problem was that the toilet had to be cleared by a plumber again and that the fun will cost 150 €. But the other calmed me and told me I should not have to worry (and not that which must be paid by me), which eventually was an accident (I still do not understand how half a tortilla - which is now not really sooo great could clog the toilet, but there have sometimes a lot more things by ;-)) and I also was not the first to whom it was happening (anyone had ever managed to the men's vollzukot *** and then also had the plumber ran :-)). Well, tortilla in the near future I will probably not bring more to work with ;-).

Slipped Disc And Constipation

Real Madrid vs. Olympique Lyon

This top match of the UEFA Champions League I could be a real football fan of course not to be missed. Or so thought probably the other people (most from the Gran Vía WG, along with two Frenchmen and Constantine) and so we made the pilgrimage to twelfth (!) - including 7 French - this Tuesday evening together to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium . The tickets were not even been times as much - we had taken the cheapest category with 20 € per card. Although quite high, but you could see well. was for power also provided (without the big pressure, because both teams had already qualified for the knockout stage) because Real with a win (and only then) would have had more chances to win the group, and this should of course attack be taken. The Bernabeu was alone in this Evening was quite an experience, but it almost sold out and there prevails a nice atmosphere (what a "normal" group-phase match in Madrid is by no means obvious). But then we saw another great game with lots of goals, which made the evening perfect. First there was the cold shower for real, as Lyon shortly after kick-off by Carew took the lead. After half an hour actually increased Lyon 2-0 against a never sure acting Madrid defense - especially Cannavaro was completely beside him that night. But Diarra shortened just before the Pasu for the good fighting Royal to 1:2, just to give the real reason fans again for hope. After a short drive phase by Real at the beginning of the 2nd Half time then the game unfortunately somewhat flattened, Lyon missed the chance to preliminary decision. Real finally put in the last quarter again everything on one card, and it was actually Ruud van Nistelrooy 7 minutes before the end not to unearned compensation. The stadium was boiling now, of course, the people and real whipped forward again. And Alfred Hitchcock it would produce no better: In the 90th Minutes but actually took that very van Nistelrooy a legitimate question out without penalty. Madrid had the thing purely done before, the fans probably had the joy Station demolished ;-). Have they not - van Nistelrooy failed more or less miserably at Lyon keeper. And so playful real chance to win the group, while Lyon just made this perfect. However, for the neutral observer it was just a great game.