Seryn

Seryn debuted a little over a year ago, and I haven't been able to get enough of them. I'm discovering more and more how much I like bands with folk roots, addictive harmonies and catchy riffs. It's been great music to travel with and look out into the Spanish countryside or walk around a bustling city and people watch.

Play the album below to see why I'm so crazy about this band from Denton, Texas.

Weekend in Lisbon

This weekend in Portugal was an absolute blast. We left via bus Thursday, and got back early last night. Some highlights/thoughts about the trip:

• Fado - Fado is the national music of Portugal. If you had to compare it to something, it's somewhat like flamenco, although there is no dancing involved, only music. I was fortunate enough to see fado twice in my time in Lisbon. The first time seeing it was a very spur-of-the-moment thing, where a couple of my friends and I went into a small, dark restaurant with about 20 other locals and witnessed some fado music worthy of numerous smiles and goosebumps. Fado is obviously very popular, so everyone else at the restaurant was singing along and clapping (and I may have been goofy and pretended to know the songs a few times, too). The "band" consisted of one rhythm guitarist, one Portuguese guitarist, and one singer. The singers varied from a man and woman who seemed to be professionals and also the owner and an old man who came to the bar late but was seemingly a local legend. See the photos and videos below. According to the guitarist on the left, E=mc²..

• The tour - Friday, we went on a bus tour all around Lisbon and the surrounding area. We were guided by a Portuguese woman who spoke 6 languages and had a strong resemblance to Edna Mode from The Incredibles. There's some pretty funny stories with her, but it'd have to be explained in person or over the phone. We saw many of the sights of Portugal, including their famous Torre de Belen and Santa Maria de Belem parish, shown below. After touring Lisbon, we headed to the outskirts to a couple of other towns called Cascais and Sintra. In Cascais, we had a great view of the ocean and the beach, ate lunch, and had the best gelato I've ever tasted (I'm not going to tell you how many cones I had, but let's just say it rhymes with "schmoo"). Sintra looked like a town straight out of a fairy tale, and I tried the famous ginjinha - a cherry liquor served in an edible chocolate cup.

Torre de Belem.

Santa Maria de Belem parish.

Cascais.

Sintra.

Ginjinha.

• Portuguese is not Spanish - Going to Portugal, I figured that I would at least be able to semi-recognize and understand the Portuguese people and language, but realized later that I couldn't be more wrong. Luckily, Lisbon is a large enough city (around 2.5 million people) that I was able to speak English and get around that way pretty easily.
• Chaco weather - This weekend was the first time in months that I pulled out my trusty Chaco shoes. Although it was still only around 70 degrees and I felt a little chilly at times, I loved being able to wear them again. Not only did wearing my Chaco's make the cobblestone streets seem non-existent, they made me think of working at Kanakuk and how excited I am to be back there again for my third summer.
• Rock Chalk Jayhawk - I watched the KU - Mizzou game in a Lisbon McDonald's, and couldn't have been more obnoxious to everyone else there. More on that later...
• Some love for Abby! - I really like my cousin Abby a lot, and feel like she would especially enjoy this random picture of a door. Here you go, Abber. Also, if you're not already, follow Abby's blog, it's totally worth it.

Alright, that's it for now. I just got my bike pass in the mail, so I'm free to run, free to fly...

Brad.

B-Side of the Day

Loving Portugal. Taken off the coast of Cascais yesterday. A more extensive entry about the trip will come soon.

Brad.

Lisbon

Today I depart for Lisbon, Portugal. It will be the first time in my life where I won't even be able to remotely understand the language, so we'll see how that goes.

Although I'm heading to Lisbon, Portugal and not Lisbon, Ohio, it still made me think of Bon Iver and his small-town Ohio-inspired track off his newest album.

...What'd you say? Shameless plug and transition into a Bon Iver video because he won two Grammy's? I guess I'll give the people what they want...

Brad.

Different Strokes

I knew that studying abroad would be a great experience for me. As I wrote in my first blog entry, I wanted to experience immersion into the culture and to really feel like I'm living as a Spaniard would live. I don't know what exactly I expected life here to be like. I think subconsciously I thought that Spain would be a lot like Mexico in terms of the food and the way that people looked. However, I've come to realize how very wrong I was about nearly all of my preconceived notions.

Since I first arrived in Spain, I've kept track of some of the differences in lifestyle and culture between Americans and Spaniards.

• Manners - My mom always taught me the best she could to be well-mannered, but coming into a new culture you have to throw so many things that you know out the window. One particular eating habit that I find kind of interesting is that it's rude not to put your elbows on the table (or at least have your hands around your plate) while you're eating. Historically, having your hands under the table represented that you may have a gun or some other weapon. Basically, it's a "put your hands where I can see em'" situation while you're eating.
• Meals - "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day"? Not in Spain. I often will go without breakfast, or with very little to eat - maybe a piece of bread and a glass of water. Lunch is the biggest meal of the Spanish day, but it doesn't normally take place until around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Dinner doesn't come until around 10 or 11 (tonight I walked by a very popular restaurant at 7:30 that wasn't even open yet). However, the Spaniards have two quick solutions for these differences in mealtimes: siestas and tapas.
• Siestas - Siestas are essentially an afternoon nap. You'll see some people get pretty into the tradition, donning pajamas and getting completely under their covers (I often partake in one of those two things, I'll let you guess which one). It seems crazy to an American to take off such vital hours of the day, but literally almost everyone does it: almost every business has morning hours and night hours, taking a break from around 2-5, and my university doesn't hold class from 3-6. This helps people stay awake for the red eye dinner date, not falling asleep in your soup.
• Tapas - Tapas are another great tradition of Spain. Tapas are essentially small appetizer-esque dishes. Sometimes coming with a drink (in Granada it's a law to serve a tapa with every drink), people will casually go and buy a few tapas in the early nighttime (around 8). You can spend 1 euro on a tapa at one bar and head to another bar to try another dish, or come with a big group of people and sample each other's dishes. The original reason for tapas was given as a law by the King of Spain - while on his deathbed, his servants would serve him small portions of food throughout the day to keep him alive. Before his death, he ordered that every city in Spain must serve tapas.
• Zapatillas - It's considered very rude to walk around the house barefoot, so everyone in Spain has zapatillas, or house shoes. Don't be too jealous of mine...

• Bursting Bubbles - I'm convinced that it's impossible to violate a Spaniard's personal bubble. No one has a sense of personal space here, and are very comfortable getting very close on metro rides or on the sidewalk. Also, be ready to kiss any and every girl or woman you meet once on each cheek. Hey-oh!
• You don't have to pay! - Forget sales tax and tipping waiters when you're in Spain - they don't exist! The price you see is the price you pay at restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Also, since there is no tipping, it's completely acceptable to "camp out" and stay at a restaurant for hours after your meal. If you're not insistent about the waiter bringing your bill, then you won't get it.
• ...Except you do sometimes. - Don't pay tips or tax, but be expected to be charged for conveniences. Going to coffee shops, or cafeterias, is just as popular in Spain as it is in America. Often, you'll find yourself being charged a "sitting fee" during your coffee experience. You also must always buy something in order to get the password for wifi (which probably isn't a huge deal to most of you, but I'm a poor and frugal college student!)
• Alcohol - Alcohol in America is often seen as off-color or associating itself with the party scene. In Spain, it's a part of everyday life. Although it's seen as very wrong to get drunk, you'll see beer and wine offered almost anywhere - even McDonald's and my university cafeteria! My friends and I went to an international cervecería one night, shown below.

• Get crazy - Want to live like the Spaniards? Then go out on a Friday night around midnight or later and hit up a disco tech. Then, come home around sunrise. Alex and I once stayed at a club until 5 a.m. Proud of our accomplishments, we told our house mom the next day of our feat, to which she replied "wow, you got home early." Needless to say, parties don't stop for a while in Europe, so be prepared to drink a few red bulls and take an extra-long siesta the afternoon before. The nights and early mornings are crazy, but Seville seems like a ghost town at 9 a.m. on a Saturday - something completely different than in America.
• Fashion - Everyone here seems to look so trendy. Even the babies rock the rolled up jeans and desert book look. I bought a scarf and a coat here to try to blend in, but will never compare (although one of the leaders of our program told me that he liked my boots and said he wanted to get some - thanks for the birthday present, Mom and Dad!).
• PDA - Public Displays of Affection are everywhere here in Spain. People are in love, and they don't care who knows it.
• Take It Slow - Everything about the Spanish culture is relaxed. To be "on time" is to be somewhere within 20 minutes of the planned time. Grown men get into their p.j.'s and take naps in the middle of the day. It can often take you 15 minutes to get your cup of coffee. There's no such thing as food "to go". And people walk. So. Slow. Seriously, when I walk casually through the street it feels like I'm on one of those moving walkways at the airport. I dread the day that I accidentally tackle an old lady (but she doesn't have a personal bubble, so it's all good right?)
• Forget Everything You Know About Spanish - Ok, not everything, but Spain (and Seville in particular) has a very different style of speaking Spanish. Seville has been compared to the Alabama of Spain - more down-home and country and using a verb tense that's basically the equivalent of "y'all". An example of the different style: there is a distinct lisp in the Spanish language. Instead of saying "gracias", you say "grah-thee-ahs". Also, people often skip over saying their d's and s's. So, for example, when Alex wanted to say that he was allergic to fish, he shouldn't have said he was allergic to pescado ("pay-skah-doe"), but that he was allergic to "peh-cow". And the country's not "es-pan-yah", it's "eh-panna".

So, I'm adjusting. Learning. Loving it all. I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Brad.

A Good Word

2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

Be bold for the Lord today!

Brad.

Knoxygen

The past two weekends, I was blessed enough to spend some quality time with one of the coolest guys I know, Knox Schroller. Knox and I met two summers ago when we were co-counselors at K-Kountry, and have remained close friends ever since.

Co-Counselors, Summer 2009

Last semester, Knox was living in Waco and let me crash with him a few times when I came to visit Kathryn. We were talking about me studying abroad this semester and I jokingly said to him, "Bro, why don't you just come with me?" Knox's face immediately lit up in excitement. He told me that just a few days before I had come to Waco he had heard about a missions institute in Spain. The conversation continued from there, and eventually he told me about G42, a leadership academy located in Spain. Knox prayed about where God was leading him, and faithfully moved to Mijas, Spain for the semester, only about 2 and a half hours from Sevilla!

Knox and I hung out last weekend in Sevilla. He stayed with me at my house, was adopted as Gracia's "third niño", went to a few discotecas with me, had some good conversation, and headed home on Sunday.

Street guitarist performing outside of El Alcázar that Knox and I watched for a little bit.

Co's before bro's.

We enjoyed our time so much that when the next weekend came along, I found myself on a train bound for Mijas. Mijas is a small town outside of Málaga. Situated in the foothills of the mountains and within eyeshot of the beach, it's a very popular spot for tourists to come and relax for a few days. I guess you could say I was a "tourist" for the weekend as well. Knox lives on the most photographed street in all of Spain.

Beautiful Mijas

Knox's Street, Calle de San Sebastian

Our weekend in Mijas was much more relaxed than our weekend in Sevilla, but we had so much fun nonetheless. I think I laugh more with Knox than I do with anyone else, and it was great having a Christ-centered guy to talk to and have some deep conversations with.

If you want to follow Knox and his journey this semester, check out his blog here.

Brad.

B-Side of the Day

Plaza de España, located in Parque de Maria Luisa. I love going here, sitting on the steps straight ahead, and relaxing with a book or my journal. Favorite spot in Sevilla for sure.

Brad.

B-Side of the Day

I saw this street one day while I was walking and thought it was cool, so I took a picture. Simple and easy.

Brad.

B-Side of the Day

Taken on the beach in Cádiz.

Brad.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is such an interesting holiday to me. As I was doing my daily "Facebook stroll" today, I saw all sorts of different responses - some people were infatuated and thankful for their relationships, others seemingly in denial, and even more were bitter.

No matter what the response to the holiday, it seems the obvious idea behind it all is love. I'm the first to admit that I'm a romantic when it comes to love - I believe that there's such thing as "the one". That nothing happens out of coincidence. That nice guys finish first. That life can be like a fairy tale. That chivalry is everything but dead. That true love is real.

Reflecting on the holiday from Spain, I realized how thankful I am for all of the people that love me so much in my life.

My friends - From Kanakuk to K-State to Spain, I've been blessed with some of the most fun and supportive friends anyone could ask for.

My family - I've been so fortunate to learn and grow from the greatest family ever. Being the youngest of 3 children, I've gotten to grow up with two of the most godly women in the world as my sisters, and I have the greatest example I could ever ask for in a Christ-driven relationship and marriage through my parents.

My girlfriend - Kathryn is one of the most thoughtful, caring, Christ-centered, beautiful, hilarious people that I've ever met. Learning to communicate amidst a long-distance relationship (that got even longer this semester) has been trying at times, but Kathryn is always there to encourage and love me. I'm so grateful for the way that she points me to Christ and makes me smile every day.

My God - "Greater love has no one than this - that someone lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

"for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23

Daily I am humbled by what Christ has done for me. For me. Yes, Christ died for the sins of everyone, but he did it specifically for you and for me. How amazing of a thought is it that a man with that kind of power died for someone as small and insignificant as me? Christ showed the ultimate love, true love, through his dying on the cross. That motivates me daily to live for him.

Love God. Love others. Happy Valentine's Day.

Brad.

Song of the Day

Weird song that you listen to unashamedly hundreds of times while studying abroad in Spain:

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know

Also, check out the amazing acoustic cover of this song by Walk Off The Earth

Brad.

B-Side of the Day

Man painting a portrait at the gardens of the Alcázar Palace, Sevilla.

Brad.

Kansas City Pride

Gotta love Apple. "Where's the best BBQ in Kansas City?"

Answer - Oklahoma Joe's.

Brad.

The B-Sides

Right before departing for Spain, I bought an iPhone. iPhones are cool, particularly because they have applications that do cool things. Instragram is an app that takes pictures that you take, and make them cooler. I post some pictures to Instragram and my Twitter page, but realized that I have a lot more than have never been published. We'll call them the b-side pictures.

The b-side of the day is a view from the top of La Giralda, the beautiful tower connected to Sevilla's cathedral.

Brad.

Song of the Day

Song to Play While Scheming Your Ocean's Eleven-esque Plan in a Movie - "Reset" by MuteMath.

"Don't worry guys... I've got a plan."

Listen to it here (or right click to download) - MuteMath - Reset

Brad.

Today was a good day.

The highlights:

• I had the best night of sleep since arriving in Spain. Don't believe me? Check out this graph I obtained via my Sleep Cycle app on my iPhone. It was such a blessing, because I've been getting a little bit of a cold as of late.

• When I turned on the water to my shower, it was the perfect temp - no adjustment necessary!
• I got to the metro at the perfect time. No waiting whatsoever. I simply got on and read some Life of Pi. #ThugLife
• It was absolutely beautiful weather today. Sunny and 65.
• I only had one class today - International Business and Emerging Markets. My teacher is awesome, and let us out early.
• Gracia made paella with chicken for the first time since I've lived here. Paella is a very popular dish in Spain, and for good reason - it was delicious!
• During our lunch conversation, Gracia and I had the opportunity to talk deeper about my religious beliefs. I eventually got to share the Gospel with her (in very broken Spanish) and invited her to come to church with me next Sunday! At the end of our conversation, her words were "no hay nadie como Cristo", which means "there is no one like Christ". A very big sentence coming from a Sevillian - one of our Sevillian tour guides said that Spain was 99% Catholic, and Seville was 120% Catholic.
• I caved... I ate American food! I met up with a few of my friends around 7:45 p.m. (early in Spain's standards) and got a little appetizer at an American bar. We shared the best plate of loaded nachos.
• After dinner, I got to talk to the most wonderful girl in all of the world, Kathryn Hanson.
• My roommate, Alex, and I are continuing to bond. We laughed for a good 2 minutes about nonsense.

It's just one of those days...

Brad.

Granada.

My friends,

I may be in Europe, but I'm enjoying this beautiful Sunday with some homestyle roots. I met a friend who just got to Sevilla for the semester and had coffee with her for a few hours. We went to La Campana, a cafetería (coffee shop) and confitería (pastry shop) established in the late 1800's. Now I'm in a coffee shop, listening to the True Grit soundtrack and Americana music by Frank Fairchild, per recommendation of my cousin Joel. I may be living in Europe, but American pride is alive and well in my heart, folks - don't you worry.

Friday and Saturday, I went with my API program to the beautiful city of Granada. I didn't really know what to expect, except that it was supposed to be cold because it was so close to the Sierra Nevada mountains. I had such a good weekend full of so many fun experiences.

We started our day out with a tour of the Cathedral of Granada. It wasn't nearly as extravagant as some El Escorial or the Catedral de Sevilla, but was beautiful nonetheless. We were greeted to a pleasant surprise after the tour when our program took us out to get chocolate and churros on them! The chocolatería that we went to was probably the coolest one I've been in yet, with a very old-fashioned and classic atmosphere. When I asked the bartender for a glass of tap water, he said "this is the water of the Sierra Nevada Mountains - the best in the world". It was hard to disagree with him, y'all.

After eating a complimentary all-you-can-eat buffet at our 4-star hotel (seriously, who am I?!), the group ventured out for the night to our next adventure - seeing Flamenco in a cave! After a long and rigorous walk, we got to the cave. The room barely fit the 60 of us API students, and often I was nervous that the dancers would actually run into us! There were two different sets of performers, consisting of about 4 dancers, a singer, and a guitarist in each set. The second set also featured a very good cajón player. The dancers would sometimes all dance at once, or one woman would dance while another one would go out and change costumes. When the people wouldn't be dancing, they would always be clapping along to the song with different beats. It truly was an art form.

This was my second time seeing flamenco in Spain, and third time in my life. Each experience has been very different. In Florida, I witnessed a very large production of flamenco. In Sevilla, a very simple and stripped-down 3-person show, and then now this show. Without a doubt, the performance in Granada was my favorite, and possibly one of the best memories I've had so far in Spain (I mean come on, it was in a cave!)

Later that night, I went with around 20 other people to a tea and hookah lounge. It was a very relaxing environment - we all sat on pillows and cushions around table, drank tea, and just talked until around 3 in the morning. I realized at that point how thankful I was for having a solid community of people and for allowing us all to be so comfortable around each other.

Saturday, we went and toured La Alhambra. La Alhambra is basically the most popular and iconic site in all of Granada. So rich in history that I would butcher even trying to explain it all, the combination of this palace's Islamic and Christian influence amongst the Sierra Nevada mountains was truly a site to be seen. So, I took a few pictures!

I'm so glad that I decided to do my study abroad through API. It's been such a blessing so have so many cool friends, and to make new ones every day!

Next weekend I'm headed to the city of Cádiz for the day before reuniting with a good friend, Knox Schroller. #Flare

Brad.

P.S. In case my blog isn't interesting enough, this sign in Granada made me smile.