Germany, France, and el Mundial!

Germany and France.

Man it has been a busy last couple weeks!
I have so much to say and not enough time but here is a quick recap of the recent festivities.

First, I hope you ALL are cheering for Spain now!  You´d be a fool not to jump on the bandwagon soon.  Spain is on a roll if you haven't been following the World Cup.   There is always a place for us to watch and celebrate the game!  Its been the greatest two weeks in Barcelona because of the excitement and enthusiasm for la Mundial.  But with the traveling I've been up to, I haven't seen the last 2 games in Spain!

Two weekends ago, I visited two good friends in Germany.  Nick and Alex Popov are actually my neighbors back in Tucson and for the summers they visit their parents.  It was a home away from home for me.  Spending 4 relaxing days with the Popov family was a great subsititute for my missing the Calle family reunion in Lake Tahoe!  **Happy Bday Uncle Jim, you got punked! wish i was there to see your face**  The boys fulfilled the immature yet sooo funny brotherly roles that I have missed from you, Alex and John. 

The city I stayed in is called Karlsruhe.  And I must give Germany the credit, because it is by far the most gorgeous country I have visited... well maybe tied with the States of course.  It is so green and precious with rolling hills everywhere, forests inbetween each town, and the cutest homes ever. They reminded so much of the houses in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with the red roofs and churches pocketed in the center of the town.  

The Popov family lives in a town called Wiengarten, up on a hill that views the surrounding town, lake, vineyards, and forestry.  How spoiled was I. Nick was the best host taking me all over the city and showing me castles, towers, shops, restaurants, and clubs.  My favorite part I must say, was the driving inbetween all of the sitings... racing through the rolling hills and taking the autobon... I'll leave out the speed bc Dad might get a heart attack.  Mom, you would have loved it :)  We also went to the local swimming pool so Nick could practice for his Germany Nationals this past weekend!  Meanwhile, I swam for 30 minutes of the 2 hours and tried soaking up the sun for the rest.  I was quiet pleased with all the fútbol games even with the US loss. The trip was incredible.

Otherwise, my life during the week is picking up pace.  Work is becoming more stressful but its actually exciting!  I am also speaking the spanish everyday with my coworkers and record the hip words in a notebook at my desk.  I am totally obsessed with all the employees.  What's nice about the work culture here is that its fine to go out with your coworkers, so my girlfriends and I are definitely taking advantage of new friendships and their local knowledge.  It seems appreciated both ways, who doesn't like a bunch of American girls??

As for France, we didn't see much of the country because we were too busy living it up in the Carsonne fortress.  The pictures will explain more of the fun we had but to sum it up, Carcasonne will never forget the 4th of July, 2010. 

It was quite strange for the locals of Carcasonne, first having 46+ young americans trying to climb the walls of their fortress to cheering for the Spanish team.   We started with a tour of the castle, but really its a huge community on top of a hill that inhabited everyone during the 15th century.  It was quite crazy being there for the 4th of July because Carcassone is older than the United States itself.  How bizarre. 

Nevertheless, we ate delicious crepes and watched the Spain game at a small bar in the castle.  Upon winning our entire group started celebrating and once midnight hit, the little bar became an american discoteca. We all sang the National Anthem and cheers ed in the name of USA. The bartender will forever be pleased with his decision to play Party in the USA right after our chorus because we decided to stay and party at the bar instead of going out. 

The next day, we packed up and jumped on our bus to the Museum of Salvador Dalí.  I am still speechless and can't express how amazing his artwork is.  I could go back and spend an entire day trying to understand his mind, let alone the meaning of each work.

Pictures to come!  Love you all and I will try to make more time and Skype!  I just need to sleep first!

xoxo