More about Carnival

Spain is said to have a lot of parties...But the one I most like is Carnival. It's a time when irony and popular art invades streets. All people is joking, singing, showing his most strange side. And it's all about the people you are with, laughing at life, problems and monotony...

All what you need is some old clothes, maybe practise some songs (if you don't mind to sing in front of a lot of people), and feel like having fun.

I think this year I missed a good Carnival year, even in my very small village. I was told that it all started with the opening speech by a famous contestant (called Moritz) in the TV show "Operacion Triunfo" (the origin of American Idol)

And a good exercise we do is to criticize what we don't like... about politics, life, ... If its done in a constructive way is something that can help us improve, and when is said in a polite and funny way is easier to accept our errors. As usual, younger people tried to put spice in the party this year.

It's nice to have news from home! I miss you all :-)

Skiing? Well, just falls in the snow

Last weekend was my very first time in the snow, and don't ask about my back after that! :-) But I had to do it. I had to take advantage of Pittsburgh's weather since I can't go beach here. Thank you a lot to my skiing teachers Coro and Esther; I wasn't a good pupil but I'll try my best next time.



Another reason to go skiing was to stop thinking in Cadiz Carnival. This is the first time in several years I don't go to Cadiz to be in the greatest party all around the world :-) Some of my friends were there and I think they enjoyed a lot... Maybe next year :-) sniff

The adventure started!

Time goes fast! I can't believe it, but it all began 3 weeks ago... But let me start from the beginning.

Last year, I applied for a short stay in the USA (the University of Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh to be more precise) as part of my PhD studies. At the end of December I got the answer: it was accepted! On Jan 29 I was on a plane on the way to Pennsylvania. And 21 days later, here I am, about 4000 miles from home :-)

What has happened since I left my sunny country? Well ...a lot :-)

First, I must say I'm getting used to cold (very cold) weather quite well for the moment. For a person who only saw snowing for twice in Spain, to be at 5 degrees Farenheit can be an "interesting" experience. The deep cold wave Pittsburgh had (the worst in several years I was told) was part of my training :-)

Another big change was understanding what distances are in an american city. Pitt has half the population of Malaga, the city I usually live at. But getting anywhere by foot can be a complicated question. As many places in America, small houses are the most common buildings here and that makes the urban areas to have a great extension.

The solution... to find an apartment near the University. All the spanish guys here recomended me one neighborhood: Shadyside. Its a quiet place, with some shops near. So, it's the place where I live.

I don't forget my first week in a short term accomodation, a room in Mrs Meyers' house. I don't have to say how nice she is... you can see that by yourself in the photo. For a foreign person as me just arrived, her advices and attention were priceless.

What about "Pittsburghese people"? Believe me...I don't know what idea you have about American people, but I can ensure you that here there is really good people :-) And also there is a fascinating mixture of races and cultures that makes it more interesting. For the Spanish or spanish-speaking visitor (and in general, for every being interested in having a nice time), an essential reference are "Los de Pata Negra"... they make our lifes better and happier :-) Gracias!

I don't want to finish this first chapter of my american adventure (I hope not the last) without talking about what in fact took me here. My work... all I can say is that if you like research, if you are hungry for knowledge, and, why not, if you are a little bit geek, CMU is your place. I am in a quite big group of young people (almost all of them spanish) under the direction of Fernando de la Torre... all of them are great. I'll try to do my best ... dont you think that we must always keep growing? That makes our lifes more interesting :-)

Well, I almost forgot it. Happy new year...the pig's one, isn't it? Stay tunned... more adventures to came!