4th of July in Spain just isn´t the same...

Being Americans, we tend to think that everyone knows about all of our holidays, when they are and when you think about it (I do at least) don´t even realize that not everyone would celebrate the 4th of July. I was talking to one of my spanish friends and he still didn´t really get what the big deal was and why we were all getting so worked up over it. I guess explaining what happened wasn´t enough. You just have to be an american.

Which brings me to my next point. We are haveing a true american 4th of July party, complete with: Hot dogs, Lays potato chips (the really greasy ones people have at picnics), watermelon, a playlist with almost 30 songs that have either america or american in the name, and if we are lucky sparklers. Notice that none of the food mentioned included jamón (ham: this country has a strange obsession with eating it at every meal). We are taking the festivities down to the river at 10pm to hang out and pretend like we are in the states for a little bit. It isn´t that we don´t like it here, we just want to have a taste of the states after such a long time without.

Festival of nations: right now, ironically going on right next to our american party, is the festival of nations. It is a bunch of tents set up for different countries that have things you can buy like close or cultural items, foods from those countries and drinks from those countries. In between it all is a stage for different concerts. It is a really good time and a really easy way to spend money if you aren´t careful.

My friends and I went down there a couple of nights ago and had a really good time. A bunch of the locals were out so we actually ran into a bunch of our host families/children so we did a bunch of introducing and some really funny/awkward conversations. Most of the families don´t speak any English so some of the conversation was histerical, especially when some of the host family boys were attempting to hit on the american girls. Pickup lines included everything from: "You have beautifual eyes..." to "Are you dating anybody?" to my personal favorite, and what my host family brother tried to use "You are more beautiful than a sunrise...". I don´t know if I´ve ever laughed so hard.

To top it all off, I might have gotten a job. I was talking to one of the guys who was the boss of two tents and he told me that my spanish was good, but wanted to know if I knew any English... to which I told him I know a little bit. He told me that he thought I was french (dan, meghan, thoughts please?) but to his suprise, I´m american. He has my mobile number and is going to call me when he needs extra people to work the tent. Right now he doesn´t have anyone that can speek both spanish and english. I´m really hoping he calls, so cross your fingers.

I´m off, so enjoy your 4ths of Julys in whatever continent/state you are in!