Day 37-38: Spain advances, questionable hostel

Yesterday was all about recharging batteries- my iPhone literally, but also my body by sleeping in and siesta'ing later on. I got my laundry done for a reasonable price at a local spot. Madrid has a lot to offer as a city, and for visitors in terms of activities, museums, etc. but I've done all these things while abroad in Fall 2010. This return trip was more about the food (tapas), lifestyle, fiestas, and getting some spanish practice in when possible.

Fortunately my trip landed me here during the Euro2012 semifinals soccer/futbol match, with Spain playing their neighbor/ rival Portugal. Flat score led it into not 1 or 2 overtimes but a shoot-out with La Roja coming out on top. This game was a big deal. It's hard to explain- kind of like if the NCAA March Madness Final 4 only happened once every four years and everyone around you was cheering for the same team. But soccer IS the sport of Spain/ most of Europe so maybe it's like that but the upcoming finals is like the Super Bowl on steroids. Needless to say, big games being played and it's cool to be able to feel apart of Spain during them.

Couldn't help but think about Spain in a larger context- you have a country completely united one night through a game, and on strike the next day due to tough unemployment/ economic times. Food for thought on the importance of sports in society.

Missed the blog yesterday for obvious reasons (there was celebrating to be done and a personal favorite Wednesday night spot to attend to called Orange Cafe) but today we bussed to Salamanca, a Spanish college town where Ryan studied abroad. I visited a weekend while in Madrid and it was awesome, so here we are. Beautiful town, some pictures attached.

Oh and I left Ryan in charge of booking our hostel for here because he knew the area. Great location but questionable entrance (see pic) and we are actually the only ones staying here. Actually alright because He got us a double bed room (one double bed not two beds buddy) so she switched us to a room with 2 twins.

Day 12- Panama Canal

From the hilarious English slang-learning session with two ladies from Liverpool to the swimming at the full-moon party, I had a fun last night in Bocas. I would definitely recommend Mondo Taitu- the hostel/bar I stayed at as it is fun, affordable, and well-connected within the city. The beautiful beaches I visited and the snorkeling/ dolphin excursion I went on were set up right at the hostel. Bikes can be rented cheaply next door. You won't be bored, nor regret staying there is what I'm saying. If you go to Bocas, I recommend you stay there. If you go to Panama, I reckon you go to Boca and stay there. If you want to go on a trip and don't know what to do- consider the Costa Rica / Panama route I traveled. Definitely going to miss the place.

It's kind of a blur how I ended up waking up at 130pm in a hostel bed at Luna's Castle Hostel in Panama City. As I mentioned, I had the early flight there this morning. I was packed last night before going out and definitely went through the motions from alarm going off at 610 to walking the 5 blocks to the smallest airport ever. I was ear plugs in eye mask on asleep before we even lifted off into the humidity. Naturally I woke up at the precise moment in which the stewardess was dishing out oatmeal cookie bars and water but I probably fell back asleep mid-bite because I woke up in Panama City with my tray table up and 2.5 of the 4 cookies on my lap.

After splitting a cab with a couple from Switzerland, I checked in to Luna's Castle around 10. Luckily, there was an AC dorm bed already ready so I joined those that were still asleep in darkness and snoozed until 130. Then got up and at it.

Saw the Panama Canal today. That's probably worth mentioning in my travel blog. After surfing the Pacific waves in Costa Rica and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea/ Atlantic in Panama, seeing the incredible engineering project that connects the two large bodies of water and simplifies global trade routes was a cool way to end this leg of my trip. It's one of those things you have to go see if you're in the vicinity but it wasn't a mind-blowing experience or anything. You basically just watch absolutely massive ships ride through. I called it after 15 or so minutes, but pressed the camera button on the iPhone a few times so you can get the picture of what I saw.

Also included is a picture of modern Panama City from Old Town (where my hostel is).

Headed to the big apple tomorrow where I'll get the chance to see friends from UNC and Colorado and crash for a night before meeting up with the Taglit Birthright group and heading to Israel for 10 days.