My highs and my lows

2007-03-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

Its over! This was my Erasmus time! I can't believe that it found an end finally...no Metro, no Rey Juan Carlos, no Patatas Bravas, no Calimocho, no Erasmus parties and the worst...I'm not with you. While I was sitting in the plane I had thousands of pictures and feelings in my mind... all these trips, places and people!

It was one of my dreams to come to Madrid and my expectations were not only fulfilled but even exceeded...exceeded in all manners... The good things were too good to be true and my Lows even worse...but 'thats life'... I think that this challenge was more than just a cultural exchange, it was a personal experience and also a manner to learn something about myself... Im sorry for all the mistakes I made... I cannot turn back the time but I can learn from them... My whole life changed due to this exchange... its incredible and unbelievable... and I never expected this to happen...

This was an important and amazing experience which will be always part of my life, a part of myself; as well as everybody I met will be a part of my life from now on... I will never forget what happend... and even though I dont't know when I'll come back I hope soon! For everybody who doesn't believe in Erasmus friendships: They exist. Some flights were already booked to see each other again, the first who visited me here in Breda was LUCA;-) Thanks so much for comin chaval:-)

I discovered Madrids' beauty and fascination and furthermore Im happy that my German/ Dutch friends and my family could share this enthusiasm together with me for a while . I thank you all for comin to Madrid cause it really meant a lot to me!

As it is known you can do Erasmus just once in your life..... that makes this experience so unique and special; every Erasmus will agree on this;-) And for all guys who stay in Madrid until June: Enjoy your time! Even though a lot of people left you will meet new amazing persons...cause this is the circle of coming and and going...We didn't mean anything to Madrid... but to us (to me) Madrid meant and means so much... even not describable in words...

However, ...I also know that this was the right time to come back to my life in Germany and Holland...not only to come back to the people who waited for me but also to take the consequences of all the happenings and to try to find my inner peace. I know there is a different way for me to go next! I know I will find my way and I wish all of you good luck and success while walking your way!

2007-01-02T12:11:00.000-08:00

VALE! I know I must write sth new otherwise many people will kill me. Its almost 1 month ago since I posted and now I'm really really lazy to tell all incidents. What u miss: Sylvia and Tammo came to Madrid beginning December and we had an awesome week;-)

Besides the "Haschischschsch...Kokainaaaa???" guy they met a lot of nice people and finally it was a pitty that the time passed so fast...

Just before my friends came I was on an Erasmus fieldtrip to Salamanca, Segovia and Ávila! I'm sure this was one of the craziest trips I made and I just can repeat that I love Erasmus and that I love u guys! It was an amazing time!

SALAMANCA! At the beautiful Plaza Mayor!>

Of course I found my froggy on the famous university wall of Salamanca and I hope that it will bring me luck as they say;-)

Furthermore, I was around the 14.12. for around 4 days in BARCA BARCA! This was my 2nd time in Barcelona and I think I don't have to tell how amazing and great this fantastic artistic city is! One of the biggest advantages which Madrid doesn't have is the BEACH! However, I would never regret my decision being in Madrid! Madrid rulez;-)

Gaudís parque Güell con Steffi y Kathi

...and of course Christmas! This year actually not very amazing without my lovely family...but at least I was not completely alone. Even though I was a bit sick I went to a Finnish dinner which was really great!...

FINALLY! NEW YEARS EVE...an incredible fiesta in my flat before we went to the Puerta del Sol which is a famous spectacle in whole Spain!

Madrid: Puerta del Sol!

...and demolition party in my flat FERNANDO EL CATÓLICO! I don't know who invited all these people (and who the f*** broke the toilet!)....but it was awesome!

Markus...Stefan...Burak

Edgar>

Con Luca y peluca;-)
Luca, Jan, Ozge

Carsten, Daniell, Eda

Stefan>

Eda!

2006-11-21T12:44:00.000-08:00

Hola amigos!
I completely forgot this blog cause there happend too many things this month...first of all there was of course a lot of party: The highlights were an Erasmus party...where I taught my girls the "Auf die Knie" (On ur knees) hymne. If u are drunk enough and if u show some charism and power of persuasion u can in fact make ur friends kneel in front of u! (Thank u guys;-) Of course we didn't miss the Kapital where the Erasmus students are becomin' slowly but surely regular customers... BUT the superparty highlights took place in our flat Calle Fernando el Católico 42, 2C!...

One Thursday where we actually wanted to meet in a small group to drink to go afterwards to Kapital (what a surprise!)...there were around 20 people in our casa includin' a camera team from our university KING Juan Carlos who was shooting us. I didn't see the movie yet but I'm sure it will be a nominee for the Festival de Cannes:-) Another party was Roberts B-day...yes...he's now 23 and we celebrated it a lot! (especially he himself!)

However, I also had some bad luck:-( ...I even had enough bad luck to open a new category to tell u about this! OK....first my already a bit broken laptop broke a bit more!!! This is actually not funny...cause the adapter is completely destroyed (it started to stink and then the green light expired for ever...) Now, my baby is sleepin' since 1 week cause without electricity NADA is working! The first day I was furious...2nd I started to smoke and since last Thursday I drank a lot...but besides that everything is fine...
Actually, its not that bad, I even got a little bit used to it, I feel free...not always sittin' in front of a screen...this makes people become so isolated and now I have time to open my eyes for different things...like nature for example! :-(
Today I was again in the elctronic shop to ask when my new adapter will arrive...and just 10-15 days more...!!! 15 DAYS!!! Arghhh!

Another thing: My Dutch bank card is blocked...supposedly I typed in 3 times the wrong pin (...this could only have happend last Thursday...!) Furthermore, if I want to deblock it I just have to go to Breda to the next bank...hahaha funny hä?!

What makes me really happy at the moment is that I could talk to my Mum today:-) and that I know that Sylwusia and Tammo are comin' on the 4th December...what is in 13 days! Furthermore, we'll have a trip to Salamanca from the 1st- 3rd Dec with the Erasmus!

2006-11-04T06:44:00.001-08:00

HALLOWEEN::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

First ride in Madrid!

From hell...

Its time to move ur feet & shake ur a**!!!

2006-10-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hola!
I've never thought that I would say that BUT Madrid can be really ugly :-( U just have to imagine a grey and cloudy sky ( ...not hard for the German and Dutch)...and its raining! RAIN! The streets are wet...and so are my feet (damn ballerinas)! The advantage is that u can use 'these days' for other fabulous things like e.g. having a romantic evening (which in this case doesn't apply to me) or u can go to the cinema! Yeah! So Kathi and me decided to see "Copying Beethoven" (average movie with great music;-)... and because I was a bit hungry I smuggled some burgers and fries (Mäkääs) into the theatre and it became a really girlish and cosy evening. This was in fact the second time I was in the cinema here, the first movie was "Little miss sunshine" and was fun as well. I feel that time is going to change here... not only because of the weather but also because I think that now people are starting to realize that this is also "real" life! Haha.. this must sound awesome! But in fact now I start to realize that we also have to study...and to hand in LEARNING AGREEMENTS...and do presentations (en Espanol!)...and etc! But as enquiring (wissbegierig) and motivated I am this is no problem at all...;-) Hey..thats the reason why I'm here, right!!!???

2006-10-21T05:05:00.000-07:00

VALENCIA paradise...

No Comment;-)

Back to Madrid by bus...very tired!

2006-10-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

VALENCIA 12.10-15.10.2006

Sooo cute;-) My new best friend in the aquarium (ätsch Tammo)
...Famous as "killer of Crocodile Hunter"...:-0

Hurra we're at
the beach!

Science Centre:

Planetarium>

2006-10-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Oki guys...
just read my last post and understood just a half of it....so don't think u r the only ones who have doubts about my psychological constitution!...
As I promised I'm goin to tell you sth. about Valencia;-) We were 10 persons and went there together on Thursday by bus...it took us about 4 hours...and we had reserved a hostel in the centre of Valencia. Actually, the first day started a little bit unfortunate for me: 1) I slept 1,5 hours and was very tired, 2) I was getting a bad cold attended with a bit of fever.... and finally... it was very windy and cold!...Thus, this was a very shitty day for me...BUT so much the better the weekend!

The weather changed...and it was hot hot hot furthermore... I was fit again! Of course we spent most of the time on the beach...splashing, sunning and just chilling... However, we did also one of these bus sightseeing tours for tourists and furthermore we visited the Europes' biggest aquarium!
I don't know if u heard about it but there is the "Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciéncies" in Valencia, this is a huge Science Centre including buildings like the "Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía " (an extravagant palace for operas), the "L'Hemisfèric" (Planetarium, 3D IMAX cinema), the "L'Umbracle" ( a park), "Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe " (museum of Science) and the "L'Oceanogràfic" (the aquarium). The whole complex is designed in a very futuristic style by Santiago Calatrava and the architecture makes u feel like visiting another planet... so it was very interesting and amazing! We took a lot of pictures which I will publish next time...

What about Valencias nightlife?! Even though there is a lot of party on the streets and in the bars it just cannot keep up with Madrids' nightlife! Madrid just rulez;-) So, think this was short and clear enough... it was great to be there...but... I'm just happy to be back again:-)

2006-10-12T06:04:00.000-07:00

Hey guys...I just came from a party...and its exactly 5:31 now...and I have to wake up in 2 hours... however I have to write this because Iam dying of laughter...

ok there was this party where we went tonight and I came back ten minutes ago together with Robert (to remind ya...my Austrian roommate)...ok...and when he tried to open the second lock of our door (we have 2!)...haha it didn't work...ok we're still standing there and this damn lock wont open...then I try and he again...and me....and so on...and we're still trying but nothing...ok its very late...(or early)...as I already told you...and we ring the bell...nothing happens...and again...and again nothing...next step...we decide to call our roommate Luca (last picture party pics)...and now its starting to become funny...

...we are putting our heads towards the door to hear if Luca is there...and what a luck...we can hear this weird and really really crazy ring tone (maybe sponsored by Jamba!?...but even worse than the f*** crazy frog!)....ok Luca answers...puhh...we`re lucky...and 10 seconds later he opens the door...haha and what we see is just unbelievable...Luca completely dressed...with shoes, jeans, and a hood on his head...opens and is talking soooooo crazy things...haha...I cannot reproduce...sth. about a girl who is waiting...or no...he is waiting for her...but "...no te preocupe..so dont worry" (citation Luca)...I just watch Robert and see his surprised face and cannot hold to laugh...I ask Luca if hes stoned and he just smirks....oh my god!..I have never ...but really never ever seen a guy who was (sowas von dicht!)...that stoned...I just could't hold to laugh all the time...what was really shitty...because Vera is sleeping (of course she is..its damn 5:51 now...) in our living room since a while...and what is Luca doing...talking all the time...going to the living room...sitting on the coach...putting his feet (+shoes) on the table...and suddenly sleeping...haha this guy is amazing...I just see the panic in Roberts face..."What the hell is this stoned guy doin?"..."Why isnt he goin to bed...in his room"...who knows!....and just one meter next to the coach table u can see Vera sleeping on the mattress...and this night together with Luca;-)...I would love to see her face...

...ok...I think this could only be funny if u would experience it by yourself...but what a anecdote...

....thats all...Im really done...and I have to wake up in 2 or no! sorry in 1.45 hours....because Im goin to VALENCIA! Juhu...sí...until sunday...to have some fun at the beach there!...Im going with my chicas....and it'll be sooo cool....I'm really happy:-)

See ya probably on Sunday when Im back!!!

2006-10-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hola chicos!
In return for the party pics I think I should also prove that I'm doing more besides drinking, not sleeping, having party and dancing...for example...

Here (left pic) u can be sure that I am thinking about the architecture of the Palacio Real...

"Is it baroque...or rather neoclassicism" ;-) ....and I think that I am happy on the next pic because I found the answer!...What else could make me so happy?!

....and here we are of course NOT lazing around! We just had a serious discussion about the Royal familiy when Kathi disturbed us by taking this photo!

...and here u can see how dedicated I am to this excellent city...and how much I appreciate this Royal traditions! I even have a small affair with this street lamp...

What do u think about my development? Maybe this is a preparation for the next Koniginnendag in Breda? From now on...I will really really celebrate and enjoy it...

2006-10-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

MORE PARTY...

"Palacio Gaviria"...

"Serrano"

Salsa Club>

Party at home...

2006-10-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hey guys...
where shall I start?! First of all... the weather is fabulous around 25° to 30° and usually we go to one of the various parks to chill or to lie in the sun. On the picture u see the "Jardines de Sabatini"...the garden is located next to the Palacio Real de Madrid.

Here the Cathedral next to the Palacio Real where the crown prince of Spain Felipe and his wife Letizia got married on 22. May 2004.

The Palacio Real:

Kathi and Steffi in front of the Plaza between Palacio Real and the Cathedral:

This is the Gran Vía a a main road which is very important in Madrid and full of bars, shops, flats, offices, big brands, cars and people...

Yesterday, we met with some other Erasmus students on the Plaza Mayor to have a small "Botellón" (sitting together and drinking) and afterwards we went to the "Joy" a very famous Madrilenian club. The lines are very long in front of these kind of clubs but the good thing is that u pay never the entrance...this is because there are always people on the steets distributing invitations. I think that during this 3 weeks I collected around 30 invitations for various night clubs!

Some more party pics:

First party in our flat: Gülsah (Turkey), Anu (Finland), Petronella (Finland), Eda (Turkey), Jako (Finland), Kathi (Germany)...

Gülsah and me in the "Palacio Gaviria"...a big and famous disco in a real palace...

Eda and Ozge...

2006-10-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

If u want to see more pics...check:

http://karolamik1984.spaces.live.com/Photos/fakehandlerpage.aspx?owner=1

...this is my msn side so I guess u must first lock in to see them!

2006-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hey! My studies have started this week, actually on Monday but this was more an 'introduction'. I even don't want to call it introduction because it was soo unorganised! Wow! Even studying one year at the NHTV couldn't prepare me for this! Ok... rumours are afloat that there exists a free Spanish course at the university which we could attend. Of course, we know for sure that there is one for 235,-€...but nobody could give us any information about the free one. Thus, the first day could also be declared as unsuccessful treasure hunt. Today there were no classes at all...because of ?...and consequently my very first day will be tomorrow! (Picture: Steffi and me at our campus in Fuenlabrada)

There are several universities in Madrid and my Universidad Rey Juan Carlos has even 4 campi: 3 in the deep south (Móstoles, Alcorcòn and Fuenlabrada) and the other one in the east, in Vicálvaro. I'm studying in Fuenlabrada and I have to go by metro and train around 1 hour to get there....yeah its quite a lot but its 1000X better to travel 1 hour than to live isolated and far away from the city centre!

2006-09-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hola chicos! Don't think that I'm lazy...I just have no Internet at home....and have to come back to my old hostel to get online....and it sucks! Yesterday I went with Robert (my roommate from Austria) to a teleshop to get informed about the Internet offers...we found a quite cheap package and have to discuss it with our landlord (Pilar). Hope everything will be fine and we get it soon! Last Friday I finished my Spanish language course and even though the level was not that high I think that it'll help me! The best thing is that I met many many Erasmus students from all over the world with whom I'm doin most of the things in Madrid. Everyday there is something goin on...sightseeing, trips, tours, parties, dinner or just chilling at somebodies place or in the centre of Madrid. This is a city which does never sleep! You even cannot get bored...u just have to open the door and u are standing amidst all this impressive life! I miss all of of u sooo much however I cannot imagine that I have to leave this town some day...The last weeks were amazing and it would take me ages to tell u everything but here are some impressions I collected...I was in the theatre Albeniz and saw 'El lago de los cisnes' (Schwanensee) presented by the National Ballet of Cuba...I was in one of Madrids most famous museums "La Reina Sofia" which presents a lot of amazing art...amongst other things Picassos 'Guernica'! (ohh I love this city)..furthermore there was at the 23.09. 'La noche en Blanco' when all museums and cultural meeting points where open and for free all night from 23.00-7.00am! This was also a great Erasmus night where we afterwards went on big 'marcha'...party party party! Something for the boys...u can be jealous because I saw the stadion of Real Madrid...and it looks really impressive...I even could have go to the partido against Dinamo Kiew for 15,- but I thought that I'll see my first match maybe with Steffen!? Of course, I was hundreds of times shopping...because everywhere u go...u see Zara, s'fera, Mago...etc...they are everywhere and we're becoming big friends*-) Madrid is definitely a place to be outside all the day and meet people...just go home to have a short Siesta and come back for the big Fiesta afterwards. People love to sit in small pubs, cafes or bars everybody next to each other, very overcrowded but cosy! Hope u'r all having fun too...Think I shouldn't occupy this computer any longer...sorry that I cannot show u pictures now...but I hope next time....so stay curious!

Besos, Karo

"Noche en Blanco" pictures made near Puerta del Sol!

"La Noche en Blanco"
Palacio of Communication...

In the morning hours...the streets are full of people.....

2006-09-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that I didn't write for so long but I was busy with running through Madrid searching for a flat or a room. This city is amazing, every time I walk out of the underground I'm standing in a completely new district which seems to be as big as Breda. The metro system is very complex... its an underground jungle and I guess that I spend 40% of the day there (like a mole). Its a labyrinth full of stressed people hurrying in all directions and I'm always surprised how this works?! It seems to me, secret laws rule the whole system: on moving stairs its only allowed to overtake somebody on the left, its normal that upstairs women have to carry her buggies alone furthermore does nobody (except me and the other strangers) carry an underground map along (I think its to be branded as 'no' madrilleno). What else is going on in the downs of Madrid I'll tell you next time;-)
I have good news: I found a room in a flat which I share with two other guys: Luca from Roma and Robert from Austria. Its not far from the centre and I'm sooo happy right now! Yesterday I moved in and we inaugurated (einweihen) it by cooking Spaghetti together with two other Italians (I guess in the real Italian way). This night was the first time I slept in my own bed, in my own room in our own flat. The last four days were only ups and downs... every time I got an appointment with a land lord I prayed 'Please, let it be the one!' and afterwards the reality was even crueler than expected. But this is over and I can start to enjoy Madrid in a relaxed way.
My Spanish course has started on Monday and of course I met thousands of new Erasmus students from all over the world:-) Tonight we're going out to a club in the centre of Madrid. Lets see what the nightlife has to offer!

Luca and Robert sitting in our living room...

Me, Ozge and Kathi in the Metro...

The metro plan: