Final Blog!

Hotel Etxegana! What an experience is all I can say! I came in with dozens of expectations and they were all surpassed after a week. I came to this Hotel: 1) having never in my life worked in a kitchen 2) never spoken Spanish. Before I came to this hotel I was used to work that was the complete opposite of what I did here. I think that was something hard for the people at this hotel to understand, but I never complained. Whenever I was yelled at or insulted, it more so helped me to do better and for that I am thankful. I am happy for every single minute that I have been here in Spain, because this is completely different from anything that I have ever done before. Right now, these are the moments I need to take advantage of  because you never know when the opportunity will come again. 

Basque Region is a unique part of the globe. From what I know it borders northeastern Spain and southern France. I can honestly say that a lot of what I have been able to see and experience here were all for the first time. I have been lucky enough to travel to a lot of places around the world, but this trip has showed me that there is just so much more out there for me to see. It makes me despise "Anthony Bourdain" that much more, but he too must have faced many hardships before landing a job traveling the world in the show "No Reservations."

If you have followed from the beginning you have been able to see how my daily routines were on  a busy, slow, and free days. Every minute of it has been an adventure especially in the sense that I was never bored here. My head Chef Mauricio loves to call me out when I don't look motivated or if I'm moving slow, but I think that is more so b/c of the lack of sleep . I have always been up for any challenge that was asked of me at this hotel. Even if I didn't know what it meant, I did my best. I wish there was a way to let the people at  the hotel know that, but I plan to show them with my how hard I work day in and day out until the day I leave. No matter what Mauricio or anyone says about my experience here, I have learned a lot! I cannot wait for what's next in my Culinary Journey and in Life. To think almost 3 years ago I was one step away from applying to Law School and now I'm in Spain enhancing my skills in the art of Gastronomica (as they call it here)! All things happen for a reason and its important to take whatever life gives you and run with it. 

Thank you to all the followers, 

Adios, Agurd, Goodbye!

Tranquille!

Hola Famillia y Amigos!
Sorry it's been so long since my last post, but i've kinda just been spending more time enjoying the rest of my time in Espana! It looks like I will be coming home a little earlier than expected, but It's ok! I'm ready to  be back in Chicago! The new roommates are great and they are helping me with my Spanish, but at the same time I'm getting used to speaking english again and I just depend on them whenever I need to say something to the Famillia at the hotel.
Things have really slowed down at the hotel. Since there are less clients they have me doing different chores necessary for the hotel. I don't mind doing any of the chores b/c it's good to get out of the kitchen once in a while. And the weather has been great, So I love being outside. I keep telling Mauricio that he needs to develop a Menu for me, So I can bring back all the cuisines of the Basque Region to Chicago! Hopefully me and Omar (My Friend from LCB) can put together a little fiesta for everybody and have "Taste of Spain"!

Mauricio has done a great job showing me what it takes to work in the kitchen and telling me the specifics of making certain dishes that he makes. He is also the "King of Salsa" and has been teaching me some moves during our free time! I feel bad for our roommate Inga (From Iceland) b/c she has practice Salsa with all the guys in the house since she is the only girl. But she is pretty much a pro now that we have been to a salsa bar almost every night we've gone out.

Mac is our other roommate from Philly. He also speaks spanish really well and is taking a year off from school before he goes to the University of Delaware. I always here the family (employees of the hotel) talk to Inga and Mac about my first weeks at the hotel. How I spent a lot of time repeating things said to me and just staring at them with a blank face. I'm not even embarrassed anymore and all I can do is laugh. When I laugh, everyone laughs b/c they all realize that I understand they are talking about me. The good thing is my spanish has improved from 6 weeks ago, along with all the skills I will take away from what I have seen in this kitchen.

This trip to Spain has been more than I could have ever asked for and unforgettable experience. I hope to bring back all that I have learned here: food, culture, language, kitchen skills, and even salsa. I wise man once told me that "It's important to put yourself in a position in life where you are out of you comfort zone, and uncomfortable. Because only then can you truly see what you are capable of"-Liebs
Those are words that I have learned to live by during my time here. When things got tough, I wanted to just give up and come back home, but I stuck with it and now I could not be happier and ready for what's next!

Until next time Hilo Bloggers!

Agurd (that is Basque for Good bye)

PS. Go Bulls!

Pacquiao Fight time!

Everything has  calmed down here a lot! The new roommates are awesome and It's great to speak English again. Although my Espagnol has probably gotten weaker since they got here, I could not be happier to have some other people in the house for a change.

Enough about them though, Pacquiao fights tomorrow. It will probably be 3am Spanish time, and 9-10 pm in Chicago! Ok people, let's get serious! I respect Mosley and he is a legendary fighter. No matter how much grief Pac gets for taking this fight, Sugar Shane is still one of the best fighters out there. If you disagree, look at what he did against Margarito two years ago and he was one or two punches away from taking out Pretty Boy Floyd. So I hate hearing all the mess that this is a bad fight. It is a great fight for Pacquiao  and Mosley and It is just hours away. Unfortunately, no one will get a mass text message from me b/c it is $1 a text from Spain, so just feel my text in Spirit.

Prediction: Sugar Shane will be knocked down a couple times before he is down and out. I hate to say it, but Pacquiao is the "Real Deal" and needs to prove a point. He is simply too fast, and Pacquiao has made it clear that it doesn't matter how big the fighter is after Margarito outweighed him by nearly 20 lbs. last fight. Mosley has speed, power, experience and a heart of a champion. Bottom line, Pacquiao is simply better than all of that at this point of this career and he is ready to go. He seems to have had less distractions this camp and there are no excuses for him to not to be the best Pac Man that he has ever been.

I just don't think Sugar Shane can last more than 5 rounds with what Pacquiao is capable of. He has too much speed, energy, and that killer instinct to put fighters away when necessary. With Roach in the corner, you know Roach would rather have the fight end sooner than later. I hope to see as much of you there during a skype or gchat sessioin. Time for Pac Man to add on to his legacy and fight for the pride of the Philippines.

PACQUIAO! PACQUIAO! PACQUIAO!!