So, I moved. Some of you read my last post that was essentially me ranting, so then I took it down. I haven't spoken about roommates much because it can be uncomfortable. Especially when you like one and not the other. Diana is Spanish and an absolute sweetheart. Victoria is from Belarus and is not so much a sweetheart. She admits that shes brutally honest with no filter. Going a step further, she has complete disregard for other people's feelings. We had several discussions where I asked her to respect me and treat me as an equal in the house. Eventually, I boiled over and Tuesday I snapped at her. It turned into quite the argument which culminated in her telling me to "get the fuck out of my house." So I did. We had a lot of "misunderstandings" because she says that her thoughts have no logical connection and she says whatever is on her mind. The problem is the context in which things are said makes things offensive. She said I make these logical connections she would never make because I'm a lawyer. She said I'm closed-minded because I'm a lawyer. She said I had an attitude because I'm a lawyer. And I'm a miserable bitch because I'm a lawyer. I finally asked her if she had a bad experience with a lawyer and she said "I'm sure I have I just can't think of any." I asked if lawyers had a bad reputation and she said, "We don't have lawyers in Belarus." And then later in the conversation when I pointed out how her thoughtless acts could lead to injuries she cut me off and said, "And then you'd sue." I said, "No, and then I'd be injured and bleeding." and she rolled her eyes as if it weren't true. Essentially, she didn't like me from the moment I told her I was lawyer. I didn't like her after the first 5 of 6 (yes, I counted) conversations with her were some of the most negative I've ever had in my life.
So I moved across the hall and am living in Lara's room. She moved out yesterday, and I moved in. It was the easiest move of my life because there were no stairs involved, and only 2 suit cases. I'm actually kind of glad because half of my stuff is already packed to go home in 2 weeks. And I'm ready to go home, to get back to my life. I feel that I've gotten all that I can out of my internship and it was a great experience, but I'm ready to take my life off pause and get back to the way things should be.
Gay Pride
Yesterday was Gay Pride in DC and I've never seen such a celebration. There was apparently a parade at some point during the day, but basically the closed down Gran Via, the equivalent of shutting down Broadway in and out of Times Square, and having a giant drinking fest from noon until at least 6 AM. There were several stages set up throughout downtown Madrid that blasted techno music. Stands were set up selling "minis" of beer/sangria (a mini is actually half a liter). Crowds were so deep that at the biggest stage, you were stuck in a crowd from 10 blocks away.
Everyone, whether LGBT or not, used the day as an excuse to party, put on a costume, and wear as little clothing as possible. All of the bars and clubs were so packed that you'd stand outside and dance in the street to the music coming out of the club. Bars even sold minis at their front door so you didn't have to fight the crowd inside to buy drinks. I know that the Spanish know how to party, but this was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen.
What's even more incredible is that nobody was drink and belligerent. I will say this was the first time I've ever seen a Spanish person throw up from drinking too much, but that's what happens when you're 13 hours into drinking, and even then I only saw two girls getting sick. Everyone else was just in a good place enjoying the music and dancing and festivities. No fighting. Just a lot of love.
Normally I get nervous or overwhelmed in big crowds like this but everyone was in such a positive mood that it was infectious.
