Work Does Happen!

Okay, so I've put a bunch of pictures of me having all this fun with all my friends in Madrid. But I do actually work here. I'm in business school after all. So as proof of this, here's a picture of my workgroup caught in the act of: working! Well, we're not really working all that hard.

This is our morning meeting. Depending on what section you're in you may meet in the morning or midday. For us, good or no, we meet in the morning. Inevitably, there is always someone late, sleepy, unprepared, or just doesn't show up. So in this picture, we're missing one person, you know who you are! That's okay because sometimes that guy is me.

Clayton in Madrid...

So after about two and a half years Clayton decided to make his way back to the US. And he took the most circuitous route possible. Via Bali, Thailand, Germany, Spain, and Canada.

Living in New Zealand all this time, Clayton and I were never able to hang out. So he took the opportunity to come to Madrid and see what in the world I was up to here. He certainly got more than he bargained for!

I guess the Kiwis just don't get down like this but after we brought in the New Year in Gran Via/Sol we headed over to Pacha.

Pacha is a branded club, you'll find one in Barcelona, NYC and a few other select cities. Basically, it's THE hottest club in Madrid.

A special shout out is in order for my friend Mike B. for setting us up at Pacha with the table, bottles, and for being just a cool dude all around. New Years was so much better for it!

As for Clayton, he found out that in Madrid, the party doesn't even start until 2AM. It was great to finally spend time with my friend from college. Since we keep up on emails there wasn't much to catch up on, but time together has always been tough living on opposite sides of the Earth and all. I took Clayton and my other two friends through the wringer in Madrid: clubs, bars, museums, Retiro, the endless walking, the Metro. They even got a short tour of IE. Just so they can't say they hadn't been there!

So for all of you who think I'm out here just having a good time and carousing with my friends, well, you're right!

The New Year in Madrid

Passing the New Year in Madrid was terrific. We tried to do the traditional Spanish thing and go to Puerta de Sol in the city center but that was not to be. By the time we finished our dinner and walked there is was too crowded. At any rate, we came as close as Gran Via, a stone throw away, and watched the fireworks and ate the grapes as the bells tolled. Although Fabrizio, my classmate on the far right, had already ate his! I doubt that will change anything for the coming year, but I know we both have a hell of a time coming up in the second period of the IMBA at IE.

In this picture we have an interesting mixture of people from all over, again. On the far left Caesar and Shane, friends of mine from San Antonio. In the middle is Giaciamo, a friend of Fabrizio from Italy. And of course I'm in there too.

This was taken BEFORE all the debauchery began. More on that later.

The other thing you can't see in this picture, you're supposed to wear red underwear for the Noche Vieja. I don't know why. I can confirm that I was NOT wearing red underwear but I can not say with ANY certainty about the others, nor did I inquire...