Palma :)

As I previously blogged, Matt and I spent the weekend in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  It's the cutest little island, and we have been positively dying for some beach weather.  We flew down Friday, spent a good part of the day on the beach, had a nice siesta, then went to dinner and played trivia.

Correction.  I played trivia.  Matt is really socially awkward when we are in a country where we don't speak the language (coughourcurrentsituationcough).  So it took him a couple of beers to feel comfortable chiming in on the movie questions.  

That night we met some Frenchies.  This is cool.  So, we don't speak Spanish (understand it, ehhhhh), we do not at all speak French, and we try our darndest to speak proper English.  So, here I am, trying to converse (yes, converse Matt, not conversate. GAH.) with people that only speak their language while we only speak ours.  Sangria helps, though.  There was a lot of "parlez vous francais?", "Je t'adore", and the standard one through ten in the language.  

From their side it was "Britney Spears!" or more accurately, "Britnay Speeeahs!".  For some reason when I tell Europeans my name, they undoubtedly must scream the pop princess's name like it's special or something.  Listen all you Euros out there, it's one of the most popular names in the US, and yes, I know "Hit Me Baby One More Time".

But my point is, I talked to them for at least half an hour, neither of us spoke the same language, and we had a swell time!  Gesticulate, smile, and laugh, and you're sure to have a great time with Europeans :)

Back to our evening, we ended up chatting into the night with our new Slovakian friends, Alex and Chris.  They are two smart guys, and actually headed to University at Edinburgh, Scotland in a month or so.  That's on our "to visit" list, so we hope to meet up with them again there.

On Saturday we did a bit of the same.  I didn't remember it was Matt's birthday until halfway through the day and felt terrible!!  But, it's OK, because we found a pretty amazing sushi restaurant and Matt was able to eat his weight in assorted fish and rice rolls.

Sunday we spent the majority of the day on the beach.  After the standard siesta (LOVE them by the way!!) we headed back out to the beach where we bronzed and drank one fabulous banana something or another...

And let me tell you, these people hang out on the beach until after the sun goes down.  I'm talking, 9 or 10 o'clock.  But the absolute BEST part of European beaches is the "clothing optional" rule.  In the Dominican Republic I was a little hesitant because I'd never been anywhere like that before.  American ladies are taught to keep their tops on.  

Not in Europe!  You see younger ladies, women carting naked children around, and grandmothers all sans tops.  But it is so fantastic.  No one ogles, you aren't made to feel shameful - it's the norm!  Probably one of the most liberating experiences a woman can have.  I mean, guys go topless all the time.  Why can't we?!

Off the soap box and back to the beach...yes, it was fabulous.  We eventually ate dinner, enjoyed a couple of orange fanta's and rum, and hit the sack.  It was exactly the break we needed!

Now, the pictures!