Crazy Bar

Crazy Bar
Originally uploaded by william benton

This small bar was the site of some madness only a few days ago- but I shall get to that.

Once I got settled into my room I went out to explore some more without the burden of my bags. I got an idea of where I had been earlier in the day as I had spent most of that time pretty confused.
I took some photos, checked out some things and eventually came back to my room for an overdue shower and to wait for MaryLiz and co. to show up.
The arrived and I was introduced to everybody. All of her friends and coworkers were extremely kind and interesting people.

They took me to a pizza place not too far away. I wasn't very hungry due to my day of travel and trauma. But I was OK with wine.
We visited and I was relieved to hear that everybody spoke excellent English. Especially the Americans.
While dining we were approached by a guy who was obviously drunk but very friendly. He said that his table of two girls doubted his English skills so he came over to show them that he could do just fine. He did a helluva lot better with his English than I was doing with my Spanish.
We talked some more. His name was Eduardo. I don't recall how this all proceeded to go down but one-by-one we were asked over to the table and introduced. Of course, I was the odd-man-out and everything had to be translated for me.
IT was eventually conveyed to me that Eduardo's girls were both intrigued by my hair. They wanted photos with me as, they claimed, I looked like a rock star. MaryLiz didn't help the matter as she told them that I was. Heh.
I explained that I was genetically obligated to play guitar since I had this bushel of hair. I think they were charmed.
So, I took cheesy photos with them. Eduardo, too. They were all too sweet.

It seemed as if the evening was coming to a close but Eduardo began to explain that he had a place just around the corner and he wanted us to come by. I don't even think that there was much deliberation- we just followed him.
We arrived outside of the small bar in the photo and Eduardo explained that he was going to have to go in through the window and he would need my help. So I helped him and we were in.
It was a tiny, charming place with walls of rock. It was really old which I really loved. Eduardo began to pour and pour. He favored pouring for me as he ALWAYS kept my glass full. He kept them coming.
They began to turn on music and the girls began to dance. I was being told about the songs that were being played, mostly pop hits in Spain. One I thought was particularly catchy was about how difficult it is to fuck in a small car. (Spaniards address the issues Americans are afraid to. Well, that and Americans all drive big-ass vehicles, eh?)
Eduardo kept showing me how you "dance in Spain" which was a pretty hilarious flamenco stance and fast-clapping to the beat. He would occasionally get down on one knee while clapping.

Somehow a dance competition erupted. We were all forced to dance with a wooden pillar. I thought everybody did pretty well.
(WAIT- I just realized that MaryLiz somehow got out of this degrading situation. Clever girl.)

We drank and drank and danced. I was asked for my tie by one of the girls. I eventually handed it over. Then I was told "they won't let you stop there". And, sure enough they began tugging at my shirt- so I had to bat them off for a bit longer than I was comfortable with. Crazy.

THEN, Eduardo said that we were going to another bar. I thought that this would be shot down by the rest of my party and with good reason: they all had to be up for work at 8am or so.
But, off we were. We went to a place that I have been unable to locate since but it reminded me of a New Orleans-style club. Very neat. It was pretty empty but Eduardo seemed to be a well-known character there.
We talked a lot there and I was scolded repeatedly when I would try my Spanish. Those folks want it EXACT; the subtle bits that I would try and hide or skip over would always get me in trouble. I also had a lot of difficulty pronouncing one of the girls' name which sounded like Yes-Enya. (Memory device: two music acts that I can do without.)
But it was all in good fun and I eventually got it right. And promptly forgot the lessons. Oh well. I was being given WAY too much free beer.
As we closed our evening, Eduardo told me that Spain is my second home and that we are all brothers here. Thanks to "Arrested Development", I did catch the brother bit.........
Incredibly kind. Overwhelming kindness.

We walked back to my place and I was deposited for the evening. I couldn't help but wonder if every night was this crazy.