The Canary islands...ah the random chain of islands that no one from the US has ever heard of. And for obvious reasons - it is impossible to fly to the islands from the US. Nice going, America. First they block Cuba, now I find out about this. Anything else? :)
Not only was this experience amazing because I would normally have no way of flying there, but the island could cease to exist pretty darn soon...slash be inaccessible. The sand is black, there are rocks everywhere, and only very few people live there. Why? Tenerife is a volcano. Yup. Teide the Volcano. And with all the current natural disasters, I felt that it was completely necessary to research this little land mass before deciding to sleep on it.
It explodes approximately every 100 years, and last erupted in 1909...so...long story short, the people are waiting for the warning signs for the 2nd largest volcano in the world to spill its goodies. And when it happens, rumor has it that the waves will destroy the east coast of the US...just putting that out there.
SO. I can say that I spend the best weekend of my life on a volcano that might go crazy!
So aside from the crazy black sand and fear of death part, it was about 78 degrees and amazing. I went with some new friends in the program and we honestly just layed on the beach, went for a short walk through the town, and ate at some amazing restaurants. It was extremely windy, however, so we got a good laugh out of literally chasing our clothes and beach mats along the coastline. Plus, I have an awesome sunburn as a souvenir.
All the people on the island, or this particular beach at least, were from the UK. So, we arrived speaking Spanish since Spain owns the Canaries...and that did not go over well. Apparently the islands are an escape for bitter, cold people from up north. Our version of Florida, perhaps. After consistently being told to "Go upstairs there" in reference to walking up a hill, we finally had to ask someone where they were from because they have the most ridiculous accents and idea of English. I wish I could have recorded it, but you'll have to take my word on the fact that it was Australian meets Spanish meets London.
At night, we enjoyed the bars and of course just HAD to enter the one with a bachelor party going on. Needless to say we were totally harassed but the combination of alcohol and funny accents and karaoke was enough to keep my friends completely entertained. And the sunsets were to die for. And the stars literally twinkled.
I would give anything to go back someday. It will probably be one of my adventures when I return to Madrid, seeing as that is the only way I can even get there. :) After my friends had gone to sleep, I laid out on the balcony of our hotel and just watched the waves meet the stars. I just kept telling myself that I was sitting on a volcano. That the other island was right in front of me. Africa was to my left. And my home...only God knows how far away "home" was. It was crazy...I was literally just sitting on this little dot in the world that is barely even big enough to make it onto maps. And there I sat. Just some 19 year old from Glen Ellyn with a chance to see the world...
