Last night I enjoyed my first Spin (Speen) class in Spanish at Juy's Gimnasio just a couple blocks from mi casa. No one at the gym speaks more then the standard necessary English words..i.e. hello, hi, I see, like and ok. It's just fun. I am sure I sound just like that to them. Anyway, when I arrived, Gloria at the front desk gives me my membership card with a big smile says 'Guapa foto...like? like?". I respond 'Si, esta bien'. She then takes my hand and shows me how to use the card to enter the secured little gate to get into the gym. Which is funny because it's a metal gate right next to the desk that is about 1.5 feet tall and once it opens .. you are IN the gym. I about laughed so hard because the gym is right there, it's not a door, just a little gate and I could step right over it and walk in. But in all fairness, I think the gate is there just to keep track of members. The cards work like the 'Clipper' card in SF where you have to scan to get on public transit. Still it was funny. I was 20 mins early for class so she showed me the shower area, the gym (which again, you are in it the minute you walk in...the equipment is RIGHT there man) then to another room where she says to me 'Thina? Thina?' and points. At least that is what it sounded like she said. I looked around like an idiot while others on the machines stared wondering who I was. Finally, she walks me right up to it and points 'Thina'! Oh..oh...oh..'Treadmill'. We both giggled. So I jump up on that machine and again, like a deer in headlights, just stare at the controls. I look back at her and she's grinning from ear to ear as she then points it all out to me 'Inicio' START. Oh yes, 'ignite' I say and we laugh. Anyway, she showed me off, up, down, fast and slow. I can't tell you what they all are now but believe me I will know them when I see them again tonight. Ten minutes later I end my treadmill ride and head to the Spin class room. When I open the door seven people all stare. Oh shit! I wanted get in there before any one else. So nervously I hop on the bike that Gloria had set up to my height requirements earlier, well at least I thought so. Class starts and the music is REALLY LOUD but hey..it's English lyrics rock n roll, U2, Bad Company, Michael Jackson and more. That helped me feel more comfortable. The instructor smiles at me and says 'Primer spin class? poco a poco Diana'. She's right, since it's my first I need to take it 'little by little'. I know that statement because I hear it alot in school. After about 5 mins the instructor and I both realize my bike is not fitting me well. Shit, my knees are hitting me practically in the face and when I reach for the handle bars I am bending almost to my toes. The whole class got a laugh out of that one. It was hilarious. I tell ya, being laughed at in Spain is just fuckin' fun! No one's laughing at you in a mean way at all. If you can't laugh at yourself or be laughed at while you're in a foreign land learning a new language and culture then you might as well go home cause it's just plan FUNNY! After the bike was adjusted off we went and I did take it 'poco a poco' and made it through 50 mins. of SPEEN. I received a 'Bien Diana' from the instructor as I left the class and many many smiles from other gym members. I think they're getting a kick outta the new Estadounidense chick. Don't think they get too many estudiantes o turistas at the gyms around here. Tonight's class is at 18:00 hopefully I can remember how to use the Thina!
Oh yes, today I saw something I wanted to tell you about but forgot. You should see the guys that work at corporate jobs here. Wow! Not like SF at all. They all where those tight, skinny legged pants with those suit jackets that look too small and short. You know, like Ryan Seacrest. But on these guys it looks goooooooood. Long brown hair, olive skin and light brown/hazel eyes makes that style look REAL good. Damn! I just had to tell you about it.
And the girls, well let's just say "you should get your butts over here boys (or girls)" cause the majority are absolutely beautiful. Really. I don't see much difference in the way the women dress here then at home except EVERYONE of them at any age wear those flat sandals. The kind with no arch..just straight flat and with straps either just around the ankle or an inch or two higher. All the zapateria's have these sandals. Tons and tons of them everywhere. I've only seen a few stores with sandals that have even 1/2 to an inch heel and somehow those stores look like old lady stores. Whoops! So guess who's buying the 'flat sandals'. Yup..you ain't catchin' me going into the old lady store. SHHHHHHHH..they seem to think I am only in my 40's here. HEE HEE! Hey, I've been honest but if I can't convince them of the truth then why push it?
All right peeps, that's enough for now. Going to review some class notes, relax and then hit the gym.
Paz y Amor
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