Jaime Rebollo
Alcántara (España)
Having Fun or Bothering Others?
Have you ever
enjoyed a typical Spanish “botellon/a”? If you haven’t heard
about this Spanish phenomenon, let me tell you a little about it.
Spending time
outside in the streets with my friends, and being able to have a nice chat
while grabbing a drink with them is one of my favorite hobbies. Although lately
it’s a very controversial subject —whenever you have groups of people
partying outside the authorities get suspicious—, young people in Spain
(mostly in the South, where the weather is warmer) continue to go to the
streets to meet their friends on Friday and Saturday nights. I have been going
to “botellonas” since I was sixteen and plan to continue this habit
as long as the government and my lifestyle permit.
Taking into
account that we are talking about an open event, that is, one in which you can
find any type of person, adults and teenagers alike, from any social class or
status, it has to be expected that you will find positive and negative elements
there; but isn't everything in life like that? This universal and miscellaneous
atmosphere that I so much enjoy is a double-edged sword that has to be dealt
with thoughtfully. You must know where to go, but that is not something
uncommon in our everyday life. Some people only focus on the negative aspects
of this social event: the rubbish in the streets the day after, the noise made
by the crowd, and the possible alcoholic habits teenagers may acquire if they
are allowed to drink freely in the streets. Nevertheless, a solution to all
these factors can be found if we think carefully about the matter.
Most of the
potential problems could be solved if the local authorities had the initiative
to really create an area for young people. For instance, La Isla de la Cartuja
in Seville (the former site of the World Expo) would be the perfect place to
create an entertainment center especially for the city's youth. Discos, bowling
alleys, pools, and maybe even a special area for “botellonas” could
be established under the supervision of the police so that trouble could be
avoided. The alcohol issue may be too complicated to be debated in this short
article, but still, I would like to say that this is an issue of education and
of our own responsibility rather than a matter of excessive freedom.
In a
“botellona,” you socialize with others, meet new people, and are able
to talk with all of your friends. This is something you cannot do in a bar or
pub, because either the music is too loud to talk, or there is not enough room
for all your friends to fit inside. The cost is another important factor since
any drink is much more expensive in a pub or bar compared to the price you
would pay if you bought a bottle with a group of friends in a supermarket.
Again, it’s not just about alcohol! There is no need to drink alcohol in a
“botellona,” you can drink Coke, Fanta, or any non-alcoholic
beverage, and the price would still be cheaper. The important part is being
able to spend time with all of your friends, meet new people of your age, and
have time to talk with others. If you want, you can go to discos or pubs after
the “botellona,” to dance and continue the party.
If you feel like
enjoying this social event, buy drinks before 10 p.m. and find out where the
“botellonas” are settled at the moment (the areas change depending on
the season, basically due to the weather). If you are a foreigner, I am sure
you will be very surprised by the view and will have a lot of fun.
Clearly, the best
option is not to forbid this unique Spanish event, but to improve its
conditions and organization. To sum up (I don’t want to bore you): one of
my favorite things to do is to hang out with my friends, and I strongly
recommend the “botellona” as a means to relate with others and enjoy
an open and active social life. So, if you plan on hanging out in Spain and
going to one of them, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?
¤ ¤ ¤
Suspiros de lejanía
Y
¿qué es la felicidad?, se preguntan…
En el micromundo
de mi existencia ser feliz es mirarte a los ojos y leerte el corazón a
través de las pupilas; saborear tu piel con mis dedos y sentir
escalofríos al soñar en tus caricias; estremecerme al escuchar
tus dulces susurros deslizarse por mis oídos al tiempo que tu boca roza
casi sin querer mi cuello; cerrar los párpados para ver el gentil tacto
de tu suave amanecer y perderme en las aterciopeladas arenas de un delirio
consciente; sentir tu peso desnudo en cada extremidad de mi cuerpo y fundirnos
en un profundo e intenso abrazo hasta que se desorbiten nuestros latidos y el
aire escape con dificultad entre nuestros cercanos labios; es tenerte
simplemente cerca, a un palmo, para poder extender la mano y darme cuenta de
que no eres una ilusión y de que este amor de fantasía que
compartimos no es fruto de mi imaginación,… darme cuenta de que
vivo un sueño del que no quiero despertar nunca.
¿Ser
feliz? Ser feliz es saberte parte de mi vida y no sentirme vacío al no
tenerte cerca; no sentir ese dolor en el pecho, encogido, ni tener que suspirar
al infinito por notar que me falta el aire de tu presencia; no despertarme a
media noche y hallar el hueco de tu cuerpo entre mis brazos; no derramar
lágrimas de amor contenido por no poder regalarte la ternura y el
cariño que rebosa por cada poro de mi piel.
Ser feliz es ser
consciente de la fortuna que poseo al conocerte y poder compartir contigo este
caminar al que llaman vida. Ser feliz es saber que, a pesar de las piedras del
camino, nos tenemos el uno al otro para apoyarnos si caemos, para regocijarnos
en los momentos, tantos…, en que el cielo y el océano se unen en
nuestro mirar. Ser feliz es surcar mi interior y sentir, sentir, SENTIR; tener
tantas y tantas sensaciones indescriptibles y enriquecedoras que me esbozan en
la cara una sonrisa eterna y que, de cuando en cuando, escapan por los ojos en
forma de pequeñas gotitas de mar, albergando en ellas un universo de
estrellas de gozo, paz y agradecimiento.
Y
¿qué es la felicidad?, se preguntan.
La felicidad es
sentirme lleno de ti y divisar el horizonte desde el faro de nuestro
amor.
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