Shabir's Birthday

Joan and I before the fiesta

I'm not even sure where to start because Saturday was completely insane and wonderfully fantastic in a few different ways. Joan and I, along with Albert, Jordi, and some new people I hadn't met before went to dinner and then out for Shabir's Birthday. We found Albert on the way along with his boss Jordi and his wife Laura (Both spoke a bit of English and were extremely nice).After some confusion about who sat where and if you wanted to sit inside or out, we all got settled and I got brave.

Joan Targas and Albert at Pinnochios

Normally at these functions I am pretty shy but something clicked last night and I just let loose (and that was without the assistance of alcohol) and was myself. Earlier, Pepi had decked me out in a stellar outfit and I did get my hair done so that amped up the confidence considerably I suppose. A guy I had met once before sat by me. I had met him months ago at Abacco along with his British girlfriend and they were both pretty nice. He and I talked practically all night about the university he attends in Barcelona which is the same one I am looking at attending, his life in Blanes, his girlfriend,etc. The best part was that I felt comfortable speaking Spanish around him and the rest of the group. Jordi and Laura were very nice and asked me questions about America and how I like life in Catalunya. I talked freely with them, Albert, Jordi and Albero in Spanish/Catalan as well.

After dinner and drinks and giving Shabir his gifts, we went to the Irish Rover, Shabir's pub. It was a wonderful time and I introduced everyone to my drink of choice, "Sex on the Beach".

My sex on the beach with Moet & Chandon in the background

At the Irish Rover

Shabir, Me and Laura at the Irish Rover

Joan performing "My Way"

Paaarty!

As the night progressed I spent a lot of time talking with Laura. She is a broker here in Lloret but lives in Girona. She is muy muy simpatica. Her husband has lots of money and lots of cars which he invited Joan to see sometime. Laura is also a supporter of Obama and shares my dislike of Bush. She called me a "smart American". Joan and the guys sang karaokee and Joan even sang frank Sinatra's My Way once again. At 4 a.m. the bar closed. After taking Jager shots and singing one last song we left. Everyone was still in party mode so we went to Disco Hollywood.

I have never been here because Joan normally doesn't like going to touristic places. However, he and Shabir know the owner/manager so we were let in for free and were given free passes for drinks. We all parted ways for a bit and Ana and I hung out by the bar. Not 5 minutes after we arrived an Italian man came to hit on each of us, in Italian. I told him in Spanish we couldn't understand him and he could not understand us. Ana told him I was an Americana and his eyes got wide and said "Ohhh English....ok. ok...." "Have a boyfriend?" I told him we both did and before he had time to respond Joan came up and said, "Sorry man, she is with me." They shook hands and the guy shrugged and walked away.

This is where the night got more interesting. Picture this: All the guys have been drinking all night. Joan has been downing jack and coke like water and Shabir has kept the wine flowing. This other friend of Shabir's, Albero joined us at Disco Hollywood. Now, he hit on Ana and I both at dinner but after he had a few drinks he told him how sexy Joan was and how he was his boyfriend. I tried to explain that in English that means "mariposo" and that he couldn't mean he was gay. He didn't listen and kept shouting "oooo Joan is MY boyfriend! Not yours". Joan was drunk so he shrugged it off. Well, at DH Alvaro was dancing provocatively with Joan and to make fun of him, Joan was dancing that way back. Jordi joined in and so did Shabir but it lasted all of seconds. We were on the dance floor talking etc when this overweight Spanish man approached Joan and asked him if he wanted to have sex with him. No joke. Joan told him he wasn't that way and was just joking around with his friends. The man laughed and shook Joans hand and then kissed it. Joan tried to be polite but I could tell he was extremely uncomfortable. The man then went up to Jordi and asked HIM if he wanted to go back to his place. Jordi said no and the man put his arm around Jordi, kissed his hand etc. I went up to Jordi and put my arm around him and said "Ven Aqui guapo" and led him away. The man followed us and went up to Joan and said, "Well, how about a 3 way with you and your girlfriend?" That's when I thanked the man but declined and said we had to go. Incredible.

We left shortly after that to try and find a taxi. So there we all were, outside waiting for a taxi, thinking the gay parade was over when Alvaro tried to kiss Joan. At that point Joan had enough and was quite ready to go home. We said our goodbyes and got a taxi home.

All in all it was a night full of laugher and making new friends. Next Saturday we will do the same but in Barcelona. Let's see how that goes.

Joan and Jordi sharing peace

Salut.