Friday, February 25, 2011

Breaking up the Monotony

Wow, has it been two weeks since my last post?  Sorry about that.

School has picked up quite a bit actually.  I'm learning more and more why my university (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_III_University_of_Madrid) is so highly regarded.  This week I had something due in all four of my classes.  What makes up for a tough week?  A great weekend.  Last weekend I was fortunate enough to go to a concert of Fatboy Slim (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatboy_slim).  It was an interesting atmosphere, and a whole lot of fun.  The concert was advertised as being in Madrid.  I'm not going to say that it was a lie, but it would be like saying a concert is in San Diego while it's really in Oceanside.  From my door to the concert (La Fabrik in Humanes..there will be a test later of course) is aroundabout 40 km (64 mi).  Here is a map of the trip:
 The scale at the bottom left of the image shows what 5 mi and 10 km would be.  Easily showing this was no little trip.  But...what we found was in one word, epic.







If upon viewing these pictures you are thinking to yourself that it looks like pure insanity...that's because it was.  After the first hour of bumping into people every ten seconds, you understand not to worry about it.  After a long night (lasted until around 6 AM) we headed home.  And what are we doing tonight?


Hopefully it will not disappoint (I assume it will not).  It's in Madrid and it should be a fun night.

Now, I truly must be going, my Spanish roommates are expecting me to prepare some authentic American food...Hope they like Hamburgers!

-AB
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40 comments:

  1. ouchMarch 6, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Hopefully Pam "Mom" gets this message. Just saw the report on NBC and you mentioned that Austin NOW has a full beard. If some how a photo could be created showing him in a full beard it might spark a response. People on purpose grow beards as a disguise, so the people in Spain are looking for a clean shaven college boy and will not discern they are looking for a 6'5 bearded boy. GOOD LUCK GOD BLESS and contact Mr. Walsh whose son disappeared, he is an expert at finding folks. Be strong I know this whole deal is tearing you and your husbands guts out. I had a daughter who studied abroad last year, I prayed everyday! I pray your son is found soon!

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  2. Kelly AnnMarch 7, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    I pray your son is found soon!

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  3. BoriquaMarch 7, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I hope you're found safe and sound.

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  4. kimberly montoyaMarch 7, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Optimistic, and sending all my positive energy to you and your family. Please be alright.


    Readers, please donate here to help the Bice family pay for the search of their son. Every little bit helps.

    http://www.rsqfoundation.org/index.php

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  5. JosepcMarch 8, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    Rest in peace Austin.

    My condolences to his family.

    An UC3M alumni.

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  6. JainomoMarch 8, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Rest in Peace, Austin. You'll forever be an Aztec.
    SDSU student Beth Elderkin

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  7. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    So very sad. He sounds like such an optimistic, happy young man, so full of life.
    My sincerest sympathy and prayers for his family.

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  8. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    <3 I'm so sorry that your life was cut short. I'm sure that there was something bigger and better, than us here can ever imagine, beckoning for you. I'm sure you're with your loved ones in spirit at their dire time of need. God speed. <3

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  9. valeriarpMarch 8, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    He was hoping to have a great night.. and it ended terribly. I feel so sorry for him and his family. Rest in peace.

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  10. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    So very sorry that your family and the world has lost such a blessed young man! Yes, there must be something special coming up in the grander plan for this strong, tender soul! Our prayers will be with you and your family. Not that anything might have made a difference, but I am texting my 5 kids now to tell them to try never to let them or any friends travel alone during or after a night out. Perhaps we can save another young life in memory of Austin!!

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  11. ProgresistaMarch 8, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    I started reading his story last night when, according to Elpais.com, everybody, including his father, thought he was just missing: "disoriented, perhaps, but alive." I came back today to read some news, keeping the faith that he be found sound and safe, but sadly it said the police and a rescue team found his dead body in Manzanares river early today after draining it. To his family: my prayers.

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  12. Jorge Luis CarbajosaMarch 8, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG.
    I AM SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF SUCH A YOUNG BRIGHT MAN WITH A PROMISING FUTURE. MAY THE HIGHER POWER HELP HIS FAMILY.

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  13. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I also want to send my condolences to Austin´s family from Spain. I couldn´t help reading the blog and made me remember my time abroad as student in England. Such a bad luch!

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  14. La escritoraMarch 8, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    My condolences to Austin´s family from Spain. He seemed to be a very nice guy. A sad lost...

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  15. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    my heart aches for the family of this beautiful young boy. My son is in Barcelona. I know the worry and I can not fathom the pain. My thoughts are with his mom and dad ... a mom from Oakland Ca.

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  16. darmstaedterMarch 8, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    My most sincere condolences. I was reading his blog and he seems a wonderful happy person, full of life an optimism! So sad his adventures in my city ended this way...

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  17. Club SponsorsMarch 8, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I am so sorry to hear that you have passed. RIP.

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  18. Liz HolmesMarch 8, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Sweet parents -

    My heart breaks for you and all who knew and loved him. I studied abroad in Spain this past summer, and reading his blogs just now, I know that he lived each day there fully and made the best use of his amazing experience that you blessed him with to study there. I don't know what your faith may be, but please know that I, a random college student from Georgia, am constantly praying for you all. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but my heart is truly breaking for you.

    “Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:2-4,6-9

    The Lord has you both covered in grace and comfort. Again, I am praying for you all. God bless.

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  19. KitMarch 8, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    So sad. U passed away so young and so far from your home. Rest in peace Austin.

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  20. DruggyBearMarch 8, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    R.I.P fellow aztec

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  21. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    This blog, this post, this story breaks completely my heart. I did my erasmus 3 years ago and i can fell this enthusiasm. You can see he was full of life and amazed by living everyday. I've been suffering for him and his family since i knew about this, even not knowing him. I just want to send a big sincer hug to all his family, specialy his parents and siblings. I really admire your strenght. All the best for you. Austin rest in peace.

    Im from Madrid...if the family needs something someone from the city can do, just contact me

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  22. Laura HerreraMarch 8, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    I am very sorry for your lost! Reading this blog, I knew immediately he was a very good man!

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  23. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. LlenaLaNeveraMarch 8, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    I am really sorry for what happened to Bice and I would like to send a huge hug full of support to his family and friends.

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  25. ALexTavMarch 8, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    It's so sad that this kind of things happen to this kind of people... All my condolences from a spanish exchange student in Budapest, I feel very identified with this. Rest in peace Austin.

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  26. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Rest in peace, Austin. I know we haven't seen each other in awhile, but I can't believe you are really gone.
    My condolences to his family and those who knew him better than I. Austin was a great guy...I still can't believe it.
    Stay strong Bices.

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  27. Patricia B. DwyerMarch 8, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Rest in peace, Austin. I know we haven't seen each other in awhile, but I can't believe you are really gone.
    My condolences to his family and those who knew him better than I. Austin was a great guy...I still can't believe it.
    Stay strong Bices.

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  28. MarielaMarch 8, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  29. MarielaMarch 8, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Dear Parents,

    There's no words than can describe what you must be feeling now. I have follow up his story from Costa Rica, since exactly a year ago I went to a concert in the same Discoteque after going to classes in the same College.
    Our hugs, prayers and tears are with you all! My family and I know for sure that he's in a better place now. I really don't understand why young sweet people are taken away from us, I just hope that they're sent back as angels. I'm sure he's with you for the rest of the time.
    Am deeply sorry for your lost, I hope God gives you all the strenght you may need now.
    My family and I will keep you in our prayers.

    Mariela
    UC3M Alumni

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  30. AritulMarch 8, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Fate is so cruel sometimes. I am immensely sorry to hear how this situation turned out and only wish that it would have ended differently. I hope you will rest in peace eternal and my condolences to the loved ones.

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  31. çonostreMarch 9, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    I'm very very sorry for Austin. All my support for the family.

    PS. I think it's better to close the blog.

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  32. BarcelonaManMarch 9, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  33. BarcelonaManMarch 9, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    We're all sad for Austin. We at the MadridMan Message Board community have been following the case as well with careful interest.

    Sadly, Austin was found not too far from where I live here in Madrid. Our thoughts are with his family and memories go to those whom knew & loved him.

    Saludos, MadridMan

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  34. JorgeMarch 9, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    I'm from Madrid but nowadays I'm living and working in Panama. I've heard about Austin's story. I want to express my sadness about this accident and a big hug and all my best thoughts to his family in this extremely hard moments.

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  35. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I am so very sorry to hear about your loss, I was truly hoping and praying they would find him alive and maybe just with a head injury or something to explain how he had gone missing. I am very leary now of sending my 17 year old daughter to Spain this summer, she is going with her teacher and classmates but I don't know if I can do it. My heartfelt condolences go out to Austin's family, may God Bless you all and may you find comfort in your memories of Austin.

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  36. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Unfortunately, this is more a message for Austin's family than for himself. Reading this blog and the post about Madrid I really understand how much happy he has been here, and show me to see it with other, better, eyes. This has been really unfair, he did not deserve it. God, or whatever that there is, bless you and help to live withoutl him, i cannot imgagine such a pain you feel now. All my love for you.

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  37. UnknownMarch 10, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Obviously Austin was going for some exciting opportunities in life, which should inspire others of every age to do the same. As a guy also in school he seems like a buddy everyone would have wanted to have, especially while stumbling through youth to find a place in the world.

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  38. UnknownMarch 10, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    It's incredibly sad for me to learn this nice young man, full of life and future has passed away. It's obvious he was a good nature boy, a curious and intelligent one.

    Since he's not suffering any more, my condolence goes to his afflicted family. God bless.

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  39. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    I am an erasmus student in Spain at the moment. Thinking of your family at this time. You seemed like a really great guy. So sorry, rip.

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  40. MollyMarch 12, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Austin..im sorry so much for your family..god bless you ever. sure you are now in a place beautiful, with god..

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