Ben's blog

Hong Kong: Escalated it to another level

Ben — Thu, 5 Jul 2007 23:34:28 -0500

Seriously, everywhere you go in Hong Kong you can take an escalator. Most of the city is built on a mountain so it makes sense, but the amount of escalators really symbolizes the efficiency of infrastructure and lifestyle in the city. You definitely pay for this lifestyle, as the cost of living is...

A quick update: Barcelona & London

Ben — Thu, 5 Jul 2007 23:14:17 -0500

A second to catch up…

I’m a bit behind on the blogs due to the fact that my time on the Internet has been consumed by other work. And I was taken out for a couple days with a jungle infection in my foot from jumping off a waterfall in northern Thailand. But Ross has gotten some good blogs out...

Great Exhibit at the Tate Modern in London

Ben — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:50:04 -0500

Global Cities

There is a great exhibit that just opened at the Tate Modern in London today. It’s called Global Cities and is a must see for everybody who cares about the future of our planet.

Global Cities explores the impact that urban growth has on people and the environment and...

The Washing Machine: Barcelona, Spain

Ben — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 06:09:09 -0500

Did I mention how dramatically different each city in Spain is? The transition from tranquil, slow paced Sevilla to the crowded, busy streets of Barcelona has been like being thrown into a washing machine. Las Ramblas are packed and every side street, Gaudi monument and beach is full of visitors from...

The best place for lunch in Barcelona: Outdoor Markets

Ben — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:44:16 -0500

The outdoor markets in Barcelona are a great place to get a feel for the culture. The sights, sounds, tastes, and personal interactions are all on full display at the markets. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has it’s own market and cruising from market to market is a cool way to spend your day and...

Flamenco and the Sevilla Boys

Ben — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:36:12 -0500

So as not to double up too many blogs here on Matador, I'll direct you to Ross's write up of an incredible Flamenco concert we went to as well as a blog about our boys from Sevilla who are some classic characters.

Links:

The passion of Flamenco: an...

Sevilla: A Beautiful life in Sloooww Motion

Ben — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 10:05:44 -0500

After about a week in Madrid we packed up our bags gave the gals who let us stay at their place a big hug. We were headed for Sevilla to visit some more of our good friends and spread the word about Matador to the many study abroad programs there.

The transition from Madrid to Sevilla can be as...

Best Burger Joint in Madrid, Spain

Ben — Fri, 8 Jun 2007 06:21:21 -0500

If you're in Madrid long enough there will come a time when you crave something other than the traditional Spanish food. When that time comes you should head straight to Don Oso's burger joint in Moncloa. They've got incredible burgers which you can get with cheese, bacon and mushrooms with a side...

Wedding of two cultures

Ben — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 08:53:10 -0500

Ryan and Chari’s wedding was a blast. The ultimate fusion of Spanish American culture. The ceremony was in both Spanish and English in this beautiful garden at a banquet hall about 40 minutes outside of Madrid. Everybody was dressed to a T and all smiles hugs and besos. Ryan and Chari and their son...

Back in Madrid, Spain

Ben — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 08:37:10 -0500

It’s been almost 5 years since I’ve been back to Madrid and to be honest not much has changed. Maybe a little more development and, according to our taxi driver, a lot more traffic. But at least in the four days that we’ve been here it’s felt like we’ve never left.

Our good friend is...

Ahhhh... Stockholm, Sweden

Ben — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 08:13:01 -0500

Sexy Stockholm! That pretty much sums up our time here. The weather is gorgeous, the architecture and design is stylish and clean. The people are good looking and friendly and the nightlife is rockin. Outdoor activities are based around the water and the islands off the coast, which means a lot of...

London. I shall return!

Ben — Mon, 4 Jun 2007 13:01:47 -0500

It’s been a packed three days in London. We haven’t stopped moving since we got off the plane. We’ve been spoiled in the sense that we’ve had beautiful sunny weather and a host that has been living here for 4 years and through the trials and tribulations of starting a successful business...

A Fusion of Power & Grace: Ballet, Shaolin Monk Style

Ben — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:56:49 -0500

On Thursday we took my brother to see Alonzo King's LINES Ballet in collaboration with the Shaolin Monks for his birthday. It was one of the most flawless fusions of culture, movement, power and grace I've ever seen. At one time during the performance, a simple and beautiful moment (and there...

Adrenaline and Sunshine: Day Trips from San Francisco

Ben — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:54:07 -0500

The clean, crisp alpine air, the sweet smell of pine trees, the warm, midday sunshine on your back, the mist of a nearby waterfall on your face are all forgotten as you fly 80ft through the sky, limbs flailing, jaw clenched, overwhelmed by terror, exhilaration and gravity. No more thinking, just...

Some amateur creative writing...

Ben — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 01:18:47 -0500

The melodies of my mind play an eclectic tune for us to dance to.

The samba, the salsa, the waltz, the mirengue,

Oh life you require a wide array of spins, twists, dips and dives in order to keep in time.

Your warm breath on my neck

The curve of the small of your back, the smooth sway of...