Both he and Jessica Moe, continued a friendship through the years despite living on opposite sides of the world. When another Minnewaska Area High School alum, Kayla Gilchrist of Starbuck, began studying in Spain, she got in contact with Guzman to help introduce her to her new home. While showing Gilchrist around Spain, Guzman introduced the MAHS graduate to his two friends and the three helped introduce Gilchrist to life in Spain.

After spending two years studying in Madrid, Spain, Gilchrist repaid the favor to her new Spaniard friends by giving the trio an opportunity to come to America to not only learn about the culture and language, but network Guzman's and Mañas English singing band, Crazy Evolution.

A rarity in Spain, Guzman said most bands sing in only Spanish or sing in both Spanish and English. The trip to America was meant to give the trio a chance to work on the language as well see what American bands are all about. The three even went to the Vans Warped Tour in Minneapolis and met the lead singer from Blink 182. While embarking on the trip to America, Mañas said he has given out hundreds of CD's of the band to friends, other bands, and even perfect strangers.

The group arrived in New York City on July 27, and got to their temporary Starbuck home on July 28. They stayed in Starbuck for a week before embarking on a cross country road-trip which took them through the prairies of Nebraska, the mountains in Colorado, the giant Grand Canyon, the lights of Las Vegas, and the ocean and fun of California.

"We've done more things in 20 days than in two years in Spain," said Mañas.

Though there are a number of similarities between the cultures, the trio said there are still some striking differences in the cultures especially with the way people say hello and goodbye. In Spain it is common to kiss people on both sides of the cheek, but in America such a move can result in a slap of the face and major misunderstanding.

Mañas also said the food is a lot "heavier" in the stomach than in Spain. Though they have such places as McDonald's and Burger King in Spain, "here they are everywhere," he said. In Spain they are just located in the major cities. Mañas also pointed to the fact there is no town square in Starbuck like in Spain where people just gather in the middle of town and talk and meet.

But some of the biggest differences are the people. Rodriguez explained Americans are more hospitable and friendly here to strangers than people in Spain.

"American people are more open," said Rodriguez. "Spanish people are more closed."

The group left America last Wednesday to return to Spain, but not before enjoying Lake Minnewaska jet skiing and having a surprise going away party with all of the people they have met over the course of the past three weeks in attendance.

The 20-day trip is the first time the three have been to America, "but it's not the last time I'm sure," said Guzman. "We hope to come here one day to play."

Gilchrist to Egypt

After spending the past two years in Spain, Gilchrist will study next year in Cairo, Egypt before returning to Spain the following year. She said she enjoys living in Spain and is looking forward to spending a year in Egypt.

"I love it, it's kind of my home now," said Gilchrist. "I kind of come here (Starbuck) for my vacations now."