salamanca y segovia

I know I haven't written in awhile, but I've been so busy running around the country!

Last weekend we visited Segovia and Salamanca. The churches there are beyond beautiful. Salamanca has such rich history - and was a cute city, but a little on the touristy side. We visited la Universidad de Salamanca, where we learned all about the traditions of the school in the past. Turns out Obama has had a conference in one of the classrooms too. But my favorite part was the graduation ceremonies for the students. At graduation, the student enters into a dark room. If they have passed their final exam, huge doors open out to the city and one by one each of the bells chime across the entire city. But if they have not passed, a small door is opened - and they are kicked out FOREVER. A little harsh if you ask me, but still honorable.

Segovia was much smaller and was set with a beautiful mountainside in the background. Legend is, there is a woman who's shape you can see in the mountains. It's a little bit of a stretch, but I saw it. But by far my favorite was the aqueduct. Built by the Romans, they still look as if they were built yesterday.

But enough of my travels, what has Spanish life been like? Well - they are seriously obsessed with ham. Like to a point of ridiculousness. I think there is a "Museo del Jamon" within 2 minutes of you in any direction at any point in this country. But the newest thing I've tried is this sandwich that they are all about - it is two pieces of toast with ham, cheese and a sunny-side up egg. The egg goes on top, and they cut a circle out of the bread where the yolk is so that it can oh-so-conveniently squirt all over you. It's actually pretty good, but probably the messiest thing I have ever tried to eat.

Spain has definitely broadened my food tastes, but baby could I use some Subway right about now... Hasta pronto, mis amores!

life is a bowl of zucchini soup

There it was. Sitting right in front of me. Green, viscous and infiltrated by mysterious evergreen particles... my dinner. A steamy bowl of yum, zucchini soup.

Well if you know me at all you know this is enough to send me running for the hills. If it it doesn't contain bread or American cheese, chances are I don't like it. But these are the times in life to expand my boundaries, so I went for it - and you'll be glad to know I finished the whole bowl and I'm still alive to tell the tale. It was actually really pretty good.

Spain has been such a crazy adventure. I've been here only a few days but I already feel natural here, except for when our group of 30 people walks around together in our backpacks and blatantly American clothing hahaha. Today I found the cutest little Spanish Thai restaurant called "Bangkok Thai". Yes, I know it's not really authentic spanish cuisine, but I was craving some chicken and fried rice. It was a cute little place set up in one of the shops near the el Sol and Opera area. For 11 euros, you got an appetizer, a dinner, dessert and a drink. Chances are- I will be back. The only setback was after I proudly ordered my meal in Spanish, the guy looks at me and goes "Okay, thankyou". Whomp. Oh well, I'm pretty sure I'm never going to be able to make myself pass for Spanish with my hair.

Tomorrow we have our last day of classes for the week, and then we are off to Salamanca for the weekend. I can't wait to see what is in store for us there!

This trip has definitely thrown me out of my comfort zone, but I think we all need that sometimes in life. You don't know what you have until it's gone - and this only makes me appreciate life at home that much more.

You have to live a little - sometimes life is just a bowl of zucchini soup.

cotton-eyed joe

The first night as a group (well, most of us) was a success. We ended up having a club promoter approach us and offer us free stuff and the VIP section to come into his club - but after having already experienced this once earlier in the night we weren't really sure what we were getting ourselves into. Luckily, "Moon Dance" sweet name I know was a success. We walked in and "I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain was blasting. It seems like even if it is all in English, the people in Spain will still belt out the lyrics at the top of their lungs.

We all were just starting to get accustomed to the club when suddenly all of the screens overhead turned to American Flags. Then, "Cotton-Eyed Joe" came blasting through the speakers. So, this is what they think of America hahahaha - but not helping the stereotype, we all started yelling and dancing like it was our favorite song in the world.

Today was our first full day of classes - unfortunately the class is pretty boring, we are learning about the history of Spanish Literature - from 9am to 1pm... Afterwards we went and toured the Museo del Prado and saw all of the paintings of Goya and Velásquez. But we are learning so much just from living here and talking to our madre, each other and other people we meet along the way in Spanish. We've only been here two days and it already feels natural.

Hasta pronto...

i see london, i see france

Hola desde Espana! I have been in Spain for almost 24 hours now, and it has already been a blast. Not without a few issues though- I told yall I would have some stories for you.

So we made it through Dulles no problem - in fact it was easy, too easy... After 8 hours of old people coughing, strange airplane food and so little leg space that a five year old would be squished we arrived in London. We thought everything would be tea and crumpets from here, but little did we know we had to go through security again. Well, if you know me you know that I always find a way to overcomplicate my life without even meaning to do so, and this was no exception. Silly, silly me left my quart-size bag of liquids in my backpack instead of taking it out and putting it in the bin separately. Obviously, this is a criminal offense.

When I saw my backpack pulled off to the side for extra-screening, I figured there wouldn't be much to it. But instead, I got questioned. "Are there any liquids in this bag?" to which I replied confused "There shouldn't be" because I had not yet realized I never took them out. So, the oh so chipper (heavy sarcasm) TSA agent emptied the contents of my backpack and held up my bag of liquids. Immediately I apologized and told her I did not realize that I had forgotten to take them out, to which she proceeded to lecture me on lying and insinuated that I knew that I had them in my backpack all along because they were all together in my allowed quart-size bag. With a dirty look, she told me she would have to take them to the side for testing. Luckily, I came out alive with no awkward pat downs and have never been more grateful to have my contact solution and toothpaste safe and sound with me.

But enough of the debbie downer talk, where is the good stuff? Well, when I finally found my flat after knocking on pretty much every door in the building (spanish flats are poorly labelled) the door was finally opened by my beaming Spanish mother. For the first meal, she made us spaghetti with salad and bread (which I was very thankful for given that it wasn't some weird food) but for dessert she made us the most amazing sugary waffle with chocolate fudge and whipped cream that I think I have ever had in my life. The best part, it was warm, fresh out of the oven.

I have so much more to tell, but I want to avoid turning this post into a novel. More to come tomorrow, or possibly even tonight!

Hasta luego mis amores...

my bags are packed, i'm on my way

Well, since Australia and China are okay and it's looking like the world isn't going to end today (since we were all SO concerned), looks like I'm on my way to Spain!

I've managed to fit my life into two suitcases - don't joke on me, one big one, one carry on, a back pack and my new snazzy over the shoulder purse. Most likely I will need 10% of these super important clothes, knick knacks and other nonsense that I've packed but hey, let a girl live a little.

My next post will hopefully be from Europe! And, since I can't get this song out of my head it only felt right to share it with you all...

So kiss me, and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me..

en las ultimas horas..

This time tomorrow, I'll be on my way! It seems like I just got home, and now I'm leaving again. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone, and I think I'm starting to notice that. The comforts of home, the assurances of knowing there will be normal (or at least relatively edible) food on the table, the ease of when there is a problem having someone actually speak English back to you (well... okay most of the time).

Tomorrow I'm leaving all of that behind. Let's hope that it's worth it. I'm just sure I've forgotten to pack something important, but that will make for a pretty interesting story to tell later.

Now let's just pray I don't get flagged as a terrorist by the TSA agents...

Adios, los Estados Unidos..

ps: must find way to incorporate proper spanish symbols and grammar into my posts?!

ya casi nos vamos..

In two days, I will be jet-setting across the big puddle over to Spain. I've done all the packing, all the shopping, all the preparing for spending the next six weeks of my life thrown into a new culture. I've managed to fit almost my entire closet into a suitcase weighing under 50 lbs, and have (shockingly) limited myself to 5 pairs of shoes for the trip- perhaps the most difficult part of the preparation.

With as well-prepared as I am, I'm still not quite sure what to expect. Will I be running for the hills or will the days fly by? Either way, I am most unsure of how to document these fleeting moments of drama, horror, comedy and confusion that are sure to be headed my way.

So who am I? Sometimes I don't even know myself anymore. I went to bed an average college student hoping for classes to go my way, and woke up a world traveler with my life playing out in front of me. It seems like I am quickly approaching the day where we all (GASP) become real people and I'm not so sure how to feel about that.

So this is one of those points where you get to take your life down one road, or the other. The moment where you make decisions that will shape the experiences, successes and setbacks that you will have for the rest of your life. Well, that's a good way to give yourself an anxiety attack.

I guess the only way is to move forward towards the "pura vida". The pure life. Leave behind your uncertainties, shed yourself of the weight of the hardships behind you and just enjoy every moment of life. We're only here for a short time, so spread your joy like every day is your last.

Don't blink...