I love hotel beds. I don't want to go back to my board and springs in Salamanca. We woke up around 9:15 and went up to the 8th floor for breakfast of rolls, cheese, ham, and coffee. The bus would pick us up outside the hotel at 11, but this was the only information we were given about the day. We started out going to a Marina in a town called cascais. I didn't realize Portugal had palm trees; they're everywhere! The weather was beautiful, partly cloudy, warm, and sunny. This was such a blessing since we thought it would be raining all day. I really love how the city integrates the nature here. It's like one big park, relished with old, colorful buildings, built around palm trees and mossy cliffs. Next, we headed to another water outlook to have lunch (chicken baguette), shop, and clim Torre Belem (an old defense fortress, also used as a post office at one point). So beautiful, like a mini castle on the water. I bought a Portuguese flag and some really pretty tiles (very typical of Portugal) at one of the stands. We left for the hotel and got back around 4. Tomorrow, Antonio (our bus driver) is picking us up at 11 to explore the center city of Lisboa, which I've only seen from the bus, but looks incredible. Leah and I are just waking up from our "siesta" (I intend to bring this tradition to whatever country I visit) and preparing for the evening ahead of us. Several people have been talking about going to a typical sit-down Portuguese restaurant with live entertainment (Flamenco, I think). I hope my budget will allow me to do this because it sounds fun! Uh oh, I hear rain outside. Boo, Portugal stinks. Ha just kidding! I wish I had more time here.
sábado, 31 de enero de 2009
Lisboa, Portugal
Yeah yeah! Free internet in the hotel! It's ridiculous how much I've come to prize a few blissful minutes online. After the 5 hour bus ride yesterday we were all very antsy and very ready to explore Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal. We got to the hotel (Residencia Imperador) around 9 Portugal time (1 hour behind Spain). We're staying in a "four star" hotel again. The way they rate hotels in Spain, however, is a little differant than in the States. The stars represent the last time the hotel was renovated, so 1 four-star hotel could look completely different from another. Anyways, it's an adventure. Kelley did a little research for the group and found a place near the water (about a five minute cab ride from the hotel) with a strip of clubs called Docas. It's a beautiful thing to be an American girl sometimes...when you can cut to the front of the line and not pay a cent to get in. I stick with the rubias (blondes) and try to pretend I'm one of them. Walking along the water, you could see the famous Cristo Rei and the 25th of April bridge. It's one of the world's longest suspension bridges, one and a half miles long. It looks so much like San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge because it was constructed by the same builders. Alex, Colleen, and I met two guys in the Navy, one from Whales, the other from Scotland. It felt good to speak English! Actually it seems more people speak English in Lisbon than Spanish. After we were danced-out, Alex, Colleen, and I hailed a cab, thinking that having the name of the hotel (and only being 5 minutes away) was enough information for the driver to get us back. We soon realized that not only did he have no idea where the hotel was, he also only spoke Portuguese. Whoever said Portuguese is so similar to Spanish is deeply mistaken. While it may read close to Spanish at times, it sounds nothing like it. For example: Gracias ("thank you" in Spanish) Muito Obrigado/a (thank you in Portuguese). I rest my case. After asking other cab drivers and several wrong turns later, we finally made it back! Next adventure: my roommate for the trip, Leah, wasn't back yet and had the only key to our room. I had to get the man at the front desk to lend me the master key, but I couldn't get it to work. In broken Spanish, I asked him for another key, which I couldn't get to work either. Thankfully, Leah arrived soon after, but we had no luck when we tried her key. BACK down I went to the front desk. He came with me this time and was able to open the door on the first try, of course. I know what he was thinking too: stupid Americans.
jueves, 29 de enero de 2009
Jueves, 29 de Enero
It’s after intensivo and I’m anxiously anticipating some yummy siesta lunch. I learned a new phrase I want to use: “Que bien huele” or “Huele bien” for “that smells good.” It’s something I always want to say, but didn’t have the Spanish words for. I have high hopes for today because we had THE BEST siesta lunch EVER yesterday. We started off with vegetable soup with a tomato base. Next was rotisserie style chicken (perfectly moist) with candied cooked apples. And then fruit and bread obvi. Allison and I napped after lunch and headed over to the JMU office for WAY too long. I need a break from that place. The internet connection sucks and there are always too many people there. We’re going to the train station before dinner.
I predicted dinner last night. I was craving a famous Asencion omelet and that’s exactly what we got. I impress myself sometimes. We each had our own salad, fruit, bread (which Allison refused this time…an arrow to Asencion’s heart, I think), cheese, and pate (NO, GRACIAS). She gave us this tomato sauce with roasted red peppers to put on our omelets, which was phenom. I’ve realized that if I’m not eating food, I’m probably thinking about it…or even writing about it. So sue me.
Last night I needed some American flavor and watched a few of the Seinfeld episodes I brought with me. Bliss. God Bless America! We have our radio program presentation tomorrow and a BIG exam on Friday in intensivo. I wish I didn´t actually have to do school here.
I predicted dinner last night. I was craving a famous Asencion omelet and that’s exactly what we got. I impress myself sometimes. We each had our own salad, fruit, bread (which Allison refused this time…an arrow to Asencion’s heart, I think), cheese, and pate (NO, GRACIAS). She gave us this tomato sauce with roasted red peppers to put on our omelets, which was phenom. I’ve realized that if I’m not eating food, I’m probably thinking about it…or even writing about it. So sue me.
Last night I needed some American flavor and watched a few of the Seinfeld episodes I brought with me. Bliss. God Bless America! We have our radio program presentation tomorrow and a BIG exam on Friday in intensivo. I wish I didn´t actually have to do school here.
Miercoles, 28 de Enero
Yesterday in intensivo, we learned about restaurant vocabulary and several common dishes offered. It was fun, we all set up pretend restaurant tables and ordered off a menu in our workbook, with Javi as our camarero (waiter). Even though I’ve been catching up on sleep and getting enough, I’ve been so tired recently. I was checked out and mentally finished within the first 30 min of intensivo yesterday so it was a bit painful.
Afterwards, I got to skype with mom!
Siesta lunch was arroz cubano: fried egg, rice, and tomato sauce. As gross as this sounds, it was actually pretty good. We also had fried pork, bread, and fruit. Allison and I have started resisting Ascension’s insistent food offerings. We have even started giving her a taste of her own medicine. She pushes the plate of meat towards us saying “come, come, come” (eat, eat, eat), and we push it right back saying, “no, para usted, coma coma coma” (no, for you, eat, eat, eat). Isabel (her daughter) thinks this is hilarious, but I think it throws Ascencion off a bit. She hasn’t been feeling very good lately, so has been using that as an excuse of why we should eat and not her. We just can’t win.After lunch, I took a 2-hour siesta nap. I think I’m starting to get sick. My throat hurts and I’m feeling really draggy. When I woke up, Allison and I went to the JMU office. The Mac problem is still unresolved…very annoying.
On our way home with Colleen and Alex, we each bought a bottle of wine (only a little more than a euro each) to have for the evening. Dinner was Spanish tortilla, salad, and weird white sausage (no bread!?!?!?) After dinner, I did one of Allison’s cardio sculpt workout DVDs in our bathroom (it’s more spacious than our room haha).
Many people had plans to stay out all night and then go for churros and chocolate around 6:30 or 7 (it’s the Spanish way), but most ended up going home around 2 or 3. Typical. Allison and I headed back around 2:30 and had “randi” of course. Randi is the nutella we found last week in the kitchen pantry with the name “Randi” written on it. Clearly, this name has not stopped us from indulging in it often. Just saying Randi sends us into giggle fits.
No intensivo today wooo! It’s some saint’s holiday, I forget who, they have so many holidays here it’s fabulous. The Spanish even have a phrase “hacer un puente” which literally means to make a bridge. For example, if there’s a holiday on Tuesday, they will “hacer un puente” from Sunday to Tuesday and take Monday off too. The same goes for a Thursday holiday. Ahh these people know what’s up. I woke up about an hour and a half ago and my throat hurts so bad! I need to do my radio program parts and start studying for our intensivo exam Friday…yuck. Ally, Andrea, Hannah, and I are meeting at the JMU office at 4 to work on it. Well, that’s all for now…I need some advil and café con leche.
Afterwards, I got to skype with mom!
Siesta lunch was arroz cubano: fried egg, rice, and tomato sauce. As gross as this sounds, it was actually pretty good. We also had fried pork, bread, and fruit. Allison and I have started resisting Ascension’s insistent food offerings. We have even started giving her a taste of her own medicine. She pushes the plate of meat towards us saying “come, come, come” (eat, eat, eat), and we push it right back saying, “no, para usted, coma coma coma” (no, for you, eat, eat, eat). Isabel (her daughter) thinks this is hilarious, but I think it throws Ascencion off a bit. She hasn’t been feeling very good lately, so has been using that as an excuse of why we should eat and not her. We just can’t win.After lunch, I took a 2-hour siesta nap. I think I’m starting to get sick. My throat hurts and I’m feeling really draggy. When I woke up, Allison and I went to the JMU office. The Mac problem is still unresolved…very annoying.
On our way home with Colleen and Alex, we each bought a bottle of wine (only a little more than a euro each) to have for the evening. Dinner was Spanish tortilla, salad, and weird white sausage (no bread!?!?!?) After dinner, I did one of Allison’s cardio sculpt workout DVDs in our bathroom (it’s more spacious than our room haha).
Many people had plans to stay out all night and then go for churros and chocolate around 6:30 or 7 (it’s the Spanish way), but most ended up going home around 2 or 3. Typical. Allison and I headed back around 2:30 and had “randi” of course. Randi is the nutella we found last week in the kitchen pantry with the name “Randi” written on it. Clearly, this name has not stopped us from indulging in it often. Just saying Randi sends us into giggle fits.
No intensivo today wooo! It’s some saint’s holiday, I forget who, they have so many holidays here it’s fabulous. The Spanish even have a phrase “hacer un puente” which literally means to make a bridge. For example, if there’s a holiday on Tuesday, they will “hacer un puente” from Sunday to Tuesday and take Monday off too. The same goes for a Thursday holiday. Ahh these people know what’s up. I woke up about an hour and a half ago and my throat hurts so bad! I need to do my radio program parts and start studying for our intensivo exam Friday…yuck. Ally, Andrea, Hannah, and I are meeting at the JMU office at 4 to work on it. Well, that’s all for now…I need some advil and café con leche.
Lunes, 26 de Enero
Intensivo this morning. We learned about terms to use when visiting the doctor (we even learned terms for suppository, menstration, and constaptation. Thanks, Javi, hope I never have to use these. Siesta lunch was noodle soup (looked like a homemade version of soup secrets), pork, French fries, fruit and bread. Allison and I are slowly making progress with Ascension to lesson the portions on our plates…she’s relentless. I took an hour and a half siesta nap, much needed. When I woke up, Ascencion showed me on the map a park where I could run. It was about a ten minute walk up Maria Auxiliadora away from the Plaza. I ran for a little over 30 minutes and it felt amazing. Allison and a few other girls joined a gym, but I’m trying to save a little money. Being sunny and not too cold today, it was a perfect option. I came back, showered, and headed to the JMU office. Back home, dinner was fish lasagna? We’re still not completely sure. I’m not a big fan of the things she heats up in the microwave. We also had ham, cheese, fruit, and bread.
I’m still SO tired. I’m going to do my homework (noticias del dia) and go to bed! ‘ta luego.
Toledo y Segovia
Domingo, 25 Enero
We just got back from our Toledo and Segovia excursion and I am POOPED. Here is Jesus’ schedule of events (with my own added commentary)
Horario Excursión de Toledo y Segovia
SÁBADO 24 de enero
7:30am Salida Avda. Mirat. (Plaza G.G.)
11:00am Visita de la Catedral
-Tesoro
-Sacristía- Cuadros de Greco
We weren’t supposed to take pics in here, but Jesús told us to sneak some anyways. The cathedrals in Spain all point towards the east (where the sun rises) because God is the Light of the World. Among other things, Toledo is known for this catedral, built in the 13th century. It’s the home to many paintings by Rafeal and many other famous painters.
12:00pm Visita del cuadro EL ENTIERRO DEL SR. DE ORGAZ en La Iglesia de Santo Tomé
He was buried here. This place was smaller and much less “guay” o chungo (less cool) than the cathedral, but did have some beautiful art.
12:30pm Visita a la Sinagoga Santa María La Blanca
This place was pretty cool because it was a sinagogue with lots of Arabic influence in the architecture…really beautiful. Apparently, the Arabs had a great deal of influence in Toledo.
2:30pm Comida con los bocadillos de casa
Allison and I definitely won the hugest lunch award. We had a massive spanish tortilla (egg and potato quiech thing) bocadillo (sandwich), a smaller ham and cheese bocadillo, 10 cookie crackers, 2 apples, 2 oranges, and a giant cheese pastry from Gil (the pasteleria on the corner near our apartment!) Thanks, Asencion.
This was also the time we got our roommate assignments. Savannah was mine. She’s so nice and laidback. She’s a senior, but didn’t treat me as younger. We ate our lunches in the room. This hotel (San Juan de los Reyes) was so nice (4 star)!
During our free time, Jeannie, Allison, Savannah and I did a little shopping and exploring of little old Toledo. I got 2 scarves (one solid black, and one mostly red with a hippie-ish pattern). Only 4 euros each.
The streets of Toledo are SO narrow and very hilly! When a car passed by, we all had to press our backs up against the buildings to make space. Everything is picture-worthy. Someone could be the absolute worst photographer in the world, but his pictures in Toledo World still be stunning regardless.
4:30pm Visita a la Mezquita EL CRISTO DE LA LUZ
This was actually under construction and we weren’t able to see it. Jesús said the cool thing about this place of worship is just that it’s so small, and they’re working to make it a place of worship in the 21st century. Guay.
5:30pm Tiempo libre
Shopping again. I got a black and gold pendant necklace for 8 and a half euros. A woman at one of the stores showed me how to make these (very impressive and time-consuming!) First, the make markings or tracks into the clay ceramic disk, then they lay the gold thread into the groves until their desired pattern emerges. They are also known for their swords (Allison got a pocket knife, but I had no desire or money to do so).
As we were heading back, a few of us stopped at store to buy wine. I got a white from Rioja for 4 euros (I´m connoisseur already jkjk). As we were leaving the store, I got a call from Alex!! He had mentioned trying to find a way to get to Toledo from Madrid, but I still hadn’t heard from him and wasn’t expecting much. BUT he found a train for 8 euros that only took about 20 minutes…I’d see him after dinner. All the girls were squealing with excitement for me…it’s like I’ve known them for years.
9:00pm Cena en el Hotel
For being a 4 star hotel, dinner was a relatively disappointing buffet. Everyone looked really nice though! All the girls dressed up in dresses (I wore my brown skirt, new brown boots, fusia button-up sweater, and flowered scarf from Hannah). Lots of people drank in Alex and Mallory’s room befote dinner…what’s the point of that??
I waited for Alex in the lobby, and he came around 10:30. We headed down to Alexandra´s and Mallory’s room and he was bombarded with “heeeeyyyyyys!!!” and “So are you the novio? I’ve heard so much about you!” Haha he was completely unfazed. We watched Mision Imposible in Spanish…somehow not as good. It’s so cool to share Spanish stories with Alex, knowing he’s seeing and experiencing similar things. We kept pinching ourselves: “are we seriously in a 4 star hotel in Toledo, Spain together!?” I’m an incredibly lucky girl.
DOMINGO 25 de enero
Alex and I woke up early and walked around Toledo a bit. Because it’s Spain, it’s dark outside until about 9. We said goodbye and he headed for the train station.
8:30am Desayuno en el hotel
Much better than dinner! Buffet style with lots of pastries, eggs, sausage café con leche, and fruit. They even had churros and chocolate!
9:30am Salida a Segovia
11:00am Llegada al Palacio de La Granja, Visita de Los Jardines del Palacio. (Provincia de Segovia)
12:45am Llegada a Segovia, y visita del acueducto
Unfortunately, the weather was awful (freezing rain, snow, and hail), so we had to see a lot of Segovia from the bus. The aquaducts were from the Roman Rule and were built without any cement or anything. They had still been in use until about twenty years ago. Incredible.
1:30pm (aprox.) Tiempo libre, comida con dietas JMU
JMU gave each of us fifteen euros for food. Several of the girls and I went to a sit-down restaurant that was educational to say the least. You received a drink, bread, two courses, and dessert for ten euros. We ordered a bottle of white wine and a few bottles of water. Allison and Kelsey got sopa de castellana (apparently made with egg and bread, but looked like brain). Our paella was filled with shrimp heads and legs and body parts and really creeped me out. The fish Angela got for her second course still had its head and fins. My steak was like an obstacle course to cut around fat and bones. We finished off with successful helados and leche con arroz (much like tapioca pudding). We learned a lot from this meal.
3:00pm Visita del Alcázar de Segovia
This was so cool! This was the palace that inspired Walt Disney and where Columbus asked Ferdinand and Isabella for Money for his America expedition. Way cool, even though it was even colder in the castle than outside! At the end, some of us decided to climb the 150 stairs to the top of the tower. I’m so glad I did, because what a view!
5:00pm Salida hacia Salamanca
Finally warm and dry (but still cranky) everyone passed out on the bus.
7:00pm Llegada a Salamanca (aprox.)
Dinner was a Spanish version of hot pockets? Ascensión also got us churros and chocolate because we said we liked them (how cute). I am a pig.
We just got back from our Toledo and Segovia excursion and I am POOPED. Here is Jesus’ schedule of events (with my own added commentary)
Horario Excursión de Toledo y Segovia
SÁBADO 24 de enero
7:30am Salida Avda. Mirat. (Plaza G.G.)
11:00am Visita de la Catedral
-Tesoro
-Sacristía- Cuadros de Greco
We weren’t supposed to take pics in here, but Jesús told us to sneak some anyways. The cathedrals in Spain all point towards the east (where the sun rises) because God is the Light of the World. Among other things, Toledo is known for this catedral, built in the 13th century. It’s the home to many paintings by Rafeal and many other famous painters.
12:00pm Visita del cuadro EL ENTIERRO DEL SR. DE ORGAZ en La Iglesia de Santo Tomé
He was buried here. This place was smaller and much less “guay” o chungo (less cool) than the cathedral, but did have some beautiful art.
12:30pm Visita a la Sinagoga Santa María La Blanca
This place was pretty cool because it was a sinagogue with lots of Arabic influence in the architecture…really beautiful. Apparently, the Arabs had a great deal of influence in Toledo.
2:30pm Comida con los bocadillos de casa
Allison and I definitely won the hugest lunch award. We had a massive spanish tortilla (egg and potato quiech thing) bocadillo (sandwich), a smaller ham and cheese bocadillo, 10 cookie crackers, 2 apples, 2 oranges, and a giant cheese pastry from Gil (the pasteleria on the corner near our apartment!) Thanks, Asencion.
This was also the time we got our roommate assignments. Savannah was mine. She’s so nice and laidback. She’s a senior, but didn’t treat me as younger. We ate our lunches in the room. This hotel (San Juan de los Reyes) was so nice (4 star)!
During our free time, Jeannie, Allison, Savannah and I did a little shopping and exploring of little old Toledo. I got 2 scarves (one solid black, and one mostly red with a hippie-ish pattern). Only 4 euros each.
The streets of Toledo are SO narrow and very hilly! When a car passed by, we all had to press our backs up against the buildings to make space. Everything is picture-worthy. Someone could be the absolute worst photographer in the world, but his pictures in Toledo World still be stunning regardless.
4:30pm Visita a la Mezquita EL CRISTO DE LA LUZ
This was actually under construction and we weren’t able to see it. Jesús said the cool thing about this place of worship is just that it’s so small, and they’re working to make it a place of worship in the 21st century. Guay.
5:30pm Tiempo libre
Shopping again. I got a black and gold pendant necklace for 8 and a half euros. A woman at one of the stores showed me how to make these (very impressive and time-consuming!) First, the make markings or tracks into the clay ceramic disk, then they lay the gold thread into the groves until their desired pattern emerges. They are also known for their swords (Allison got a pocket knife, but I had no desire or money to do so).
As we were heading back, a few of us stopped at store to buy wine. I got a white from Rioja for 4 euros (I´m connoisseur already jkjk). As we were leaving the store, I got a call from Alex!! He had mentioned trying to find a way to get to Toledo from Madrid, but I still hadn’t heard from him and wasn’t expecting much. BUT he found a train for 8 euros that only took about 20 minutes…I’d see him after dinner. All the girls were squealing with excitement for me…it’s like I’ve known them for years.
9:00pm Cena en el Hotel
For being a 4 star hotel, dinner was a relatively disappointing buffet. Everyone looked really nice though! All the girls dressed up in dresses (I wore my brown skirt, new brown boots, fusia button-up sweater, and flowered scarf from Hannah). Lots of people drank in Alex and Mallory’s room befote dinner…what’s the point of that??
I waited for Alex in the lobby, and he came around 10:30. We headed down to Alexandra´s and Mallory’s room and he was bombarded with “heeeeyyyyyys!!!” and “So are you the novio? I’ve heard so much about you!” Haha he was completely unfazed. We watched Mision Imposible in Spanish…somehow not as good. It’s so cool to share Spanish stories with Alex, knowing he’s seeing and experiencing similar things. We kept pinching ourselves: “are we seriously in a 4 star hotel in Toledo, Spain together!?” I’m an incredibly lucky girl.
DOMINGO 25 de enero
Alex and I woke up early and walked around Toledo a bit. Because it’s Spain, it’s dark outside until about 9. We said goodbye and he headed for the train station.
8:30am Desayuno en el hotel
Much better than dinner! Buffet style with lots of pastries, eggs, sausage café con leche, and fruit. They even had churros and chocolate!
9:30am Salida a Segovia
11:00am Llegada al Palacio de La Granja, Visita de Los Jardines del Palacio. (Provincia de Segovia)
12:45am Llegada a Segovia, y visita del acueducto
Unfortunately, the weather was awful (freezing rain, snow, and hail), so we had to see a lot of Segovia from the bus. The aquaducts were from the Roman Rule and were built without any cement or anything. They had still been in use until about twenty years ago. Incredible.
1:30pm (aprox.) Tiempo libre, comida con dietas JMU
JMU gave each of us fifteen euros for food. Several of the girls and I went to a sit-down restaurant that was educational to say the least. You received a drink, bread, two courses, and dessert for ten euros. We ordered a bottle of white wine and a few bottles of water. Allison and Kelsey got sopa de castellana (apparently made with egg and bread, but looked like brain). Our paella was filled with shrimp heads and legs and body parts and really creeped me out. The fish Angela got for her second course still had its head and fins. My steak was like an obstacle course to cut around fat and bones. We finished off with successful helados and leche con arroz (much like tapioca pudding). We learned a lot from this meal.
3:00pm Visita del Alcázar de Segovia
This was so cool! This was the palace that inspired Walt Disney and where Columbus asked Ferdinand and Isabella for Money for his America expedition. Way cool, even though it was even colder in the castle than outside! At the end, some of us decided to climb the 150 stairs to the top of the tower. I’m so glad I did, because what a view!
5:00pm Salida hacia Salamanca
Finally warm and dry (but still cranky) everyone passed out on the bus.
7:00pm Llegada a Salamanca (aprox.)
Dinner was a Spanish version of hot pockets? Ascensión also got us churros and chocolate because we said we liked them (how cute). I am a pig.
Viernes, 23 de Enero
Right now, I’m sitting on my bed listening to the rain outside on the bustling streets…a perfect accompaniment for Bon Iver’s “Re: Stacks” on my computer. I have recently been obsessed with this song and listen to it on repeat again and again every chance that I get. I love the last line: “your love will be safe with me.”
Last night, we all met in La Plaza Mayor and headed to La Chupiteria. It was SO crowded in there and took forever to get served. We learned in intensivo today that when Spanish people go out they “poner el fondo” (pool their friend’s money together) and one person buys for everyone. This would have sped things up last night for sure. We’re learning. Next we headed to a bar called Camelot to dance. As it turned out though, the bar was filled with lots of older men…no me gustan mucho. Allison and I headed home early (knowing how disgusting I felt in intensivo on Wednesday morning). On the way home, we heard a man stumbling home, hacking all the way on a bocacalle (sidestreet) of Calle Toro...sad and gross. Next, a man who wasn’t speaking English or Spanish or any language at all stopped right in front of us and wouldn’t move or stop mumbling. Thankfully, dodging him proved easier than I thought it would be. We also ran into our new friends, Adam Martin and Brendon, who we met at Camelot, studying here from Wake Forest.
In intensivo today, we learned words and phrases to use in a bar or restaurant: how to order, pay, and what types of drinks are offered.
On my way home for siesta today, I stopped by MoviFone to add five euros to my phone. I went in and didn’t know what to do or where to stand. When it was my turn, I told the lady what I wanted. She took my number and I signed my name. After that, she said something I didn’t understand and I must have given her a stupid blank face, because she asked if I understood. She repeated it and I acted like I got it that time, but I was panicking a little. I acted like I was checking something on my phone and then slowly headed for the door, hoping that they would stop me if I was supposed to stay inside the store for something else. Phew! I got a text message about an hour later saying the money was added (which is over 20 euros…is this leftover from the last person?? Sweeeeeet.)
For siesta lunch today we had this cheesy tomato pasta with spiral noodles, then meat that tasted kind of like meatballs (with roasted red peppers), and bread and fruit. I slept before AND after lunchJ It’s been a lovely, lazy afternoon uploading pictures, journaling, reading. I was about to leave to buy a straightener (mine broke yesterday!) when Isa said I could use hers. WOO! I’m going to have to skimp big time on money…especially since I don’t even have a job lined up for this summer. Tonight, we’re taking it easy since we have to be at La Plaza GG at 7:30. SICK. I think Allison and I are going to the train station café after dinner. Hasta luego.
Last night, we all met in La Plaza Mayor and headed to La Chupiteria. It was SO crowded in there and took forever to get served. We learned in intensivo today that when Spanish people go out they “poner el fondo” (pool their friend’s money together) and one person buys for everyone. This would have sped things up last night for sure. We’re learning. Next we headed to a bar called Camelot to dance. As it turned out though, the bar was filled with lots of older men…no me gustan mucho. Allison and I headed home early (knowing how disgusting I felt in intensivo on Wednesday morning). On the way home, we heard a man stumbling home, hacking all the way on a bocacalle (sidestreet) of Calle Toro...sad and gross. Next, a man who wasn’t speaking English or Spanish or any language at all stopped right in front of us and wouldn’t move or stop mumbling. Thankfully, dodging him proved easier than I thought it would be. We also ran into our new friends, Adam Martin and Brendon, who we met at Camelot, studying here from Wake Forest.
In intensivo today, we learned words and phrases to use in a bar or restaurant: how to order, pay, and what types of drinks are offered.
On my way home for siesta today, I stopped by MoviFone to add five euros to my phone. I went in and didn’t know what to do or where to stand. When it was my turn, I told the lady what I wanted. She took my number and I signed my name. After that, she said something I didn’t understand and I must have given her a stupid blank face, because she asked if I understood. She repeated it and I acted like I got it that time, but I was panicking a little. I acted like I was checking something on my phone and then slowly headed for the door, hoping that they would stop me if I was supposed to stay inside the store for something else. Phew! I got a text message about an hour later saying the money was added (which is over 20 euros…is this leftover from the last person?? Sweeeeeet.)
For siesta lunch today we had this cheesy tomato pasta with spiral noodles, then meat that tasted kind of like meatballs (with roasted red peppers), and bread and fruit. I slept before AND after lunchJ It’s been a lovely, lazy afternoon uploading pictures, journaling, reading. I was about to leave to buy a straightener (mine broke yesterday!) when Isa said I could use hers. WOO! I’m going to have to skimp big time on money…especially since I don’t even have a job lined up for this summer. Tonight, we’re taking it easy since we have to be at La Plaza GG at 7:30. SICK. I think Allison and I are going to the train station café after dinner. Hasta luego.
Jueves, 22 de Enero
Ahh me encanta la siesta Espanola. We just had this delicious vegetable soup with tomato-based broth. We also had lettuce and oil, bread, Spanish fried chicken with roasted red peppers, and fruit.
In intensivo this morning, we learned about vocab to use in clothing and food stores, and also how to describe someone’s facial features. Tomorrow, we’ve having a fashion show in class where we have to describe what our neighbor is wearing…too bad I sit next to Alexandra who has crazy fashion and wears a million accessories I won’t know how to say in Spanish. Should be interesting.
Right now, I’m in a café inside the train station (about a 15 minute walk from the apartment). I’m with Ally, she’s so cute and nice. All we have to do is pay 1.10 euros for a café con leche and we’re set for as long as we want. I was able to skype with mom/dad and Alex. Too bad I look like poop right now. He and some of his friends are getting ready to go to Madrid this weekend…we may try to meet up in Toledo or Segovia since they are both relatively close to Madrid!! Eeee hope it works.
Oops, I keep catching myself mid-smile at strangers, yikes. All of us are going out tonight, which should be fun since Thursday is a big night in Spain, or so I’m told. Too bad we have class at 9am tomorrow. Not a lot else to report. I’m excited for this weekend! And next weekend is Portugal! I can’t believe this is my life.
In intensivo this morning, we learned about vocab to use in clothing and food stores, and also how to describe someone’s facial features. Tomorrow, we’ve having a fashion show in class where we have to describe what our neighbor is wearing…too bad I sit next to Alexandra who has crazy fashion and wears a million accessories I won’t know how to say in Spanish. Should be interesting.
Right now, I’m in a café inside the train station (about a 15 minute walk from the apartment). I’m with Ally, she’s so cute and nice. All we have to do is pay 1.10 euros for a café con leche and we’re set for as long as we want. I was able to skype with mom/dad and Alex. Too bad I look like poop right now. He and some of his friends are getting ready to go to Madrid this weekend…we may try to meet up in Toledo or Segovia since they are both relatively close to Madrid!! Eeee hope it works.
Oops, I keep catching myself mid-smile at strangers, yikes. All of us are going out tonight, which should be fun since Thursday is a big night in Spain, or so I’m told. Too bad we have class at 9am tomorrow. Not a lot else to report. I’m excited for this weekend! And next weekend is Portugal! I can’t believe this is my life.
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