So much has happened since the last time I wrote, obviously. I have eight days knocked off of the remaining five weeks of my Masters program. The trip is much better this summer, considering a) I am not sick and b) it is not yet 105 degrees. Today we went on our first excursion of three. We visited three towns about an hour outside of Salamanca - La Alberca, Mogarraz and Miranda del Castanar. The towns are said to resemble the small towns of France. They were all very similar, in my opinion, with cobblestone, narrow streets; old, old buildings; a church (we visit a church in EVERY Spanish town I visit); and beautiful, huge flowers on balconies and alongside buildings. In Miranda del Castanar we saw the very first Spanish plaza where bullfighting took place. The same town also has an amazing shop full of soaps, jewelery, olive oils and wines.
Fun fact: Spain in the largest producer of olive oil in the world. Many people believe it is Italy, but the truth is that Italy just markets the product better, which is why the large bottles of olive oil we buy in the grocery store are often from Italy. I bought two bottles for my food-loving husband - one that goes well with pizza and pasta, and the other for vegetables and bread. I also bought soaps for my mom, a pair of earrings, a bottle of wine and a block of walnut turron. Apparently I will be leaving my clothes (and hole puncher - don't ask) behind in Spain to make room for my "recuerdos" (souvenirs). My Spanish must be getting better, as it just took me at least five minutes to come up with the word souvenir in English. Either that, or my English is only getting worse.
The weekdays are booked with classes from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. with a break from 2-4:45 for siesta. It is not much of a break, once I walk all the way back to the dorm, battle the crowded cafeteria and get ready for the evening class. I've managed to keep up with running while I'm here, amazingly enough, as it's not too hot yet and I can squeeze a workout in at night. My friend Susan (she is from Napa Valley and teaches in a bilingual elementary school) found a yoga studio near the university and we are going to a class together tomorrow evening. Yes, I crammed a yoga mat into my suitcase. Right next to the hole puncher.
2 comments:
recuerdos. recuerdos. i think if i say it a few more times, it might stick. recuerdos. hey, can you work a fun word into each post? i need to brush up on my espanol.
you MUST try the cupcakes! the frosting is really what makes them super yum, i think.
fun! mmmm love good olive oil. hope you are having a blast!
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