Let me give you a quick update. I've been so busy that I barely have time to post. Last Saturday a bunch of us girls went out to the city, shopping in the Plaza del Sol and eating at a sidewalk cafe (finally some real food). Sunday was church, dinner (again, REAL food) and the bullfight, which was incredible. One of the most thrilling experiences of my life. Monday through Wednesday were classes. Tuesday was fun because for my morning culture class we went to the Prado Museum (huge art museum) and for my afternoon class we did a walking tour of the city. Each person was assigned a place and had to do a little report on it when we got to it. It was a lot of walking (and so hot) but it was worth it. Some of us got ice cream after - AMAZING. Best and creamiest ice cream ever. Can't wait for gelato in Italy!
Thursday through Sunday we have had off for midterm break. After much planning and un-planning we decided to stay here in Madrid and do some day trips and see things here. Thursday we went to Segovia and saw the aqueduct, cathedral, and castle there. Loved the castle!! It was like a dream come true. Corny maybe but true nonetheless. When we got back we went swimming and hung out here in the dorms. On Friday five of us went to Valencia, a city on the coast. We saw the cathedral, ate paella (traditional Spanish dish that originated in Valencia), saw Berklee Valencia, and went to the beach. Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea!! It was great but it was so windy on the beach that we were covered in sand from head to toe. There were were tons of vendors from Africa/Morocco (and Spain) on the boardwalk and we did some shopping. It was very neat. The sea, palm trees, pink flowers, African music... a very fun time. It didn't really feel like Spain though, it felt like we were somewhere else entirely. They even speak a different language there (Catalán). You don't have to travel far to get somewhere that feels so different. My friends that went to Barcelona said the same thing.
Saturday we slept in because we got home around 4am (4 hour bus ride) and spent the day outside swimming and laying out, and later after dinner stayed in and watched Cars. We needed a day just to chill. Today (Sunday) I went with some girls to El Rastro, which is like a huge flea market. It goes on for many blocks. Lots of vendors selling things from clothes to antiques to artwork. I ended up buying a scarf for only 2 euro. We came back and had lunch, took a short siesta, and now are trying to do homework and study for midterms (UGH!!). Tonight at 9 for my culture class we are meeting for tapas (appetizers) and then going out to some festival at 10. Every night here is a late night, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. It just doesn't happen! It's the culture of Spain.
Recap: I love Spain.
(Okay, minus: Always feeling tired, eating the gross food that is served here in the dorms, having homework and classes, and having sunburn on my eyelids - who gets that?)
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