granada

last weekend i went to granada and sevilla. it was beautiful, the weather was fantastic (sunny & 90 degrees), and we saw some stunning architecture. the alhambra is truely magnificent, probably my favorite thing i have seen thus far is spain. if you don't know what it is, it is this grand palace with elaborate gardens, fountains, and panoramic views. i would describe the gardens as magical, just walking through as a tourist it is so easy to imagine yourself as royalty. the pictures here, don't do la alhambra justice. it is a place everyone should visit.

Los viajes

My travels thus far include, Barcelona; Madrid (the Reina Sofia, I plan to go back to the city and see lots more); San Sabastian; and Lisbon, Portugual.

I cannot say that one city is better than the other, or that I even like one the most. Each defintely has it's own character. Barcelona is international, lively, and colorful. San Sabastian is right on the Atlantic, a beach town, with beautiful views, and more of French influenced architecture. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to go the the Guggenheim. Lisbon, is also close to the Atlantic, but Portugual is very different than Spain. Besides the language barrier, it was nice, and we had the opportunity to spend a wonderful day on the beach. They also have excellent port wine, and tasty custard pastries.

This weekend, I will spend it here in Salamanca. I am looking forward to a weekend without the bus, train, or airplane, and packing.

Salamanca

Salamanca is a beautiful city, I love it here. The university great, and I like my classes thus far. I have about a 15-20 minute walk to school each day. It is nice that I have a routine now. So I am going to share what a typical weekday is like.

I wake up at 7:30. I eat breakfast at 8 (this is pan, cafe con leche, y zuma). School starts at 9, so I leave my house around 8:30. I have class until 2:15. My class schedule is grammer and language, conversation, culture, then art. By 2:15 I am so hungry, and walk back home for la comida. This is the biggest meal of the day, and for me, usually is: soup, pan, fish or calamares or a fried vegtable, with tomatoes, and then a piece of fruit. I then take the famous spanish siesta. After I wake up, I like to spend time in the plaza mayor and have a drink or some type of mid-day snack. I do homework, as well, before cena. Cena is a smaller meal, my family here eats between 8:30 and 9, which is pretty early. After cena, I finish homework, and go to an internet cafe/candy shop close to my house. Around 11pm, I am back at the plaza meeting friends, and we go out.

barcelona, gaudi, y jamon en el marcado

i'm in Spain

i have arrived to barcelona safe and sound, exhausted but ready to explore the city a bit this afternoon.

6 dias...

ok, so i've basically packed all of my things (in hopes that my check-in will be under 50 lbs) and am just doing last minute stuff. later in my blog, i will make a packing list, and let you know what i packed, what i didn't, things i forgot that would have been nice to have, etc. but i think i've packed pretty appropriately at this point.



the whole leaving the country for 3 months thing hasn't really hit me yet, and to be honest i don't think it will until either i am in the airport, or after i've already arrived to Barcelona. for now though, i am enjoying Michigan, and the wonderful people here, and kind of hoping going to Spain will hit me later (as in once i get there).

hola.

bienvenidos.

i leave for spain in about 2 weeks. i have so many things to do, and so many things to pack. i started this evening. i think it will take me about these whole 2 weeks to pack. we'll see.