An update for YOU

We wrapped up our first week in Salamanca on Friday! It felt like an accomplishment… having afternoon classes aren’t something we’re used to! We thought at first it was going to be better but now we aren’t so sure. Unfortunately Sampare (the name of the study program here) in Salamanca alternate teachers each week, and have decided to make our classes start 45 minutes later and go until 6 in the afternoon. Not really something we were looking forward to but all is well! I

Friday was eventful! Dean Chapman, who is the dean of the arts and sciences department at Samford is here visiting us! I had Dean Chapman for a class freshman year and adore him. He and his wife are precious. We got to hang out with them afterschool at a little ice cream shop. Tonight we are having a surprise birthday party for him to celebrate his life as well as the birthday of America. Then, Friday night a group of us went to “Jazz en la calle” (Jazz in the street.) It was this little plaza where everyone gathered in front of the state. Jazz music with a Spanish twist—and a beautiful cathedral glowing in the night sky, it was the perfect scenery with the perfect music.

Dean Chapman and (most of) the Salamanca clan

Cathedral!

Saturday we had our LAST excursion in Spain! We went to Avila! We saw a few churches, and a castle as always, and of course a cathedral! Everything we’ve seen has been beautiful thus far. Saturday night was the fun part …. Spain vs Paraguay! I can’t believe how into this we are. My hope is that Spain takes it all the way because not only do they deserve it for working so hard, but because… well, how awesome would it be to say that I was in Spain when they won the World Cup… YES, PLEASE! We blended in last night for sure! Yelling and screaming, along with everyone else at the cute outside restaurant. There’s about a week left. It’s so great and the energy is indescribable! Viva Espana! Oh and a little shout out to David Villa, who is single handedly taking Spain all the way! Villa, Villa Marva-villa!

Avila!

In the plaza after the game!

It’s funny how I’ve tried so hard to adapt to the Spanish culture, absorb as much as I can and to leave my American habits behind (only while I’m here:)… but today… is different. I woke up with this urge to write “Proud to be an American” on my face. I’ve searched high and low through my wardrobe here finding some red, white and blue but my only luck is finding blue. We have Americanized this day and it’s been beautiful. I was expecting today to be one of the hardest while I’m here. Celebrating the 4^th of July has always been a big deal in my family so I was determined to make today wonderful even from this far away. This morning we woke up semi-early and met some friends at the grocery store. We bought sunflower seeds, BBQ chips, salt and vinegar chips, cookies, wait for it…. WATERMELON. Not once in my 20 years have I gone a 4^th of July without watermelon. So we took our fruit and snacks and marched ourselves to the pool and planted ourselves there for hours! It was so much fun! Wasn’t quite the same as being at home… no real BBQ , hamburgers or homemade ice cream but we made it awesome. We’re sporting our red, white and blue tonight. Spain is great, believe me, but being here has made me appreciate my country on a completely different level. When the time comes, I’m going to grateful and ready to re-enter the land of the free and home of the brave.

Happy birthday America!