Rebajas!

Well, here's the thing. I don't blog as often here because there really isn't much to blog about! We've adapted a new home in the library. Fortunately we only have one excursion that is mandatory while we are here and that's tomorrow. Emily and I are trying our hardest to get the homework for that done so we can enjoy our Friday night! We are still searching out things to do here. It's very different than Madrid. Staying busy wasn't a problem there because there was always something going, not to mention, in Madrid it was easy to discover a new part of town everyday. In Salamanca, we walk everywhere and we've pretty much already walked this province from top to bottom! The good news is... for the month of July and August EVERYTHING, and by everything I mean... everything... is half off. I'm talking about shoes, clothes, clothes, and shoes, and department stores, little stores... jewelry. WOW. Maybe this is more of a bad thing that a good thing but I can't let this "Rebajas" pass me by! Shopping, here I come!

“Yo soy español, español, español.”

“Yo soy español, español, español.” This is the typical chant heard in the plaza after Spain has just dominated another futbol game. Last night was no different than any other. After the final minute passed us by the entire plaza erupted in this chant. Oddly enough, screaming this phrase which means “I am Spanish” comes naturally to me now. Coming home is going to be an interesting transition considering… I’m not Spanish. I’m not gonna lie, I do get some funny looks walking around with my blonde curly hair while sporting my red jersey! It’s so much fun though, and it’s great pretending to be a Spaniard every now and then :)

The game was pretty much the highlight of our yesterday. Afternoon classes are quite different than what we are used to. Also, for some reason, we are given much more homework in Salamanca than we were in Madrid. So, we get up in the mornings and go to the LIBRARY, yes the LIBRARY to use the Internet and to do homework. We stay from 9:30 to around 12:30 when we go home for lunch and then school starts at 2 and goes until 5:30! Dinner at 8, and we have to sleep sometime! Now that you have read the play by play to my day let me reassure you… we still have fun!! Speaking of fun… here’s a funny story for you. I have learned that it is impossible for Spanish natives to say my name. Now, I know that they are ALL capable of pronouncing the letter “t” because I can list plenty of words that have “t” in them! BUT… no no no. My name will forever be, Courney. In other words, Corny. Really? And when they realize that they’ve messed up my name since it is so “impossible” to say, that say it over and over again…really fast so they make eye contact and say “Corny Corny Corny Corny Corny…” Oh boy…

Now I have officially skyped my parents for a long time today and have avoided homework at all costs. I’ve been getting strange looks talking into my computer from people passing by the cafeteria I’m so comfortably planted in (trust me when I say it’s no Starbucks, but it’ll do.) It’s been a great day mainly because I got to talk to my parents but ALSO because this waitress just brought me a coke and some cake which I didn’t order! I guess I’ll still have to pay for it but I’m gonna just pretend I’m really special for now! : )

Before I end this lovely blog I must give a shout out to my incredible roommate. She found out yesterday that her med school applications are due… today. Yeah, well this can be difficult when there’s only a computer between you and where the destination for your paperwork is. Luckily her parents have been super helpful and she’s been really strong. I can tell you that I would’ve broken down at least 8 times by now but she’s awesome and I’m very proud of my soon to be doctor roommate. Love you Em!

Salamanca!!

I knew that Salamanca was going to be different than Madrid... but I had no idea that I was going to love it this much and it's only day 2! Emily and I were blessed with an incredible family in Madrid, compared to others, we had absolutely no complaints... I honestly didn't think it could get any better than Carmen and David... but then there was Carmen and Miguel. We went from parents to grandparents and it was worth it! No more chocolate and bread for breakfast (I never thought I would be sick of that...) the only milk we have goes in our COFFEE and we have juice! So far I have identified everything I've eaten, we've had pasta, and breads, fruits and desserts... yum. The only downfall is internet. We were spoiled in Madrid and now we have searched and searched for internet in Salamanca but it's a rare find.

Yesterday we were walking through the plaza mayor after our flamenco class (which was incredible by the way) and it started to rain. The thing is... only half of the plaza was raining... it was so bizarre. But, much to our surprise a beautiful rainbow covered the sky when the rain stopped. We stood there in awe trying to grasp the beauty that was in front of us. We took that as our sign that wrapping up this trip in Salamanca is going to be well worth it.

We have group meetings after class today and then we are going out for tapas... and then, get ready.... Spain plays tonight! I have become such a futbol addict since I've been here. We are going to the plaza to watch it with a lot of locals :) We asked our parents here if we could watch it with them since that's what we do during dinner every night... but they said that they were going out with their friends to watch it so we should go with ours and just meet back at the house later. HA. Did I mention that they are 70? Incredible.

Yesterday was long and beautiful. We woke up early and went to visit La Alhambra during the day. It was so incredible, and very large. It served as a fortified city for the Muslims in earlier centuries. We saw where their armies stayed, their summer and winter houses, beautiful gardens and the view is remarkable no matter where you look.

After our visit we headed back to Madrid to drop off more than half of our group who are now at home in the United States! We went from 28 to 12... we shrunk in size but it's been great so far!

We met our families last night, and Emily and I were a little nervous because our padres are much older now than our last ones. However.... our "grandparents" are AWESOME! Just in the 2 meals we have had already we had dessert, bread and fruit! FANTASTIC.

6/28... Today, we slept in and ventured to school for our afternoon classes. It's about a 20 minute walk to school so it's not so bad. We had our orientation and real classes start tomorrow. This afternoon we are taking a flamenco class and then after dinner we will meet up with some friends in the plaza! Salamanca is very quaint, and calm... unlike Madrid. I think I'm going to like it here!

Our next mission is to find internet closer to our house, because as of right now we only have it in the school. Less than a month away from being home! How time flies...

Hello, Granada!

There isn't too much to report for today. After a delicious breakfast and sad goodbye to the beach, we headed for Granada, our last stop in Andalucia. Let me just tell you, this place is beautiful. We visited the royal chapel and saw where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel are buried. It was really incredible seeing their tombs... two very significant people in the history of this country, it was really touching.

Royal Chapel

Then, after some free time, we checked into our hotel and a nap was definitely calling my name. Once we were well rested we went shopping! There are some really fabulous stores here! After dinner we went to this spot in Granada that overlooks the Alhambra (which is a fortress and reflection of the culture under Moorish rule in earlier centuries.) It was absolutely stunning from the view we had. The most incredible part is that the mountains surrounding Granada are covered in snow despite the heat down below. So as we are looking at this beautiful palace and fortress the moon started to rise above these mountains--breathtaking! We will tour it tomorrow during the day too!

Alhambra

Now we are preparing to leave for Madrid tomorrow to take more than half the group to the airport. Eleven of us will remain! We are shrinking in size but Salamanca is awaiting our arrival late tomorrow night. School starts in the afternoon for me on Monday, so be checking for a new blog post then :)

Sweet Mary and me!

Curly hair....

Beautiful, friends!

a taste of paradise

Today has been the most relaxing day yet. Emily and I woke up around 8:30 and after a delicious breakfast at the buffet downstairs we ventured to the beach preparing to plant ourselves for the entire day... and it went as planned. So much so, that I forgot to eat lunch... whoops. Even after applying sunscreen at least 5 times I still managed to get a rosy back, but all is well :)

There was a large group of us just hanging out on the sandy beaches. It was so nice to relax and enjoy the beautiful ocean and enjoy the sound of the waves... it was the perfect way to enjoy our free day in Andalucia. I can also now say with confidence that I swam in the freezing cold Medetraniean Sea... my word, it was the most exhilarating and painful thing I have ever experienced and I wouldn't have changed a single minute of it.

This is where I spent my day :)

After I finally decided to take a break from absorbing vitamin D, I came in and fortunately got to skype with my mom! It was so great to catch up with her since I haven't been able to in a few days.

Then we enjoyed another fabulous dinner in the hotel downstairs and then went to cafe across the street to watch the Spain vs. Chile game. Our time was short lived there due to the sketchy viewers that were there with us BUT the good news is I saw the most precious baby while I was there. He was the roundest, fattest, baby I've ever seen and he was sporting an Espana bandana. Adorable.

Now we are hanging out in the room preparing to leave for Granada tomorrow... our last stop in Andalucia. For some of our group the end is in sight. More than half of my classmates here will go back to the states this weekend and only 11 of the 28 or so of us will remain. Its been a wonderful experience getting to make new friends and strengthen the friendships I already had.

Me with my wonderful roommate

Jackie, me and Karin

What's up, Africa?

Recap of last night... Flamenco was incredible. The dresses were beautiful and the talent was phenomenal! They even did a scene from the opera Carmen that I saw in Madrid last week!

This morning after another incredible breakfast we left Sevilla for Gibraltar. I'm sure most of you know that Gibraltar is actually an English speaking British territory that doesn't belong to Spain although it's located at the southern tip of the country. So the rock of Gibraltar pretty much sums up this city. It's a humongous rock that has many caves... and monkeys in it. Yes, monkeys. Wild, crazy monkeys. At the top point of this rock you can see the northern tip of Africa that is only 14 miles away! So not only did I see Africa from an English speaking country in Spain, that's not Spanish, I saw the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic ocean... which can be seen from 3 different countries in 2 continents. Wow, and if you didn't think that was crazy enough... there was a monkey on my head today.

A sailboat with Africa in the background, cool huh?

So, these monkeys are crazy. Two of the girls on our trip were eating ice cream outside when a wild monkey started chasing them until they ended up throwing their ice cream cones on the ground... please notice what is in this monkey's hand...

Our group rode in taxi's up this rock like mountain. Every time we stopped the view just became more and more breathtaking.

A lighthouse

Crazy monkey just chills looking at the gorgeous scenery all day, what a life

We left Gibraltar and headed for the beach! That's where I am now. After a glorious dinner... a buffet dinner... a few of us walked on the beach and attempted the typical "jumping" pictures, it just so happens these jumping pictures are in the Mediterranean Sea... no big deal right?

Roomies :)