Dublin!

Just the type of weekend I needed! With more fiestas in Spain, we had Monday and Tuesday off from classes so I decided to take a trip to Dublin to visit Geraldine, Dave and their girls. I truly enjoyed not having to worry about metros or hostels and a language barrier for a full three days! Saturday was a perfect fall day and we spent it at Malahide Castle and the Portmarnock Beach. Malahide Castle includes a large playground where I spent the majority of the type hoisting the girls up to the slide. We then ventured to the front go the castle where there were two threes that just started losing their leaves. In Spain I haven't seen many beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves so I took it in as the girls skipped through them!

Malahide Castle

Beth playing in the leaves

Portmarnock beach was a little chilly, but the waves were a sight to see! The girls enjoyed getting as close to the water as possible and then running away quickly as it started to come back up!

Portmarnock Beach

Beth, Megan, and Amy are all adorable and full of energy. I really enjoyed spending time with them and after hearing the fights over who got to sit next to me at the dinner table, I think they enjoyed my company as well! Sunday was spent at Dave's nephew's first birthday party! I definitely miss family events like these, so I'm glad I got to experience something similar across the ocean. I was definitely sad to go on Monday and wished my visit could have lasted a few more days, but I know I will be back there soon!

Muchos Besos!

La Clima

I have unfortunately come down with my first Spanish cold, so I figured I would talk a little about the weather here in Alcalá. When looking at a map I could basically draw a line across the Atlantic between Boston and Spain, so I figured the temperature would be about the same. Boy have I been wrong!
The summer as I previously mentioned was HOT! At 9:00 at night my computer was still telling me it was 90 degrees outside (with no ac!). It also barely ever rains here, in over a month I have experienced only two days of rain! I now understand why when we were flying into Madrid everything looks tan and brown. I truly love that it doesn't rain though since I basically walk everywhere and would hate to have to worry about getting caught in a sudden rain storm.
The temperature now is interesting, to say the least. When I wake up and go to sleep it is around 45 degrees and midday it is about 70 degrees. You can imagine how difficult picking out an outfit is every morning with the 35 degree temperature change. I think between the temperature change and my "hostel" in Germany are the reasons for my newly found cold.
I have heard the winter gets very cold, but it also never snows here, which I definitely am not use to. Usually when it is extremely cold in Boston or Baltimore there is either snow falling from the sky or piled up next to the sidewalks. I think I am going to like the break from the snow though, especially knowing I will be returning to lots of it in December!

We resumed classes yesterday and I have now added a writing and history/culture class to my grammar and conversation classes. We are in class from 9-3 each day, not including the extra hour on Tuesdays and two hours on Thursdays for Maria Jose's class! All of these classes are in complete Spanish so as much as I complain about the long hours I know its best for what I came here to do. Each day I find myself learning new words and conjugating more and more verbs correctly. Now it only takes me 10 minutes instead of 20 to tell what would be a 2 minute story in English! My professors seem a little scarier this time around, but it only is day two so I am sure I will have more to report later on!

Muchos Besos!

Beer and Pretzels - Oktoberfest in Munich

What a weekend! Our first trip outside of Spain was to Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest. I now fully appreciate all the hype! It was the 200th anniversary of the event and I am so glad I got to experience it. We arrived in Munich, navigated the metro system, and arrived to a story-book like place. Munich is absolutely beautiful and I don't think any of us were expecting to love the city as much as we do now. The blonds in the group definitely felt more at home surrounded by the Germans and all of us enjoyed the actual fall weather and changing color leaves!

Munich, Germany

After being in awe of this beautiful new place, we then decided to find our hostel. I really should not even refer to it as a hostel. We ended up staying in a giant tent with sheets as room dividers and had to pass outside to a trailer to use the bathroom! After much contemplation, the spoiled Americans decided to stick it out and make the best of it. We spent as little time as possible there and the fall weather turned into our worst nightmare as the tent didn't really have a heating system and the nights were more than a little chilly!

The "Hostel"

On Friday night we found a delicious restaurant in Munich's city center, surrounded by outstanding cathedrals and other magnificent buildings. Here we had our first German beer and I had a typical German meal of steak and a baked potato! Following dinner we headed to the Hofbrauhaus, a very famous beer hall in Munich. I had a little Déjà vu when entering the hall thanks to Disney's Epcot and the night was truly wonderful. Here we had our first liter mug of beer and headed back to the "hostel" to try and get some rest for the next day!

Hofbrauhaus

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest consisted of large tents with huge tables that serve beer and various types of food. There are also carnival-like rides all around and many vendors throughout. We ended up at the Hofbrauhaus tent (the most popular!) and ended up getting a table with two British men living in Luxembourg! Here we drank our liter mugs of beer and experienced Oktoberfest to its fullest, including the many chants and cheers that the whole tent participated in. The Germans were in full traditional attire and the beermaids were able to carry about 8-10 mugs full of beer at once (we were all extremely impressed). Pretzels are a major part of the day, so I decided to try one and it was absolutely delicious!

Outside of the tent

Inside the tent

The Pretzel!

Saturday afternoon was spent reuniting with lots of other Loyola students studying in various countries (including my former roommate, Aly), going on one of the many rides, and taking a nap at the hostel! Saturday night we went back to the beautiful city center for dinner and found another famous bar to spend a a few hours at. We called it an early night since we had an early plane to catch Sunday morning. I am glad to be back in my room in Alcalá but it was truly a fantastic weekend!

"The Rocket"

Intensive Course - Done!

Yesterday, I officially finished my intensive Spanish course!  This included two hours of grammar and two hours of conversation everyday for the month of September. I loved both my professors (Nuria and Mariaje) and classes where actually a lot fun. We often chatted about anything at all, just to get us speaking. As I mentioned before, Spain loves weddings and in one of my conversation classes we spent the whole two hours talking about "bodas" (weddings). Yesterday, we even received diplomas from Acalingua and had a small ceremony to honor all of us. We have a few days off and start up classes again on October 5th. We will be taking a writing course, more grammar and conversation and a history/culture course, on top of culture course with Maria Jose (our director)! In the mean time, seven of my friends and I are heading to Munich, Germany tomorrow for Oktoberfest! We will be there until Sunday and I think we are in for quite an adventure (I will be sure to report when I get back!)

Yesterday, was also "una huelga general" (a general strike) in Spain. I barely noticed a difference here in Alcalá but after seeing Madrid and Barcelona on the news, I realized how important this day was. There have been less than 10 general strikes in Spain's history and basically everyone protested yesterday. In Alcalá the buses, taxis, and trains ran on a less frequent basis, but in the cities there were riots and most everything was closed (including major cancellations and delays at airports). The Spanish government definitely had their hands full! Many of you probably know even more details than me, since I heard it was on American news, and the news here is a bit more difficult for me to understand. That's all I have to report for now, it was a pretty routine week and I am now just enjoying having some free time!

I can't believe how fast this adventure is flying by (less than 3 months left!) Muchos Besos!

La Vida Española

I don't have much to report this week, so I figured I would share some of my observations about life in Spain. This week I both started and ended a 19th century literature class at the actual university. About half of us have decided to drop the class, since we do not need it to graduate and it is definitely above our Spanish level. In our class we have Spaniards (including some dads and grandpas!) and our professor does not speak a word of English. I am also convinced she talks without breathing or pausing, which I have been coming across quite often Spain. A lot of the time I feel as though I am just hearing one very long word rather than the intended sentences. Our intensive grammar and conversation courses are finishing up and we have our finals on Monday, I can't believe how fast this first month went by!

Other than talking fast...the Spanish drive fast, aggressively, and with no mercy. If you have one foot onto the street there is a good chance a car speeding around the bend could run it over and they wouldn't even look back! There does not seem to be a pedestrian right-of-way law here, and if there is, like the drinking age, it is not followed.

Spain loves graffiti! Almost every wall is full of names and drawings. What I love about the graffiti here in Spain is that once a section is "graffitied," no one draws or writes over it. It is your section and there to stay. This allows for the graffiti to actually look like art, rather than the jumbled messes often found on bridges or walls in the United States.

Graffiti in Alcalá

Along with graffiti, Spain loves bodas (weddings). On more than every corner a bridal shop can be found with displays of gorgeous white dresses. As much as Spain loves weddings, there is no push to get married early here. Sons and daughters often live in their parents house or apartment until they are 30 years old and move out once they are married. They also don't have engagements or a proposal, it just happens and a wedding starts being planned. There is no diamond ring or getting down on one knee in Spain, the whole process is much more relaxed, reflecting the Spanish culture in general.

We are truly an American spectacle here in Spain. I often travel in a pack of seven girls and the attention we receive is more than I could have ever imagined. The Spaniards have no shame in coming up to us or shouting "guapas" (beauties) from cars or street corners! While in restaurants we often manage to cause quite a scene and this past weekend in Valencia we were actually all given hats and were asked to take a picture with the owner! We are almost entertainment to these Spaniards, who have no problem sharing it by chatting "U.S.A" or copying various phrases we use, such as "oh my god!" Those are just a few things I have noticed about this new culture, I really have no complaints though, Spain has been more than good to me!

An American Spectacle - Valencia

Valencia

What a fabulous weekend away! Our first trip without Maria Jose was to Valencia, Spain. Located in the center of Spain on the east coast, this was the perfect get-a-way! I experienced a hostel for the first time, got to swim in the Mediterranean, went to the largest aquarium in Europe, and climbed to the top of medieval towers. We began our trip to Valencia with a four hour bus ride in large comfy first-class-like seats. After arriving we successfully found our hostel, Indigo. With a cartoon-like character as the logo we knew we were in for a treat. Each wall is painted a different bright color and basically everything was in English! We stayed in large room with 4 sets of bunk beds and one single and had no problems throughout the weekend with the hostel. Our first night out we got caught in quite a large thunder storm, but still managed to enjoy ourselves in a new city. Thankfully, the next day was a perfect beach day. We spent the morning swimming, tanning and walking the beach!

La Playa - Mediterranean Sea

After enjoying a lovely day at the beach and having delicious paella (with rabbit!) we did some shopping and I made a few more Spanish purchases! While shopping we got to see some magnificent buildings, including la plaza de toros (where the bull fighting happens) and even the post office was photo-worthy! Near our hostel was one of the medieval towers. Three of us decided we had a little more energy and climbed to the top! I am so glad we did! We got to see all of Valencia, which was truly spectacular! That night we went on a pub crawl set up by the hostel and managed to get wrapped up in an British stag party!

Top of the tower - Jocelyn and me

Sunday was spent at the largest aquarium in Europe, which is part of el museo de artes y ciencias. The buildings themselves are breath-taking. The architecture is extremely modern and all the buildings are white and blue (hopefully the pictures will help my lackluster description). The aquarium itself was incredible, my favorite part was seeing the baby sea lions "rough-housing" with each other! We went through two tunnels of fish and entered a dome full of birds! An absolutely wonderful experience!

Baby Sea Lions

El Museo de Artes y Ciencias

La Catedral

In the last few days I have been to some of the "must sees" when visiting Alcalá de Henares. These include the Cathedral, the Convent of San Domingo, and the University of Alcalá itself. As always, everything is beautiful. My host mom, Cris, and sister, Laura, took me to the Cathedral, but when we arrived mass was in session. It was a weekday night and the place was packed. I really haven't noticed Spain being as religious as I had anticipated, but seeing how filled the Cathedral was I started to re-access my observations.
We went out for drinks (and tapas of course!) while we waited for mass to finish. The Cathedral is simply stunning. Not the ornate, covered in gold, type of beautiful, but the pure white marble and the simple lighting surrounding the enormous organ was truly breath-taking. We went to bring flowers to a statue of a Mary in extremely simple attire, Cris feels she has more of a connection with this type of Mary than one decorated in golds and silvers. While waiting for Cris to get a vase for the flowers, Laura and I were approached by one of the priests. He began conversation with the two of us asking our names, which is always a struggle for me, since A-man-da is not easily pronounced in Spain (it is more like A-mon-da). After a quick conversation he looks directly at me and calls me out on chewing gum in Church (oops!) Laura had some too and the two of us quickly put our hands to our mouths and apologized, the priest began laughing and informing us that gum is always put under the pews (good thing he wasn't actually serious!) Cris saved us and we proceeded to the statue of Mary and left the flowers for her asking for good health and happiness. We walked around for a few more minutes and viewed the tombs of two young martyr saints from Alcalá. What a absolutely beautiful place, I now understand why its always so crowded!

Organ in the Cathedral - It doesn't do it justice though!