You are the dancing queen!

Highlights and Lowlights: Go!

First the good stuff:

• On Monday, I played Tabú at work. Tabú is the Spanish version of Taboo.. you know, the game where you have to describe a word without using a certain set of related words. I am proud to report that I even scored some points! The fact that I could guess words faster than native spanish speakers is insanity! ..... I think that the ability to play word games in a second language is a huge step! And I'm pretty sure it's also an excellent way to increase one's vocabulary. Why else would I ever need to learn the word rebaño, except to effectively describe it during the game of Tabú?? Either way, it was a lot of fun to play. Of course I was at a disadvantage, considering my language deficiency.... but when I actually was able to describe words and guess them, I felt extremely competent. I think all Spanish teachers should make their students play Tabú. Really, I think that mastering word games in another language is huge.

• Yesterday I did nothing. Really. The students were watching Slumdog Millionare (which doesn't have a Spanish translation). I had already seen it many times, and was actually planning to see it last night at the Cine del Verano (an outdoor movie theater in the summer). So they told me not to watch it, so that I don't ruin the ending. hah. Like I don't already know it. Anyway, I just spent the day chatting away instead. Which was good. But still.... I feel so useless sometimes. haha

• Cine del Verano. ha. I went. It was awesome. I wish we had one in the United States. It's like an outdoor ampitheater with seats and what not, and they show movies every night, I think. It's really cool. Anyway, when we showed up, we realized that the poster said they were going to show Mama Mia instead of Slumdog Millionare. haha. Well, after having traveled all the way there, we decided to watch it. I had already seen it. It's a fun movie. My favorite part about the whooooooooole experience was the fact that there were middle aged Spanish men sitting behind us. And every time an ABBA song came on, they would sing along. HAH. They were loving it. So was I. I don't know that there are too many American men that would do the same. And they were just really into the movie. Laughing all the time. It was so great. The whole crowd was singing along to ABBA songs. I had no idea how popular they were abroad.

• Today I played a Spanish trivia game at work. It was weird. It was totally from the 80's or something. They were still considering Pluto a planet. (The board was galaxy-themed...I told you it was weird). And it was tough. Everyone was reading the questions and saying "Joder! Que facil!" haha.. meanwhile I had NO idea what they were talking about. There were a bunch of questions about fairytales/etc, and I would just have you know that the names are all different! How should I have known that Cenicienta was Cinerella... or that Ricitos de Oro was Goldielocks. Well, now I know. There were also a lot of questions like, "What is a ______?" ... And they were all obscure words that should have been difficult for Spaniards to define. AKA, they were IMPOSSIBLE for me to define. I had never heard of ONE of them. haha. The truth is, this game was a lot slower than Tabú, and less fun as well. But, when you think about it... who goes to work to play board games? ... Oh, that's right.. I do! :)

• Yesterday on the bus, on my way to work, one of the ladies who works with me in the comedor got on the bus as well. It was awesome to see somebody that I know out and about. This kind of thing always happens in small towns or hometowns, and to have this experience in a new town is a good feeling. It's like, hey.... I actually know people here. A similar thing happened a few weeks ago, when I was walking with my roommate, and we passed one of the students from the garden on the street. We stopped and chatted, and once again, it was just awesome to feel like I knew people in this town.

• Jessie has been talking about this opportunity through her program here in Toledo for English speakers to live here, with a residence and meals included, work for 12 hours a week teaching English, and get paid 400E a month. This is so incredibly tempting. Really, that is a small stipend, but with everything included it could work. And for only working 12 hours a week, that's not bad. Maybe I could find some people who want private English lessons as well? I have been thinking about this a lot. I still don't know. But we'll see. It's definitely an opportunity. Anyone else want to join me?? :)

• I am leaving for Sevilla TOMORROW!! So excited. I can't believe it. I feel like I'm going home. :)

Lowlights:

• I have a presentation due tomorrow, and I have not started it yet. It shouldn't be too difficult, but I just don't want to do it. On the plus side, I don't have to go to class after I am done! So this is a good thing.

• I also have a 5 page essay due next week, about any topic. I am thinking I'll write about Immigration. I know that 5 pages is not a lot. But once again, I will stress the point that I have no motivation. ...Maybe it's a good thing I am going to take some time off before grad school. :) Even though I know I'm going to miss school! I'll miss learning, and the atmosphere, and the schedule, but I definitely won't miss the homework and essays.

This is just a random point, not good or bad...but...

• The program is ending on July 25th, and I have to leave the residence hall by July 27th. My flight from Madrid is on July 30. I don't know what I am going to do for 3 days. haha. I might stay here in Toledo, in a hostel somewhere. Or I am also thinking about going to a playa.. Valencia, maybe. Or maybe somewhere in the north. I am not sure. But I'll figure something out. Maybe I should just use this opportunity to get really tan before I come home. You should see me now... My boss keeps telling me how tan I am.. compared to how "blanquita" I was when I got here... haha. I don't know whether to take this as a compliment or not... but I definitely am. :)

OK, I want to go do laundry and work on my presentation. And I have to pack for Sevilla! So much to do. And I have so little ganas de.....

Donde Esta Hemingway?

So I suppose I should make this a quick one, seeing as it's almost 10:30 and I have yet to read my homework. I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- there is just something so impossible about trying to do homework in Spain.

Nonetheless. I know you are all dying to hear about my weekend. Truth be told, it was every bit as amazing as I envisioned. Possibly even more so. I will now try to recount the weekend's activities without revealing too many of the boring details.

An all-night bus to Pamplona. Good idea and bad idea at the same time. We arrived in Pamplona just in time for the encierro. It was perfect. The bad part was that 1. we had relatively no idea what we were doing, because they were running special busses to Pamplona and weren't being too revealing about where to be at what times. So we were kind of confused. Usually the transportation here is so easy, but for some reason, this was horrible. 2. it was an all-night bus ride. I don't think I have to do much more explaining for the later point. All-night anythings tend to be bad ideas. But, we did catch a little bit of sleep on the bus, which was better than nothing. And what we lacked, we made up for in random plazas in Pamplona. So it all worked out.

The encierro was crazy. It is such a foreign concept for Americans to grasp. I mean, who runs down the street with bulls?? Oh, the Spaniards do! I have recently found out that these encierros occur in several pueblos throughout Spain, but none of them are as big as Pamplona. And the reason that Pamplona is so big has a lot to do with Ernest Hemingway. Nonetheless, the encierro was a great way to start the weekend. My friend Angelina had a great spot on the fence, I was looking through it. She had the top view, I only saw things running past. It was still crazy though. I definitely want to go back, and when I do, I'm totally going to find a balcony. One guy offered us a spot in a private balcony for 35E a person. That's steep. And I'm not rich...yet. But next time, I'd totally take that offer.

The saddest part about the encierro, however, is that the day we were there, a 27 year old guy from Madrid died. He was gored in the neck. Believe it or not, deaths are extremely rare. Injuries, sure.. but deaths, no. I think the last time somebody died was in 1995. And a few days after our encierro, another man, 41 years old from Pamplona, was gored in the chest and is in really critical condition. It seems like these encierros were especially brutal. Or maybe just because I'm paying attention. But everyone that I have talked to has said that it is a result of people not knowing how to run correctly. I can see that. There is apparently an art to running with the bulls, and believe you me, many a Spaniard has tried to impart their secrets upon me. If I ever run (which, in case you are wondering, will never, ever, ever happen), I will clearly know the tricks of the trade.
1. Pick a starting point and an end point. Don't try to run the whole way.
2. Run next to the bull, not in front of it--he can't see you.
3. Never touch the bull. This will make him turn his head, or turn around. Both of which could end horribly for you or your neighbor.
4. When all else fails, dive to the side and cover your head with your arms.
But, once again, I would like to reiterate that I will never, ever run with the bulls.

I think I was expecting there to be much more "fiesta, fiesta" as the Spanish would say. But there wasn't. I'm pretty sure everyone went to bed after the encierro. Party all night, run with the bulls in the morning, sleep all day. I guess that sounds like a good plan. Anyway, there were a lot of people, but it was a lot of families and what not. I am sure that if we had stayed later we would have encountered the fiestas. But nonetheless, it was a really pleasant day in Pamplona.

I love the fact that EVERYONE was dressed in white and red. There is nothing comparable to this tradition in the United States (except St. Patrick's day, maybe...). I was definitely wearing the white shirt, red panuelo around the neck, and the scarf around the waist. I felt so legit. I was only missing white pants... but come on, who really owns white pants??

Needless to say, Pamplona was fabulous. I am not sure that there is too much to do there aside from the San Fermin festival, but it was a nice city nonetheless. And definitely an experience. I definitely would like to go back for another San Fermin, and stay a little longer. But, for the weekend that we had, I am really glad our plans worked out the way they did.

We left for San Sebastian around 6:30pm on Friday, and got in around 8:00. San Sebastian is a GORGEOUS city. It's a really old, really European-looking, adorable city with a beautiful beach a few blocks away. The best of both worlds, right? It was just so charming. I really enjoyed it.

As per our plans, we definitely relejar-ed on the beach. It was so nice. The girls that I went with went surfing, but I wasn't sure 40E was worth my investment. haha. Aside from the playa we didn't do too much. We went to a few cafes/bars, walked around the ciudad, went to the Cathedral (just the outside), and botelloned on the beach. It was so great though. I loved the chance to just relax. We stayed in a hotel that was essentially an apartment. And an awesome one at that. I could totally live there. haha.

I would probably venture to say that this past weekend was the best weekend of traveling that I have ever done. I went with 3 people (including myself), which I think is an ideal number for this sort of thing. There was relatively little conflict over what to do and when, and pretty much all of our plans went as smoothly as we could have hoped for. Not too shabby.

But, this next weekend might challenge that last statement. I am headed to Sevilla with Jessie, and it is sure to be fantastic. I get overwhelmingly excited when I think about it. It will be like going home! I can't wait!

Weekends are so good.

Alas, this is not as short as I was hoping. I suppose there's just a lot to say. There's even more, too. I could tell you about how we were randomly serenaded by a Spaniard with the lovely song "Americanas--- donde esta Hemingway, Hemingway, Hemingway???" Or how we became friends with a didgeri-doer. haha. I don't even know what word you would use to describe a person who plays a digeridoo. Oh, or about how I met yet another person in Spain who had previously lived in Pittsburgh!! 'Tis a small, small world. And a good one.

And on that pleasant note, I think I will begin reading my homework.
.....It's gotta get done some time.

Best. Week. Ever.

This week has been phenomenal. Monday really started things off well. I am definitely more comfortable in my job now. Because I am realizing that it's not really about the job. It's about the people. Gardening, yeah, it's great. But what's even better is that I am able to talk to the students, and they show me how to do things and tell me what they know, and we have conversations about trivial things. It's awesome. In the comedor, it's not really about serving food, even though it is about serving food. But the awesome thing is that I am seeing the same people daily, and I am getting more comfortable talking to them. The jobs that I am doing here may not be the world's most important, but I am having a great time learning everything I can and holding conversations with the widest range of people about the widest range of topics. It's so good.

When I come home every day, I can't help but beam with excitement about my day. I always want to share everything with everybody. My trabajo is so good, I wish everyone could work there.

Today was a really good day. It was all about music. I would say that pretty much every day so far, I have had at least one conversation about music. I am not sure why. But one day, I was explaining to my companero de trabajo, Jose Luis, that I wanted to know more Spanish music. He told me to name the people I knew. I just listed everything on my ipod that was in Spanish---none of them were from Spain. :) He told me he'd make me a disc of mp3's. I have been anxiously awaiting it, and today I got it. It is full of music. 3.7gb or so. That is a lot of music. There is a huge range of stuff, from the 60's until now, and of all different genres. There's a lot to listen to, that's for sure. But I'll definitely pass along the good stuff! So far, my favorite is a band called "The Sunday Drivers". They sing in English, which is a little disappointing, but the music is so catchy. They are actually from Toledo, though, which is pretty awesome. So yeah.. it's definitely been fun listening to this cd this afternoon.

While we were talking about the cd and the million different types of music that he put on it, we got on the topic of Michael Jackson (which, I think we have also talked about every day), when my boss started singing "You Are Not Alone". I told her that I loved that song, and then she asked me to translate the words into Spanish. haha. This was awesome. I couldn't remember how the verse went, so I got my ipod so we could listen to it line by line. It was so funny. I was translating everything literally, and they were like, "You have to translate the words literally into Spanish, then we can tell you what they are actually saying in Spanish." haha. So we spent the morning descanso (about a half hour/hour break) listening to songs on my ipod. They went crazy for Jason Mraz and want me to burn them the cd. Piracy laws aside, I think this is awesome. :)

So, next week, when I teach some more English classes, I am going to choose a song or two to translate. The other day, one of the students asked me to translate an Akon song, which I could not do. Sorry, I do not know the Spanish translation for the words "winding and griding". But, I was able to translate "This is how we do it" into "eso es como lo hacemos". Maybe some songs are better left untranslated. :)

Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to next week.

Tonight, however, I am leaving for Pamplona and San Sebastian! I am so excited. The festival of San Fermin is currently taking place in Pamplona, which most people would know as the Running of the Bulls. Am I crazy for wanting to go? Possibly. But I feel that I cannot justify being in Spain for this and not going. Everybody is telling me to be careful of the bulls! And stay away from the horns! ...I am more concerned about the monton de borrachos in the streets. This is why we are only staying for a day. Our bus is leaving from Madrid at 1:00am, and we will get to Pamplona at 5:30. The encierros (when the bulls run) start at 8:00. We are hoping to get tickets to the Plaza, so that we will not actually be standing on the streets watching, but watching on a tv screen, and then seeing all of the people/bulls run into the plaza (the final destination). We have heard from some Spaniards that this is a good way to do it. We'll see. If not, we'll just be engulfed in the masses of people trying to squeeze in to catch a glimpse of the action.

Tomorrow night, after our crazy day in Pamplona, we are heading to San Sebastian, to relejarnos on the beach. I think that this is the best plan of all. I am not one for massive crowds of people, but I wanted so badly to go to Pamplona. When we realized that San Sebastian was so close, it was almost an obvious choice. I am really excited for a relaxing beach weekend (hopefully). I have heard only good, (very good) things about San Sebastian, and I'm really excited to see it.

For sure there are many good times awaiting us this weekend.
Ah, such is my life in Spain.

How To Walk Like A Spaniard: 101

It's true that there is a particular way to walk here in Spain. I haven't caught on quite yet, but I will soon. Here are my observations:

1. Never move. Not for people, not for cars. Just keep going. It always works out.
All tourists stop completely when cars come and cower into doorways to avoid them. I've learned that this is unnecessary. I keep walking, just like the Spaniards do (on the side of the road though, of course). Though I do have a deep fear of having my arm cut off by a side-view mirror. And, when it comes to moving for people, I still find myself in those awkward left-or-right situations at times. Oh man, I hate that!

2. Always walk in the shade. Pretend like the sun is lava (because here, sometimes it feels like it).
I am definitely catching on quickly to this one. You have no idea how much of a difference it makes to walk in the "sombrita"!
On a related side note: Today, while I was on the bus, we drove past a bus stop full of people. Not one person was sitting on the bench (it was in the sun), they were all scrunched together behind the bus stop.... the only place that offered shade. So typical, so hilarious. :)

3. When I say walk, I really mean saunter. Take your time, don't rush.
This has to be the toughest of the three. I have purposefully gone on walks with no destination where I intended to take a leisurely stroll, but I always end up marching along like I have some place to be. I blame this totally on American culture! I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not racing to be anywhere.

I might "dar un paseo" tonight, just to practice the combination of these things. Really, when you're American, this can be a little bit harder than it looks!

They're Grrrrrrrrreat!

I knew it was going to be a good day when I put on my Frosted Flakes/Tony the Tiger t-shirt. Don't ask me how, but I just knew this shirt would make it a good day.

Work was really good today. I mean, it's good every day, but I have been frustrated with myself over the fact that I am too quiet. I have been trying to convince myself to talk more, which is difficult for me in English, and it's even more difficult to make small talk in Spanish --that is, I have to make sure I am understanding the conversation correctly before I can interject or add anything of my own.

But this morning, it was almost like I was a native Spanish-speaker. (Ok, that may be an exaggeration.) I was understanding better today. I was being chatty, and making conversation. Why can't I always be this way?? haha. It was just so good. We even talked about my Tony the Tiger shirt, when one of the ladies tried to translate it. "They're Grrrreat. Does that mean they're grandes (big)?" It made me smile.

Not only was I talking with my co-workers more, but I was also making more conversation with the students (I don't know what to call them. Some of them are older than I am.. haha). It was just really good. The students were telling me that I understand and speak really well. This always gives me such confidence! As hard as it is for me to believe this sometimes.. haha.

In general, I felt very useful today. I felt like a part of things. I was helping to water (regar) the plants in the garden, to transplant tomato plants into bigger pots, to unload boxes of food from the truck, to put together bags of food/milk/etc. I wasn't standing around looking for things to do. I was just doing. It was good. Later in the comedor (where we serve lunch), I was actually helping to serve people. I was talking to them, asking if they need anything, clearing their plates, etc. They understood me, I understood them. It was just good.

This is the breakthrough day that I have been waiting to have. I am really hoping and praying that from here it just gets easier and easier to make conversation.

As if an excellent day at work wasn't enough, I had a great afternoon. A nice little siesta, and then I went to a cafe with my friend Angelina, where we made a pact to speak in only Spanish for the last 3 weeks. I'd be lying if I told you I haven't already broken this pact (and I am sure I have made and broken this same pact several times in the past as well). But it's the effort that counts, right? ... It was just a really good conversation, and it was nice to just hang out at the cafe, having a coke and people-watching, chatting about our lives in Spain. This is (one of the reasons) why I love Spain. I don't feel like we take enough time for this type of thing in the US.

Anyway, as I was walking home, I got a phone call. I didn't recognize the number, but I answered it anyway.
"Hola"
"Hola -- Raquael??"
"Si -- quien es?"
"Angeles!" (my senora from Sevilla)
AH! I could not believe it! I didn't know what to say! haha. I was so excited! I had sent her an email asking if Jessie and I could stay there when we're in Sevilla, and I gave her my phone number in the email. She said that we could stay there, but she wants to charge us. 20E/night/person. haha. This is steep. Nonetheless, she is including 3 meals a day and it is cheaper than any hostel that we'd find. She said she's willing to negotiate the price.. but still. haha. We'll definitely have to work something out.

Anyway, I was just so excited because I was understanding her perfectly well. I remember having difficulty talking to her on the phone in Sevilla.. and here I am, having a regular old conversation on the phone. She even mentioned how I was understanding her well, despite the difficulty of being on the phone. haha. OH MAN. Maybe I am making progress!

AH! So I just have been freaking out to myself since she called. I keep bringing it up on accident, and I think that nobody here really cares/is annoyed by it. BUT OH MY GOSH. I never, honestly, thought that I would see her again. I wasn't even sure that I would call her if I ever went back to Sevilla. And here I am... asking to stay with her! It's kind of unbelievable. I remembered during our conversation/shortly thereafter that she is kind of crazy. And that she runs a boarding house. Yes, she has "typical fees" that she charges people for a night (20E/person). But at the very least, this weekend is going to provide me with some really great stories and allow me to relive some very comical memories. Ah, I just cannot believe it.

So.. it's been a very good day for me here. I hope tomorrow continues the trend (without expecting too much, of course). I mean, I can't wear the Tony the Tiger shirt twice in a row. :)

Besitos,
Raquael

independence vs. connectedness

Independence day --- I don't think the founding fathers ever really though of it in the sense that I've experienced it this year. With practically everybody from my program gone away on a trip to Andalusia (which I didn't attend, because 1. it cost approximately $300, and 2. because I've been to Cordoba twice and I'm going to Granada in 2 weeks anyway), the building was almost completely empty. I ate my meals alone, and went out alone, and when I talked to my family on the phone while they were all together, I felt even more far away than before. Not to say I didn't have a good weekend, because it was fine as far as weekends go. But I think I am learning that there is a very fine line between independence and social isolation.

Independence has been a huge theme for me lately. I've been thinking about it since I got here. Maybe even since before I got here. But nonetheless, it's something that's been pressing on me. It's even come up in a few books that I've been reading lately, namely Into the Wild and Blue Like Jazz, both offering some commentary on the fact that it is not good to be isolated and alone. I totally agree.

And yet, here I am here in Spain, being independent. I am pursuing my own interests, on my own. I came here alone, and most days, I still do my own thing. I like company, but I don't like to tag along. I don't like to appear needy. This is where I feel a lot of tension. Not only am I shy, but I tend to do my own thing in an attempt to not appear clingy. I think this is a lethal combination. haha, I always end up feeling lonely when I first meet people. But I should just suck it up, I know I should. And unfortunately that sounds easier than it actually is. Don't get me wrong, I have friends here. And I enjoy hanging out with them. But I think that, more and more, I am willing to break away from the group to do what I want to do. If they want to come, all the better, but I'm more motivated now to do my own thing first. I can't tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing. It may make me appear more aloof and independent than I may actually be. (And maybe this is a problem--appearing more independent than I really am. Maybe that is where the tension comes in.)

It's easy to see that my semester in Sevilla had a lot to do with my independence. I mean, it kind of changed me. I went to a foreign country to live, not knowing anybody at first. Of course I had to become independent. And that continued when I got back home. I was living in a dorm, and was alone most days. I had to do my own thing. Even recently, I'm finding that I have no sure group of friends. I feel like I just float between groups, like I'm kind of a second thought always. I hate that in a way. I miss the feeling of belonging somewhere. And it's definitely difficult to know where I belong these days. Being in Spain again has brought out my independence, but I think it's also making me realize how much I want to feel connected.

People always talk about having a word that describes themselves. I remember thinking at one time that "independence" or "freedom" might be my word. It sounded good. I still think it sounds good, but I don't know if it would be my word anymore. I think this tension between independence and social relationships has left me to realize that I crave social interaction much more than I thought. I mean, I still value independence and being able to pursue my interests and what not. But at this particular point in my life, I think that more than anything I need to feel a sense of belonging.

So...................... this 4th of July, I celebrated independently. I ate my meals alone, and went to the mall and movie theater alone. And to really exercise my independence, I chose my own seat in the movie theater. No, I did not sit in row 9 seat B, which was my assigned seat (because they do that here!). I was an American, and I sat where I wanted. (Ok, row 8 seat C) :)

My roommates are all back now, and I have to admit that it was a little difficult to be surrounded by people again! I was tempted to go down into the lounge for a while, but I changed my mind. It's good to be around people. So that's what I'm gonna do.

besos,
rachael

Updates. Kind of.

I know, I've been horrible at this. I am going to try to give some highlights, though. Maybe a picture or two some day. It's just so time consuming to do all of this! haha. Anyway:

Toledo is great-- I love it. My internship is great, and I'm having fun. I'm quickly learning that I am fairly capable of speaking Spanish, and at the same time I'm quickly learning that I have quite a ways to go. This is a good thing. At this point, I'm pretty sure the most helpful thing is just being able to practice it all the time. Oh, and it helps that the accent in Toledo is much easier to understand than that of Sevilla. It's much easier to decipher when you have a chance to hear the whole word! This is also a good thing.

Just because I don't know where to start, I'm going to share some random thoughts/stories from the last couple of weeks:

• This morning, an old lady was sitting on her front step, and when I walked past, she got up, approached me, and asked me to clasp her necklace because she couldn't. Of course I helped her out, but man... what a weird request. It was almost like she was sitting there, waiting for somebody to walk past. .... I'm just glad I could help.
  
• People aren't calling me Raquael here. It's weird. But I guess it's ok. The way they pronounce Rachael is kind of endearing. I was just trying to make it easier for them! (exception: there is one lady who calls me Raquaelita. I love this even more than Raquael.)
• I have been teaching an English class. It is a lot of fun. It's super informal, and mostly I just review and re-pronounce words that they already know. But it's funny. And I'm learing new Spanish words as well. Sometimes when I don't know a Spanish word, they explain it, and then I can say it in English. This is helpful!
• People here like Obama. People keep talking to me about him. And they keep saying "Yes We Can!" ... (Or, in my English class, when I taught the word for weekend, "Yes Weekend". I had to explain that these were different statements.) :)
• The last name English is not well suited for living in another country, in another language. When I called for a taxi: "Cual es tu nombre?" --"Rachael English" --"No, tu nombre..." --"Mi nombre es Rachael. Raquael. Mi apellido es English." --"No, no hablo Ingles." --"Esta bien. Mi apellido es English." -- Then he just gave up and asked where we were. When the taxi finally showed up, the little fare tracker thing said "Son ingleses." ... HA. ridiculous. I almost felt like I was being discriminated against.
  Also, when picking up my bus pass: "Cual es tu nombre?" --"Rachael English." --".......Tienes tu pasaporte?" --"Si". (Woman proceeds to look at it.) "....donde esta tu apellido?" (I point to the name English) --"aqui.." --"Es tu apellido?" --"Si, es mi apellido y mi idioma. Que coincidencia!" ......and then we both laughed.... She had no idea.
  
• I am working in a garden. This has reinforced the fact that I know next to nothing about gardening. And I know even less about gardening in Spanish.
• I will be in Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls!
• I am going back to Sevilla with Jessie, a girl who studied with me in Sevilla! By total coincidence, thanks to the modern miracle of facebook, we found out that we are both in Toledo for the same amount of time! It's rather unbelievable really. Toledo is pretty darn small. So, we've been hanging out and planning our trip, and it's going to be amazing. To the very last drop. I can't wait to go "home"!
• I like Toledo a lot.
• The above bullet reinforces the fact that I am in love with Spain.
• I want to live here. But I am also really excited to live in Pittsburgh for a while. I am completely torn. I am trusting that if God wants me to be here, he'll let me know how to do it. Because, at this point, I have no idea how to go about it.
• I have a bus pass with my picture on it. This means that nobody can assume I am a tourist. Also, I go to work every day. And I don't carry that damn red map. ...I live here.
  
• I am beginning to think that the smell of cigarette smoke is endearing.
• It has been excessively, unnecessarily hot here. The average is probably 95-100. So not cool. (no pun intended)
  
• Children in Spain are still the cutest children I have ever seen in my whole life. Oh my gosh, it's so much cuter to hear a child say: "Mama! Mira! Compramelo! ..Porque no?!" instead of "MOM! LOOK! BUY ME THIS!... WHY NOT?!" ... See what I mean? :)
• Siestas are the most incredible invention, ever.
• Did I mention that I love Spain?

I will write more tomorrow. This weekend I am staying in this ginormous building with approximately 5 other people. The school took a big trip to Andalusia, but I didn't go. They were going to Cordoba and Granada.. I've been to Cordoba twice, and I'm going to Granada, and I didn't want to pay 210E ($300 or so) to go. ...Alas, I will be spending the 4th of July alone. I might make use of my new bus pass and go to the cine tomorrow afternoon. We shall see. Other plans include finishing my book (The Poisonwood Bible), writing in my actual journal, which I have neglected almost as badly as this blog, writing in my class journal, which I have written in, the night before it's due. So you see, some things never change. :)


hasta luegito,
Raquael