Sketchier than Jamon

Que tal el mundo?!

Update on life in Salamanca...

Again God is good. Woke up today feeling blessed, not lucky! Luck is an understatement. Sun is shining and all is well here in Salamanca, except for the little cucaracha I saw scurry in the kitchen. I looked out the balcony today and just wished that some of my friends and family could experience this. That's not the case. So on the contrary this is why I am blogging so you all can get a little insight on what life is like in Salamanca, Spain.

EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL RIGHT ABOUT NOW! I am getting over from being sick and am falling in love day by day. I LOVE IT HERE! I must admit I will become fluent when I return to the states due to the fact that about .5% of the population here speaks English.. and that's English that could be understood at that. My host mom, Victoria, tries to sing the song by Alicia Keys and Alejandro Sanz "Looking for Paradise." When she tries to sing she sounds so funny. She just mumbles the words because she has no clue how to pronounce the words in English. It's adorable. FYI that song is my new "go-to bed song." I listen to it a lot before I lay my head down. It's beautiful. Check it out.

As the days go by I am becoming more and more comfortable with my host family. When we usually eat any meal Victoria serves us and sometimes eats with us. In the beginning I would feel awkward or nervous for some reason. I find myself becoming more comfortable at meals and always speaking to her in Spanish. I am growing more and more accustomed to the my family and the whole living situation. My roommate Daryl and I are two peas in a pod. We get a long very well and help each other out with everything. For instance when she doesn't know something in Spanish I know it and vice versa. I appreciate it. We learn from each other and enhance our vocabulary every day. Even though Victoria is young and is just about the same age as me, she cares about Daryl and I a lot. She makes sure we are okay all the time and have everything we need. Oscar and her say "Lo que es mio es tuyo." Which means what's mine is yours. When they say that I feel so welcomed and can honestly say I feel at home.

Speaking of home... Small story. Here it goes.. I was walking home from class and entered through the door of my building. When I got to the stairs I smelled this horrible stench of something that smelled like horse poop! When I got to the second floor I look down and see this HUGE, MASSIVE, I MEAN GIGANTIC shmush of poop! I was disgusted. I had NO IDEA whos it was or what kind of specie had marked their territory. I stepped over it and ran into the house. No one was home, which was disappointing because I wanted to tell someone so bad. Instead I just text Daryl. Victoria came into our room and says "Viste la caca en las esjaleras??" I started to crack up! She looks at us with this crazy face and say "QUIEN, QUIEN, STUPIDOS!" Daryl came home and said the old lady downstairs was yelling at the construction men for like 20 minutes because she believes that he took a poop on the stairs because he had no where else to go. I have no idea but it was by far hilarious when the reactions came.

I am writing this blog right now in the Plaza Mayor. It's a gorgeous day. The sun is shining, people are gathering with friends and family, cheers are being made. IM IN LOVE! I am sharing a cup of coffee with some of the girls and am enjoying the sun beat on my back :) The life they live here is amazing. Coming from the US I am so observant of everything around me. In Spain everyone, no matter man or woman, you always introduce yourself with a kiss on each cheek as a sign of respect and because it's part of the norm here as well. Majority of the streets and sidewalks are cobble stone here. Reason I say that is because I just witnessed a woman fall in heels on the cobble stone. Hasn't been the first time though! :P

Another thing I need to mention is that men are not as bad as I thought they were going to be here. I think the dirty minded men in the US overpopulate the dirty minded men in Spain. LOL sorry united states once again.. We are sitting here at the Plaza Mayor and these 4 Spanish men want to buy us a drink. They are young attractive men who seem like fun guys. The one guy yells out "quieres WIKEY! WIKEY! WIKEY!" which i'm pretty sure he was asking us if we wanted wiskey. jajaja It was hilarious how he pronounced it though. WIKEY! WIKEY!

It's nice to meet Spaniards here for the simple fact it's easier to learn their language, enjoy friendships, and also learn from each other. So those 4 men are taking us out tonight for some drinks and to converse. Hopefully it's a good time.

You know what they call the dirty minded old men here though? "Viejo verde." There is a lot of the "viejos verdes" in the Plaza Mayor supposedly. I think the old people here are fairly awesome. Their social life is surprisingly essential to them. The old people in the US need to get out more and socialize rather than staying in and becoming so bitter. SERIOUSLY.

I find myself walking so fast here because I am so used to walking in Chicago. NO MANDA! Here in Spain they stroll and take their time when they walk. No one is rarely ever in a rush and like to walk at ease. Daryl and I always have to remind each other to slow down and relax. Jajajaja

Que mas? I was taking a class called "the Arabic culture in Spain" and I HAD to change it. I had no interest in it whatsoever. The teacher was killing me. It wasn't just learning the language of arabic but also all the history facts about it all. I just found myself spacing out and not wanting to learn in that class. So i decided to transfer out and am now in "Histore de Espana." I start next week so we shall see if I like this one! I think I will though. :)

All my other classes are great. They are all in Spanish, which I like, and fairly interesting as well. ENJOYING THEM! I am picking up Spanish every day! I must admit it is hard not being fluent and able to talk to anyone you want at any time of the day. But we always take the good with the bad, right? so i'm doing it!

I have no problem with ordering any food or drinks or making small talk. They think I live here in Salamanca when I go to the stores to buy shoes and ask for a different size.. so that gives me some confidence.

We were suppose to go on a Cathedral tour this evening but there wasn't enough people that signed up so I am a little bummed about that.. BOO!!

The siestas here are my favorite. I literally nap every day during the week of classes because there's pretty much nothing else to do during that time of the day. Everything is closed and there's not many options to work with. BUT H&M and this other store Blanco (ladies fashion) is open during siesta time... I try to avoid that and forget that because that can lead to some trouble. VERY BAD TROUBLE.. i know my mom is shaking her head right now is she is reading this. :( jaja

It feels good to walk into a bar or club and not get carded. I will definitely tell ya that. Speaking of turning 21 I will be here in Salamanca when I do turn 21 and guess who is coming here for my birthday!??! flight is booked and all! KAREN ESPINOZA!! Say what?! YES MI AMIGA MEJOR!!! Extremely excited about that!

What's my favorite meal of the day? I would definitely say comer "lunch" It's at the best time of the day, in between classes, and is just the right amount. For Victoria being so young, my goodness she knows how to cook! Everything she makes is out of this world amazing. EVERYTHING! I have yet to eat something I don't like. :) THANK YOU GOD! I do have a few favorite foods so far. I really enjoy paella, lamo, and croquetas. Lamo is part of the pig and croquetas are spanish fried cheese balls <<< AMAZING! Speaking of dinner it's about that time right now. It is 9:00 pm. I SMELL THAT SHE IS COOKING UP A STORM!

Hasta luego! Abrazos y besos mi gente!

Stay healthy and live life every day like it's your last with peace and love in your heart <3

Vive bien ~ Rie a menudo ~ Ama mucho

Live well - Laugh oftern - Love much

Chau!