Semana Santa

Que te pasa?!

The time is flying by and I can't even believe it! I just recently got back from my Semana Santa, spring break in the U.S., that I spent in Portugal. I went to Lisboa, Portugal with Daryl and Stephanie. Let me start off by saying Portugal is by far my favorite place thus far. Everything about it was just spectacular. When we got there after a 8 hour train ride we found our hostel that was in the heart of the city. The hostel we stayed in was super cheap and it was a come and go as you please setup. The house keepers were amazing and set up breakfast for us every morning. We paid 100 euros each for 7 nights and 8 days. EXCELLENT deal! The first couple days were hot and sunny so we slept on the beach the first three days to soak up the sun and relax. It was the second time I was ever in the ocean and it was amazing. Every day we took the metro to a different beach just to get a feel of all the options. The one day we went to a beach called Costa de Caparica. To get there we had to take a ship, which was gave a chance to see some gorgeous views of the city. I think the three of us were the only ones on the beach, but it was absolutely amazing there! Granted it was one of those days that it was raining on and off all day, but when the sun did shine it was beautiful. There was a open restaurant there that we spent a few hours relaxing on beanbag chairs and enjoyed some cervezas and hookah. It was just splendid. It was one of those days you just loved life.

It has been said that when you travel to Portugal you HAVE to try their famous Bacaloa. One night we decided to treat ourselves and follow through with this "have to do" dinner. We found a nice little restaurant and sat outside to enjoy our dinner. While we started eating the waiter started arguing with the owner of the restaurant next to us. It started to get hostile. Our waiter ended up pushing the owner, who was about the age of 65, and kicking him in the nose. The owner fell straight back and went into shock. Every single costumer at the restaurant got up and left. The worst part was when the owners wife came running out screaming "mi amor, mi amor." It was a frightening experience. We couldn't believe what we were seeing. When a security guard came out our waiter ended up punching him in the face as well. This sounds gruesome, but there was blood everywhere. It was probably one of the scariest things I have ever saw in person. We ended up leaving in the middle of our meal and going to another restaurant. If anyone that reads this decides to go to Lisboa, Portugal one day PLEASE go to Nicolas restaurant and ask for Bruno. We came in contact with Bruno who is a waiter there that speaks 6 different languages and has traveled the world and is by far one of the most intelligent humans I have ever met. We actually met a lot of people that I will remember forever. The people in general in Portugal were overly nice.

The city itself was gorgeous. Yes, it is a very poor city that basically makes pretty much all its money off the tourists and travelers that come there. The people live so happy there and if I could move there I would in a heartbeat. The city is just filled with culture, scenery, and life. Lisboa is built on 7 different hills so it is a very up hill/down hill kind of place. Any location you are in in Lisboa, if you turn around you see a beautiful sight of either the ocean, the pueblos, or the city. It's magnificent. A couple times we got lost in the inner streets of the city and passed through the families homes and the all the small hole in the wall restaurants. In the streets you could find a local market or tiendon every other street that was family ran that had children and parents sitting on the stoops or windows just hanging around spending time with their family. It's their typical lifestyle and I'm pretty sure they are proud to live that way with such a close bond with all their family members together. I LOVED IT! Lisboa is very big on grafitti too. The artwork was out of this world. Very similar to Salamancas, but better! A lot of things in Portugal was crazy cheap! I think the cheapest thing we got was 12 HUGE bread rolls for .75 centimos en euros... we got food from the market that lasted a week for lunches and dinner and spent 14 euros each... crazy! As travelers we loved it sooo much and we ate healthy at that too!

Que mas sobre Portugal?

the first night we went to an irish pub and let me tell you I have never enjoyed a live performance in my entire life. The singers and instrument players were all from Ireland and they had the whole place up and dancing and smiling and having a wonderful time. It was a great time and the people were a blast. We never figured out the labyrinth that they call Lisbon public transportation! It was so difficult to comprehend. I was nothing at all like the public transportation in chicago or any other state in the US at that. We ended up just paying each way and said forget it. lol. We took the rail to Belem, which is where the caravels sailed on their voyage of discovery and in the 16th century life there revolved around this port. There we saw El Torre de Belem which is a tower that was a formidable fortress way back in 1514 I believe. It's looks similar to a dungeon, but more appealing. We also were recommended to try the pastel de belem, which is a little dessert that is something like custard filled and toasted with butter, at least that is what it tastes like to me. We came along a little diner that was known for them and it was PACKED with tourists.

I fell in love with Portugal and just found it to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been able to experience. Thank God for that. I made a ton of memories that I will cherish forever and loved every second of it! I am so glad that Daryl, Steph, and I mesh well together. We are all so very different but learn from each other and appreciate each others views. It's awesome.

When we got back to Salamanca I felt like I was home... well at least could call it home and it felt good. I missed it actually! We got home at about 1 in the morning and I was so anxious to get back because Karen was coming to Spain the next day to spend her Spring break here. I was anticipating her arrival the whole week we were in Portugal. The first email I read when I got home was hers that simply said she wasn't going to be able to make it out here and she had to cancel her flight. I was so bummed and upset. It wasn't the best news to hear especially a day before your 21st birthday, but what can ya do! I will see her in a month so I can't fret about it, it was just a super sucky situation.

As for my birthday it was amazing! I think it is quite possibly the most memorable birthday ever. Spending your 21st birthday in Spain is way more than someone can ask for. Steph, Daryl, and I went out and bought tutus and dressed up. I wore a crown and the girls wore ribbon. Here in Salamanca the people like to dress up and go out when it is someones birthday or they are celebrating a bachelor/bachelorette party. So to go along with the city customs we dressed up and were "fairies." It was quite the night. Granted we were starred at and laughed at but it was all in good fun and it was memorable as well. We stayed out till the sun rose and I was totally content with my birthday celebrations. THANK you to all my Spanish friends, especially Daryl, Steph, Wilby, and Gregor. I appreciate their help and making me feel at home! So I am finally 21 and it doesn't mean much here in Europe, but in the states BIENVENIDOS.

The day of my birthday was shared with Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. There was not much to do on a Sunday so Victoria surprised me with a FLAN cake for my birthday and it was so precious of her. It was a nice relaxing day. Later that night Daryl and I went to an Irish pub and had a cup of coffee with Baileys. Great night with great people and am blessed.

The following week Daryls family came to visit and they included me in everything they did in Salamanca. They only spent 2 nights here but that was enough time to show them around Salamanca. Because they were here and made me feel included with their family I started to become a little more homesick. It was tough. Especially after because Karen didn't follow through. I didn't dwell on that I just looked at the brighter side that I got to share some time with her family. IT WAS GREAT!We went out for coffee and drinks at night and I got to know her family. They're awesome.

During the weekend I adventured out and just met more people every day and night. On Sunday night Steph and I went on a date for pizza and wine. It felt just like home besides the spanish veggie pizza. :)

Speaking of Spanish food the foods I have talked about previously are basically the same. A few switch-it-ups here and there. The other day I had something called tarta patata which is just a lasagna type aspect with potatoes and ham.. served for breakfast and lunch. Vicky noticed that I haven't been eating dinner at home. Not because I don't want to, but because things come up or it's just too late to eat. I think she kind of got the idea that something was up. She recently just picked up a new job so she is never home and so I kinda just concoct something small in the kitchen for lunch. So the other day I came home from class and the table is set with an abundance of fruit in a basket on the table. Her grandma had came over and cooked for us and brought me my favorite cheese and all this fruit that I LOVE. I was nothing but smiles. I put two and two together and think that Vicky thought that she wasn't being the mother that she was suppose to be and asked her Grandma to pull her a favor to bring some smiles to the house. I in know way had meant to give her those intentions, but honestly I think she thought this way. I appreciate VICKY and ALL she does. She works her butt off and is absolutely incredible, I wouldn't ask her to do anything else but I guess she felt the need to. She is an angel I tell ya.

READ PLEASE! After the traditionally strict 40 days of Cuaresma (Lent) and the solemn Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week or Spring break) comes Lunes de Aguas (literally: “Water Monday”), which is celebrated on the Monday after Easter Sunday. The history of Lunes de Aguas is a rather curious story, to say the least, a tradition dating back to medieval times. Along with a prestigious university, Salamanca also had prostitutes who hoping to eventually make it to the royal courts, practiced (so to speak) with the university students. In the 16th century, King Felipe II, who was known as a very serious and devout Catholic, was disgusted with the marginal activities taking place in Spain’s prominent academic hub, therefore ordered the prostitutes be banished from the city during the 40-day abstinence period of Lent.

For 40 days, the girls would be confined to live on the other side of the river Tormes until Lunes de Aguas – the day they could return to the city. Townsfolk would gather to watch how the students set up huge welcoming parties by the riverbanks for the prostitutes, and enthusiastically assist the priest (who was in charge of the girls’ welfare during their exile) in crossing them over the river on flower-decorated boats. The rest of the day would be spent eating, drinking, and celebrating by the river, whose waters gave name to the event. Only the last part of the celebration, however, is the one that continues as tradition today.

Nowadays, friends and family meet at the riverbanks of Salamanca’s Río Tormes and any open space such as public parks or countryside to share what is essentially a huge picnic. It is a time when Salmantinos relax, have fun, and eat the typical hornazo - a non sweet pastry pie filled with ham, sausage, bacon, cooked egg, and sometimes even chicken – which is sold in shops all over the city. Most businesses also voluntarily close for the day in order to partake in this festivity. EVERYTHING IS CLOSED HERE! The streets are dead this day is just one huge CELEBRATION by the river. Daryl and I walked by but couldn't attend because it was just way too crazy. It's a very neat tradition though. For dinner that night Vicky brought home some hornazo and it was pretty good! It tasted just like an empanada from the states mas o menos.

So the semester is winding down and the days here in Salamanca are coming to an end pretty soon. I head back to the states May 30th and am bitter sweet about it. I just keep promising myself that I will embrace the last month and live it up because this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Every day I DO thank God for this opportunity. I have to go run across the street to my grandmas house. I WILL be updating very soon to write more.

La vida es un ratico, ratico nada más<< Life is but a moment! :) Ya me despido! Chau!

MANDAlou