A Weekend in Portugal

So I spent the weekend in Lisbon, Portugal with 9 friends this past weekend. I really hope that if possible, everyone try to make it out to Portugal at some point in their life. That is by far the most beautiful city I've ever seen!



There were a bunch of wild fruit trees (lemon, orange, pear) everywhere! (We actually picked an orange and then abandoned it outside at a castle, because we heard you they taste awful...but regardless, the trees are really pretty). While we were at said castle, we came upon a wild peacock:

And speaking of castles, me and my friends Jeff and David went to another castle in Sintra...which I don't mean to be rude, but them kings from the 1100s were crazy! Why you ask? Well, they for some reason decided to build this castle atop a mountain. Which is all fine and dandy...unless you want to walk there. It felt like we climbed forever, and then when we finally got to the castle, there were very very very many stairs!!! It was so fun, but so exhausting. And then we came down the mountain a different way (aka the wrong way) and ended up walking along the road for I think about 3 kilometers. We got to the train station at 6:14, and the train left at 6:16...talk about great timing!

 
















Really the only negative thing I can say about Portugal is that the night time is a little bit scary...There are a lot of homeless people who kind of moan and beg as you pass them. I hate the feeling of wanting to help, but not being able to. And the other thing that I absolutely hated was that I was offered to buy cocaine six separate times...that was really uncomfortable. People walk right up beside you (after identifying us as foreign...and assuming we speak english) and say things like, "ok, you want cocaine? is good stuff! I give you good price to try." and they don't respond to "no" and sometimes when you try and walk faster they keep pace and keep murmuring to you about it. But other than that, everything was absolutely amazing!

When we got back from our mountain/castle adventure, we went to dinner at a restaurant called 'amo.te' (I love you). I was so excited about the name...And how do they show that they love you...?  :

A HEART-SHAPED TUNA SANDWICH!!!!!!! I would like for every sandwich I eat from now on to be in a heart shape and served on a plate that says 'amo te'.

Ok, also let me just show you the sky on the first night in Portugal. These were taken at the same time, just one facing out over the ocean, and then I turned and took one of the other direction. Yeah, I'd say Portugal is perfect!

 

And now that I am back in Salamanca, I have those crazy things called classes, so I am off to read a play (mehhh) Hasta pronto!

Amor,
Rachel

A weekend in Madrid (and bonus destinations!)

We just got back last night from our trip to Madrid. It was so amazing. I don't think my words can even capture what that experience was like; imagine every destination you go you see the most beautiful thing or most beautiful sight you've ever seen in your life... That's how this entire long weekend trip felt. I think pictures are more appropriate than words to experience this:

Acueduct in Segovia-built by the Romans in 1st century AD

Segovia Cathedral

Top of the Alcazar overlooking Segovia

Gerson cutting the pig...which we ate for lunch...

Toledo

The wall that surrounds the entire city of Avila

Monument honoring 'the fallen' (soldiers) and Franco...very controversial due to the fact that it is a church honoring Franco...

A better view of the wall which encircles Avila

Well, I know that isn't a very detailed description of my trip, but it was absolutely amazing! There is so much history around me that I get to discover and enjoy, and I absolutely love it!! Time to head back to the house for lunch!

Amor,
Rachel

Class Complete!!

Woohoo! I have finished the two week intensive Spanish course. For two weeks we have been trucking away at history, politics, grammar, and the culture of Spain. (Which was interesting, but a lot of dense material) We had an exam on all the material today...I may or may not have said the capital of Galicia was actually a painter...oops. (good thing it's a pass/fail class!)

So this weekend we're headed off to Madrid and we get to stay til Tuesday! (And then when we come back we start all our classes on Wednesday). We have a quite busy itinerary for Madrid, including el Museo del Prado, El Escorial, a bus tour of the entire city, Palacio Real, and a bunch of other things that I can't remember at this time. I'm excited to go and see everything! (Another highlight: I intend to take a very very very long shower!)

Oh, I had a funny encounter the other day. I met someone and they asked me if I was English or American, and I said I was from the states. Their response, "ohh, Obama!!!". I didn't know how I was supposed to respond, so I was just like "yep".
His follow up, "are you from NY?"
me:"No, I'm from NH"
him: "oh, cool. Do you know the blond girl from Nashville that plays guitar and sings?"
me: "Yes, yes I do"

That was such an odd conversation. I think he just threw everything he knew about the US into one convo, even though there was really no connection or flow within the convo. But I love those conversations. Plus anyone who's gonna mention Taylor Swift=automatic new friend.

Well, I'm off to go pack and prepare, and then make the long haul to Carrefour to buy a battery charger since mine no longer functions (thank you converter...)! And then heading to Madrid bright and early tomorrow! (so no more posts until Wednesday!) I hope you have a joyous weekend!!

Mucho Amor!
Rachel

El Museo de Toreros

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at a Bullfighting Museum. Bullfighting is a huge part of Spanish culture, which somewhat surprises me, because it just seems so cruel, which makes me think it would havebeen elimiated by now. They fight to kill the bulls, and then the fighters will recieve the ears and tail (depending on how well they perform) as a trophy. We might go to a bullfight a little later in the semester when it gets warmer in Seville. It was interesting to learn all about bullfighting, but I'm no sure how enthusiastic I am about watching it...

I think there were probably 10-15 bull heads on the wall in this museum (it was pretty small, so that was a lot...).
On a completely different note, when I got home last night at about 9:20 I walked into the apartment and Natalia instantly ran to me and asked if we could go into my room to color. She made me a nametag card where she wrote 'Raquel' in bubble letters and then did designs all around it. (so cute!) I made her a card that had a crayon picture of an ocean sunset. She went and showed her parents and they called me into the kitchen. They told me that they sell paintings at their store, and that I should do that in water colors and they would sell it. Bahahaha. (I mean it was a quality crayon drawing...but I don't think it is worthy of being sold, and I also don't think I can master watercolors...but still, I love it when people think I'm artistically talented).  Oh, and then, me and Natalia returned to my room to color more and she asked me what the name of my best friend is. So I told her. Then she asked me to write it on a piece of paper, because she wanted to make her a picture. Why would she want to? Because she said she wanted to make something for my best friend. :) <3 !!!!!!! She made it, and then she asked me if I will please send it to her. She started asking me if my friend will like it, and will she think it's pretty, will she put it on the wall? I love last night. I love everything about last night. And yes Natalia, she will love it!! (is what I told her). I am just filled with joy right now, and I wish I could just devote my semester to coloring with Natalia, (curses to having class and hw!!).

Well, I'm off to meet my professors! Hasta pronto!

Amor,

Rachel

And it just keeps getting better!!!

  So my relationship with my host siblings is somewhat cyclical, meaning like day they seem to love me, and we play and do whatever, and then the next day they just act nasty as heck and are completely infuriating. I think we're moving into that equilibrium (which balances out at them liking me :)  ) Why have I drawn this conclusion? Well, last night for about 40 mins me and Natalia were coloring (and I wrote a letter in that time). We were both at my desk and she built this wall between us on the desk with all my books. The product of her 40 minute labor:

A gift for me!!! Yayyyyyy! (Its a teddy bear, with my name next to it) Sighhhh. I made her a notecard that had her name in bubble letters with pictures in the letters...which she loved. Yup, we've got the coloring bond...which basically translates to being best friends :)  <3

On another note, our meeting with the mayor yesterday landed us articles in all the Salamanca papers as well as online, so if you want to check it out (sorry there's nothing I can do about the fact that it's not in English...):

http://salamanca24horas.com/local/40193-alumnos-de-una-de-las-universidades-mas-prestigiosas-de-eeuu-estudiaran-espanol-en-salamanca 

Welp, time to head back home for lunch! Hasta pronto!

Amor,

Rachel

Meeting the Mayor (what?!?!?)

So today we were told to be at the Plaza Mayor at 12:20 cuz there was some signing thing...okay, I thought this was some city-wide event  that we were going to experience. What was it actually? It was actually Wake Forest signing something with the city of Salamanca (I hope someone will inform me of what actually happened today, cuz all I know is there were lots of cameras, and some nice little speeches that I didn't really comprehend). Then the Mayor started telling us about some of the history of Salamanca and they gave us all some presents!  We also got a great view of la Plaza from the balcony. It was a pretty awesome morning!! Pictures:

Our whole group with the Mayor



On the balcony overlooking the Plaza



The actual signing

 Anyhow that's been the day! I found out my class schedule for when we start all our normal classes (we've been in an intensive class for a week and a half now), and great news! I finish at 1:30 everyday! (And 12:00 on Wednesdays!) And no classes on Friday! I don't think it gets more fantastic than that.

 One last quick blurb. About 2 years ago I made a bucket list in one of my journals. I didn't bring it with me, but I read it over again right before I left. One of my things was that I wanted to go to Europe, and one was I wanted to have a conversation with someone who only spoke Spanish. (and there were like 20 other things) But it just kind of hit me today while I was walking to the WF Center, that I'm doing things on my list- I'm getting to live my dreams right now. How cool is that? There are a lot of things that are uncomfortable about being here. The lack of familiarity is really unsettling at times. I spent about 30 minutes wandering around today because I got completely lost. But everytime something happens I've been able to step back and smile and laugh about the differences, and laugh about my mistakes. Because here I am, in a foreign place in a country of strangers, speaking a language that isn't my own, and hey, I'm making it just fine! For being here, I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world, and I am sooo grateful that I get this opportunity.

Con todo el amor de mi corazon,
Rachel

Un Fin de Aventuras

This weekend was one for experiencing the city and doing a little bit of exploring. On Friday I had my first discoteca experience (bar meets club). Actually our entire group of, I think, 23 people all went out together. It's so weird though, everything starts later here, so the discotecas weren't even crowded until like 1:00-2:00 AM, which seemed outrageously late to me. Oh well, being abroad is the best time to create a new sleeping cycle!

On Saturday I actually didn't even leave the apartment. I was going to explore in the afternoon, but Natalia said she didn't want me to leave, so instead I stayed home and played barbies for like 2 hours, and then played "hide-the-silly-bandz" (and yes, that game is only about as much fun as it sounds...) for a good hour or 2. Eek-tradgedy in the household! So, Natalia's birthday was last week, and she got two barbies...well, when we were eating lunch Quito (the pet dog) got hold of Veterinarian Barbie (maybe he was feeling sick, smart dog...he knew to go to the Vet), and completely destroyed Barbie's left hand. I think Natalia screamed and cried at an intensity that would've outdone that of if the same had happened to her own hand...(In this moment I was so glad that I never had a pet growing up. I don't think I could've handled that sort of destruction and come out okay).

My host parents went to a party on Saturday night and took the kids to their grandmother's house. I was making myself dinner in the kitchen when I discovered the following:

Yup, that's an animal leg, hoof and all. I don't know how long it's been there. And oh boy do I hope it leaves soon!

Sunday I went to the evangelical church (yeah, I think there might only be like one Protestant church in Salamanca...that's a weird change of pace) but it was so cool!! The first hour was a Bible study (ish) about the church, and how you to determine if a church is like authentic. (He basically cited all the scripture which refers to false prophets, so I'm not entirely sure what I was to conclude...or even if there was a formal conclusion...) Um the second hour:AMAZING! It was a communion "service", which basically translated to singing the most upbeat songs ever (one of which was "Here I am to Worship" translated to Spanish, what what?!?!?) and then taking communion (no sermon or anything, just singing and communion). And the final hour (we returned at 6:30) was a prayer service. I didn't like that part, but that's only because I had no idea at all what was being said. It was supposed to be prayers for all these countries in Eastern Europe and people from the congregation just would start praying aloud. And boy oh boy they do not pray slowly!

In the break between the services I went to explore with my friends and we found the Roman Bridge:

I don't know what year that was constructed, but I want to say that it was before the year 500. CRAZINESS!! So yep, that was the weekend! (I was a good kid and had all my homework done by Saturday afternoon, which made for a great great Sunday!)

Ok I just have one more picture I want to share from my walk home on Friday after class, because I think it is so darn cute:

 The swan was giving the duck a ride around the pond! SOOOOOOO CUTE!

Well, Happy Monday!!

Con tanto amor!
Rachel

My take on their take on American pop culture

Why hello! So before I get to the above mentioned topic, some things that I've noticed (mostly about myself)  a. I dress much better here- I think it's primarily because I'm very self concious about the fact that I only have like 10 shirts or so, so I make sure to wear jewelry and scarves and do my hair etc. to make each look unique. Its also probably because I left all my t-shirts and sweatshirts at home. (sadness) also, b. my dental hygeine is ridiculous here! I brush my teeth like 5-6 times a day (!). why, you ask? Well basically after we eat the kids will often ask me to play wii or something and I say 'sure, but first I want to wash my hands' and then they get all excited and yell, 'and we have to brush our teeth'. And so we do. So basically, I'm going to have the whitest teeth ever by the time I come back.

And now the titled topic of this post. So the first night I was here I went with my family to the Plaza Mayor (there are tons of shops and everything on the way). So they were shopping and I was just looking around and taking in some Salamanca culture. We went into one store and I saw Hannah Montana stickers and High School Musical messenger bags. Which at first I thought was cute, like oh hey, something familiar. But then I realized that when I pass by stores, all I see now to represent US culture includes; Hannah Montana, Dora the Explorer, Spongebob, and the Simpsons. (What a horrible take on the Us...)

They do love American music (which is interesting because they play all these songs in English, but the people don't understand them...like my host siblings really like to sing 'Alejandro' and during the verses they kind of murmur what they think is being said, and it's all jibberish) But I heard Coldplay, Lisa Loeb, Rihanna, Pink. Oh, and this show that was something like American Idol, someone sang Bohemian Rhapsody! Loved it!

  And American cuisine...Jesus tried to convince me that I wanted a hotdog because that's American cuisine. (yeah we haven't had the encased meat conversation yet...I'm trying to hold off until its absolutely necessary) So basically American culture boils down to people who eat hotdogs and enjoy the Simpsons and HSM and Dora the Explorer, and well, I guess they basically got the music right, but it's just so strange. Such an eclectic mix of American pop culture!

Anyhow, I'm quite excited for the weekend! I might go shopping this afternoon, and plan to do some exploring this weekend as well!! I'll post about it Monday (no internet on the weekends...) So hasta Lunes!!

Amor,
Rachel

Our Initial City Tour

So after spending a couple days here and getting to know our families and getting over jetlag (sidenote: I don't think I had jetlag, I think I just am a sleep-a-holic and felt tired the past few days because of that) our program directors took us on a tour of the city. It is absolute mind-boggling for me how old everything here is! The University was founded in the early 1200s. The 'Old Cathedral' was built in the 12th century. (The New Cathedral was built in the 16th century) It's so weird, and so cool to think about the fact that I am at a University and city where Christopher Columbus taught! I absolutely love seeing the architecture and just thinking about how much history this city holds.  Some visual aids:

Monestario de San Esteban

View from the of El Catedral Viejo (the old Cathedral)

Also at the top of El Catedral Viejo

We also went to this super fancy restaurant that invlolved like a 5-course meal, it was ridiculous. I ate shrimp! And we're not talking like nicely presented all ready-to-eat shrimp...we're talking, shrimp still-with-antennae-eyes-and-shell shrimp. But I must say DELICIOUS! (perhaps my issue with shrimp before was that it was never an activity in my past experience)

 Anyhow, time for class! (I have a presentation today about Lazarillo de Tormes (a Spanish novel), so cross your fingers that that went well!)

Amor!

Rachel

The First Few Days...Una aventura magnifica!

I have arrived! The plane ride was fine, despite my dislike of flying. Embarassing moment of that experience: I thought I could hold out and not use the bathroom for that 8 hr flight, but alas I could not! So I got up to go the bathroom, but I couldn't figure out how to open the door, so I literally spent about 45 seconds outside the door trying to push or pull it open. Everyone in the rows behind the bathroom started laughing. Oh well, I'm glad I brought others joy with that.

After landing we spent a few hours in the Madrid airport, (which is huge!) and um, yeah I have like the maturity of a small child and less of an attention span than a small child, so I spent some time in the airport riding the "montanas que mueve" (the moving mountains). We created this term...basically it's like escalator meets moving sidewalk to create this magnificent moving ramp (aka mountain). It was a good entertainment source. We then left and drove in a bus to Salamanca (about 2.5 hrs away) (beautiful drive!!!) and our families picked us up. And this is where I met Ruben, Natalia (my two host-siblings) and Maite (host Mom) Jesus was walking the dog, so I met him at home. Maite asked me if I had packed a body in my suitcase. By the time I had finished lugging that huge bag up four flights of stairs it sure felt like there was a body in there.

After we successfully entered the apartment, Maite had lunch ready. (sidenote:one of my biggest fears about Spain was the food because in Salamanca the staples are all basically things I haven't eat since I think middle school because I hate them, such as; ham, sausage, (and anything encased:aka hotdogs), shrimp...hah, I had no idea what was to come...) First lunch: chicha (kind of like smoked sausage meets hotdog and forms odd offspring called chicha) 1st dinner: salad with shrimp (which, they don't really use dressing, but I think they salted the salad, which was a little odd for me...) oh yeah, and then Maite pulled out a plate of chicha to have with the salad. I passed on that, and of course she had another protein waiting; which was fish. (and absolutely delicious!! me encanto el pescado!) So basically we got a few of the foods I was fearing all done with in one day, and I survived. Most of it actually tasted really good, so I was feeling at ease.

But behold, lunch on day two: Maite serves us heaping plates of rice mixture, which looked pretty good. There were these dark pieces that looked like tofu, and something else that looked like fish skin (but I figured it wasn't that). So um, flavor was a little odd, texture freaked me out...I asked what the little brown chunks were...here is the conversation:

Me: Que es eso?  (what is this?)
Maite: Es la sangre (Its 'sangre')....[cue:blank stare from me]
Me: No puedo entender bien, porque la unica definicion que yo se de 'sangre' es...cue:flowing blood motion by wrist (I don't understand well, because the only meaning I know of 'sangre' is...and then I made a flowing blood motion)
Maite: Si, es eso...de cerdo! (Yes, that's what this is, from a pig)

(Then I asked about the fish skin-esque thing, I was right it wasn't fish skin...it was pig stomach)
Reflective moment: Yes, I ate a cooked pieces of blood mixed with pig stomach and rice. (A Salamancan specialty called 'Chanfaina') And now I am confident that there is probably no meal I can't overcome.

So far, I would say the food, and the schedule at which they eat is what I notice as being the most different from home. Something else different is when I walk to the more downtown part of Salamanca, people don't really make eye contact, and if they do and you smile, they won't return it. I don't know, I'm used to smiling at and greeting strangers, so it feels a little cold, but I know that it's just a cultural difference (or an outside the wake bubble difference, perhaps...?)

Basically, thus far in Salamanca, I LOVE MY LIFE! This city is amazing and beautiful, and my family is so nice!! The ninos (little kids) and I have spent hours making friendship bracelets and playing the Wii, and I think they like me. Oh, and THE BEST NEWS OF ALL!!!!: The family thinks I'm funny. I've made them laugh (by being humorous, not because of an inability to speak) at least 3 separate occasions to count (and oh yes, you better believe I am tallying...) Anyhow, I best walk home and go get ready for our welcome dinner now!

Hasta pronto!
Rachel

Adios Estados Unidos!

 

So, it's my last night in New Hampshire! (And my last night in the states, more specifically...or less specifically, if we're being technical) It's really weird though, it still seems kind of unreal. I mean, I've finally come to terms with the fact that, yes, I am leaving and going to Spain, but my brain can't comprehend that the next time after tonight that I go to bed it will be at a host family's house. I can't completely wrap my mind around this concept of stepping off that plane and not speaking English (with the exception, of course, of occasionally cheating and talking to the other Wake students in English...but I'm planning on trying to avoid that). And while I think I'm prepared as much as I could possibly be, I'm still feeling unsettled.

I have that feeling where I'm forgetting something, and I'm scared I'm going to get to Spain and have that horrible moment where I realize that what I needed to bring the most is sitting on my desk in my room. But I think I have packed and repacked so many times, that there's no way I can be forgetting something of too much importance.

For a while I was toying with the idea of staying up all night to clean up my room and make any last minute additions to my carry on bag, but instead, I think I will be heading to bed to get some shut-eye before heading to the airport in the morning. (eek) Next blog will be from la magnifica, Espana!

Paz y Amor!

 :) Rachel