Spain – Page 13 – GW Blogs from Abroad

¡A PUPPY!

AdminOctober 8, 2013December 14, 2018

The best parts of studying abroad are the firsts- first visit to a new city, first conversation after meeting someone new, first time trying a new food. The "firsts" and the "newness" of everything is exciting, especially the firsts that you don't see coming. My favorite, and perhaps most unexpected, "first" since arriving here in Spain has been the addition of a PUPPY to the apartment where I live (I say PUPPY because it's super exciting and deserves to be in all caps).

One of my roommates decided that she was ready to become the proud owner of a dog and went out and bought one. Luckily, myself and the two other girls I live with are dog people. Or, at least, I was pretty sure I was a dog person, having only ever owned cats in my life. Hence, the big "first" of living with a dog.

1236253_10200940550210759_287659839_n — Curro, the cutest dog in Pamplona

The dog's name is Curro, which can either mean "work" or "cocky." It's kind of a cheeky name, but it suits the little guy. He's extremely playful and adorable, but also a lot of work. For example, he's not exactly potty-trained yet, and his favorite activity is taking paper out of the trashcan and ripping it to shreds in the living room. But just when you're about to get angry, he looks at you and tilts his head to one side as if to say, "What? I'm a puppy, I'm too young to know better!" So I usually end up chastising him and quickly going back to thinking he's the cutest thing ever. He knows it, and prances off to find something to chew on or a new hidden corner to do his "business" in.

Curro is, without a doubt, the most popular dog in Pamplona. When my roommates and I go to have a coffee at the cafe across the street, he always comes and all the students returning from classes at the university stop to say hello. Curro sits patiently in everyone's laps and allows himself to be petted and fawned over. It's a hard life, obviously. He'll probably end up being the most spoiled dog in all of Spain, between living with four girls and constantly receiving attention from everyone. But he's just so darn cute!

In addition to being cute, he is extremely intelligent. We have decided that he will learn all of his tricks in English and Spanish, in an effort to stimulate him intellectually. I have been given the task of teaching him English, and he is a very adept student. I'm sure he'll be bilingual in no time.

Curro (though technically not my dog, but we can pretend since we live in the same apartment) is my favorite "first" that I have experienced so far in Spain. I am now positive that I am a dog person, but even more than that, I'm a Curro person.

A “Nice” way to start fall break

AdminOctober 7, 2013December 14, 2018

By stlake

I know this isn’t an original title. I’m sure all of you, even those of you who didn’t know I went to Nice, France this past weekend, figured it out. Hopefully I get more creative as I write. The Nice Airport isn’t exactly a place of inspiration, especially if your flight is delayed two hours…

I can honestly say Nice is the most beautiful place I have been in my life. The Old Town had buildings of every color, little winding streets, cobblestone roads and a fresh farmers market everyday. It’s right on the water with a port with yachts you dream of owning someday. One of my best friends, Madeline met me there from the GW Paris program. We were moved from our original hostel days before travel, but the one we ultimately stayed in was actually better. Except for our toilet paper dispenser…let me explain. It was the normal metal dispenser, just like you see in your basic public restroom. But, the front of it wasn’t locked. So as I was sitting there, it flung open and hit me in the face. I now have a nice little cut and bruise on the bridge of my nose. Between the piece of urchin in my foot (yup, it’s still there-reference the last post) and this bruise, you guys must be concerned about me. I’ve never been one for normal injuries but even these are surprising me. I promise to be more careful.

But besides the violent toilet paper dispenser, the Villa Saint Expuery was clean, had Wi-Fi and a shower with good water pressure. These amenities are all you can ask for in hostel as a young student studying abroad and traveling on a budget. What is more important is the location; and it was a quick walk from the Old Town, the port and the beach. I would definitely recommend it.

My favorite site in Nice was the Parc de Chateau. It was a breathtaking, woodsy walk up a mountain. There were gorgeous views of all of Nice and all the way at the top, there was a man-made waterfall. I'm thinking of making a Tumblr of pictures soon, so stay tuned!

The #YOLO moment of the trip was when I tried mussels and clams for the first time. For those of you who don’t know, I have a phobia of eating anything from the ocean. I don’t know if it’s the smell, the saltiness or just the fact that one time when I was 7, I threw up after eating salmon. Who knows, but it’s been about 15 years since I had anything fishy. And, I’m pretty sure that was a fish stick, so it doesn’t really count. But Madeline was craving them all day and ordered an overwhelming amount for dinner. I hesitantly tried them and I have to admit, they were not bad at all. They tasted like extra salty meat. So far abroad, I have tried and liked calamari, shrimp, mussels and clams. I still can’t stand tuna but hey, baby steps.

The only downside to Nice is that everything is extremely expensive. Alicante definitely has me spoiled; I don’t pay for any meals and Mama Dominga’s cooking is great and I never go hungry (literally, she makes me eat every 2 hours. She is definitely close to her ultimate goal to make me a gordita [see post #1 for explanation]). Also in terms of going out, the normal drink in Alicante is 3 euro. In Nice, 7 euro was the average price which led me to spend 15-20 euro on dinner each night. Luckily, Madeline and I discovered the McDonalds to have the chicest breakfasts of bacon and egg McMuffins and coffee.

We also traveled in Monaco for a day trip a la Selena Gomez in Monte Carlo. Most of you might be more familiar with Monaco in terms of James Bond, but I’ve always wanted to be a Disney Channel Star pre young adult breakdown (#prayforMiley) so, I’m gonna go with this analogy. It was just as beautiful as people say and the wealth was out of control; the nicest cars on the roads and the most beautiful gems in the store windows. Madeline and I even brought some jewelry; wrap bracelets made by this local woman who was extremely sweet. I even got her business card and she said I can order them for friends in the states! So now I can say I own jewelry from Monaco. No it’s not a diamond or any other stone, but let me live the dream for a little ok?

Next stop on my Fall Break Extravaganza; Rome, Italy to channel the sanest of Disney Channel child stars, Hilary Duff in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Until next time loyal readers xo

72 Hours of Solitude

AdminOctober 1, 2013December 14, 2018

By stlake

This weekend was pretty quiet here in Alicante. The frat boys of Denison were off dominating Oktoberfest and Chloe, Al and Audrey took the opportunity to travel as well. So I used the weekend to mostly run errands and write postcards. Family, you’ll be getting them soon. Lovers and friends, you guys will be the next batch, not to worry. But, the weekend wasn’t really spent in solitude. By now, y’all know I love a good cultural reference/play on words. I really just wanted to give my boy Gabriel Garcia Marquez a shout-out because I brought the book “100 Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)” today and I’m going try reading it in Spanish, wish me luck! So here are the two highlights of the weekend aka the hours not spent in solitude:

Saturday night, the remainder of the crew, Kelly, Evan, Becky and I went to get some tapas. While the food wasn’t great and me and Kelly’s mojitos tasted like soap, there was live music! They played some good ol’ Spanish guitar and salsa, which was very cool. But the cherry on top was when the band started to play “Play that Funky Music”. Just hearing the man sing, “Play that funky music white boyyy” in a Spanish accent and watching all the Spaniards bust a move like it was 1985 was amazing. That song is definitely a staple for a Lake Family dance party and always reminds me of my dad and brother. #itsthelittlethings
Sunday, Kelly, Evan and I headed to Tabarca, an island about an hour off the coast of Alicante. We were excited for a day of relaxation and snorkeling. The ferry seemed to be crawling rather than cruising across the Mediterranean but we got there as the clouds began to cover the bright sun. But the lack of sun did not take away from the beauty of the island at all. The coast was rocky, with underwater caves and the buildings were small, and quaint. As soon as we got there, we walked all the way down into the pueblo (town), in search of snorkel gear. We found the mask and the snorkel, but could not find the flippers. But, not to fear because we found water shoes…or so I thought. About 1 minute into my first venture snorkeling, I stepped on a sea urchin. The needles went through the water shoe and into my heel. I spent the next 20 minutes trying to pull the needles out of my foot. I don’t have a very high pain tolerance but I tried to be a big girl; I got most of the needles out except for one. And in a fit of rage, I threw the water shoes into the ocean…6 euros down the drain. I apologize to the environment for polluting the beautiful ocean blue, but I was bleeding and angry. While at home, I would have let an injury like this stop me, I decided to go back out into the water. And, I was so happy I did because it was like Finding Nemo down there; fish of every color, swimming past rock and coral. The goggles were pretty much junk too, seeing as they filled with salt water that burnt my eyes every 5 minutes, but don’t worry, I didn’t through those into the ocean. We ended the day with a very fishy paella and watching the sunset. It was great day and Tabarca is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life!

I’m sure you are all waiting with bated breath to hear what happened to the last sea urchin needle. Well, after we finished snorkeling, we met up with other CIEE Alicante students who tried to help my bloody foot. First, they burned my skin in order to sanitize it and then tried to scrape out the needle with a credit card. It sounds a lot worse than it was, as many of you know, I can be a bit dramatic. Thanks for the help Ryan and Ali!

But, later than night, after a failed attempt to pull it out with tweezers, the battle of the sea urchin needle continued. And while I was trying to be a big girl, I caved back into my old ways and whined to my mom on the phone that night. She suggested I tape a potato to my foot and leave it overnight because the enzymes in the potato can break down whatever is still in my skin. But, I didn’t want to have to tell Mama Dominga because she can be a bit over dramatic when it comes to my health. I probably would have ended up in the emergency room with her by my side in tears. So late that night, I crept into the kitchen on the hunt for a potato but to no avail. So the little needle is still stuck in my heel-I’ve decided to keep it there as a memory of the good times in Tabarca.

Also, apologies Ev for not using the genius title “A Taste of Tabarca”. I just needed a more encompassing title for the weekend, ja feel? Hopefully no hard feelings, it was still a stroke of genius.

Up next: My fall break extravaganza! Going to the South of France with my friend Madeline from GW and then off to Rome and Florence to visit my friends Carolyn and KC from high school! I will try to make a few posts that week about my travels so stay tuned!

Peace, love and Beyoncé. (I know this week’s post wasn’t about Queen B, but let’s face it, everyday is about Queen B.)

Living Without Vergüenza

AdminSeptember 29, 2013December 14, 2018

By meaggymurphy

One of my favorite words in Spanish is "vergüenza," or embarrassment. This is a feeling that I've become quite comfortable with since arriving in Spain. Especially in my classes (oh yes, I have examples).

So far in Spain, I've discovered that I can almost 100% guarantee that if a professor is going to ask for volunteers or give a surprise oral pop quiz, I will be chosen to answer first. I am a person who prefers to go to class, listen, take notes, and participate when I feel that I have something to contribute. I know very few people who relish being called on to speak in front of the class. By the end of my time here in Spain, I will never again feel uncomfortable being called upon to give an opinion or answer a question because it happens in every class here, everyday.

For example, last week in one of my classes we had a surprise visitor: a magician! How fun! Who does he chose out of everyone in class to be his assistant? Me. At one point, he has a coin and asks me to blow on his hand to make it disappear. This is confusing to me. I panic. I know what I heard him say, but what if I misheard?! Why the heck would I need to blow on his hand to make the magic happen? I'm afraid to ask and sound like a dumb foreigner. So what do I do instead? I fist bump him. It was the most awkward fist bump of my life. The class erupts in laughter. I cringe. Two lessons here: Don't be afraid to ask questions, and sometimes the best thing to do is laugh at your mistakes.

Another example was a surprise oral quiz in my Geography class. I am chosen first to answer. I answer correctly (PHEW), except for the professor is looking for one word specifically to describe the geographic structure we're studying. In my panic, I can only think of how to say it in English, and I know it sounds nothing like the Spanish equivalent. So I just say I don't know and move on. Looking back, it probably wouldn't have hurt to say it in English. But lesson learned: always be extra prepared for class with all of the proper vocabulary, just in case.

On the bright side, these moments of panic always result in me making new friends. After the Magician Incident, a few students from my class approached me to say I shouldn't be embarrassed because it was the best part of the entire magic show. Ok, I'll take it. And after the geography quiz, I'm approached by other students who tell me that they didn't know the word either, so I shouldn't feel bad about it. At least I wasn't the only one!

I'm learning that during my time in Spain, as a foreigner, I'm always representing my country to the people here. This is something that they tell you at orientation, but it really becomes a reality upon arrival. Professors aren't trying to embarrass me when they ask what I think in front of the class; they just want to know what someone who isn't from here thinks! At the end of the day, it's worth the occasional embarrassing situation if 9 times out of 10 I can add something constructive to class discussions. So, vergüenza only exists if I let it. Besides, no one ever died from an awkward fist bump.

Sorry, No Tapas Here

AdminSeptember 24, 2013December 14, 2018

By meaggymurphy

The first thing to know about eating in Pamplona is that tapas are NOT a thing. Everywhere else in Spain, it's common to go out to a restaurant in a group and order tapas, or the Spanish version of artfully constructed appetizers. Not in Pamplona. What a shame.

EXCEPT. In Pamplona, the bars and cafes in the Casco Viejo, or "Old Quarter," do the residents of the city one better. They have "pinchos" in place of tapas. The only real culinary difference between tapas and pinchos is the name. However, there is a big difference when it comes to the experience of eating pinchos.

The best time to go for pinchos is on a Thursday night for "juepincho" (Spanish for "Thursday" is "jueves," hence "jueves" + "pinchos" = juepincho. Logic). On juepincho, the narrow cobblestone streets of the Casco Viejo are buzzing with people doing the Pamplona equivalent of a bar crawl; first, you enter a restaurant and order an artfully decorated pincho with cerveza or vino for a mere two Euros (this deal is only on Thursdays, which is what draws the crowds). Next, you bring your spoils out to the street, which is lined with tables (standing room only) and get to enjoy the people watching while you eat. Everyone in Pamplona, from university students to elderly couples to young couples pushing strollers through the crowds, turns up on Thursday nights for the festivities.

If you though the experience was over after the first pincho, think again! I believe the formula for juepincho goes something like four pinchos = one dinner. This means that you get to stroll along to another bar, order another pincho (NO TAPAS, remember?), and repeat the process all over again. The people of Pamplona are big fans of this tradition; I've been told that during the winter, despite the chill/rain/snow, juepincho goes on as normal.

Of course, it doesn't have to be Thursday for you to enjoy pinchos. These restaurants have the snacks prepared daily. And vegetarians beware-- chances are, a pincho that looks like it's topped with innocent vegetables probably has ham hidden in it somewhere. The other thing about pinchos in Pamplona is that there is intense competition between bars to have the best pinchos in the city. In my opinion, I don't know how anyone would ever be able to choose. There have to be at least 100 restaurants that participate in juepincho, and I have yet to try a bad pincho!

Pinchos aren't tapas, but they are uniquely from Navarra (the provence in which Pamplona is located), and definitely one of my favorite things about this city. ¡Buen provecho to anyone who comes to Pamplona and participate in this delicious tradition!

All girls love Beyonce

AdminSeptember 24, 2013December 14, 2018

By stlake

Before I get into this post, I want to apologize for the amount of typos in last week’s post. I was so excited to tell y’all about my Barcelona adventures, I did not proofread as much as I normally do. I also want to correct one of my extremely witty pop culture references; the quote “the rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain” is from My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn not Funny Girl with Barbara Streisand. Got two of my favorite divas mixed up, my sincerest apologized. Now onto this week’s post involving another one of celeb idols.

As many of you reading my blog know, I have been dancing my whole life. I did not think I would continue through college, but I have now started to study it through an academic and performance lens, and I couldn’t be happier. However, when looking for study abroad programs, I did not look for a program with dance. I thought I could use a semester off and did not think I would miss it as much as I do. But, I do feel like a part of my day is missing because I’m so used to rushing from class, work and rehearsal. Yes, I know jam packing my schedule is not sticking with my new “go with the flow” mindset, but something’s got to give. So when my friend Audrey found a dance class at a local gym, I jumped at the opportunity to join her. But hey, that was a YOLO moment right? So I am kind of sticking to my new mindset-cut me some slack ok?

Back to my story. Running late, I rush into the studio and see Audrey surrounded by a group of teenage girls wearing regular street clothes. I was wearing sneakers, leggings and my trusty Beyoncé concert t-shirt; ready to bust a move. They looked me up and down (something I have gotten so used to here in Spain, but that’s another blog post.) and the teacher laughs and asks me if I was ready for another class. At this point, Audrey and I are nervously laughing, wondering what to expect. The teacher then says he normally teaches “Dancehall hip hop”. The combination we learned was to “Shell it down” by T.O.K; I definitely recommend it for a prime dance party. So needless to say, there was a lot of poppin, lockin and twerkin. The girls in the class were so nice and we had a great time. Then at the end of class, after admiring my t-shirt, one of the girls ask me if I wanted to see a dance they learned a few weeks ago to a Beyoncé song. Of course, I was thrilled to see their combination to “Upgrade You” and wished that was the class I went to. Our mutual love for Queen B led us to having a conversation about what to do around Alicante and more information about their dance company.

The class wasn’t particularly challenging or unique. So at first, I couldn’t quite understand why it made me so happy. And then it dawned on me; during a week where I was feeling a little bit of homesickness and FOMO (fear of missing out), it was extremely comforting to realize that many things are universal. Dance is a language in and of itself. I could understand exactly what the teacher meant even though I did not understand all the Spanish vocabulary. Although I don’t think I will attend the class again, it did get me back in a dance state of mind. Now I am on the hunt for a challenging modern dance class either at the university or at another studio in Alicante.

Until next time, peace, love and Beyoncé.

Besos (kisses) from Barcelona

AdminSeptember 18, 2013December 14, 2018

By stlake

This past weekend, me and 8 other friends traveled to Barcelona. It was an amazing trip, with some sightseeing, nightlife and seeing my bestie Kat! Everyone loves a list so here are the 11 things I learned about the Barca culture and myself. I would do 10, but I couldn’t possibly be that predictable.

1. Don’t be so quick to judge something as “sketchy”

So as many of you would assume, organizing a hostel for 8 people is not an easy task. I ended up booking a hostel, pretty last minute. I received an email saying that this man, Enrique, would meet us on a street corner to bring us to our flat. The line in the email that struck us all the most was “This is not like a normal hostel”. We were all extremely anxious and made many jokes referencing the movie “Taken”. But the hostel ended up totally fine. We had two rooms where we had to share beds but I think the cuddling only made us closer. It was a great location, clean, with 4 bathrooms and the other travelers were extremely nice. I’ve come realize that cheap travelling is so popular in Europe that a group of people renting out rooms is completely normal.

2. You can take the girl out the city but you can’t take the city out of the girl

In my last blog post, I talked about how I am learning to be more “go with flow”, and enjoy the slower pace of Alicante. But, Barca brought back all my old habitats. I’m a walking fast, j walking all over the place, staying observant for pickpockets and yes, I was definitely more anxious

3. The DC metro has taught me well

While the taxis in Barcelona were reasonably priced, it was much more economically to take the metro. I showed everyone how to buy 10 passes and navigated us from line to line. I know you guys were impressed; my sense of direction is pretty awesome. Yes, I am giving myself a pat on the back right now.

4. I need to learn how to read a map

So yes, I did just say I led the group through the metro and have a good sense of direction. But I am quite dependent on my iPhone and my GPS speaking to me and giving me step by step directions, so navigating the tiny, winding calles (streets) of Barcelona with solely a paper map, especially while STARVING, proved to be a big challenge for me and led to me being pretty grumpy. So, shout out to Max for saving me and leading us to Milk Bar, one of the yummiest brunches I’ve ever had (totally recommend it! I got the breakfast burger; beef burger with bacon and a fried egg)

5. Catalan isn’t Spanish

I mean duh. But I was still surprised to see how prominent it was. Most street signs and menus were in Catalan. I noticed it when people said certain words and it was funny to me how much the accent was different just 5 hours north. The people of Barcelona take so much pride in their Catalina culture and it was very cool to experience the differences for 3 days.

6. Young Spaniards’ English speaking skills kick young Americans’ Spanish speaking skills in the cuello (butt)

My friend Zach’s friend from summer camp has lived in Barcelona his entire life. He invited us over to his family’s beautiful apartment and we met a few of his friends. Both groups, us Americans and the Spaniards had been learning the respective other language for about the same length of time but their skills were far better. I think it has to with how we teach foreign language in the United States; there is a greater emphasis on grammar and writing, rather than speaking. But more so, I think it has to with attitude; they all take great pride in the fact they know English and it’s the cool thing to know. Americans known this fact and selfishly find less of a need to perfect their foreign language skills.

7. Techno music is the beat of the city

Lord, if I have to hear one more techno remix! Nothing I can really do about this one. I guess I’ll just have to wait another 3 months to do the Cupid Shuffle.

8. Roman ruins exist in Spain

We went to the Museu d’História de Barcelona and one of the exhibits sends you back in time to see the Roman Ruins that were found underneath an old cathedral in Barcelona. It was incredible to learn about how the ancient Romans had a presence in Barcelona and see these artifacts still in great shape!

9. The rain in Spain doesn’t mainly stay on the plains

The first surprising rainy day was in Villena, about an hour from Alicante, at the Desfile de los Moros y los Cristianos (Parade of the Christians and the Moors) and now the second day, was this Sunday in Barcelona. Audrey Hepburn in Funny Girl was clearly misled. Check the weather before you go out and invest in a mini umbrella.

10. Gaudi runs Barcelona

My favorite place in Barcelona is the Parc Guell, which displays Gaudi’s mosaics and architecture in a beautiful garden. It also happens to be one of the places Cheetah Girls 2 was filmed (yes, I spent the day humming “Strut” a la Raven Symone). He also built the Sagrada Familia and many other buildings around the city. His style, to me is what makes Barcelona less of a city and more a work of art.

11. “I just want a Picasso, in my casa”

Jay-z speaks the truth per usual. My favorite part of the Picasso museum was his interpretation of the “Las Meninas”, a famous painting by Diego Velázquez, which is in the Prado Museum in Madrid. But Picasso’s versions are so unique and colorful-my favorites were his interpretations of Princess Margarita.

Next up: My first full week of classes followed by a CIEE led trip to the city of Valencia!

Finding a New Rhythm

AdminSeptember 18, 2013December 14, 2018

By meaggymurphy

Patterns are funny things in life. They are so dependent on variables like timing, culture, necessities, and personality; however, patterns have a way of becoming rigid and invariable. They become routines whether we want them to or not. Part of the reason I chose to come study abroad in Spain was because I have a previously unspoken/unwritten promise with myself regarding routines. This self-contract is that I will always take the opportunity to challenge myself to break out of patterns. I know myself to be a person who becomes easily bewitched into a routine- if I could, I'd wake up at the same time everyday, eat the same thing for breakfast, and go through a series of comfortable motions until bedtime. But where's the fun in that?! Life is about variety, switching it up, and trying new things. This is why I love travel so much; it literally forces you to break out of habitual familiarities and adapt in an unfamiliar environment.

Spain has done a good job of shattering my well-established U.S. routine. For example, somewhere along the line in life, I was bitten by the "Early to bed, early to rise" bug. It's annoying, I know. When I'm in America, I take comfort in the pattern of waking up early, having a cup of coffee, and doing productive things until it's time for class or work. One of the biggest adaptations I've undergone in Pamplona is the acceptance that this routine simply does not work.

The life of a student in Spain is one that tends to start later and end later. Everything here happens later. Breakfast happens when I'm used to having lunch, lunch when I'm used to having dinner, and dinner when I'd usually be fast asleep. Life is very much more nocturnal; this past week I was surprised/horrified to hear a friend telling me that during exams, he prefers to play fútbol at night, return home to eat around 10 p.m., and then study from midnight till the sun comes up. That's his routine. I don't think I'll ever be that much of a night owl. But at basic as it sounds, I like talking to people whose life rhythms are different from mine- simple patterns tell a lot about traditions, preferences, and what people find significant in life. For me, it's just as important to participate in and experience as many life patterns as possible as it is to establish one for myself. Luckily, I'm getting to experience the routine-shattering shift that I was hoping Spain would provide. So far, I'm keeping my promise to myself and adapting. Someday, the time will come when I realize that I'm just as comfortable in my Spain routine as I was in my American routine, and then I'll know it's time for a new challenge. For now, I'll keep enjoying the novelty and freshness of my life rhythm in Pamplona.

Pamplona, por fin!

AdminSeptember 10, 2013December 14, 2018

By meaggymurphy

Hola from Spain! If my calculations are correct, it's been 16 days since I left the good ol' US of A. After a bit of traveling in Ireland and Madrid, I was able to settle into my apartment in Pamplona, where I'll be living with 4 Spanish roommates for the semester.

I spent a couple days at orientation (1st discovery: the Spanish love icebreakers just as much as Americans) for international students, getting to know the city and lots of students from all four corners of the globe. We took a day trip to nearby San Sebastián (sun! beach! tourists galore!), where I saw my dream house from afar on the top of a mountain in the middle of the bay. Back in Pamplona, I spent a few days indulging in my status as a newcomer, exploring the Casco Antiguo (the old part of the city) and getting lost along the way (2nd discovery: Pamplona is quite fond of its roundabouts, which make navigating to specific places confusing and may or may not have caused me to take a couple hour-long detours on the outskirts of the city).

So far, the most challenging part of arriving here has been, surprise surprise, speaking Spanish 24/7. Luckily, I love learning Spanish. When we began classes this week, I was interested to see whether or not I would regret my decision to take all my classes in Spanish. For example, what if I have a professor who mumbles or has an accent or makes fun of my accent in front of the class?! But after introducing myself to my professors and sitting through the classes, I feel much more at ease. It won't be easy, but I know that if I dedicate myself to understanding and work hard, I'll be glad I forced myself to surround myself with Spanish all day, everyday.

Now, to wrap this up with a couple personal goals that I have for the semester:

1. Speak and learn as much Spanish as humanly possible!

2. Of course, do well in class (not the most exciting of goals, but there it is!).

3. Meet as many people as humanly possible and get to know different points of view (lucky for me, everyone I've met so far has been incredibly friendly and just as interested in my point of view as I am in theirs).

That's all for now! TTFN y adios!