Viva Valencia!

Today I woke up early to go play basketball with some of the students. Now, I like just shooting hoops, but I actually suck at playing the game. Haahaaa, but when I wanted to quit, Ignacio wouldn't let me, so I played 2 games of 4 vs 4. I actually scored one point. Solid.

For some reason, I was just completely exhausted today. I think I still haven't fully recovered from all the traveling we did. So I napped from like 12:30 until I had to get up for my class at 3. My regional studies is definitely one of my favorite classes though. There was a general strike in Spain today because of the raising of taxes, etc here. Since all the museums were closed we ended up just going to 100 Montaditos, talking, eating sandwiches, and drinking tintos. Then we went down a part of Valencia I've never been to, the Colon Market. It was really cool and apparently has free wifi so I think I'll go down there to do homework or something sometime.

We got back around 6 and we got ready for the soccer game. The walk was probably about 25 minutes from the study center to the stadium. A lot of us had different sections for our tickets, but I got to sit with 6 other students, so it was fun. Manchester ended up winning 1-0, but it was my first live soccer game and I absolutely loved it. We actually had pretty decent seats and it's just 100 times better watching it in person than on tv. Since my camera is lost, all my pictures are on my phone, and I don't know how to get them onto my computer yet :( But I promise I will bring pics back to my blog soon!


Update: figured out how to get pics off my phone :)

After the soccer game, Erin and I split a kebab (duh) and then I ended up just going to bed at like 1. Maddie told me I've been mumbling in my sleep...whhyyyy am I so weird???

Meh, since I've got some extra time before my last class until the weekend (!!!), I decided in order to keep my blog visually interesting, I'll add some pics from the past Pyrenees and Barcelona trip.


Cati (now that I know you're an avid reader/judger of my blog) loving on Gill and I on the Camino


Imitating a statue at the Dali museum

A Very Spanish Day

Well today was very delightful, I must say. I woke up for my 9 am class, although we do not currently have hot water in the study center, so needless to say I skipped that little step. I had my Spanish business class, which I don't mind at all. Our teacher ended up letting us leave early because there's this deal going on where if you buy 60 euros worth of merchandise at the Valencia soccer store, you get a free ticket to the Valencia vs. Manchester soccer game tomorrow, only we found out the deal ended at 12. So at like 11:30 a few of us sprinted down there. I'm pretty pumped about my new jersey though.

At 12:15 I went on an archeology field trip to these ancient Roman ruins called something like Los Almonides. It's so close to our study center and has stuff dating back to 2 centuries before Christ was born. Crazy stuff.

When I got back I went for a run with the intention of coming back hot and sweaty and actually enjoying the cold water that we currently have. However, I ended up exploring the gardens that are across the river bed from us and only made it back in time for my class at 3. Meh. By the time it was over the cold shower was not so pleasant, but I managed.

Then I met my Spanish friend from the cultural exchange that we had a few weeks ago. His name is Seve and we hung out from 5:45 until like midnight. He doesn't speak any English, so of course I was in Spanish heaven. First we went to this one cafe and got a coffee. Then he told me he wanted to go somewhere where the seats were more comfortable haha. So we went to Sherlock Holmes and I got another coffee there. Turns out it was singles night there so there were crazy amounts of 30-40 year old single Spaniards there. Quite a sight to see.

Then at 9 he invited me to dinner with him (inviting means he pays haaahaa). So we went to this cute Spanish place and we had the "menu del dia" which consisted of croquetas and these amazing chicken strip things. Then for dessert we had this thing I'd never eaten before but the only way I can decribe it is a chocolate ball with gooey chocolate sauce inside and it had these pop rock like things on top. He laughed when I was so surprised that my mouth was popping. We stayed until midnight just chatting away about everything. I tried to explain what a sorority was to him and that was quite a struggle haha. The meal was 54 euros, but he payed for everything. Bahahaa I feel bad, except not really. I told him next time I'd pay. Aka we're getting burger king. Just kidddingggg.

Now it's almost 2 and time for bed. Couldn't be more excited for my first soccer game tomorrow!!!

Hello again!

Hi! It has been so long since I’ve been able to update this! It’s been a hectic few days, but I’ve enjoyed them. Nonetheless, it feels great to be back home in Valencia after 10 days of being abroad.

The final day in Jaca I ended up losing my camera, fail. So sad about that loss, but it isn’t entirely unsurprising. That’s why I had the cheapest camera available. I’m struggling with details of the days because they were so busy, but I’ll give my best.

Wednesday we went to a castle in the morning and it was incredible. It was so beautiful and filled with history. Then we went white water rafting. Ok, well it was supposed to be white water rafting, but the river was too low, so we did white water canoeing. I hate to say it, but canoeing has just never really been my cup of tea. Dominic was my partner though and I let him do all the hard work haha. We fell off our canoe in the rapids twice though, and for some reason it just really freaked me out. I think because the first time I got my head stuck under the canoe for a few seconds, so it just made me paranoid the whole rest of the time. Sorry to sound like a negative nancy though, because I’m still really glad I got to experience it.


By the castle


Group before white water canoeing


That night was very relaxed and Erin, Amanda, and I got kebabs at a restaurant. At Valencia they’re all just stands, but this place was pretty legit ha. We met the rest of our group at another restaurant and saw our favorite bartender, David. Thursday morning I woke up with his mugshot in my wallet because he decided to give it to me. What a weird sir. Of course, I’m cherishing that forever though ha.

Thursday morning we checked out of the hotel and rode the bus to Zaragoza. From there we rode the bus to Barcelona, which worked out nicely. We ended up just taking a taxi to our hostel where we were pleased to find it was about ten times nicer than our Amsterdam hostel.

That day we just went shopping a lot and a got some boots, heels, and a dress. We just happened to be in Barcelona during the biggest festival of the year, Marce. We didn’t even know until we got here, but it was packed and filled with parades, music, and crazy traditions like a fire run in the streets. We loved it!

That night we went out to a disco on the beach with our hostel because they had a deal where they could get us in free. It was a white clothes themed party, which we weren’t aware of, but I ended up wearing a white dress just on accident. Nice. It was super cool and we danced, wandered around, met lots of tourists like us. Eventually I wandered out to see the beach and then got a taxi back to the hostel. That taxi driver was most definitely my fav haha. We bonded, no big deal.

The next day we went to the Dali museum, walked around La Rambla and the port, and just got to know the city a lot. There was a parade when we went to get paella for dinner and saw fireworks on the water. The two days we were there were the two days out of the year you could technically legally drink on the street, so we got some sangria with that. We went to this cool bar called Chupitos where they have hundreds of different types of funny shots. My favorite was of course the Harry Potter shot where they say incendio and light it on fire before you take it. We also did things like the creep show and the kiss of death, which had tabasco sauce in it. Someone had recommended a bar called the stock market bar to us where the prices of drinks go up and down based on their level of consumption. It turned out to be so far away, but we navigated the metro and had to ask directions a number of times, and finally made it. It didn’t end up being as cool as we expected so Amanda, Erin, and I went to a club next door. I just danced with them for a long time until I got tired around 4 and left. Guess I wasn’t really a Spanish champion because I never made it until 7 this weekend.


Us at chupitos


This one was called the creep show I believe


The next day we slept in literally until like 1. I got lunch with Murt and Jacob and we wandered around the city. We saw the coolest things like the Gaudi waterfall in the park and the Parliament building. They wanted to nap later, so I went back to the hostel. That night Kelly, Emily, Erin, Amanda, and I met them at the port for this wine tasting. It was only 6 euros and you got 5 glasses. We ate dinner after that and then met a lot of people from out group at Chupitos. I really didn’t end up staying out late at all because I was just tired and I think everyone was getting on each other’s nerves a little.

Sunday we had to check out of our hostel by 10 am, which was kind of unfortunate because our bus didn’t leave until 10 pm. But Sunday was literally one of my favorite days. We got to see the castellers, which are human tower builders. I learned about them in my Spanish civ class last semester, so it was amazing to see them in person. They literally just stand on each other until the littlest child climbs up to the top, which was probably like 30 feet high. I was amazed. After that we just got to wander around the city, sit at cafes , and laugh the entire time about funny memories from the trip. Around 5 I decided to metro out to the Sagrada Familia, which is Gaudi’s really famous cathedral. The other 4 girls had seen it while I was hanging out with Murt and Jacob the day before, so I went on my own. I really really enjoyed just getting to be by myself for the first time in like 10 days though. I read my book on a bench and then went back to meet them. We went to dinner and then left for the bus station around 9.

Me and Amanda sitting at one of our many people watching places in Barcelona


The castellers! SO COOL

The bus left at 10 and we didn’t get home until like 2:30 am. We walked back to the study center and then I had to stay up and do homework because I forgot it on the trip. I didn’t go to bed until at least 4:30 and then got up for class at 9. It was a tad rough, but class was good and then I napped until 2:30. I finally was able to unpack and then my professor had us over at his house to make paella. Like 10 people ended up being there and it was really good.

I stayed until 8 and then Amanda and I came out to Pan de Queso to do homework. Aka I’ve spent all my time here updating my blog haha. Oh well, it just feels good to be back home in Valencia :)

Jaca Jaca, Hey Hey!

Ok so recap again. Sunday we woke up at 7 to make it to the airport for our flight at 10. Turns out it was delayed until 12:30, so we had to sit around for like 3 hours, but it wasn’t bad. I read a lot in my Spanish book. I’m loving that I understand it and all. The flight was good and we got back to the study center around 4. And I napped until like 7:30. Haha I am cool.

That night we decided to go out to our usual fav places, aka Fox Congo, Radio City, Bolseria, the whole deal. We met this group of like 10 British dudes that were in Valencia celebrating a bachelor party. The guy getting married was wearing a frog suit. Of course we became friends. They were also all wearing these big thick framed glasses and light up rings. One guy fake proposed to me with one. And someone gave me (clarification I did NOT steal these ones) his pair of glasses which I obviously sported the whole night and the next day.


Some of the group



Being proposed to

We hung out and danced with them the whole night and went with them to Music Box. It was empty but we had fun taking over anyway. Finally around 4 I left because I was tired. It was kind of unfortunate having to wake up again at 8:30 for the bus ride to Jaca, but I napped the first 2 hours anyway. We got to Jaca around 4 and it’s so beautiful. Way different than Valencia, it’s just this adorable little mountain town. It’s weird being one of the few tourists in the city.

First thing we did was get food, which was kind of a fail because it was siesta and nothing was open. But finally we got some tapas and then we met at 6 for our scavenger hunt. We were divided up into teams and had to find all these places and answer these questions. My team was the winner obvi. I talked to like 4 different old Spanish men with canes and then the police officer was intrigued by us and helped us out. He was super friendly.

I showered and napped a little before heading out that night. My eye got severely irritated from sleeping in my contacts, so I wasn’t feeling that well, but I ended up having such a fun night. A group of us just danced in the corner to every song that came on. Ignacio is my new favorite person in the entire world. He broke it down like none other.

After people began drifting back to the hotel, Claire and I stayed and made friends with these 2 guys in the military. Sounds cool, but they were actually like 30 and kind of hairy. Anyway, I still had fun talking to them in Spanish for a while and then making friends with the bartender. On the walk back to the hotel I decided it would be cool to skip down the stairs. I fell HORRIBLY and half my body is bruised. Nice. Just kidding, mom, I’m actually fine, it’s just bruises on my knees. I felt like you would be concerned upon reading the previous explanation of it.

Anyway this morning we left at 9:30 to walk part of the Camino de Santiago. It was definitely my favorite part of the day. It was just so beautiful. I’m going to ballpark that we walked for like 5 miles of it. I think I’m going to go walk part of it for the 10 day fall break with a guy in my group.

After the walk we went back to the study center for lunch. The patatas bravas were the bommmbbb. At 3 we left for the Monasterio de San Juan la Pena. I think I got that right. It was this ancient monastery and we got the whole tour of it. I feel like they said it first was built like 1000 years ago. Then we took the bus up to the top where they have the old monastery and I loved it because they made glass floors overtop everything, so you just got to walk on top and see into everything.


The first monastery


Chris and I at the top of the mountain

We got back to the hotel at like 6:30 and I finally got to shower. Probably getting dinner soon and maybe going out to the same bar…because it’s the only one open on weekdays haha. Way different than Valenc.

I AMsterdam! :)

So let’s see, it’s been a long time since I updated this, but I haven’t had much time on the computer! Thursday night we had our “eat cheap” at the study center so they cooked us pasta and salad for 2 euros, which was delicious and fun. That night we went out to Max Max and I had such a good time with everyone from our group! I played pool and Dominic and I dominated. Haha well I didn’t score like anything the first game or two, but then suddenly I became really good. Until I hit the 8 ball in but scratched at the same time. I still count it ha.

I think we got back around 3, but I couldn’t tell you. Then I decided rather than sleeping until 5 when I would have to get up for my flight to Amsterdam, I would just stay up all night. So I skyped with Laura for like an hour and a half. It was a good night. So Erin, Kelly, and Emily emerged to leave around 5:30 and we got a taxi to the airport.

It was super easy getting our flight to Amsterdam. Valencia has some weak security haha. Once on the flight I just passed out for the 2 hours. Needed to get some sleep eventually. We landed and it was incredible how much colder it was there. I guess I shouldn’t have been that surprised, but it was like 40-50 degrees. I ended up having to buy a coat from H&M.

We struggled slightly to find our hostel, but it was really only a little more than a 5 minute walk from the train station. It was my first hostel experience, so I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but it was fine enough for me. We had 12 beds in our room. The scariest part was the stairs haha. They were so steep they were like ladders. We didn’t spend much time there before heading out into the city.

We got breakfast at a place near the hostel and then went to the Anne Frank house. It’s something I’m really glad I got to see. It was way bigger than I’d ever expected, but I can’t imagine that 8 people lived there in secret for 2 years. Its just so incredible and tragic. After that we got lunch at this Italian place that Kelly had been before and really loved. It was expensive, but wonderful. Then we walked to the Van Gogh museum. Again, it’s something I’m really glad I got to see because we studied his stuff in highschool art and in my art history class last semester. Definitely something you need to see if you’re in Amsterdam.



The one thing about Amsterdam we soon discovered was the amount of walking required. It was just way more spread out than Valencia is. The place we spent the most of our time at night was Rembrant Square. There were a lot of bars, etc there where we were able to get free drinks. Always the thing we’re looking for. I had a great time, but it definitely made me appreciate Spain. I just love the lifestyle in Spain so much. Like we walked into all these clubs with fun music playing and in Spain everyone would be dancing and having a good time, but everyone there was just awkwardly standing around. Haha but we brought a little fun to these places.

We ended up going to bed around 1 I think. I was ok with that because I was exhausted from not having slept the night before and only getting 2 hours on the plane. But I still couldn’t help but think we would just be getting ready to go out if we were home.

It was delightful actually getting sleep though, I must admit. We got up around 10 and we got this amazing Dutch Breakfast. Then we went to the Bols museum and with your entrance you got a free cocktail and 2 shots. My cocktail was grosssss but I got chocolate with it, so it was a tradsie. Then I got coconut and butterscotch shots. They were good. Right after that we went to the Heineken factory and that was a super cool museum. We went to a whiskey distillery in Scotland last summer, but I’d never seen how beer was made before. We got 3 free drinks there, sooo needless to say we were feeling good when we went to lunch. Probably the reason we spent SO MUCH MONEY at the Hardrock Café. Ridiculous. We ordered our meals and then ordered 2 more dishes afterwards. Americannnssss. Not embarrassing at all.



We ate ourselves into a food coma, so we napped it out until we went out that night. We met up with some of Kelly’s friends that were in Amsterdam at the same time. We ended up back in Rembrandt Square and just got into lots of antics. Finally late at night we got food at McDonalds. And then met this sir and told him all about our delicious food. Then we saw BK and decided to stop in there and he told us we must be pregnant or on drugs. We were neither. Gotta love it. I was cracking up at our taxi driver on the way home, making him pronounce all the weiiird, long dutch words like deutchtilkinstraat. Thank God everyone spoke English because I can’t even sound that jank out.




The funniest quote of the night came when we got out of the taxi at our Hostel. It’s kind of inaprops, but mehhhhh. We were going to walk to the Redlight district but this guy on the side of the street kept telling us “redlight district is for boysss” in his weird accent and he said that like 3 times. Then he just shouted “red light district is for PUSSSSAYYYY” and did this dance with it. Haha maybe you had to be there, but it was funny.

Our roomies were already in bed when we got back, but we were just laughing and trying and failing to be quiet. I couldn’t actually fall asleep till 3 and we had to get up at 7 to make our flight.

Ok so since this post is so long, I’m going to go ahead and post this one and then write about Sunday and Monday in a separate one. Deallll.

I haven't uploaded my pics yet, but here are some from my friend's cameras!

El Pollloooo!

Ah yesterday was so much fun! I freaking slept in until 12:40. I guess I needed it. I even went to bed early on Tuesday. It was the first time I was in bed before Maddie in three weeks. Pretty special moment for her to walk in and see me there. So after I woke up, Marie and I went to get coffee at that place right by the study center. We'd been sitting there for a little while and BJ walks over and we told him to eat with us. So we sat there from like 1:15 basically until we had to go to class at 3.

For class BJ took us on the train to Sagunto. It was gorgeous and full of history. We climbed the mountain to see this ancient theatre that they've restored. In the summer they have productions there, but parts of the old Roman architecture are still visible. Then we went up to the castle on the mountain and saw where Hannibal came with his elephants and all the differences between the Roman, Arab, and Christian lifestyles there. Ok, enough history.


The theatre with the old part showing


The castle showing on the mountain


View from the top

We got back right around 6 and went to our weekly Wednesday Montaditos date. We had a huge table in the back and then there was also a huge table of staff. I love those one euro tintos. Little by little, people started leaving, but about 5 of us were left when in walks this dude in a chicken suit. Obvi I had to be friends with him. So he and all their friends sat down and one of the guys that works at our study center told us they were good people and we should be friends with them. I mean the chicken suit won me over from the beginning, but hey, reassurance is always good.


Amanda, chicken suit, and I


Duh I had to put it on

So apparently this guy lost some bet and he taught us how to do the chicken dance in Spanish. Then we taught them the English version. We sat at Montaditos for a while with them and then we decided to go to karaoke. So I got my first ride on a "moto." Ok rewind, the boys were as follows: chicken suit, one I named Harry Potter, but I'm pretty sure his name was really Enric, which isn't Harry at all, Monolo, Arturo, and Luis. Arturo's girlfriend was also with us and she was super fun. The karaoke bar was closed when we got there, but we went to this other bar to wait for a different club to open. We had fun singing and being ridiculous there.

Harry Potter took me for a motorcycle ride


Luis, Amanda, Manolo, and I at the first bar

Finally around 11:30 I think Club Tucan opened and it was a big "erasmus" party, which is basically all study abroad students. It was a rager though, let me tell you. I danced until like 3:30 am and it was seriously so fun. They played so many American songs that I was singing to. Eventually Amanda and I were the only two left of our group, so we decided to go home.


At the end. Hot mess.

I didn't get into bed until 4 and I got up at 7:30 for my class at 9. Surprisingly, I don't feel tired at all. I just don't sleep much until it hits me and I sleep it out for a few days, and then I'm ready to go again. Today I had one of my favorite classes, which is Spanish film. We watched this one called Tesis today and it was super disturbing. But I actually made it through and I don't think I'll be having too many nightmares. One night with the lights on and I'll be good haha.

So only one class until the weekend and then I leave for Amsterdam tomorrow! I basically won't be in Valencia at all for the next 10 days, but I'm still going to try and update my blog. Hasta luegooo!

Epic Sunday, Struggling Monday

So let's see. Sunday, my actual birthday was fun. I got to skype with some friends and probably didn't manage to change out of my dress and shower until like 7:30 pm. But then about 15 of us went out to Cafe Blau for my birthday dinner. This place has the most amazing caprese salads and empanadas and it's like my third time going haha. It's the best.

Then Kelly, Erin, Emily, and I went out to our usual places to celebrate. I ended up stealing some poor boy's sunglasses. Apparently he really wanted them back, and I was just dancing with them and then ran away. Ooopss. Then we met a dog named Betty along the way home. Aka we befriended it and named it Betty.

The girls


There is a reason this tree is special.


Belgian boy. Now I own those sunglasses.....

It really wasn't that late when we got home, probably like 2 am. But I had to get up at 7:30 to finish some homework for my class at 9.. FAIL. I finished but I was realllllly struggling through my class. My professor made me go get juice before it started because he said I looked so horrible. Not embarrassing at all. I really don't need that much sleep usually, but after a while, I think it just hits me and I need to crash.

So that's exactly what I did immediately after class ended. I passed out from 12-4 and could barely even force myself out of bed then hahaha. I really just did a lot of homework, planned some weekend trips with friends, and then ate a delicious home cooked spaghetti dinner. Finally I showered and then just chilled out until a little after midnight when I crawled into bed. I always feel super guilty on the days I don't leave the study center hahaha. Definitely need to be more productive in the future.

Today I got up at 8 for my class at 9. We watched a movie in Spanish for my business class and then just got to talk in Spanish the rest of the time. Glorious. We went to Pan de Queso for lunch and we felt so Spanish because we just sat there, enjoying life and then two other girls from our group walked up and joined us and we sat there while they ate too. I went to the bakery and got some fancy, Swiss bread for 45 cents and then went back to the study center and hung out with Amanda before our history class.

I think I'm getting used to the class, but sometimes it's still hard to sit through. It's the only class that I don't love though, so I guess I can't complain. Now I think we're booking some flights for the trips we planned yesterday! I'm pumped, but I just know this semester is going to go by way too fast :(

Mi cumpleanos!

Well what an interesting weekend. After Javea, we went out to this place called Music Box where Cati was DJing. It was super fun and we were dancing and throwing up our club six gang signs haha. This was the first place there were legit some weird creepers following the girls around. Luckily we had our boys to save us with our code word of platypus. Amanda and I were the last two there and we stayed until at least 5:30.


Diego and I before we went out

I slept in until about 2:30 and then Erin and I got sushi. We had to get it to go because the place was closing for siesta, so we just went and sat on a curb in the plaza. I feel like that was not a normal Spanish thing to do because people were just staring us down hardcore. Our metaphor was that it felt like inception when you mess with someone else's dream and everyone starts to look at you haha. Then we went to this 6 euro dress store and I got 2 dress for 12 euros. Ballerrrr. Finally we stopped at Starbucks for the first time and got a frappaccino. It was glorious.

Then a big group of us walked to the grocery store and i bought my usual. Meat, cheese, and beer. Nice. I got to skype with my long lost lover, BEcky Wray for like 40 minutes when we got back and that was a delight. Then the pizza guy at the place next to us gave me free pizza for my birthday. Haha love him.

Then Dominic and I went out to dinner at his old boss' restaurant called Casa la Pepa. It was amaaaziiingg. They were all filled when we got there at like 10:30, so we went and got a drink at a tapas place until 11 when she was able to get us a table. We got this sampler thing with all the most delicious food like baked brie, calamari rings, croquetas, and some meat and potatoes. Then when we asked for the check, she had given it to us for free. She's literally the cutest woman ever and was super sweet. We felt pretty VIP haha.

We got back and hung out with everyone and got ready to go out. Not sure what time we left, but we went to this one bar where, if you bought a drink, you got on the list for free entry into the disco. Not really sure how all that worked. So that place was fun and then we got taxis to Lumbroccoli. Exceeeept we didn't get in. They told us you needed to be 21 to get in, which doesn't really make sense at all. But I think it's just because we were a huge, loud group of Americans. Because about 6 or 7 other people from our group made it in. So then I was all sad and we were just getting a taxi back to the study center but then our taxi driver offered to take us to Las Animas, which is another really cool disco on the beach where the whole dance floor and bar is on the rooftop. Only four of us went, so it wasn't the birthday i anticipated because I was looking forward to our whole group being together, but I still had such a blast. Thanks to the best roomie ever, Maddie, and Caitlin and Erin for celebrating my 20th in style with me :).


Looking ridiculous at the place before Lumbroccoli


Club Sixxxx


My baller roommate took such good care of me

We had a lot of fun there and eventually just Erin and I were left. We wandered around, made friends, did dumb things, danced. Life was good. We stayed until about 6:30 I think and then got a taxi back to the study center. We were absolutely determined to find kebabs then. Hahaha faillll. We wandered around the streets of Valencia for at least 25 minutes trying to find one. We found one that was closed and decided to sit in front of it until it opened. Brilliant plan. Then the ladies cleaning the streets told us it would be a long time till they opened. Haha embarrassing. So we got back to the study center around 7:30 and I thought I lost my ID while I was out so I slept on the couch. Didn't know until 1:30 when I went upstairs to use the bathroom, that my roommate had put my key in the door. Haaahaaa.



These 4 girls completed my life last night

I got to birthday skype with my parents for a while and now I should probably shower and get out of the dress that I've been wearing since last night. Classy lady.

Day at Javea!

So let's just talk about my life for a second. Last night I went out with a bunch of people and didn't return to the study center until 8 am today. The first thing I do when I get back? Snip a section of my hair off, leaving me with a large, awkward sideburn. Why, you ask? Last night when I wanted to save my gum for later I PUT IT BEHIND MY EAR. I swear, my brain is not functioning sometimes. So of course, it got completely stuck, but I stayed out until the early morning anyway, and by the time I returned it was unsalvageable. Oh well, it's really not that noticeable...


My sad little tuft..

Anyway, so we all boarded the bus for Javea at 9:30 am. It as about a 2 and a half hour ride and I had a glorious slumber. We got there and went straight to the scuba diving center. Man, our wetsuits were awkward looking haha. It took a little time, but eventually we boarded the boats and rode out to where we would be diving. I was the first from my boat to go and it was SUCH an incredible experience. I looooved it. It was so weird at first, learning to allow yourself to breathe underwater, but once I was used to it, it wasn't bad at all. The water was pretty and we got to swim around with schools of fish and in the coral. Beautiful. I also fell in love with my scuba instructor, Carlos. I wish we would be best friends forever. He was just so cool and we chatted a lot about random stuff. He thought I was "un poco raro" (aka a little weird hahaha) but I taught him a handshake and showed him my new sideburn.


Javea


Obsessed with Carlos...probably fine. Also, he is wearing a speedo. Just for clarification.

We were under the water for like 15 minutes or so and afterwards I climbed on the rocks with some of the other people. Then we rode back and got lunch nearby. It was super delicious and not expensive at all. Then we climbed up the mountain near the water. It took like an hour, but wasn't a hard hike. The views from the top were so pretty, the water with the white houses of Javea. Loved it.


At the top of the mountain!

Took another really long nap on the ride back and now it's about 8:30. I think we're going out to where Cati is Djing again tonight. Yayayaya birthday weekend commence! We're going out to the big discoteca on the beach tomorrow to celebrate! :)

Intercambios!

Let's seeee. I had such a good day yesterday. I didn't have class until 3, so I slept in until 11 and just got to hang out with people and read until class. We met our professor, BJ at the doors to our study center and then we rode the bus to his friend's paella restaurant at the university neighborhood. The food was muyyy delicioso. We got salad, paella, a drink, a dessert, and coffee all for really cheap. It was wonderful. Then we walked around the university area and he showed us so many good places for college students to eat and hang out. I'm excited to explore that area.


Me, Monica, and Caitlin at the paella restaurant

When we got back, Caitlin and I sat in the computer lab and did our Spanish homework together. We just had to write 2 pages about anything we wanted to. So I wrote about the jobs that I've had over the years. Don't worry Einsteins and Barnes and Noble friends, I talked about much I love them both.

The best part of the day was when we had our "exchange conversations" where we go and meet up with other Spanish students. First I was sitting at a table with my friends who didn't speak Spanish, so the Spaniards were only speaking English. But I told my teacher I wanted to speak Spanish, so she went and found me these 2 guys that didn't speak any English at all. I literally had the best time talking to them. Their names were Seve and Alejandro, and they were pretty old. Like 31 and one was a doctor and one works for the state. They aren't future husband material (haha), but we just sat around joking the entire night. I just love speaking in Spanish to people and it was cool actually talking to them like I was one of them. We chatted about everything until Sherlock Holmes closed at 10. Then they invited me to dinner and we went to this Italian place. We stayed talking until like 12 and they even payed for me. It was just a good experience and I'm glad I got to meet them. The funniest thing was when I asked them after dinner why they went to the Conversation Exchange and they were like.. uhh we just met up for a drink and your teacher asked us if we'd talk to you. HAHAHA. Embarrassing. But they were super nice about it.

Then I met up with a couple people from my group that were still hanging out with other Spaniards. We didn't stay out long though and pretty much just walked back to the study center. I went to bed fairly early because I was tired. This morning I got up at 8 for class. It was my film class and we watched Pan's Labyrinth. I love that movie, but dang, some of the scenes are just too intense.

I have one class left until the weekend!



Just for kicks, here's me loving life at the discoteca on Saturday


Making people do the sprinkler


My dance partner for the night!

Romp Romp

Hi! I haven't written in here in a few days!

Sunday night we just went to dinner, enjoyed our American food, and then I learned to play hearts when we got back. We played till like 1 am. We raged hardcore obviously.

Monday was delightful. I had my first women in literature class and our professor took us out to a cafe and we got a coffee and talked about the class. It should be really good. Then I went for a run in the riverbed and ate lunch and hung out with people in the apartment. I went to Suerte Suerte (our little dollar store like thing) twice today just with different people. I love just walking around and going crazy different ways to the same location.

Then Erin and I hung out with Kelly and Emily in their room and we booked our first flight! Going to Amsterdam the weekend after my 20th brithday (aka in two weeks). SO EXCITED! Yes yes yes! Then we all went out and wandered around in the streets. We went into literally 5 different bars and clubs, just looking free drink vouchers. Success (sorry mom). Monday night is "international party" at Bolseria, so that's always fun. Then we ran into these girls that were from Valencia, but were lost, and I knew where they were trying to go. So I took them and told them I had a map in my brain. I know this city better than the people who live here. Hah.

We got back around 2 and I had a class at 9 today. I got up at 7:30 and it wasn't that bad, but I'm pretty tired now. My Business Spanish class was good and then we had our first "Spanish club" meeting at 12. It's cute. I love talking in Spanish. At 12:30 we had soccer out in the riverbed with some of the faculty. They were actually good. There's a reason I didn't keep playing soccer. I suuucckk. Haha but I tried and had fun, so that's all that matters. Then I had class again at 3 until 4:30. Since FSU won their first football game, my professor took us out to Cien Montaditos and bought us all a beer. He's so cool. I had a lot of fun just exchanging funny life stories with everyone at our table.

I just got back from the grocery store. Everyone buys like spices and swordfish and they actually cook. I buy meat, cheese, and mayo. I am so undomesticated haha.

Not sure what's up for tonight but hopefully going to this place called La Claca, which is supposed to be a cool bar that has Flamenco dancing. Pumped!

Do you remember Hambone?

Oh last night was a delight. We went to Finnigans to do a little pregaming before the discoteca. We went around midnight and stayed till like 1:30. We wrote "Vivo cerca de los torres de serranos" on our hands, just in case we were unable to remember where we lived in a few hours haha. Then we met back at the towers and got taxis to La Tres. We loved our taxi driver. Oh Jorge. He played Brittany Spears and you better believe we were shouting it at the top of our lungs. We asked him to go in and get a shot with us, but he declined unfortunately haha.


Our hands

The disco was SO FUN. Cati was DJing and she is just amazing. A few times she would come down and dance with us, it was awesome. I literally just danced for like 3 straight hours. Everyone in our group was so much fun and we loved shouting the cheesy song lyrics like "Take me out" by Franz Ferdinand. Then of course, a couple of us broke out the best dance moves, like the sprnkler, the shopping cart, the Egyptian walk. So good. We left around 6 I think because a couple people were a tad too drunk, but I intend on making it until 7:30 for my birthday next weekend.

We got taxis back to the study center and then Erin and I slept together in my tiny bed. Who knows why that happened. I got up at like 2 and I've literally just been chilling. I haven't even stepped outside yet today. It's about 7 and I think we're going out to the American Restaurant, Hollywood, for Amanda's birthday. Sad the weekend is over, but my birthday is in exactly a week! Yay!

There aren't any pics on facebook from the disco, although I've heard there are some good ones (bahaaa). But for now, here are some from the pre party (when we still looked nice).

Ole Ole!

Last night we left for the metro around 9:30 or 10. There were all these people dressed up for some Spain Halloween-like festival, so it was quite an interesting metro ride. It didn't take too long to get to where the bulls were being set up. We got to see the coolest Spanish tradition ever where they blocked off a section of the streets and put up these fence-like bleachers that people climbed on top of and sat on. I was one of very few women still in the streets when they unleashed the bulls. One of the girls from our group did touch the horns though. If the bulls got close, you basically just climbed up the fence. During the third round, they lit the bulls horns on fire. I'm so glad that I got to see it.

We left around 2 and then got a taxi back home. We went out for a little while after we got back, but probably only stayed out till about 3:30. Today I slept in until 4 pm. I am so proud. That's probably the latest I've ever slept in. But I'm all rested for an allnighter at the discotec! They don't close till 7:30 am and I intend on making it until then. YES.

I've got a feeling..

Yesterday I napped from about 6 to 8 pm and then dashed to the grocery store with Erin because it closed at 9. But I FINALLY got food.. that probably needed to happen like a week ago haha. We ate and got ready to go out at about 10:30. It was early for Spanish standards, but we wanted to be able to take the metro to the university side of town.

We went to this bar called Max Max and it was pretty empty because school isn't in session for Spaniards yet. In like a month it will be packed there at night. All but 2 people from our group went, so it was awesome. We totally took over. And the Italian guys that I met the night before at Bolseria came. Haha I didn't know what they looked like, but I kept making eye contact with this one guy and finally they waved and I was like OHHH. Embarrassing. But I had so much fun hanging out with them and then other people from my group came over and talked to us. Their names are Fillipo and Lorenzo. Lorenzo spoke English pretty well, but no Spanish, and Fillipo didn't speak English, but spoke Spanish well. So I was kind of alternating between languages all night.

We got back around 3 or so and I was so exhausted, I slept great. I got up at 9:30 for our Riverbed tour. Maddie and I seriously considered just going back to bed, but I'm glad I got up for it. We took the bus down a mile or two and then took a really long walk. This park used to be a river, but they drained it years ago because of a flood. So we walked like 2 and a half hours all the way to the end of the riverbed. There was this amazing playground thing that we all had fun on. And then we just laid out on a blanket in the shade and ate some food. I'd say we walked at least 4 miles. So we took the bus back to school and I definitely took a long nap when I got back.

I got up at like 5:30, showered, and now I'm gearing up for Friday night! I love 3 day weekends!


Fillipo and Lorenzo

The cool playground