Spainiards are crazy. It’s 1:15 and I’m waking up at 7:00 but there are STILL people being super loud in the street. I guess they’re just reminding me that I haven’t blogged yet.
So today… class was actually really interesting today. We’re focused on how food in Cadiz differed from food in the United States and we looked at what a Meditteranean diet looked like (which was VERY hard to do when my stomach is still adjusting to this different eating schedule). We also began to study the Spanish Health care system and the main characteristics of a socialist system, which we talked to our madre about for a good hour when we got home. We had PAELLA for lunch (an awesome rice dish with rice and meats that I’ve learned NOT to ask for the names of) and ended up talking to our padres for about two hours. Not to be conceited… but they love us. I just sit there and pretend like I know what they’re saying (most of the time I get the gist) but today our madre was talking about how much she loved the healthcare system and Spanish customs and I would have gladly put my input in and defended the way America does it as well, but I didn’t want to start an argument because I wasn’t even clear on what to say (or how to say what I wanted). I’m still waiting for fluency to come…. After lunch we went to the beach for a couple hours (whovever said that they just made topless tanning illegal was completely wrong. I think there were more girls without bathing suit tops than with. Something I definitely didn’t need to see) and then we met at the school at 6:00 to go for a tour of Cadiz.
Marta (our teacher) led the tour all over la ciudad Antigua, and I had NO IDEA how pretty it was or how much Emily and I missed the first day we were here and tried to do a self-guided tour. There are so many little plazas and heladerias (ice cream/gelato shops)
Strawberry and kiwi is by far the best combination.
The statue that marks where the Spanish Declaration of Independence was signed (in 1812... ironic?)
My favorite thing about the city is the lack of tourists – I feel like I stick out so much here, but it’s okay because I feel like we’re also the only Americans here. After the tour we went to a plaza to eat meriendas (snacks) which ended up being our dinners because there was so much food. We also met a group from UNC Greensboro who are studying in the University of Cadiz for the month of June (so much for being the only Americans. At least they’re not tourists). But that was actually exciting because they’ve already been here for 2 weeks so we’re hoping that they’ll be able to show us around. We stayed in the plaza afterwards and walked around la ciudad Antigua until about 12, and then headed back home. Long day tomorrow… we have a visit to el Mercado (market) and lots of beach time (rough life). We’re also trying to plan a trip to Lisbon for this weekend and Morocco for the next, so we’ll see how those turn out...
Mi nueva amiga Shivani!
WT Tip #4: Take the back roads. You'll eventually find your way back to the main one.
... I just liked the smiley face :]
This is SO cool! I am so jealous, but glad you're having fun. Just remember that your American madre loves you more!
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