Mi Primero Semana en Espana

My first week in Spain has definitely exceeded my expectations. My first thought about Europe was how different the airports were structured. It took so long for us to get out of there..felt like a mouse, lost in a maze, searching for the exit to finally get the cheese, or in my case, sleep! Spending 24 hours in airports and planes is definitely not my cup of tea. The hotels in Madrid were average, but seeing two toilets in one bathroom made me realize I was no longer in San Diego. I thought the second one was for washing your feet, or shaving. Boy, was I wrong. Madrid just reminded me of San Francisco, or New York. Lots of fast-paced people, nice little park areas, signs on how to get to the nearest McDonald's or KFC. Salamanca is on the opposite side of the spectrum. The architecture is so beautiful! And although there is one McDonald's in Plaza Mayor, most cafe's and restaurants I've visited have been family-operated. The food is beyond amazing. Our first night here, my roommates and I decided to get dinner at La Platea. We got a 3 course meal for 9,50, which included salad or soup, choice of entree (we chose the salmon!), and dessert, along with two bottles of red wine for all 5 of us. Everything was delicious! No matter where you go for food in Salamanca, you will enjoy it (that doesn't apply much to their fast food chains, but why would you even bother to go to Burger King when you're in Spain?!)So far, the only thing I have complained about is not having a store or restaurant open nearby when I want to satisfy my late-night hunger pangs. And even that has been taken care of, as of last night, when my roommate and I found a cheap, fast food place open around 1am. I must say, however, that I will never go there again. It feels weird to have chicken nuggets and criss-cut fries after all I've been eating has been so healthy and so delicious!

There isn't one thing that I don't enjoy about Salamanca. I have not yet taken advantage of their siestas, yet with all of the jet lag, I'm sure I will get to it soon enough. What I love most is the Plaza Mayor. For Salamanquinos, It's almost impossible to go throughout the entire day without walking through the Plaza. My true love for Salamanca has definitely been experienced in the Plaza. I love going in the day time, not just for free WiFi, but also to see all the students and young couples sitting on the ground, soaking up what little sun we receive, laughing the day away. I enjoy watching the young ones, with their parents so far away, running about and feeling safe. But what I love even more about the Plaza, occurs mostly at night, after 10 or 11PM. Old couples walking arm in arm, enjoying each other's company. Old ladies walking hand in hand, even. Young couples walking their dog, even though it's almost 2AM. Little babies in their warm coats and mittens, asleep in their strollers, being pushed by their grandparents. Children who have younger siblings, teaching them to catch the ball. It seems their days begin at 7AM and end at almost 3AM the next day. So far, it's been quite difficult to keep up with, but I'm slowly achieving the Salamanquino status.

It feels like it's already been a month here, but I've absolutely loved every moment of my first week. My roommate and I have already become regulars at Cafe y Te, a place we go for Internet every once in a while. In fact, the waiter paid for my last meal there. Of course, "meal" is an exaggeration, seeing as I only had a croissant and a glassed water. But, surprisingly, it was enough. I went to the Post Office the other day, alone, without knowing basic spanish words for things like "envelope" or "stamps." Difficult as it was, I made it through. I think that's my favorite part of studying abroad in Spain--getting lost in translations, using what spanish I do know, and never knowing whether I will find my way through. It's a new experience, but I wouldn't want it to be any easier. I'm enjoying my time here, and even with the one day of homesickness I've experienced so far, I know that this is always what I wanted to do, and always what I was meant to do. Spain is amazing, it's way of life is amazing...there's just no other way to put it, and I think that until you experience it for yourself, you'll never understand how I feel right now. No matter how many blogs I write, you cannot live in Spain vicariously (sorry, Mom!)