So. You will probably all laugh when I tell you that my biggest problem this week has been trying to decide which countries I want to visit while I’m here. (Life’s rough, huh?) It’s a hard decision, because I legitimately want to see everything, and there are so many options and opportunities that it’s hard to think realistically about the money and time that I actually have.
That said, I already have had the chance to travel, and I spent this past weekend in Valencia with ten other girls from my program. It was a really fantastic experience, and while we had quite a few close calls logistically, everything went very smoothly.
(What follows is taken from my journal from the weekend...)
(11.9.09)
On Friday afternoon, we all caught a bus from Salamanca to Madrid. It was actually a pretty awful ride – something like a sauna that couldn’t quite get its act together; when we finally arrived everyone on the bus was drenched in sweat, and I was surprised that there hadn’t been a riot. Luckily, the next bus was much cooler, and most of us took our much-needed siesta. The countryside going by was beautiful, and so interesting – lots of dry land, and acres and acres of sunflowers, and a reservoir with dramatic curves of water meeting cliffs.
Before leaving Salamanca, another girl and I had booked the two hotel rooms that all eleven of us planned to share for the weekend, so when we arrived, we headed straight there to settle in. She and I, and the two other girls who were officially part of the reservation loaded up with everyone’s bags and went to check in. Long story short, we had booked the wrong hotel, and ended up having to walk another sevenish blocks to the hotel where we actually had reservations. It was bad, but I had to laugh, and the rest of the group took it in stride, although us two planners were relegated to the back, and deemed unfit to be followed or listened to. Everyone was really very good-natured, and it was all pretty amusing to me – I think that’s just the way you have to look at it. As it turns out our real hotel was very nice and we were upgraded to Jr. Suites, so instead of having to sleep on the floor, we actually got a pullout sofa, plus the two double beds. (Big perk.) We treated ourselves to Japanese food that night; splitting the bill eleven ways was a riot, but it was worth it.
As I’m writing this [on the 12th], I’m sitting on the roof of the hotel, with my feet in the pool, looking out over the city around me. To the left I see mountains, to the right I can see a small strip of water. Of the Mediterranean. Spanish music plays on the speakers, and the temperature couldn’t be more perfect. This is a beautiful way to start a day.
(12.9.09)
The activity of the day today was The Beach. The water was beautifully warm, but refreshing, and the 360 view was incredible: beaches, mountains, the boardwalk, and the contrast of the industrial shipping area on the other side of the jetty. The big news of the afternoon was that I succeeded in buying my first pair of Jasmine Pants! The Jasmine Pant is a Spanish fashion phenomenon that has caught my eye since the first day. These are pants that are usually made from silk or light cotton, with beautiful prints and colors; the fabric is very draped, and could easily form a skirt, but instead gathers with elastic at the ankle to form a roughly pant-like shape. They are, honestly, quite impressive; people either love or hate them. (I’ll try to post a photo later so you can decide for yourself.) Personally, I think they’re the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn – something like the Spanish equivalent of sweatpants.
That evening, six of the other girls and I decided to do a bit of sightseeing. Valencia has some really incredible modern architecture near where we stayed, so we walked around after dinner taking millions of pictures, and running around to see everything we could. With seven of us, and almost as many cameras, we didn’t actually get that far, but we had some great photo-shoots and I think everyone got way more than their allotted 20 minutes of laughter for the day.
We were all sad to have to leave the next day (so soon!) but it was a great trip, and I think we did a lot with what little time we had.
I have so much more to say and I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! Internet is harder to come by than I had expected, but I will do my best to write again soon! Until then!
