WAYY BEHIND.... Galicia*

So this is really a remake of the previous post only because I felt like my video which doesn't play wasn't sufficient enough to accompany my pictures... I know lately I've just been putting a little snack with the links to my pictures... I guess I've been lazy but now I think about it, with time running down in Leon, I now feel like I'm in a rush to finish things... Yes I'll admit I waited last minute but I got my schedule down for after the quarter but tonight after I finalize things.... tomorrow our program has one last.... *scratch all that..**

Here's the new Galicia post. =) with pictures...

Galicia was amazing…. This blog is late but it has to happen… So from the beginning we had to pick a partner for the rooms, because it was two to a room which the exception of the boys, since there was only three in the whole group, it required another room with a three girls, so making it our twelve in total. Anyway my roommate was Lauren Potter once again, because she is TOTALLY AWESOME! Anyway, the weekend of Galicia was the weekend following Portugal for Lauren and I.  Galicia was a night in Santiago de Compestela, about two whole days. The first day was a night walk through the town even though most things were closed, it was nice to get a good feel before taking on the city, also the capital of Galicia, with the tourists and locals. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compestela was AMAZING, you know so amazing that I actually miss our own Seattle (puny) one. The intensity of the building and creation is breathtaking. It is a something you must visit kine of thing. The main thing that was really attention grabbing was the HUGE thurible. Now it is quite funny what the story is of why they do this, but then again it may not be true. So the huge thurible, by the way is also called botafubre (which is Giego, the language of Galicia and not in Spanish (castillia)), swings across the longer part of the church across and over everyone’s head, it is sort of scary at first but it happens and everything is fine afterward. But you do see the sparks and whatnot come out, it is kine of interesting. So they tell us that the reason why they do this, irrelevant to the Catholicism beliefs, but because people, and I think they pointed out the pilgrims back in the day, were people of odor, and hence doing the HUGE thurible/incense. But there is also the reason why the religion does it in the first place. Anyway moving on through Galicia. After the first night we packed up to go to La Coruña. La Coruña is a city on the Altantic coast and is also a province of Galecia.  Now when we arrived, it was really bad timing of the coordinators for this because as we pulled up to the city, the street we needed to go to was CLOSED. Bam bam bam!! Not for anyway bad if that’s what you’re thinking but because the fútbol team was playing that night, the pride crashed the city just as hard as the waves crashed the beach the city sat on. The streets were closed so that the people can fill them as they prepared to watch the game, which was about two hours til. So with everyone’s luggage pushing through the sea of people covered in blue and white just to get to the hotel. It was a hassle but we got there. I finally got to kind of swim in the Altantic ocean, although even I touched it, Santos yelled at me, “NO!!”… not because he didn’t want me to go swimming, but because he thought I couldn’t make it…. To be swimming home. Haha!! That man is FUNNY!  But yeah so, we went out for a little that night because we already saw the potential of fun crowds… haha of course we were all careful, but we found out they lost and then most people went mopping home. So I think that the potential really died, but we went to see anyway, did nothing and then went home. The next morning, we went to see the torre de Hercules… I think it was about 200 stairs in total for that whole thing…. Never again! Haha it was a beautiful view though at the top. Afterward we had beach time, and then lunch and back to Leon. It was a very eventful weekend. I would definitely come back, oh and did I mention I got to view the lying of the Apostle James. It was very touching for me because St. James is my Cathedral, my home.

Anyway CHECK OUT MY PICTURES FOR IT!!!

ALSO CHECK OUT SOME VIDEOS OF THE HUGE THURIBLE…. 

Broken Things I have to say GoodBye too...

So I have so many blogs that are in construction and that I really cannot finish at the time... but I do have to get this over with....  I brought with me to Europe this flats that were broken in, and quite confortable than you would expect... I call them my ZEBRA SHOES... well because they are zebra print... and recently I had this belt, very silvery and shiny.... BROKEN. I loved these things.... and now I must say bye to them.... in Europe.

 

 

So the zebras used to be white and black... and then they gained some holes on the side and then started talking to me thru its mouth in the front and the belt... kinda like that one symbol, don't really know what I'm referring to but yeah both latches broke entonces, no use as a belt.... oh well!

THANKS for the FASHION STATEMENTS....but it is time to move on... 

=) DEZI.

Oporto, Portugal

So over the weekend (Saturday, 14 to Monday 16) Lauren Potters and I went to Oporto, Portugal for the weekend.... being that this past weekend was the only weekend available to do the trip. In total, we probably spent 150 dollars at most each of us, that included flight, bus, pocket and hostel. Now that's a very good price!!! We enjoyed ourselves throughout the town, and on the beach. This was one city I didn't want to trek everywhere and research what are THE most important buildings etc etc.... So in short, the first day we rested, rode the gondola, took a winery tour and tasting and tried a typical dish to Portugal: Francescinha (spelling is probably wrong...) Sunday.. for practically the whole day we sat, laid out on the beach for about 4-5 hours which was pretty good.... no burns! and went out to a small bar near our hostel with some of the other peoples from the hostel... It was nice because we've met some locals, one from Canada, couple from France... and many others... But anyway yeah then we got up Monday morning and practically traveled all day back to Leon....

It was fun(link for fotos)... want to go back but France and Italy... you guys are next!

Astorga ... to a mini Pueblo

So this post is a little late but I'm still doing it... Last Thursday which was May 12, at about 4pm we took a bus to a pueblo near Leon. We returned about 10-1030pm... so Astorga, a mini pueblo had a museo de chocolate... wasn't amazing.. it was cool to try the different chocolates, but the equipment that was the museo part, was very limited on things and space. But it was cool to have stopped by there anyway... afterward we walked around Astorga. and visited parks streets and their plaza Mayor.... because every town HAS TO HAVE a plaza mayor.... usually they are square but this one is rectangular.... oooooooo  anyway the bus then took us to an even smaller pueblo which was very antiguo.... muy guay!  And then back to Leon... raining... =(

Anyway check out some pictures... =]

whew...

This is just a random post but playing with three little kids is tiring.... So i quit.. I don't know how to keep up.... Plus they probably kicked my butt in whatever that game was called.... Eh... here I am in my host uncle's apartment living room with all the pillows in the house.

pictured: Ana(4, little sister); Jorge (4, cousin); Miguel(2?, cousin)

Inā

Imagine all the people....

Inā! Imagine!

I wanted to post this video because my life is just a speck of my imagination. Being in Spain, barely touches the mirror of reality. Wanting to go back home to be with family and friends is the stepping stones of this world of imagination. I miss everyone.... mom, dad, bros, lola (both, all!) all the aunties, and uncles..... both blood and all in my life. My Ninongs and Ninangs.... I miss everyone in one way or another....

But this can only really dedicated to one person... my mom. (Hey i tried calling... BTW) But in terms of the US's calendar.... Happy Mother's day.... One can only imagine what or who they would be if it wasn't for their mothers.

So Happy Mother's Day to you mom!... and to all the mothers out there, never think once you are not forgotten... because we are ohana: family: no body is left behind or forgotten.

<3 DESIREE R BUNGAY

Salamanca

So yesterday, Saturday (5/7), our program went on a trip to Salamanca. It's like a small town just like Leon. But maybe there was just a little more people.... Here the big part of our visit was the cathedral. And there is actually two. A new one and an old one. And they were built next to each other, so it looks like one really big church, and in fact it really is. The university is also really near, and when I say really near it was a Spanish street away. REALLY BEAUTIFUL! of course. anyway like always there a pictures and you know as the saying goes, a picture tells 1000 words...

After waiting for our group nearing the end of the day, we sat for our bus, I took pictures and a video of a part of the church with the clouds movin' on by.... "It's standing art facing time."

I can elaborate a little more* but for now... Salamanca was cool.


But don't forget the FOTOS.

Visitas a Casa Botines(Gaudí)

So on the 3rd of May which was yesterday.... wow my days are pretty gone... Santos (the greatest...so he calls himself, LOL) set our group only with a visit to Casa Botines. Gaudí if you didn't know is a famous architect. And he did this building.... This building is like the used to Washington Mutal Tower in downtown Seattle. The main place!! It is the home of Caja España, which is the main bank of Spain. They are everywhere just like in the states and how McDonalds and Starbucks are on every corner.. yeah exactly the same amount.

The tour wasn't completely in depth, but it was amazing to enter rooms that are usually closed off the to public. If I understand correctly, the bottom floor was a cloth store, first floor as the lobby, main services and everything upward is either offices or conference rooms. In particular, the conference room we visited was proabbly the main and really big one. Every Thursday, in the shown room there is a meeting with the president of Caja España. The carpet was handmade and the light piece was very intricate.

That was practically it for the mini visit to the Casa Botines. I'll think of it as that not very many people have gone where I've gone.

Visitas a la Catedral

We had an visit to the Cathedral of Leon... as you can see in many of my past picutures already.. But we had a chance to go up on the platform which is a different view than others. It was quite amazing.. check out my photos..

FUN FACT: the height from the floor to the top is about 30 meters.

Marina, the Oldest (of the two.)

Marina is a very interesting person. She is 11 years.. no wait she just had a birthday, so she is NOW 12 years old... Yeah she loves dancing and it is pretty hilarious because everytime the honey pops or in spanish miel pops commercial comes on, she has this dance either she or her friends have choreographed to the commercial... I laugh but it's not that she's a bad dancer but because she just breaks out in dance once it comes on lol....

I feel what the kids are learning here are so intense... so in terms of her homework, she has language: Ingles, Math, History... the basics... and then she plays the piano... and I'll get a video going of her playing .... Believe me when I say she is good.... Anyway yeah then every weekend.. or almost every weekend she goes with her father to ride horses... and I think it is a class too. So with all that... she is one ambitious girl. What else can I say ..... =)

Mi Casa... Long overdue..

Sorry about this long wait on where I'm living... but here are THE photos, Its pretty awesome here.. but it has been weird because little things were having troubles.. like the sink in the kitchen had a little leak...

And then one of the photo has a caption of "La cocina Americana"... I didn't know this was an american idea but the same room of the kitchen and the dining room... they just call it "the american kitchen"... MUY INTERESANTE....

Anyway WELCOME TO MY CRIB lol...

Amazing...... race

I just watched four episodes of the Amazing Race to chatch up because those four episodes happened while I am away... anyway I can't believe my two of three of my favorite teams got eliminated within these four episodes. ='(

1. Jet and Cord (the Cowboys)
2. Ron and Christina (the Chinese Father-Daugether)

The third team is Flight-TIme and Big Easy (the Globetrotters), but they were close to getting eliminated too...

The amazing race is something I want to do too, but yeah that's a big goal for me. Anyway I also wanted to point out the episode that Margie & Luke got eliminated, I cried... not for them getting eliminated but because of the tasks that they went through...

That tea testing one ...hmm I'd like to try but I would know how it is to easily get frustrated. It was amazing that the people from the task helped a little for Luke to finish. And then when finally he did find the right tea... not only did his mom clap for him but the workers apart of the task too....
Maybe you can find it online..... Anyway here's the table from Wikipedia of who's left.....

** THaNk goodness for the WiFi and the internet so that I could watch this.. =)

Been Since....

So its has been awhile since I've posted yes... for a couple of reasons...


One: I went along with my Spainish family to Valencia, well actually Cullera, which is actually 5-10 min drive away from Valencia.


Two: Once I got back which was about Thursday evening, Semana Santa has already begun, and so I also wanted to catch up with my friends/classmates.


The "Valencia" trip amazing! I mean I can say I've missed the the beach until I went been there and now say I miss the beach now that I'm back in Leon. Uh I did a little message writting through my phone... (I'll add that later... it pretty much has all the details of the trip... well the whole trip in summary...)

Faro Cullera/Valencia
                *****HERE are some more PICTURES taken from my iPHONE. =)

                        check out my video ... lol One is of a stadium like Spain's mini Colosseum, I mean it was built by the Romans...

When I came back... I came back to rain... boo! not only is it rain in general, but because of it, the parades were cancelled. Which is why I only caught two of them. And don't worry there are pictures... If and WHEN you see them, there are amazing! There has been a band practicing out in San Francisco Park for the past month in the evening. And I always wondered why... other than the obvious for school or a club. But I assumed it was for something big because it was the same song, again and again. Turns out it was one of the three or was it four bands apart of the parades/processions for Semana Santa. And one main reasons there were bands is to keep tempo for the people carrying the platforms.. OOOH those platforms are amazing designed and beautiful. I took pictures this morning from the last procession to show how many people actually carry it. And my spanish family actually explained to me that doing it was like a sacrific. And not only did some just carry it, they sacrificed shoes while doing so. *applaud*



I miss you, St. James Cathedral.
[credit to Steve.Korn]



So I haven't actually came across time to fully attend a mass here in Leon or anywhere in Spain, except for Easter Vigil, and Easter. Easter Vigil was at 11pm, and although everything was in Spain, I understood because I was prepped so well at St. James. Serving as an Altar Server and an Eucharistic Minister, isn't just something I do during mass but something that is a part of me.

Anyway there are a few photos that are dark but of one light.. that's their Pascua candle. I remember like the fire out front of St. James late at night to light our new candle... I took a close up on it earlier today(Sunday).

I've still need to take my city shots of Leon.

Anyway HERE, HERE and HERE are the links(all the same) to my Semana Santa events. =)

So according to the album, WHEN you look through it all, it goes Thursday's procession/parade... thats the one with the hoods... AND NO ITS NOT THE KKK. although my spanish mom likes to refer to it. (she also like to refer to the Yankees...) but anyway then there are the dark shots, and after reviewing them you can see a few people in the shot... one person being the archbishop of Leon. And then goes into Easter mass. There are more pictures of Easter than there are the Vigil because I didn't want to just keep taking fotos. And ends with the last procession without the hoods... like the big last one! Oh yeah I also took a few sample voice memos via Iphone.... check them out and

.

.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

to all my family and friends in Seattle...

**Video was in Cullera, where Ana tried to be a model walking to the music..

Visitas a San Isidoro

Today : 14 / 4 / 11
Time : 5pm-6:30
**Picture link below

The visit to San Isidoro. At first I wasn't sure what we were visiting, but as we got there it was a church. One of the oldest churchest next to the cathedral. But for a couple of hours, we followed a guide name Javier, who I took a picture of so you'd know who I was talking about. The same guy/dude/ guide that took us around for that Saturday day excursion to the Picos de Europa. Anyway we went into the church following our Spanish guide speaking extreme amounts of spanish.... but surprisingly I understood most of it. Anyway we went through the actual church and then into the museo attached to it, which contained so many interesting things and parts of the church. In the preserved glass cases salas, Javier pointed out a chalice that was created of gold and is actually two cups top and bottom was made a very long time ago. (Date don't remember.)

Anyway.. There was also a place where lay tombs of royalty... I believe 23 bodies/bones/ash. And painting all over the celings.. I couldn't take pictures of these but I can guarentee you that they are muy bonita!

Anyway I hope to stop by for mass inside one day this quarter. =)

AQUI

Ana, the Youngest.

Ana is 4. She is very hyper, loud and cute. "!Que mono!"  <<"How cute!"
          ^^ I found out the actual age... soooo yup.

She has a big head, a cute big head, (not a bad thing!) full of blond~ish curly hair. She loves learning English. But every day is like a new day where she doesn't remember me. But I remember always being shy then...

"Des-e-rrray, como se dice ... en ingles??"

What else can I say about her in the third week??? HEY, but don't fret because there will be more!

 So this was the best picture I can really take of Ana... She is a craze about either the TV or like games on the computer...

If you were to walk into the home now.. she would probably be the first one to hear. Not saying that's completely a bad thing but that you'll just know. I sort of wish this was a moving picture because at this moment, she is completely concentrated on the screen, using her little fingers to push the touchpad repeatedly.

Anyway... I'd like to introduce to you the youngest of the family, Ana.

Cathedral Mass Times

So yesterday after moving all my stuff over to the new place... and don't worry I'll bring the pictures of the old and new house.. but I researched the mass hours of the Cathderal. And here is what I'm proposing...



Twice a week mass: SUNDAY @ 11am  & One weekday @ 18(6pm)

I have cooking class on Mondays & Wednesday from 8:30 - 10:30, so I may not do those day, although it seems a little fitting that I go to church and then straight after go to cooking class. I'm just unsure how long mass is. Anyway this week I may just do Tomorrow Tuesday @ 18.

k, get it? got it? Bueno!

Saturday´s Excursion [4/9]

Photo link @ bottom.

So yesterday, the reason why I didn´t blog was because I was out on a day long excursion... and BELIEVE that I am sore. We visited a museo which was not that far from the main city. Maybe about 10-15 mins away. And this museo was awesome!! But of course most museos still have that side that´s like arghh.... boring... but some of the exhibits were amazingly interesting... Some things showed how life was before like industrailism... There were dress parts for different "ancient" times festivals and such... There were also rooms set up that showed how life was before.... I remember this block thing... and the tour guide, although at the time didn´t understand that she was asking if anybody knew what this "thing" is. But she explained it was just an old fashion iron... you put coals in hte bottom part and/or put it in the fire.

Anyway after that long but a little tour around the museo... we went on to a church... and our main tour guide of the whole excursion (Javier~ said with a little flem) said a little speech about the church (of course all in Spanish) so my attention span sort of lost what we was saying... but I did manage to remember that the archs inside were made to follow the shoes of horse... yes horseshoes... same difference...

Anyway there are pictures of the church there too... oh yeah I have to mention that when we left, outside was hot, and the sun was out for us... but inside that church was sooo cool! It was interesting to have felt that.

After our time at the museo and the church, our buses took us about an hour into the mountains where we came to a grassy area where lunch was served... Or well we have to eat whatever we brought. Hm sandwhich with tortilla in it... bomb dot com! (btw it wasn´t a tortilla- flat and floury but a tortilla is an omlette!!! yum!)

We went on a little trail with a climb of about vertical... crazy hurt on the legs! But I made it to this upper landing that gave a beautiful view of the montañas. They call it the picos de europa because it touches three regions of Spain but I don´t know why it is of Europa. once again, I need to buff my Spanish.

Getting back on the bus we went to a little pueblo where only the smaller bus can continue. So we took three trips, which took forever to wait for the rest of the groups to reach the inner part of the like-valley. But from there we didn´t realize that we were going to be facing a 4 km walk to the rio. BTW the rio was beautiful, which lead to a dam which had this extra part that zig zagged down. And that was about the end of our walk because we had to walk back and then take the three bus trips AND the trip back into town. You´d think that wasn´t long but we walked FOREVER! Anyway check out the photos...

****Photos are blurry because flash wasn´t allowed... so I tried!

CLICK KCILC CLICK




<3 mucho amor

UPDATE EM PIX!

BAM BAM BAM!! ERR-BODY LOVES EM PICTURES.... THEY AREN'T THE BEST, BUT I DON'T NEED A 6,000,000$ CAMERA... OR A 600$. a SIMPLE MAYBE 200 OR EVEN BETTER 100$$ CAMERA!!

TA DA!

BA DA BING! BA DA BOOM!


** these photos are of my first paseo* sola... I walked toward the river which I found wonderfully.... and on the way found the McDonalds and of course I had to take a photo because it was like an epiphany because obviously I took a picture of it.... (laughs & applauds)... I found the river and walked along finding the stadium, futbol and the toro. I also discovered the B&W feature on my camera hence taking a few artistical shots, as well as the orange feature.... or the dingey orange kine.

The last part with the other students (Adi, Christina, Kyle and Jane) was a different day to the opposity side of town. Those are minimal but will add more when I discover those from the other cameras. yup!
But I did get a final good shot of the cathedral. MASSIVE!



* Paseo (sola) is a walk. People here after seista (nap time) take a paseo through town, by the river, around the block. It's basically wandering. The additive "sola" indicates the accompanying nobody.

Email Inspired Post.

What you are about to read is going to shock you to full extent... Please take caution as you proceed ahead.... haha No just kiddin.... Got an email and it inspired me to use it as a template for my next post. here, of course. (red = message, black = my response)...... Read, enjoy, and leave some comments...

Well, well, well……you must be partying up in Leon since I have not heard from you for a long time. No, well I’ve just been sleeping a lot. We would go out to bars for maybe one beer, or one café con leche, and then sit and talk and talk. Jane, some of the other students and I sometimes have conversations like some of the classes we’ve had. Jane talked about growing up in Alaska. You also have not updated your blog for several days except this past weekend. Yeah I know I haven’t updated, but I knew I wasn’t going to do it every day. It’s like doing homework, don’t want to do it every day. Plus I remember to write and then find things to write about and then when I open the browser to write it, I don’t remember it, so that’s why I’m trying to find a way to take notes or write about smaller things for each post whereas each day activities.  How are you doing there?

I’m doing good anyway. Are you doing fine? School  doesn’t feel like school. It’s more like daily workshops. Because I know I’m not going to campus and seeing 50 million other students….. haha! How is school? But even though I don’t feel like it’s school, I’m always doing Spanish all the time. With the family, when I want to go somewhere else. With the exception of going out with the other students. Are you concentrating on your studies? The family is great. There is a mom, a grandmother, a 11 yr old sister and a 3 yr old sister. (all references from my position.)   Is your family treating you good? Like Tony(professor) said, they feed us three times a day. Breakfast not so much cause I don’t get up in time, but they leave me a café con leche. But I try everything they offer. Well I ask if it looks weird first but I try a little anyway.   What type of food are you eating there? Ana, the little sister, is better. I just remember how right before I went to sleep, mama came into my room and tried to tell me taking to hospital. It’s just chest stuffiness. I forget the word for it…. Indigestion? Doesn’t sound right but a lot of flem kinda thing. How was your little sister? Last time I heard, she went to the hospital. And no they told me I can stay out whenever I like, but I don’t stay out no longer than 1pm on regular, but if I know the other girls want to go dancing say Friday night, 3 or 4 at the latest because I can’t even keep up with the all night.  I hope you are not causing your family to worry about you when you are always out & about. And going out dancing we won’t drink any more than we can handle. We’ve talked about it before. Our group is pretty intertwined. So although it’s the 2^nd week, we’re more than willing to watch each other. Plus I agree with Jane when she said that their nightlife isn’t an exciting environment, other than the late night being open. There aren’t much people dancing, and drinking. More people just talking than wanting to get wasting. Although there are those  certain peoples…. Ek! I hope you are not drinking yourself to drunkenness. Remember that the bad things that happened to people are when they get to irresponsible about drinking. I hope you are being very responsible and treating your family with respect by helping  out and informing them when you are going somewhere and letting them know when you are going to be late. And no I haven’t actually had a chance to get to church. I’ve been inside a church, but not a mass yet. You know you’re reminding is unnecessary. I always went out with Edelyn Saturday night there, but always have made it to church. (except for once.) But this week I’m planning to take un paseo around la cuidad to take photos of Leon. That also includes stopping by the cathedral to see when masses are. I haven’t decided whether not I want to attend a Sunday mass, or a weekday. But I am planning to make it to at least once in the quarter to both. Have you been going to church? Of all places, I hope you are. One mass a week is not that terrible. YES! Are you still taking pictures? I have not seen any picture of Leon, nor your school, nor your family, nor your home…not any. I hope you are being very careful about your spending? Tuition, Check. Balance watching, check. A lot of us are worried about spending so much, so every time we go around to check out new stores, I either don’t bring money or just challenge the idea of necessity. Did you check your tuition balance? Everything is all well, as of what MyUW says, but sometimes the Pin/Chip card doesn’t do through. And I have no way of checking it’s balance because I called once and said I couldn’t access since I wasn’t you. Is everything all processed? Is your monetary situation okay? As you can see I have many, many, many questions. That’s okay, since I realized what I’m typing I could use as a blog entry. Two birds, with one stone. BAM! I guess you can see that we are concern that we have not heard from you. Since you do have WiFi at home, I would assume that you are keeping in touch more often or updating your blog at least more often. Well it’s a daily challenge trying to learn language, but sometimes I just don’t remember. [Oh BTW, WiFi is pronounced here, (wee-fee)] Anyway, a lot of people at church and some at work said they are following your blog and some are loving your posted pictures. Yes as the messenger, Joseph has been telling me.

I hope you are taking care of yourself and I hope you are being very responsible. We do miss you here. I can’t believe you are only gone for a little more than two weeks. It seems like a long time ago. .......... Anyway, just write me nightly or every other night or keep your blog updated at least every night or every other night or at least regularly.

Fact!

Funcionar = to work (for things)

Trabajar = to work (for people)

** Don't use the other way around or they'll laugh. =|

<3 Desiree B

Miss Seattle! Miss you!

The Lazy Weekend

15 Posts, last published on Mar 29, 2011

And today is April 3, and now about 4:40pm. And it's Sunday even though it doesn't really feel like it. I havent been to church in two weeks, but because I wanted to dance last night, I hadn't set my alarm to wake this morning. I guess I'll set up some information when the perfect time to go to church. Maybe I'll do a weekday service. Because I found out the line up of excursions are some weekends... so if I get into the Leon habit of going to church, it will soon be broken.

But so far Leon, and Espana.. I love it. It's so great. It hasn't really dawned upon me quite fully that I'm in a totally different country without the people I usually would be travelling with. I remember last quarter when I started Spanish back up, I wrote about when I was younger, my family and I used to travel everywhere. Well, at least that's what it felt like. Although our destinations weren't far, we were, as I will describe it as everywhere. Now that my travelling has evolved, I am currently in a different continent, alone. Well can't really say alone, because I know my classmates now. But coming into the program, I did it alone.

Anyway, A few classmates and I were speaking yesterday about the ability to communicate with the locals. And one girl said her family hosted a student last year who is back with a different program. And he has so far taken  6-7 years of Spainish and sometimes still doesn't understand what some people say. The relieve is slightly taken off, but it's just so hard. Anyway....

The people of Spain are soooooo great. I mean other than the fact that you may be pick-pocketed, they are more than happy to help out someone lost. A person like myself, shy and very hesitant to ask for help has been approached by others. It's quite amazing that people will stop and show you and make you understand, and then be on their way. Hey in Seattle, people don't do that. And I can say that for myself because I don't stop to help, only if they are completely lost, or they ask. But anyway it's great, but funny because there's the obvious language barrier.

Hm... But this weekend, my life was swallowed by the night life. A lot of dancing is just about it. And things don't close at 2pm in the states, but whenever, I guess. I can't stay out longer to find out actually when things close. =p But hopefully I can get up tomorrow morning. Anyway now is time for a paseo. (.....a  walk......)