Clase de Cocina!

Gazpacho, tortilla espanola, y paella

Marmara

While doing my usual Sunday afternoon camp out at Marmara today I decided to swap out reading El Pais for a book that Professor Vamvakas sent me in the mail mid-January. I've becoming something of a piece of furniture at Marmara for the following reasons

• it's the halfway point between my apartment and school
• their tapas are cheap and so rich
• coffee is also cheap
• the atmosphere its very chill, and I don't feel weird spending hours at a time there
• I'm slowly but surely establishing relationships with the employees

There's a guy that is always behind the counter there. Honest, he must have a bed in the basement because I swear he never leaves. My first impression of him was that he was intimidating and really didn't appreciate my goofiness/indecisiveness as I peruse the tapas nearly every day. But, as time has past, I think he's warmed up to me-- we're familiar now.

I was taken aback today because as I was reading my book he came and stood next to my table and stared at the page. Upon realizing it was in english, he made a face and shook his head saying "You should read spanish books". I took this as my chance to form a bond and asked him to give me some recommendations. Below is a list he wrote out for me... and excited as I am to check them out, it's more exciting knowing that we could now be pals.

The second picture happens to be a note written from another waiter at Marmara. Upon seeing the first guy give me the list of books, he asked me if he too could add something to the list. I gave him the note, excited to see what he would write. He came back with part of the note covered and said, the name of the book is called "Para salir de Fiesta"... which translates roughly, "if you want to party".... and then he uncovered the bottom half revealing his own phone number. I laughed and laughed so awkwardly and definitely turned bright bright red. So yeah, successful day bonding with the Marmara bunch

On a bench by the bridge

Week Six

Well here I am after just finishing week number six in Spain. Looking at a calendar I can gaze at the weeks past but the true evidence of my time here is much more objective. My hair has grown longer, my body has changed after a bout with tonsillitis and completely new eating habits. Sleeping occurs from the wee hours of the morning until mid morning almost each day and meeting with friends doesn't happen until at least eleven each night. Time has shown itself in the form of my relationships, which have grown strong and comforting. The awkwardness of being new in a city has subsided and now this place feels like a new version of home. Walking into my favorite cafes and being recognized by the men and women behind the counter, knowing which places to go on which nights, establishing relationships with the Spanish students- these are the little things that all put together create a feeling of such peace. 

Sat by the river today thinking about how accelerated and profound all of these changes feel. When every day presents you with something that expands your mind or challenges your spirit its easy to lose track of what you once were. Being away from everyone and everything you know gives you the chance to strip down to your own bottom lines. There aren't external influences that have you act or think a certain way. Obstacles that I have built for myself and behavior that I have frequently defaulted to can be thrown away because here I am whoever I want to be. An open, more expressive, and more honest version of myself is emerging.

Maddy's Birthday

Maddy's birthday gift--- a jar of peanut butter!

Caminito Tango

Irine brought us to see Lisa Anderson perform last night at a bar in the northern part of the city. Unfortunately I couldn't get any great clips of her singing in French, but here's a little bit of the show... 

Lluvia

Walking home from school on a cloudy day

Rainy days in Salamanca are so dramatic and wonderful. The shadows that cast over all the old buildings make everything appear bold and ominous. It's an unearthly beauty.