So I've had a busy past couple of weeks. We celebrated Thanksgiving with our school and they cooked us dinner, and it was delicious, but I didn't get to eat as much as I wanted.
Then the day after that we got up to go to the airport to go to Barcelona for the weekend. There, I went to a chocolate museum and learned that when coco beans were being used as currency, you could buy a rabbit or the services of a hooker for the same price.
I also got to see a bunch of other Gaudi-designed placed around the city. That was cool and I went to the Gruel Park, which has gift shops that look like gingerbread houses.
I also had some fun figuring out the metro system.
The weekend after that, I went to Paris and did all of the touristy stuff there. And by all, I mean less than half because there's so much to see and I only had a weekend. I saw/climbed up Notre Dame, went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa and other famous works, went all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower and then walked along the Champs Elysees and toured the Arc De Triomphe. While there, we also ate PB&J below the Eiffel Tower and on top of the Arc De Triomphe. We timed our trip right because on Friday nights the louvre is free for anyone under 26 and on the 1st Sunday of the month a lot of monuments are free.
I also made good use of the Paris metro system, which now makes me wish that we had one in the twin cities.
Right now I'm suffering through finals week. I've already taken 2 and I have one more tomorrow morning.
I only have 3 more full days left in Sevilla and then I'm home on Saturday night.
See you all then!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
How to Entertain Yourself In And Around Spain
So, it's been awhile since I've updated this thing for you guys so here's a crash course of "How to Entertain Yourself In And Around Spain"
- I went to Morocco for a weekend. It was cool, despite the fact that it rained almost the whole time.
- I rode a camel in Morocco. That basically made up for any displeasure the rain might have caused.
- The weekend after that I went to Gibraltar and basically climbed a mountain (by that I mean I walked up a very big hill)
- I also got bit by a monkey in Gibraltar- Not my fault. This is actually a good story you should ask me about the next time you see me.
- I am in love with Granada- any place that gives you a free Tapa with a drink is a good city.
- I am sick of ham. Please don't ever make me eat it again.
- I miss American food. It's been too long.
- I am going to Barcelona this weekend
- The weekend after that I'm going to Paris (Yea!)
- I will be home in 19 days! (December 13th)
These come with lots of good stories that you'll just have to ask me about when I get home. ☺
- I went to Morocco for a weekend. It was cool, despite the fact that it rained almost the whole time.
- I rode a camel in Morocco. That basically made up for any displeasure the rain might have caused.
- The weekend after that I went to Gibraltar and basically climbed a mountain (by that I mean I walked up a very big hill)
- I also got bit by a monkey in Gibraltar- Not my fault. This is actually a good story you should ask me about the next time you see me.
- I am in love with Granada- any place that gives you a free Tapa with a drink is a good city.
- I am sick of ham. Please don't ever make me eat it again.
- I miss American food. It's been too long.
- I am going to Barcelona this weekend
- The weekend after that I'm going to Paris (Yea!)
- I will be home in 19 days! (December 13th)
These come with lots of good stories that you'll just have to ask me about when I get home. ☺
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Some Weekend Fun
So I really really suck at updating this thing for you guys. Oops. That just means that I'll have more new stories for you at Christmas time.
I survived my first week of exams here. Luckily I only had 2 and neither of them were that bad. I did about as well as I thought I would on one and much better than predicted on the second one. The week after exams I had a presentation due in my grammar class and that went well too.
Luckily my time here is not spent studying (what I did to prepare for the tests can barely be considered studying while I barely started researching the presentation until the day before it was due). I spent the entire weekend homework free and hanging out with friends.
Friday (we don't have classes on Fridays) was spent going to the beach with my roommate Julie, our sort of roommate Kristi, Amanda, Joan and Alex. We got up bright an early to walk 45 minutes to the bus station (in our frame of reference, that's a short walk) to get to our 9:30am bus on time. We made it to the beach around 11:30 and by noon most of us were half asleep enjoying the sun. We didn't even really have to share the beach with anyone since it was the off season. Unfortunately, the beach was windy and I stayed bundled up in a sweatshirt for most of the afternoon (at least I didn't get sunburned). We got back on our bus and made it back to Sevilla by about 8. After we showered and felt human again, we all met up for dinner around 10 and went in search of the tapas place that Joan wanted to go to. There was at least an hour wait for us to get a table but we managed to entertain ourselves.
Saturday I convinced Julie and Krist to go and get lunch at the Chinese place by our place so I got my fix for the weekend. After that we went back to the Nationalities Fair and met up with Amanda, Alex and Carmen. The Feria is probably my favorite place right now and I'm a little sad that it ends on November 2nd. I'm definitely going to go back once more before it closes, maybe twice. That night I did some shopping and found lots of souvenirs for family and friends (and no, I'm not gonna tell you all what I bought until you're opening your Christmas gifts).
But they did have some amazing food there. I decided I was gonna be French this weekend and got a crepe with bananas. That was really good, but I think I have to be Greek again to get another Gyro. They also had these amazing fruit slices. Basically like the orange slices that you can get anywhere at home, but these are so much better because they come in so many different flavors. My favorites so far have been pear, banana, raspberry and melon. I'm gonna try to bring some home to share but they may not last that long, even if I hide them.
And on Sunday, Julie, Kristi and I decided that we were gonna go and explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz. It's the Jewish Quarter of Sevilla and they've got lots of gift shops where I found a bunch of other stuff for myself and friends. Again, I'm going back to do some more shopping because I didn't bring all of my cash with me last time and I needed some money for food.
For lunch we went to an Italian restaurant really close to school. It's actually the same place we went to for my roommate's birthday, but this particular location is much closer to our house.
We made it home that afternoon just in time to avoid the rain. Unfortunately, it's rained every weekend that we've been here but it hasn't been too bad.
Here's another facebook photo album for you uncool people not on facebook.
A Whole Bunch More Spanish Stuff
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073881&l=61195&id=184901860
I survived my first week of exams here. Luckily I only had 2 and neither of them were that bad. I did about as well as I thought I would on one and much better than predicted on the second one. The week after exams I had a presentation due in my grammar class and that went well too.
Luckily my time here is not spent studying (what I did to prepare for the tests can barely be considered studying while I barely started researching the presentation until the day before it was due). I spent the entire weekend homework free and hanging out with friends.
Friday (we don't have classes on Fridays) was spent going to the beach with my roommate Julie, our sort of roommate Kristi, Amanda, Joan and Alex. We got up bright an early to walk 45 minutes to the bus station (in our frame of reference, that's a short walk) to get to our 9:30am bus on time. We made it to the beach around 11:30 and by noon most of us were half asleep enjoying the sun. We didn't even really have to share the beach with anyone since it was the off season. Unfortunately, the beach was windy and I stayed bundled up in a sweatshirt for most of the afternoon (at least I didn't get sunburned). We got back on our bus and made it back to Sevilla by about 8. After we showered and felt human again, we all met up for dinner around 10 and went in search of the tapas place that Joan wanted to go to. There was at least an hour wait for us to get a table but we managed to entertain ourselves.
Saturday I convinced Julie and Krist to go and get lunch at the Chinese place by our place so I got my fix for the weekend. After that we went back to the Nationalities Fair and met up with Amanda, Alex and Carmen. The Feria is probably my favorite place right now and I'm a little sad that it ends on November 2nd. I'm definitely going to go back once more before it closes, maybe twice. That night I did some shopping and found lots of souvenirs for family and friends (and no, I'm not gonna tell you all what I bought until you're opening your Christmas gifts).
But they did have some amazing food there. I decided I was gonna be French this weekend and got a crepe with bananas. That was really good, but I think I have to be Greek again to get another Gyro. They also had these amazing fruit slices. Basically like the orange slices that you can get anywhere at home, but these are so much better because they come in so many different flavors. My favorites so far have been pear, banana, raspberry and melon. I'm gonna try to bring some home to share but they may not last that long, even if I hide them.
And on Sunday, Julie, Kristi and I decided that we were gonna go and explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz. It's the Jewish Quarter of Sevilla and they've got lots of gift shops where I found a bunch of other stuff for myself and friends. Again, I'm going back to do some more shopping because I didn't bring all of my cash with me last time and I needed some money for food.
For lunch we went to an Italian restaurant really close to school. It's actually the same place we went to for my roommate's birthday, but this particular location is much closer to our house.
We made it home that afternoon just in time to avoid the rain. Unfortunately, it's rained every weekend that we've been here but it hasn't been too bad.
Here's another facebook photo album for you uncool people not on facebook.
A Whole Bunch More Spanish Stuff
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073881&l=61195&id=184901860
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Day Trip And More Fun
Last Friday we took a day trip to Aracena, about an hour and a half away. When we got there, we realized it was freezing and I was wishing that I had a heavier sweatshirt. But it got a lot warmer when we got to tour the caves. Which were amazing. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures in there, but I'll look online to see what I can find for everyone.
After the caves, we decided it would be a great idea to go hike up the hill to explore the castle that was up there and once again, it was gorgeous. We got to look over most of the city and just relax. Once we had our fill of that, we stopped in the church that was there to look around as well.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the city and eating some amazing desserts (Some sort of fruit tarte with Kiwi on it for me).
Then later that night I found my Chinese restaurant here. I'm surprised it took me a month to finally try it (mainly because I'm surprised I lasted a month without eating Chinese) but it's amazing and doesn't cost too much. And I can get spring rolls the size of a chipotle burrito. I went twice in one weekend.
The next night was my roommate's 22nd birthday. We celebrated by going out to eat at an Italian restaurant (yea for alfredo pasta!) and then a couple bars and clubs until about 5:30am.
This week was full of exams for my classes. I've got one done and one more to go. I'm not worried though. This upcoming weekend is a 4 day weekend because of a Monday holiday and I'm looking forward to doing nothing.
After the caves, we decided it would be a great idea to go hike up the hill to explore the castle that was up there and once again, it was gorgeous. We got to look over most of the city and just relax. Once we had our fill of that, we stopped in the church that was there to look around as well.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the city and eating some amazing desserts (Some sort of fruit tarte with Kiwi on it for me).
Then later that night I found my Chinese restaurant here. I'm surprised it took me a month to finally try it (mainly because I'm surprised I lasted a month without eating Chinese) but it's amazing and doesn't cost too much. And I can get spring rolls the size of a chipotle burrito. I went twice in one weekend.
The next night was my roommate's 22nd birthday. We celebrated by going out to eat at an Italian restaurant (yea for alfredo pasta!) and then a couple bars and clubs until about 5:30am.
This week was full of exams for my classes. I've got one done and one more to go. I'm not worried though. This upcoming weekend is a 4 day weekend because of a Monday holiday and I'm looking forward to doing nothing.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Photos!
This one's for all my family members that don't have facebook but still want to see photos! (If you don't see them here, I'll probably still bring my computer to Christmas so you'll get a chance)
Here's all the albums that I've posted so far.
Spain!: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071011&l=76c83&id=184901860
Spain 2: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071416&l=f3ba6&id=184901860
Tapas y Lagos: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071769&l=d886e&id=184901860
Museum Trip: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071982&l=06d2b&id=184901860
Here's all the albums that I've posted so far.
Spain!: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071011&l=76c83&id=184901860
Spain 2: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071416&l=f3ba6&id=184901860
Tapas y Lagos: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071769&l=d886e&id=184901860
Museum Trip: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071982&l=06d2b&id=184901860
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tapas y Lagos
Well, this weekend was a little bit crazy and a whole lot of awesome.
Thursday night (good to know that some things don´t change all the much from home. My weekend still starts on Thursday nights) we went out of tapas in a group. Every week we´re going to different neighborhoods to experience different parts of Sevilla. Anyway, the first restaurant we went to, one of the dishes we ordered was Octapus. It actually wasn´t terrible, I just refused to eat a part that had anything that resembled suction things.
It was also my friend Marissa´s birthday so we definitely celebrated that on Thursday night as well.
Friday morning we somehow managed to drag ourselves out of bed and get to the bus for the ride to Portugal. It was only about a 3 hour ride there and I slept for most of the time.
When we got therem we checked into our hostel, which was amazing. I´ve stayed in crappier hotels before. But we immediately headed out to the beach, which was gorgeous. I probably posted way too many pictures on facebook but it´s just that gorgeous. But I had a blast in the water once I got used to the cold. We swam out to a giant rock on the first day and I pretty much managed to beat myself up that first day because my arm and leg are bruised and cut, but it was worth it.
Then we went back to the harbor and got on a boat that was taking us out to see comes caves farther away from shore. I was having a blast on the boat. Normally I actually like the choppiness of the water, but apparently mixing that with the free sangria was a bad idea because a lot of us got sick.
For dinner that night a small group of us went out in search of some good Portuguese food. I wound up with fish and chips, but it was delicious.
A few of us skipped going to the beach the next day, me included because of sunburn (surprise surprise) so we walked around town and did some shopping and I finally got a burger for lunch. I also had my first experience with indian food and I loved it. That night we went around town and explored some of the bars. The nice thing about Lagos is that it´s a tourist town so there were a lot of people that spoke English.
We spent our third and final day at the beach. I got to sit down and enjoy sitting in the shade (while wearing long jeans and tennis shoes that I´m sure got me lots of strange looks, but I didn´t care) and reading my book and taking more cool pictures.
Thursday night (good to know that some things don´t change all the much from home. My weekend still starts on Thursday nights) we went out of tapas in a group. Every week we´re going to different neighborhoods to experience different parts of Sevilla. Anyway, the first restaurant we went to, one of the dishes we ordered was Octapus. It actually wasn´t terrible, I just refused to eat a part that had anything that resembled suction things.
It was also my friend Marissa´s birthday so we definitely celebrated that on Thursday night as well.
Friday morning we somehow managed to drag ourselves out of bed and get to the bus for the ride to Portugal. It was only about a 3 hour ride there and I slept for most of the time.
When we got therem we checked into our hostel, which was amazing. I´ve stayed in crappier hotels before. But we immediately headed out to the beach, which was gorgeous. I probably posted way too many pictures on facebook but it´s just that gorgeous. But I had a blast in the water once I got used to the cold. We swam out to a giant rock on the first day and I pretty much managed to beat myself up that first day because my arm and leg are bruised and cut, but it was worth it.
Then we went back to the harbor and got on a boat that was taking us out to see comes caves farther away from shore. I was having a blast on the boat. Normally I actually like the choppiness of the water, but apparently mixing that with the free sangria was a bad idea because a lot of us got sick.
For dinner that night a small group of us went out in search of some good Portuguese food. I wound up with fish and chips, but it was delicious.
A few of us skipped going to the beach the next day, me included because of sunburn (surprise surprise) so we walked around town and did some shopping and I finally got a burger for lunch. I also had my first experience with indian food and I loved it. That night we went around town and explored some of the bars. The nice thing about Lagos is that it´s a tourist town so there were a lot of people that spoke English.
We spent our third and final day at the beach. I got to sit down and enjoy sitting in the shade (while wearing long jeans and tennis shoes that I´m sure got me lots of strange looks, but I didn´t care) and reading my book and taking more cool pictures.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Welcome Party/Futbol Game
Hilary- Yes, it counts as hounding if I get all of your requests for pictures within 5 minutes.
I survived my first week of classes here in Spain. I think I even managed to stay awake for half of them. Though it really helped that I had 3 canceled classes this week. That's what happens when you have the same professor for multiple classes.
Friday night we had out welcome party, which included free sangria, beer, and snacks. That was pretty awesome, even if I am a lightweight. After the bar, we went to Casino, an outdoor club. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up and go out dancing, even if I'm truly terrible at the dancing part. It's still fun.
Saturday night I went to my first soccer game. I figured if I'm gonna go to a game, I might as well do it in Spain. It was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Especially since the team we went to support won.
Today the roommates and I met up with another friend with the intention of going shopping, but being that we're in Spain and it's a Sunday, all the stores were closed (we guessed as much anyway, but thought we'd try our luck at the mall anyway). So we just kinda wandered around a part of the city we hadn't seen before. I think we eventually wound up at the Plaza de Espana or something like that. All I know is that it was gorgeous and we took lots of photos.
I survived my first week of classes here in Spain. I think I even managed to stay awake for half of them. Though it really helped that I had 3 canceled classes this week. That's what happens when you have the same professor for multiple classes.
Friday night we had out welcome party, which included free sangria, beer, and snacks. That was pretty awesome, even if I am a lightweight. After the bar, we went to Casino, an outdoor club. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up and go out dancing, even if I'm truly terrible at the dancing part. It's still fun.
Saturday night I went to my first soccer game. I figured if I'm gonna go to a game, I might as well do it in Spain. It was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Especially since the team we went to support won.
Today the roommates and I met up with another friend with the intention of going shopping, but being that we're in Spain and it's a Sunday, all the stores were closed (we guessed as much anyway, but thought we'd try our luck at the mall anyway). So we just kinda wandered around a part of the city we hadn't seen before. I think we eventually wound up at the Plaza de Espana or something like that. All I know is that it was gorgeous and we took lots of photos.
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