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

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.

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