Topacio Valladolid

... we've gotten some odd looks) and finding free, weird things to attend (presentations about gypsies in film). Also a random sampling of street vendors, and a fair amount of window shopping (something that Spaniards have mastered...and it's no wonder...with siesta in there they don't have that much time to actually shop IN the store).<br><br>I uploaded new pictures from Facebook from our girls night on Thursday. :)<br>

... are very different. There are no funny costumes, no political costumes, and no...err...slutty costumes for the ladies. Everything is only scary, including the women. It was quite a shock to see girls our age dressed in full face paint as a dead person, instead of as a naughty school teacher or some other porn star variation. In any case, we spent the night trying to get pictures with as many dressed up people as we could. It led to some interesting ...

... however, was the boost of confidence in my language skills. Jessica's parents don't really speak any Spanish, and our host mom doesn't speak any English, so we spent the whole 2 hours translating in between the two so that everyone could talk and understand each other. I'm sure a few of our translations were a little different, but for the most part...everyone understood pretty easily. Our host mom also told Jessica's parents about how ...

... move considerably slower than in the US), but nothing that got me legitimately annoyed&#8230;except the language barrier. I think the language is the most frustrating for me because it&#8217;s not something I can just fall into. With other things, all I really had to do was open up my mind and take into account the perspective of others. With language troubles, it takes a lot more than that. I&#8217;ve found that, as someone who prides themselves on ...

... we tend to be with older people more). The whole thing was a little interesting, as there were about 12 people there, in a one room apartment with a bunsen burner and only the bathroom sink. All in all though, the meal worked out. Guess you don't need the super-delux kitchen to make a good meal afterall. <br><br>Today and tomorrow I'm just working on the two papers for literature and art. They're due October 28th, and I'm not particularly keen on ...

... end had us describe an imaginary encounter with an alien using preterite/imperfect forms. I got a little carried away with odd, abstract details. My professor will probably think I'm insane. Oh wellllll.<br><br>Now I'm just getting packed, and printing out all my tickets for the weekend. The bus to Madrid leaves at 12:30am, so my plan is to try to sleep from 8pm-11:30pm, just so I have a ...

balrghhhhshgksalhglkaghjsa haskjhgjsh hjashg<br><br>We are getting hit hard by the upcoming midterms. I have a presentation on the 80s on Thursday, a grammar paper due Thursday and a grammar test on Thursday. Then next week an art presentation and a literature presentation. Then midterms.<br><br>Luckily (or ...

... supposed to be an Irish atmosphere. I'm thinking that there is significantly less Spanish speaking in Ireland. :P They had a Wii set up there as well...so we played several games of Wii tennis...in Spanish also. <br><br>Today...the arrival of the festival was MUCH more obvious. The streets are flooded with "penas", which are essentially groups of 14-25 year olds who all get matching t-shirts and represent a bar. They set up stations in ...

On the eve of our adventure and I finally decided to book the travel insurance, hire car, arrival accommodation and set up this blog. All I need now is a printer and then someone to cart around this paperwork with me. The excitement has reached boling point...

... their comprehension of what I was saying, etc. The reason for this is that over 50% of language is not through spoken word, but through body language, so spaniards are accustomed to reading body language and lips to understand you. Take that away, and they are completely lost! I was amazed at how much their speaking and comprehension ability changed simply by doing the sessions over the phone. After siesta and 4 more hours of sessions, we had ...