La Vida Buena

Hello!

Since it has been a few days since my last update, I feel compelled to let everyone know what is new in my life. Unfortunately, it's not too terribly much. Classes are starting to enter a routine, which is nice. Even better news, I am definitely noticing an improvement in my abilities to understand my professors and my host family. Speaking is a different matter, but I'll take what I can get at this point in time.

The food here continues to confuse and surprise me. There have been a few instances during which I am served a plate of food, and in all honesty, I am not 100% sure what the main course is. I can tell it's a protein of sorts, but beyond that, it's anybody's guess. Thankfully, all of my confusion has ended in the discovery of chicken or fish, but I am not letting my guard down quite yet. Most of you reading this already know that I am a picky eater and my friends and family remind me of that continually. Well, I'll have you all know that I am being very adventurous here, at least in my opinion. I have tried new fruits, including one today that I don't even know what the American equivalent is, I have cleaned my plate at every meal, and I have not asked questions. Perhaps, most surprising of all, I have had a few tomatoes (gasp!). While they weren't as gross as I expected/remembered, I am not quitting the anti-tomato campaign quite yet. I am secretly hoping there is another disease outbreak associated with tomatoes so that I can get a break from the attempts to convert me to a tomato-lover. Keep your fingers crossed!

I have made my first "OMG, that's so European" purchase! A few friends and I went to a marketplace in Toledo (a very similar market to the one I described in an earlier post). I tracked down some "very European" shoes for a bargain of 10 euros, and snagged them up. Unfortunately, I have accrued quite the collection of blisters, so I am on a strictly-flip-flop regimen at this point in time, but I am eager to incorporate the new Euro-wear into my wardrobe.

As the semester progresses, we are beginning to nail down some travel plans, which is probably the most exciting and appealing aspect of studying abroad in the first place. It's still a bit early, but we have booked trips to Granada this coming weekend, and the Fund provides a trip to Salamanca in 2 weeks, which Notre Dame finances. Once I accumulate a few more photos, I'll be sure to post them online and provide all of you loyal blog-readers with a glimpse into my Spanish life.

A few more observations about Spanish life in general...

- No one ever goes barefoot in the house. No matter how hot it may be, everyone puts on furry slippers and scuttles around the place.

- The "walk" and "don't walk" lights are red and green, which makes a good deal of sense, if you think about it. Kind of makes you wonder why the US decided to use orange and white.

- A good deal of the ads on TV here would have people all up in arms back in the States. I have seen a far amount of butt, among other body parts, and the shock value has yet to wear off.

- There is an internet cafe in Toledo which advertises "Cyber Cafe + American Pastry"...which happens to be donuts. I am filled with patriotism every time I pass by this fine establishment.

- Graffiti is EVERYWHERE. A lot of it is pretty serious social commentary and/or curse words, but there are some really artistic pieces, including a caricature of Don Quixote. I will be sure to snag a picture of the good graffiti to show you all!

- Last but not least, and this isn't a reflection on Spain, but I would like to wish my sister-in-law, Megan, a happy 24th birthday!!!

Amor de España,
Jill (or as my host family says, Jeeeeeeeeeel [rhymes with eel])