Vino?? claro que si!!

Que tal everyone? (that means, how’s it going?)

Everything is going just swell here in Segovia. I finished my first week of classes and to be honest, the only class I am worried about is my Literature class. I am happy for the chance to read good literature in Spanish but the workload is going to be quite hefty. Apparently, we are going to be writing like 7, 4-page papers this semester….which, in the long run of this 13 week semester I don’t know if it is possible. Especially with all the professors never starting class on time and getting to cover the topics they want. Oh well, I guess we’ll see how it all turns out.

I am making friends slowly but surely. The only thing is that I am on a super tight budget and everyone else always wants to literally drink the night away (or spend it all on clothes here). I hate being lame and saying, “well I am going home for the night”, cause I want to get to know people….oh well. There are a few people who are not into the whole bar scene and would rather sit outside a café, drink café con leche, and just talk. I can do that. :D

So, on the side of good news, I just bought a ticket for fall break….and where am I going you might ask?? ROME! Woooo. I mean, I am flying into and leaving from Rome. I will not spend everyday in Rome, although I am sure that I could. I really want to go to Pompeii, Venice, and Perugia, so I can go and say HEY to Alex Walton, my friend from middle school and high school. Our break is super early, which kinda stinks….its October 3-13. It is nice and long though, which is great. It is great to have a lot of 4 day school weeks also. Most Fridays we either do not have class or we have an excursion which takes us away all day (or weekend).

Speaking of excursions, our first one was yesterday! We went to a winery, then to the castle of Coca (not like the cola..hehe), and then to the castle in Cuellar called Castillo de los Duques de Alberquerqes. At the winery, the lady showed us how they make the white wine (vino blanco). I felt like I was on a Spanish version of “How It’s Made”. It made me happy because I LOVE that show. Then we got to try 2 of the 3 wines they make there. They had lots of yummy snacks including pork rinds (yummmm hahah NOT). The castle of Coca was awesome. Lots of winding stairs up to the top but it is a beautiful building. {note: Segovia is in the area of Spain called “Castilla y Leon” because this area of the country is FULL of castles (castillos).} There is a room in the Coca castle where you could whisper into a corner, and if someone stood directly across from you in the opposite corner, you could hear them perfectly. It was SWEET! After this castle, we drove to Cuellar to see the other castle. We ate lunch first which was nice because it was about 3 o clock (which even here is later than I usually eat lunch!). Then we went to the church next to the castle for a “show” about mudejar- Christian and muslim art combined-and it was sooo cool. I was not allowed to take pictures but there were lights, music, and side displays of how the Jews, Christians, and Muslims in this town tried to live together after fighting against one another for so long.

Anywho, it was all in all a fun day and I was tired when I got home at like 7. I went to the internet café for a little bit and then went home to eat….and welcome my host sister, her husband, and little Diego for the weekend. I went to bed at like 10:30….i was exhausted. I am trying to get on a regular sleep schedule here...trying, is the key word. I need to shower and go try and find the Protestant church so I can attend a service tomorrow. Until then, my friends! Hasta luego! (pictures from Friday are up on photobucket now too!!)

PS: to all those who have written me emails, I TOTALLY appreciate it. Those of ya’ll that know me understand that I love to get mail of ANY kind, so it really brightens my day when I get an email from someone back home. THANKS again!