Two weeks.

I’ve been in Spain for over two weeks now! This is the longest amount of time I’ve been out of the U.S. It’s hard to believe. Part of me feels like I’ve been here forever, and the other part still doesn’t feel settled in.

La comida…

 Probably one of the biggest surprises/adjustments to life in Spain has been the food.  Breakfast usually consists of coffee and either a cookie or muffin. Although one morning our señora made us chocolate sandwiches: 2 pieces of white bread with some kind of melted chocolate in between. I was not a fan, and I’m very relieved that those haven’t made an appearance again…

Lunch is the biggest meal of the day and we eat it anywhere from 2-4 p.m. After lunch we have “siesta” time. We’re supposed to sleep, but usually my roommate and I just end up doing homework…although I have taken a few naps. But I love siesta time. It’s so neat that everything closes and every one goes home to eat with their family and rest. Just another example of how the concept of time is different here than in the U.S…

After siesta we go back to classes at 5 p.m. After classes we usually go out somewhere until dinner time. They don’t eat dinner here until 9 or 10 p.m. Dinner is supposed to be a small meal, but our señora always gives us so much food! Oh, and there’s always bread. We literally have bread with every. single. meal.   

Toledo

Last Friday we went on an excursion to Toledo. It's  really old city that had some pretty buildings to look at. One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to go in an old cathedral. It's evidently the second largest cathedral in Spain. It was gorgeous! 

Festival of St. Agueda 

This past Sunday, several of us woke up early to go to a festival in the village of Zamarramala outside of Segovia. It’s called the festival of St. Agueda and during it the women of the village have power for a day. They elect a woman mayor and get to tell all the men what to do J The festival celebrates when the Moors had control of the City of Segovia, and some of the women from the village of Zamarramala went out and danced to distract the Moors, and allowed the men to attack them and take back the city of Segovia. 

Anyway, we woke up early and it was snowing outside! I put on several layers of clothing and got ready to make the 30 minute walk up to the village. The view of the city of Segovia on our way there was beautiful!

When we arrived, there were women dancing down the street, a band and lots of vendors selling food. It was freezing, but it didn’t matter. This festival was such a cultural experience. Up until now most of the places we’ve visited have been very “touristy,” but this was an authentic Spanish celebration, and it was so cool to be a part of it. 

Women dancing down the street. 

The weather here has been freezing! It has snowed almost every day for the last week. I think I'm kind of getting used to the cold, but I'm still SO ready for some warm weather! 

My roommate Jenn & I like to sit against the heater under the desk. Our room is freezing!