A much needed update!

Well it has been a busy past few days. Saturday we went to a beach that was about an hour away by bus. There were 10 of us that went, and it was beautiful! The beach was called Matalascanas. Spanish lesson-mata means kill las the and canas is sugarcane. So before the beach was taken over for public access it was all sugarcane. We were there for about 7 hours enjoying the hot sun and the cool water. Interesting things we saw were that no one has trucks so they have their boats stored in store houses and have John Deeres that pull them down so there were tractors on the beach. We saw a man being pulled out of the water and first aid people performing CPR. That was scary, but the man coughed so he was at least alive! Here the news they show everything and are in your face, so they were in the face of the guys that was not breathing…One other interesting observation was the European openness of nudity. All in all it was a fun-low key day. The only annoying part was the bus driver told us the first bus back was at 4…it was at 6.
Sunday we got some much needed sleep! We went to the cathedral here in Sevilla which is the 3rd largest in Europe. It is rather impressive. We walked to the top of the bell tower and got a bird's eye view of the city. There is a lot more history and whatnot, but I won't bore you! We also walked around different neighborhoods and went to a museum that told the history of exploration including the exploration of the Americas. It is interesting to be on this side of the ocean and see it from a different perspective! That pretty much sums up Sunday. We wanted to go to a bull fight but they are on break so I don't know if it will work out to go to one which makes me sad. I want to see a bull die a painful death. Well not really but I want to be cultured!
What I am neglecting to tell you all is how badly my feet hurt during the weekend. I think my shins were going to explode and my feet were going to fall off. We walk about 2-3 hours a day on average in about 100 degree weather. Lovely eh? I think my feet are used to it now, because I miraculously have no pain!
Monday was class and it was a Monday! After class we, and when I say we it is because I am never alone but it varies in who the we is! Well we took a different route home and went shoe shopping. I bought some shoes on Friday actually. You all will love them and laugh because they so aren't me, but I like them and I am embracing the Spanish in me, and they will be me whether you like it or not! Anyway, we went shoe and window shopping. I just love all the little shops, and all the fun townhouse like places…The streets and buildings have so much character! Well we didn't shop long because all the shops close at 2:30 for siesta time. I think we should embrace this idea. Then again it isn't light till like 11 everyday either…Well Monday evening we went back to school and painted fans. It was a fund raiser and a cultural experience because on every street corner you can buy a fan. After painting we went to McDonalds. Gross I know! We however had to try the highly recommended coffee with ice cream. It's like a root beer float only with ice cream! It was tasty!
Then it was home for dinner. We eat at like 10 every night, but lunch isn't till 3 so it all works out. We eat a lot of food! I have not had beef since arriving here!
Tuesday we had class then 4 of us took a train to a city called Cadiz which is another beach! It too was beautiful! We met up with a group of students from Texas and lets just say they know how to have a good time. It was rather eye opening! Cadiz was impressive. It must have been an old fortress because there were big fortress walls with cannons still in them. But we did not have a lot of time to walk around and see the actually city. We were tired when we got back but it was definitely worth the 2 hour train ride!
Yesterday we went to Cordoba which show a strong influence of the Muslims. We first went and saw ruins of an ancient city and then we went to the Mosque that was turned into a cathedral now it is a combination of the too. The first part of it was built in the 8 century and it is just an impressive building! I need to get pictures up. We are studying the art and the influence that Christians and Muslims have so it was interesting to see the combination! We ate lunch in the patio of the Mosque and walked around the cute little shops of Cordoba and were very ready to get on the air conditioned bus!
That pretty much brings me to now. This weekend we are headed to Granada to Alhambra. And then next weekend Paris. I had to choose between a bull fight and Paris. I really do want to experience a bull fight because it is such a Spaniard thing, but Paris I just could not pass up! So I am pretty much excited beyond belief for that!
Stay tuned!

¡España!

Well folks...I am here safe and sound. I arrived Wednesday at 3 pm this time. I am happy to say that my bag also arrived with me! My flights went well. They were long but I slept most of them. I am living with a family and then also my roommate Blanca. It will be amazing if I get a word in the way that Blanca and my mama talk! My family is very nice. Living in the apartment is the mom and dad and a 23 year old daughter. It is a 3 bedroom apartment...
After arriving yesterday I took a quick nap and then Blanca and I walked around for a couple hours. It is amazing how long the sun stays up here! It was 9 pm and it felt like it was 4 with how high the sun was! It is HOT! But we stay inside and all the stores close from 1:30-5:30 for siestas because no one wants to be out with the sun being that intense! The city is a city! There are stores and lots of cars and people. The people here are beautiful and casual attire is my top formal wear! So I look like a tourist! Ah well!
Today the program began. We took a tour of a few central spots of the city. The architecure here is amazing. A lot of old buildings with great history... I will try to post pictures eventually! We walked through one neighborhood that was definitely the Sevilla seen in books with the narrow roads, tall buildings, and flowers on the decks... The cathedral is a phenomonal building one of the biggest in the world. There is so much history here!
I have nothing too exciting to report...we are hoping to go do things this weekend...check out a beach or something! So much to do and so little time!

Melanie and others say I need to blog so thus I begin...
I leave for Spain in about 10 days. I can't even begin to believe that...I am going to Spain. Pretty exciting! I've been emailing a fellow student who will be my roommate for the 3.5 weeks of taking the class. Her name is Blanca which means white. I don't think she is white though because she is Mexican. She lived in Mexico till she was ten so Spanish is her 1st language. Interesting that I will be in Spain rooming with a Mexican. I am excited about that though because she can teach me a lot too!
I miss New Mexico. 3 things I miss the most: the people, the sun (its appeared once since arriving in WA) and my bed. 3 things I don't miss: the wind, the cats, and the half eaten bird that the cats drug in. I've been painting Lance and Jessica's kitchen since arriving home, I'm glad to have something to do! Funny how I feel guilty doing nothing, because I didn't just teach all year and need time to unwind?! I must be Dutch, always have to be doing something!