tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55371244434166893092024-03-14T01:35:51.772-07:00Study Abroad 2017Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-13330501847078142602017-12-30T16:52:00.001-08:002017-12-30T17:02:15.046-08:00Week 22: Dec. 25th-28th (London) <span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The Final Chapter...</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, you might be wondering why I jumped from week 16 to week 22 and that's because it has been 22 weeks that I've been abroad. 17 represented how many weeks I spent in Sevilla. But for the final chapter, I thought it was only fair to include every week I have been in Europe. It has been almost exactly five months...one day short. I left July 29th and am returning December 28th. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So, I am on my way home now--currently on the airplane over the USA, not quite yet to Charlotte. I am counting down the hours until I land at DIA. That's when I'll really feel like I'm at home. DIA has always been my favorite airport but hey, I'm biased. All right, so here's what happened this final week...</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Christmas Day...I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!! Ours (mom, dad, me) was uneventful. We knew most things would be closed on Christmas Day so we had bought potatoes and eggs and juice the night before to have for breakfast in the morning. It still cracks me up that people think that eggs are for dinner instead of breakfast... Seriously, most of Europe only eats a piece of toast and butter with coffee for breakfast or something super duper small like that. If they have eggs/bacon/sausage/potatoes/etc. it is definitely called the "American Breakfast" on the menu. During breakfast, we watched a movie all snuggled in on the couch together. We tried to find a Christmas movie but we had already watched all the good ones (that we had access to) and so we had a couple of failed attempts before settling for a love story that was not Christmasy. It was good but sad though, so then we watched another movie afterward to cheer us up. The wind was blowing and the clouds were dark so we felt better about being inside rather than trying to venture out. Since we stayed a ways outside of London in Greenwich, there wasn't much to do or places to go that we wanted to walk to and taking the metro required effort and we didn't even know if it was open. Christmas Day is an excuse to be lazy, right? I figured if I would have been at my Grandma's house (which is where we normally are on Christmas)--we would have just been stuffing our faces and doing nothing (in the best way possible). I did miss playing games and spending Christmas Day with the family and I especially missed the food. For our Christmas dinner in London, we went to look for a restaurant and ended up finding only a couple places open which was an American grill and this Lebanese place or something. We didn't want to be boring so we tried the Lebanese place (if that's even what it was) and it was...interesting. There was no flavor to the food really and when I asked about what was gluten-free, our waitress didn't even know what gluten or flour or wheat was. We figured she must not have spoken English very well. That was pretty much our Christmas Day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Tuesday...we had looked up the weather and it was set to rain in the afternoon so we decided to go out early and try to be back by mid-afternoon. So, Google Maps is my very best friend and my life-line. You'll understand later why I said that. So my data expired on this day because I didn't want to renew it for only two more days and both my parents had plenty of data (or so they thought). My dad did well with the bus system and our Apple Pay and we got more downtown by the Shard, which is a famous really tall building in London. Fun fact, it is the tallest building in the European Union. So we saw that and then realized we were hungry for breakfast and found this adorable cafe. I got hot chocolate, fresh orange juice, and an American breakfast with bacon, mushrooms, eggs, gluten-free toast, and tomatoes. It was yummy, yummy. After that, we walked through the Christmas market along the river and for some reason I was shivering. I was chilled to the bone. But I really was liking London. We went to London Bridge and then decided we should take the metro to the other part of town where all the big attractions are: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc. Well this is when we discovered that my parents' phones wouldn't work. We had to "steal" Starbucks wifi for 30 seconds just so I could figure out how to navigate us downtown. We figured it out but were very confused why my parents had no service and realized we would have to be resourceful. We made our way to this huge mall that my parents had gone to the first time they were in London. They wanted to show me the pretty Christmas lights and then a delicious crepe place that had gluten-free crepes as well. I had a mouth-watering buckwheat (gluten-free!) crepe filled with Belgian chocolate and bananas. It took forever for us to get them because it was so busy but it was worth the wait--the crepe was so good and filling. We then went to Buckingham Palace--took our picture of course--and then to Westminster Abbey, the Parliament buildings, this private school that looked like Hogwarts where amazing people attended (like Picasso I think but I could be making that up), and then took an amazing picture with Big Ben. That last statement is sarcastic because Big Ben is currently under construction for the next 3-4 years and it is very boring with all the scaffolds around it. Oh and then we also saw the Eye (Ferris Wheel) and the lit up building next to it (The Main County building or something) with Christmas colors. We accomplished all of that by 4:30pm and then realized we were ready to go back but had absolutely no idea how to get back. We were trying to use my parents' phones again and they weren't working so we thought we were stuck there forever. We seriously had no idea what to do... there's no just reading a map in London. There are way too many metro lines. It's too complicated. I finally tried my data and got enough "juice" to get us back home on a bus. I got to ride a double decker bus on the top level!!! Did you even go to London if you can't say that? </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Wednesday...well if you remember back to my blog about Albuferia or if you happened to read about when I was in Portugal, you might remember that I met a whole bunch of guys from England. Well, one of them, Byron, and I have kept in touch and we had set up a date to meet in London, the 27th of December (aka Wednesday). So, my parents and I had tried to problem solve the data and decided to go into the store the next day because of our need for Google Maps. I told you it was our life-line. And we needed to be able to communicate since I wouldn't be with my parents that day. I brought up the Google Map plan before we left and took us right downtown to the store where we figured out the issue--the first time, the company had gave my parents the wrong sim to begin with blah blah--all technical, frustrating things. Well, we ended up getting the right sims to last us for a day--yipee. And it was worth it. So, I had originally told Byron we would have to meet the "old-fashioned way" since I didn't have data so our meeting spot was the Victoria Memorial in front of the Buckingham palace. I thought that would be easy enough. Well, of course it was raining and freezing and, on top of that, right as we were set to meet, the palace was doing the "guard change" so the roads were all closed off and he was in the middle and I was on one of the roads and couldn't get to him. But it was cool to see the changing of the guards, although by the time I realized it was happening, the guards had already walked past me and I didn't get to take a picture. Oh well. I finally was able to cross and meet up with Byron. Okay so we definitely got our steps in for the day. We started by walking to a 'Pret a Manger' (a coffee shop) because they are seriously everywhere and I wanted to say I went at least once. We got a warm drink to warm our hands up. Then, we just chatted for a good while so I could just listen to his accent and then I shared with him all my British words I had come across to see if he actually used them. My favorite was wellies. When he first saw me, one of his first comments were on my bright "wellies" but I literally had no idea what he said. He pointed to my boots and I go, "Oh! My rain-boots?!" And he got a good kick out of that. He thinks Americans are so literal. Rain-boots are literally what they are and same with the side-walk. They call it "pavement" or "footpath" and he thinks "side-walk" is literal. I think British English is literal. Their exit sign says "Way Out." Any who, after we were warm (or as warm as I could be), I told him I had wanted to see the Harry Potter store and the Platform 9 3/4. We metroed (is that a word?)...took a metro there (better) and got jammed into a crowd. There was a massive line to, as Byron said, "Take a photo where you are pretending to push a cart into the wall." The "queue" (or line) was over an hour wait to take a photo and to go into the store. We decided we weren't that big of Harry Potter fans and so we next decided to go to the National History Museum. When we got there, there was a long queue there too... Wednesday after Christmas is apparently a busy day. But there was this pretty ice rink there and we had talked about going ice skating originally but I had thought it was going to be too cold. However, we did great. He said he was bad but he was actually really good! It was a highlight of the day. After, he wanted to show me this store called Harrolds which is sorta like Corte Ingles in Spain or IKEA or Macy's or something. It is a really fancy store with six levels that has a ton of fancy stuff that college students can't afford. It was so amazing and fun to walk through though. It was a mall in itself. Then, we went to Piccadilly which is similar to New York Square but so much smaller. Then, we decided to walk towards "The Winter Wonderland" at Hyde Park and we passed by so many Christmasy streets and that was a great time too. Like I said, we got our steps in...but it was good to walk and keep moving so we stayed warm. The Winter Wonderland was super cool. It was like walking into a Christmas festival. We walked around and then it was already 6pm and we needed to get dinner before his coach left that night. We found this cute restaurant and enjoyed dinner together and then he headed back to his city and I headed back to meet my parents. We had a lot of fun and he is super kind! I can say I went on a date with a British man in London. It was pretty special and probably a once in a lifetime opportunity...unless I move to London because I do like the city and the accents...they just talk so proper and I found myself talking proper with Byron just because it flowed better. I was proud of myself for not being the American that said "like" every other sentence. At least he said he didn't notice me saying like a lot. But then I also did realize that British people aren't always the nicest. There were quite a few angry people amongst the crowds throughout the day...London just needs more kind souls like Byron. But see maybe that means people outside of downtown London are nicer... who knows?</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well after my date, I took a bus home and then my parents were supposed to meet me but couldn't because the police had blocked off the entire street for a "crime scene." I walked right past it and I think what happened was a pedestrian was hit... scary stuff. I finally caught up to my parents and we went to this restaurant on the corner of the street that was literally a five minute walk or less from our place. My dad had the best salmon and of his life and my mom and I got butternut squash soup. It was so tasty. Then, we went home and packed up because the plan was to stay up all night and leave at 2:30am to get to the airport by 3:30am because my parent's flight was at 6:30am or something like that. Mine wasn't until 9:45am--and no, we weren't on the same flight since I booked mine for abroad way in advance... in case you were wondering. We were gonna watch a movie to stay up but our plan failed and both mom and I ended up taking naps before leaving because we were so exhausted. At least I figured I would sleep on the flight. The next plan that failed was my parents and my plan to go through check-in, security, and customs together and then separate at the gates... but that didn't happen because our flights were in completely different terminals so I got dropped off at 3:30am all by myself in terminal three. There was hardly anybody even there so I think I did sleep a few winks and then checked in at 5:45am. But then there was confusion because one person sent me to one line and then the other sent me to another and then I had to go in the back of the line and ahh, it was so stressful. I hit that point where I was just absolutely done with travel. I was so happy this was my final trip for awhile. I just wanted to be home. It got a little better after that... security was easy and then there were comfortable spots to wait and a coffee shop called Caffé Nero, which is an Italian coffee shop. Side note, out of all the countries I visited, my favorite coffee was in Italy. This coffee shop just further proved that because I had the best chai of my life. Yes, I know it isn't coffee but still. I also got a gluten-free sandwich to eat on the plane because supposedly they weren't going to feed us during the eight and a half hour flight. I found out right before I boarded that they actually do serve food but you have to tell them about food allergies 72 hours in advance. We had tried but couldn't figure it out...but I had come prepared this time. I learned my lesson the first time (on the way to Europe where I missed my flight, had to switch airlines, and then they yelled at me for not pre-ordering gluten-free even though that wasn't even my original flight). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, it is true they fed us several times but I could only eat the salad...but I was also served a hefty glass of wine so that was nice. And I was thankful I had my sandwich and a bar although--strange thing--only about an hour after the flight left, my stomach started to get a really sharp pain. I tried sleeping through it, but was in and out of sleep and then I finally decided to watch a movie called 'Everything.' </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I am now about 30 minutes away from landing in the US, which means it will be the first time I've touched foot in America since July!!! And I did it!! I completed my goal... I made it to 10 different countries. And who knows how many cities... I'll have to count them all soon before I forget.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I am very excited and a little overwhelmed. I will be starting classes in six days from now....but I can't think about that right now. I am just going to focus on being home and enjoying the New Year!!! Happy New Year friends and family. I wish you all the best. Thank you for reading my blogs... I have enjoyed writing them to keep track of my adventures. There has been so much that has happened and so much has changed and I feel like more change is right around the corner. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Study abroad is an amazing opportunity and one I would encourage any and everyone to do. I honestly feel like there is no way to describe it in words... even the best authors in the world would have trouble finding a way to make someone who has not studied abroad understand. It is one of those things you have to experience for yourself and I am so glad I have. It has broadened my world view more than I could have ever imagined. I will now forever live by this quote that my dear professor Rubén shared with the class. It's by Ludwig Wittgenstein and it says, "The limits of your language are the limits of your world." What better way to broaden the "limits of your language" than to learn a whole new language and culture and live in Spain for five months? And now, my goal is to not stop there. That might not mean learning French or German, but it does mean to be aware of how I can expand even my own language, which is English (I think...hehe). Well--this might be the final chapter of my study abroad, but it is not the final book. I know that for sure. Hasta luego Europa... gracias por todo. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My British date!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the luggage we lugged up and down stairs and on trains... I was SO sore the next day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reppin' "Stanton" in London</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower Bridge..but I kept singing "London bridges falling down"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westminister Abbey!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hogwart-looking school where famous people attended</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing Big Ben picture!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London Eye</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Potter Platform--I can still say I went...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National History Museum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice skating!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty streets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pretty streets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Wonderland!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing chai!!!</td></tr>
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<br />Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-81605695578535627342017-12-24T15:25:00.000-08:002017-12-25T07:44:05.050-08:00Week 16: Dec. 18th-24th (Prague, Czech Republic)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">(Pictures below!!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well mates, it is Christmas Eve and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! I am in London right now--or technically Greenwich--and I am exhausted. However, it has been a great week and I am so thankful for the time with my parents.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Monday... well I had a final at 9am in the morning yet I stayed up FaceTiming my parents until 1am and then studying until 3:30am. Then, I went to take it the next morning and finished it in less than half an hour and then had a plan to meet my parents at one of the stations in downtown Sevilla. Well, I got there super fast and tracked my parents on Find Friends and decided to surprise them and meet them halfway down the Avenue. I was walking on the sidewalk right by the cathedral when I spotted them... I knew they didn't expect to see me there and they were on the other side, too, so they were far enough away...I doubted they would see me. When I was almost directly across from them, I sprinted across the road and ran into their arms. It was a glorious moment. #moviemoment and I never wanted to let go. After some tears were shed and love was spread all around, we went to the neighborhood where I lived and had some classic Spanish breakfast--a toastada thing with a drink. I'd never eaten out for breakfast and I didn't get anything, but I guess this cafe was pretty good. but not the best Spain had to offer. However, it was a very local place and the camarero (waiter) came up to us and, when I asked for menus, he said he was the menu so I had to do the translating for my parents. Then, he did the bill all in Spanish without any paper or anything, as well, so it was a great chance for me to show my parents how much Spanish I had learned. We then went to my apartment where I showed them around and then told them I hadn't packed yet. So we proceeded to spend the next few hours packing all my stuff and trying to make sure my bags weren't going to be too big or too heavy. Why are bags so restricting? There's just too many rules... well we finally were getting close to finish around 4:30pm and we were all starving. We were going to go to a cafe and get some food but, of course, it was right during siesta time and everything was closed. I had never experienced that firsthand, so it was strange, but I told them we would do what Spanish Kellie did all the time and go to the supermercado and get meat and cheese and olives and lentils and go back to the apartment and eat there. It worked out because I got to say bye to my friend, Miguel, at the Jamon supermercado, and I even took a photo with him. And then he gave me a gift of chocolates as we said goodbye. That night, I was going to go back to the Airbnb with my parents but decided I wanted to have one last dinner with my host family so I could give them their gifts and say a proper goodbye. I sent my parents in a taxi back to their place with my luggage and then Carly and I had one more night together of sitting in our comfy beds and then going to dinner. It was really hard to say goodbye to my host parents, but they loved their Christmas gifts and we had a great dinner...my host mom is such a good cook. Then, I hopped on the bus and met my parents at the mushroom, which is a famous attraction in Sevilla so they could see it and we could walk around for a bit. They got to experience the culture of the Spaniards being out even late at night and even on a Monday night. We stayed in a really cool neighborhood that was lit up with Christmas lights. I loved our Airbnb--it was chilly like all Spanish houses, but it was modern and had nice accommodations. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Tuesday...we did so much walking. We only had one more day in Sevilla so I had to show my parents everything and we had to do it the Spanish way, which is walking. Also, because the metro doesn't really take you many places as far as touristy places go. So first, we walked to a breakfast place and had 'tortilla de patata' which is a Spanish egg/potato omelet and some coffee. The sun was out and we just soaked in the sun and it was glorious. We then found this maze of colored mirrors and played like little kids in it and took some photos. After, we meandered our way downtown where we were on a mission to buy a duffel bag or small suitcase as an overflow for extra things that didn't fit in our luggage. Mom found a very Spaniard, very cute duffel bag. After, we got some ice cream--which was yummy despite the somewhat chilly weather. After downtown, we walked through some Christmas markets in Plaza Nueva/Plaza San Francisco and then wandered down to the Santa Cruz neighborhood. There are a bunch of cool shops and streets behind the cathedral and it's away from the main tourist Avenue. We thought about going into Alcazar but I gave my parents a choice between exploring Alcazar, which is based on Game of Thrones and none of us are into, or going to a rooftop bar, which is a hidden gem I had stumbled across. I had wanted them to try 'Tinto de Verano' so they decided to go to the rooftop bar and this was actually my mom's favorite part of Sevilla. The sun was beautiful and shining right on us and we sat up there with our Tinto de Verano (Summer Wine is the direct translation for that... it's a mix of wine and Fanta soda) and cheese and bread and just enjoyed the view of the cathedral and chatted. It wasn't busy--it really had never been in the three times I'd been there. It was just perfect. After, we made our way to Plaza de España, which is a must-go for anyone visiting Spain. It is a beautiful park with a beautiful building that you couldn't capture in a photo even if you wanted to. It's too long of a building and a panoramic photo doesn't do it justice. Fun fact, a glimpse of it is seen in one of the Star Wars movies. The third one, I believe. So, as we were there walking around and taking pictures of the fountain, I remembered that I had forgotten to stop by the ISA office to pick up a certificate. Luckily it was only a ten minute walk so my parents got to see that part of my life as well since I did tutoring at the ISA office every week. I ran into quite a few friends downtown and really all over the city, which was fun. After the park, my parents and I walked all the way back to Triana on the complete other side of the city, which is the neighborhood most of my friends lived in. We met my friend Mary Jo there so she could meet my parents and then we walked along the river so we could look at the houses in Triana. After we walked down the main street in Triana, we decided to sit at a bench and rest and people-watch. We had done about 21,000 steps at this point. I was going to meet up with a group of friends to say goodbye to them and then head to a farewell dinner at a hotel and so my parents went on their own and I met up with my friends at a tapa bar. We got drinks and a couple tapas and said our highs and lows of the semester. I was so thankful for the group of girlfriends I had made... they mean so much to me and it broke my heart to leave them. But "hasta luego" (see you later) is how I said "goodbye" because I know I'll see them again someday. We ended up paying our bill with all our coins that we wanted to get rid of. Our waiter was not super pleased but he was understanding, which was nice. Carly and I walked to the farewell dinner together since no one else wanted to go that far. It was about a 40 minute walk... just more steps for the day. The best part of the farewell dinner was the walk and chatting with Carly and spending one more evening with her. The actual dinner seemed awkward and I only went to say goodbye to Rubén and Lola, my tutor from UPO, and say bye to two friends. Well, my two friends never showed up and my goodbye with Rubén was super awkward... like all of our encounters. But it was an unfortunate goodbye in my opinion, but I at least got a picture with Lola and got to say bye to Tamara who was one of our main program directors from ISA. Carly and I were also late to the party and so we only stayed for about a half an hour because it ended quite soon after we arrived. It just was kinda pointless overall, but oh well. After, I said my final goodbye to Carly in Spain and then was going to take a taxi home because I was just too exhausted to walk another 50 minutes home. But then I remembered I still had to use up the money on my metro card and I could take a bus to a stop that was five minutes away from our Airbnb. I wasn't sure if I had enough money because I had used it with my parents the day before. Well the bus showed up within the next five minutes and I swiped my card and it beeped--.05 cents left on it. How much more perfect could that have been?! It's the little things in life that make me happy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Wednesday... today was a travel day. We left for the airport in the morning and took a taxi. The taxi driver and I had a good conversation in Spanish and he was super nice. Then, we got to the airport and checked in our bags and Vueling (the airline) said we had three free bags we could check-in on top of our two already paid-for checked bags. We decided the less luggage, the better... because we had a layover in Barcelona for 45 minutes and didn't want to be running through the airport with it. We checked everything except my backpack and my mom's duffel bag. We were going to have a nice Spanish meal in the airport, except Sevilla has nothing to offer in that area. The airport is kind of a joke. Security was a breeze--as always--but then we had to settle for seven euro salads that weren't even super great. We finally made it on the plane and headed on our way to Barcelona. The flight was easy enough but then, when we landed, we realized that we only had 15 minutes before our next gate closed and it was quite a ways away from the one we flew into. So we were running through the airport, with everyone else that was on the same connecting flight as well. We were thankful we didn't have much luggage. We made it no problem, but they were already boarding once we got there. We got on the flight and headed to Prague. It was about 9pm when we landed in Prague and we were ready to crash. We landed and waited for our luggage except it never came... Oh no...we had a feeling it didn't make the quick layover. We filed a report where they told us we should get it the next day. We then had the choice to take a bus, metro, then tram to our place or just a taxi. However it was a 30 minute or so taxi drive but that's what we ended up doing because we were much later than we originally planned to be. We made it though and the lady who checked us in was so nice and her place was so adorable. It looked very newly remodeled and was super nice. The heat came through the floor--a feature very much needed in Spain. We were bummed we didn't have any of our stuff but we figured we would make due for one night. We were starving since all we had eaten that day was our overpriced salads at the airport, but it was almost 11pm and we didn't know the city so we just decided to go to bed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thursday... my dad and I had found a cafe that we wanted to go that had some yummy breakfast options. It was not a far walk from our place either. We started out around noon. We had a slow start...what can I say? I didn't realized Prague was hilly but we climbed a pretty big hill and trekked through a park and then, voila, we were at the cafe. It was sorta underground and it was warm and quiet. Mom and I had chai tea and dad had hot chocolate. The drinks were delicious! We then ordered an egg and meat breakfast and it was the first "real" breakfast I had had in almost five months. It tasted real good, although the sausage tasted a little strange. We sat there for quite some time and then went exploring. We ended up walking downtown which was a 40 minute walk or so but came across this market place in the middle of the streets with food and drinks. It was a Christmas market. There was hot wine and Trdelniks all over the place. My parents got a Trdelnik, which if you are wondering what the heck I'm saying (writing), it's a famous pastry in Prague that is like a cinnamon roll in a round shape. I'll post pictures below. I got hot wine since I couldn't eat the pastry... my mom thought the man who was selling them was cute and I admit he wasn't bad looking. It was pretty chilly but we continued to walk around because we were determined to find Old Town Square. We came across a couple more Christmas markets but then walked into this Plaza with this beautiful cathedral and then--BAM--a gigantic Christmas tree with a ton of markets and Christmas music and more Christmas-y stuff. We took our pictures and enjoyed walking around. After, we made our way to the Prague castle. It is up on a hill so it was more climbing but it was like a little town with the church and castle in it. It was great to go at night because there weren't that many people that were there. We enjoyed the lit up church and the cute little town that was endless. It would take hours to explore the whole thing. We figured out the tram on our way home (even though it took us awhile) and took it back to a place near where we lived. We stopped at this Oysteria restaurant and, although it wasn't quite what we expected, it ended up being pretty delicious. We had chosen it because TripAdvisor said it had a lot of gluten-free options, but the waiter ended up saying they didn't have many gluten free things and the menu was also on the board and written in Czech so it was hard for us to understand or decipher what was happening or what to get. Our waiter was really kind though and wrote down some things that I could have. I ended up getting this turkey meat with potatoes and vegetables, my mom got a Mediterranean salad and my dad got some kind of pasta. My meal was so good... the sauce that was on it was heavenly. I was a very happy camper and was pleasantly surprised. After that, we went back home in hopes of getting our luggage, but to no avail. The website said "Finding Luggage" or something like that--which did not sound good. It had already been 24 hours.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Friday... we had found this gluten free cafe place where they said they could fix gluten-free pancakes and crepes which sounded amazing to me so we headed straight there in the morning. We had a slow start again and it was about 1pm before we got there. My dad was trying to get our luggage found and was trying to make phone calls. He was supposed to have service because he had paid for a plan in London, but he was not having any luck. We finally said to send them an email since we knew that would go through and we had to continue about our day. Day 3 without luggage--that was not a good thing. Especially since we literally had nothing. My mom and I switched sweaters this day since we had worn the same outfit two days in a row. We were starting to get real creative. Well, the food at the cafe was INCREDIBLE. I can't even begin to explain to you--my mom and I got coffee to start and my dad got hot chocolate. We all agreed we liked the drinks at the first cafe better, but the food..... oh my good.ness. (That's pronounced: good-ness with a pause between the two words.) We split a breakfast plate with bread, eggs, bacon, sausage, and a salad and then split a plate of gluten free cinnamon pancakes, maple syrup pancakes, and crepes with strawberry marmalade inside. MMMMMM. If you weren't hungry before, I bet you're drooling now. We gobbled every bit of that up. We decided to go back to our Airbnb after that to wait for our luggage. We ended up just lounging around and watching a movie. We had a great set-up at our place. In my parents' room was a flat screen tv and I had my computer and HDMI cord so we watched Christmas movies or some kind of movie every single night. It was a big bed that we all snuggled together on, too. We finally got our luggage at about 6pm that night and then went out to dinner after to celebrate...and just to eat dinner. My dad called to make a reservation and it didn't go through again so my mom and I finally decided to help him because we figured he was doing something wrong. He was typing in the international codes and area codes wrong. He thought the airline numbers he had been given were faulty or even just "busy" lines and he had tried calling them for hours that morning... we won't speak of all the wasted time. At least I got to sleep in... but we finally helped him figure it out! Even though it's near the end of the trip now... Anyway, we went close by to this pub/Italian type of restaurant. It had really yummy food, as well! We stuffed ourselves... we got hot wine (by accident). I ordered regular wine I thought, but we ended up with hot wine, which was good, expect my parents never drink so my mama was pretty goofy. We all had some kind of pork but I had grilled pork stuffed with mozzarella and dried red peppers. It was sooooo good. Again, the sauce made it so heavenly... We had a good time just sitting there and talking and enjoying everyone and everything around us. My mom noticed they play English music no matter where we are. We were right by a heater and then, after drinking some hot wine, I was roasting. But then, you go outside and cool right off... it was quite cold in Prague. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Saturday, we made it downtown again but this time we figured out how to get 24-hour passes and used the tram to take us downtown. We went to go see the dancing house (an attraction) which was pretty cool, but nothing super exciting. Then, we walked across a bridge that we thought was the famous Charles bridge so we were taking photos of it and everything when we finally realized that it was not the Charles bridge. Whoops. So we walked through the park towards the real Charles bridge and then came to the Lennon wall, which is famous in Prague as well. We took our one photo of it and then came across this incredible very Christmas-y decorated restaurant and decided to eat there. I'll post pictures... there is no way I could describe it well enough. The waiters were wearing Santa hats and there was Christmas music playing. It was cozy and there were lights and ornaments hanging all around with a snowman lantern, a sleigh, and poinsettias too. There were Christmas cups around and it was just wonderful... it was my kind of restaurant. Our waiter was a little on the grumpy side or appeared so and I wanted to call him the Grinch but I didn't know if that'd be appropriate in a different country... Mom ordered the best apple cider of her life that tasted like an apple strudel dessert. I had a winter wine drink that was hot wine with cranberries and raisins in it and dad had hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream. Then for food, dad and mom both had goulash (beef) with dumplings and potato pancakes. I had mushroom risotto that was quite tasty. After, we walked across the actual Charles bridge and took some pictures and just enjoyed all that was around us. I love exploring the city and walking around downtown and coming across all these fun places by accident. I like not having google maps out with a specific place to go all the time. We were walking towards Old Square...or at least that was the goal, but the streets are so all over the place and they don't make sense so it is easy to get lost. Well, I was craving a gluten-free pastry and I was looking all over for a good place to go and we were standing outside this cafe. I finally looked up and inside the door in the glass cabinet was a pastry labeled "Gluten-free." It was literally right in front of my face! It was a chocolate cherry brownie so I got that to-go or as they say here in Europe "as take-away." Mom wanted another Trdelnik and dad wanted some yummy hot chocolate or something. We finally made our way to old town square again which was cool to see in the daylight. Dad got a chocolate crepe and mom was going to get her Trdelnik but decided she liked the ones from two days ago better. I personally think she was hoping the same guy would be there to serve them, but she said they made theirs different there--more round or something like that. ;) So we made our way to that square and as we came across it, there was a group of carolers in front of the Christmas markets. But these were not any ordinary carolers. They were a group from a church called International Church of Prague and they had a screen for words all put up and were singing Christmas and worship songs. It was a #Godmoment and a #moviemoment. We all got emotional standing there singing Christmas worship songs in a different country half-way across the world from our home. It was nice to be surrounded by others that love Jesus like we do. That was just icing on top... mom got her Trdelnik and then we were going to go back to the original cafe, Cafe Jen, from the first morning for some drinks, but it was closed. At this point, we were glad we were close to our Airbnb so we just went home and snuggled on that bed and watched a movie with some hot chocolate that we had gotten at the store a couple of days before. We started with this movie called Hot Fuzz, which is a United Kingdom movie...but it was just too much for us. We couldn't take it... sorry, my wonderful English friends that like it so much... but then we watched V for Vendetta which I thought was pretty good. Then, we packed up and got ready for another travel day...on to London.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Christmas Eve!!! Merry Christmas Eve... we figured since it was a holiday (or practically, not officially) that there wouldn't be many travelers. But there were quite a few. We made it to the Prague airport using the tram, metro, then bus. We did good with all the luggage, but there were quite a few stairs and such, so I got my "Crossfit workout" in as my parents like to say. I was relieved to make it to the airport and then we made it through checking our bags with no problems which is always good because we are always afraid they will be too heavy. But then it was strange because we had to go through customs, which we weren't expecting. We made it through that but then, there was no security. We were confused. We made it to our gate "section" and then realized that security was at each gate or a group of gates. It doesn't make sense to me... and European airports also don't tell you your gate until 45 minutes before departure so it's like they are setting us up for failure... ugh. Well, we decided we had enough time to eat and then get on the plane. Well, we found this Mexican restaurant that was similar to Qdoba or Chipotle and ate there. We weren't there a super long time but then we realized we should probably head to our gate. The security line for the "B gates" was taking forever and we were afraid the gate to our flight would close. We were waiting in line when a couple comes up and asked if they could jump the line because the PA just announced that it was "Last Call" for their flight. The whole group goes, "We are in the same situation." And we all realized we were in line for the same flight that had said last call. We decided later that they do that just to scare you... We had to take a bus to our airplane because Ryanair is too cheap to pay the airport for their walkway connector thing. We made it on the flight and, luckily, we were priority boarding so we got some advantages there with our luggage and such. Oh and a quick funny story... I was getting on the plane and my seat was in the emergency exit row. One of the Ryanair workers came up to me and goes, "How old are you?" I go, "21" and he said "Okay, I just had to make sure because you look young." I asked him how old he thought I was and he said he had to make sure I was above 18. I was offended and said, "18?! That's three years off." He said it is a good thing to look young and that if it weren't for his facial hair, he would look young too. He then asked how old I thought he was and I guessed super young since he had told me that about his facial hair... I said 22 even though I figured he was older than that. He said "I'm 25. Aha, you were three years off. Now we are even." Boy, I was (fake) fuming. It was funny though. I slept most of the plane ride with my headphones in and my music loud since Ryanair never stops talking to you and trying to sell you things. We made it to London but then realized where we were staying was about an hour and a half away. We were trying to figure out the best way to do it and decided to take the train and then the DTL train or something like that. Well two hours later, we made it, but let me tell you... those underground stations are not meant for luggage. I got about 10 Crossfit workouts in today by carrying my luggage up and down stairs. Whew. We finally made it... stopped by a grocery story to get snacks and then planned to order pizza. We ended up going to this restaurant called Pizza Express and it was probably the best pizza I have ever had gluten free. That's hard to say because I am finding more and more yummy Italian gluten-free places (believe it or not) but this was amazing food. We got these dough balls that were gluten-free with garlic butter and I enjoyed them so much. I also got a gluten free beer and then an amazing gluten free Margherita pizza with pesto. I had my pizza and beer... I felt like one of the boys. We finished our Christmas Eve out with a brownie dessert--also gluten-free and also delicious with some vanilla gelato and a strawberry slice. The walk was even fun because it was through a cute neighborhood where kids and families were coming out of Christmas Eve services with a "candle" made with a glow stick stuck in an orange. Real creative London... I think I'm going to like you. I'm already in love with this city and I have hardly been here or seen the city. It's the accents that get me. They are wonderful...except it's weird knowing they are speaking English because I don't understand them very well... we shall see how I do over the next couple days...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, Merry Christmas once again mates (a very common word here in the UK). I hope it is wonderful and full of good cheer and celebrating the real meaning of the holiday. I apologize for the long post... so much has happened this week. Only one more post to go since we come home on Thursday. I'll write my next and final blog on the plane ride home on the 28th of December. I can't believe this chapter is really coming to a close... But then, a new chapter shall begin! </span> </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JURIih-OP0g/WkAz_iYDxtI/AAAAAAAAV_I/CAhM043nGuMg-O4xDDnSoJkpeNWAg-1MACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JURIih-OP0g/WkAz_iYDxtI/AAAAAAAAV_I/CAhM043nGuMg-O4xDDnSoJkpeNWAg-1MACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7195.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My wonderful Host family!!</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mM3wKyILJg0/WkA2Tim5vqI/AAAAAAAAWAk/N4J2Mmki-HUHe_WWE811kNIxhYJsv3ougCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mM3wKyILJg0/WkA2Tim5vqI/AAAAAAAAWAk/N4J2Mmki-HUHe_WWE811kNIxhYJsv3ougCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_3337.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: white;">1st time seeing her in 5 months.. 1st pic back together</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57F1mPuoPPc/WkA2VTIFEpI/AAAAAAAAWAo/hqrTL158FB8Ki1yoansNbf3JFYPWpyEFQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57F1mPuoPPc/WkA2VTIFEpI/AAAAAAAAWAo/hqrTL158FB8Ki1yoansNbf3JFYPWpyEFQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_3335.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: white;">1st time seeing him in 5 months...1st pic back together</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLM5gCNlvMk/WkAz_k7a8oI/AAAAAAAAV_I/wlPYB6vJ7hw8B6nLIKYS4JQfTfVvOOo9QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLM5gCNlvMk/WkAz_k7a8oI/AAAAAAAAV_I/wlPYB6vJ7hw8B6nLIKYS4JQfTfVvOOo9QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7184.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: white;">My friend Miguel from Jamon!</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hS0a5M4SkM/WkAz_twRxLI/AAAAAAAAV_I/6l2xI2IWySo1ESqMinP8fv9Fmm8Eg6ZoQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_hS0a5M4SkM/WkAz_twRxLI/AAAAAAAAV_I/6l2xI2IWySo1ESqMinP8fv9Fmm8Eg6ZoQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7200.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Carly and I where we spent the majority of our time..</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcdHzIAxVvw/WkAz_qtPmjI/AAAAAAAAV_I/BYs9DaMFiMoskMynFzpTXGxwzKwRRiG8ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcdHzIAxVvw/WkAz_qtPmjI/AAAAAAAAV_I/BYs9DaMFiMoskMynFzpTXGxwzKwRRiG8ACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7211.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Look closely... how many people can you count?</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2M7YWURzzQ/WkAz_jkxluI/AAAAAAAAV_I/a6DfGaxdov8IE1hfxzE9wR01i9nuxEKqwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2M7YWURzzQ/WkAz_jkxluI/AAAAAAAAV_I/a6DfGaxdov8IE1hfxzE9wR01i9nuxEKqwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7226.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Santa Cruz neighborhood!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KL-xqwyMTYk/WkAz_rku5jI/AAAAAAAAV_I/oCWBkFGCm3AO6QNMn11mhye-oc4W8XO3QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KL-xqwyMTYk/WkAz_rku5jI/AAAAAAAAV_I/oCWBkFGCm3AO6QNMn11mhye-oc4W8XO3QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7236.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Plaza de España</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aK1KuLEGX9Q/WkAz_t__8DI/AAAAAAAAV_I/uVuDWCDksDkZ016M5uub1RST_jXIglg0wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aK1KuLEGX9Q/WkAz_t__8DI/AAAAAAAAV_I/uVuDWCDksDkZ016M5uub1RST_jXIglg0wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7258.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Triana!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QrCH1a1GWQ/WkAz_gs1WmI/AAAAAAAAV_I/Op9c2AuodFobswVFxOi3fCR9e6Vp6_B-wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QrCH1a1GWQ/WkAz_gs1WmI/AAAAAAAAV_I/Op9c2AuodFobswVFxOi3fCR9e6Vp6_B-wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7269.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Last photo of us together in Spain:( ....for now...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpYdi12QWXU/WkAz_m4roMI/AAAAAAAAV_I/zkoYUPtYH8EHaJTLyaDe2eQT4_ximwNagCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpYdi12QWXU/WkAz_m4roMI/AAAAAAAAV_I/zkoYUPtYH8EHaJTLyaDe2eQT4_ximwNagCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7270.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Hasta luego friends!</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg2TvXuE0OA/WkAz_v8p--I/AAAAAAAAV_I/YzpqUeVI5CYRYBNxuncGdOXG5gK_72LDgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg2TvXuE0OA/WkAz_v8p--I/AAAAAAAAV_I/YzpqUeVI5CYRYBNxuncGdOXG5gK_72LDgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7272.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Lola!! Isn't she pretty?</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVpSc9Mrqh8/WkAz_vbkUbI/AAAAAAAAV_I/eqgfW_E3AZU9USuLg4Yz9iOFR2hzozy6QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVpSc9Mrqh8/WkAz_vbkUbI/AAAAAAAAV_I/eqgfW_E3AZU9USuLg4Yz9iOFR2hzozy6QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7275.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Last time in Sevilla... for now</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1m4YnLhoZY/WkAz_r9z7DI/AAAAAAAAV_I/UDaOVZI34tEfrKgn_CRmt9K_NEBNUH2-wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1m4YnLhoZY/WkAz_r9z7DI/AAAAAAAAV_I/UDaOVZI34tEfrKgn_CRmt9K_NEBNUH2-wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7280.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebWTutbSjE0/WkAz_mbBIWI/AAAAAAAAV_I/L-2d8Of0ONUAESpGVtGtpCKL2te0ijXEACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebWTutbSjE0/WkAz_mbBIWI/AAAAAAAAV_I/L-2d8Of0ONUAESpGVtGtpCKL2te0ijXEACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7293.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Hot wine baby</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8GEkn2Gzzs/WkAz_tkqQXI/AAAAAAAAV_I/bvjUprCMBcAs6xXiYS-KLMKuWhrm7G8lwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8GEkn2Gzzs/WkAz_tkqQXI/AAAAAAAAV_I/bvjUprCMBcAs6xXiYS-KLMKuWhrm7G8lwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7295.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Merry Christmas!!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGQTipbf1CU/WkAz_pr0bYI/AAAAAAAAV_I/63KhyOMArqwLJULO9patwLG3ouUwnyLvgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGQTipbf1CU/WkAz_pr0bYI/AAAAAAAAV_I/63KhyOMArqwLJULO9patwLG3ouUwnyLvgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7304.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Old Town Square</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BL8QFPKGCM/WkAz_kIoO4I/AAAAAAAAV_I/_01Y9G-S5dsFeD8zCoiRe7PQ9AsokQNwwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BL8QFPKGCM/WkAz_kIoO4I/AAAAAAAAV_I/_01Y9G-S5dsFeD8zCoiRe7PQ9AsokQNwwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7322.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The Castle/Church!!! Technically, the Prague Castle</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwl7N-EkPG4/WkAz_meRdcI/AAAAAAAAV_I/lwayTpilw0wrx87vXnUHuBVX-HSvnS5qQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwl7N-EkPG4/WkAz_meRdcI/AAAAAAAAV_I/lwayTpilw0wrx87vXnUHuBVX-HSvnS5qQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7347.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Amazing Gluten-free pancakes/crepes located here!!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PfL3QyBJrw/WkAz_sD8DcI/AAAAAAAAV_I/t9OS2SA9B0sICH5ESUID-zYUg4OUtb7dgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PfL3QyBJrw/WkAz_sD8DcI/AAAAAAAAV_I/t9OS2SA9B0sICH5ESUID-zYUg4OUtb7dgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7357.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The "Dancing" house</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPGV44YGt0M/WkA1IXIi2AI/AAAAAAAAV_o/WXBLrSRmm_wuQtdQrI34bIQ3fo97Jwg8gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPGV44YGt0M/WkA1IXIi2AI/AAAAAAAAV_o/WXBLrSRmm_wuQtdQrI34bIQ3fo97Jwg8gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7373.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">A Daddy's girl :)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9KqbeCPCsY/WkAz_hvWz4I/AAAAAAAAV_I/EhuQ7sw8Q_Y30C9PmQ6miayt_KBYmUzhACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9KqbeCPCsY/WkAz_hvWz4I/AAAAAAAAV_I/EhuQ7sw8Q_Y30C9PmQ6miayt_KBYmUzhACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7379.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">And....A Mommy's girl :)</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCalMdf0gIE/WkAz_ulsDnI/AAAAAAAAV_I/HlVhl0sUOUwIwqd9ZfV1uJ7mxamX1VkEgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCalMdf0gIE/WkAz_ulsDnI/AAAAAAAAV_I/HlVhl0sUOUwIwqd9ZfV1uJ7mxamX1VkEgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7389.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Lennon Wall</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukMLPV-vgzs/WkAz_k9qyGI/AAAAAAAAV_I/gqmucflt6LMWCL_Mnnd5hyo0uld_cEchwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukMLPV-vgzs/WkAz_k9qyGI/AAAAAAAAV_I/gqmucflt6LMWCL_Mnnd5hyo0uld_cEchwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7390.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">CHRISTMAS RESTAURANT</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo-AuGJjwWM/WkAz_oFg9QI/AAAAAAAAV_I/vJCp4SIQBbI2-J56c54jGblLL6id9XD-wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo-AuGJjwWM/WkAz_oFg9QI/AAAAAAAAV_I/vJCp4SIQBbI2-J56c54jGblLL6id9XD-wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7412.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The real Charles Bridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLVO8N23jLg/WkAz_jVm8wI/AAAAAAAAV_I/TY-HYbsXPgMy-lEHBlpCHIgzU_dvILtfACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLVO8N23jLg/WkAz_jVm8wI/AAAAAAAAV_I/TY-HYbsXPgMy-lEHBlpCHIgzU_dvILtfACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7417.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Gluten-free in front of my face!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFkmCU24O7c/WkAz_mQZX7I/AAAAAAAAV_I/KgZGtNx0L2g3QhR9jY1_JnYhgezPrbH2wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFkmCU24O7c/WkAz_mQZX7I/AAAAAAAAV_I/KgZGtNx0L2g3QhR9jY1_JnYhgezPrbH2wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7424.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Dad's chocolate crepe</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujtn8PEdTIU/WkAz_iiEuRI/AAAAAAAAV_I/sNUh2AM3BJQVftsti0jVFgiJGOAX5B-UgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujtn8PEdTIU/WkAz_iiEuRI/AAAAAAAAV_I/sNUh2AM3BJQVftsti0jVFgiJGOAX5B-UgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7430.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Christmas Worshipers/Carolers -- our #Godmoment</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRhOOOpVrL4/WkAz_n6eywI/AAAAAAAAV_I/_VpSPyE-DQcv64rgxehEhWUkhVww1fayQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRhOOOpVrL4/WkAz_n6eywI/AAAAAAAAV_I/_VpSPyE-DQcv64rgxehEhWUkhVww1fayQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7435.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Trdelniks!!! Don't they look yummalicious?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5Z_5DVOoZ0/WkAz_iTFXFI/AAAAAAAAV_I/K0rh3ZTBzpkwBUArEN-JaCwZnF_6TfVngCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5Z_5DVOoZ0/WkAz_iTFXFI/AAAAAAAAV_I/K0rh3ZTBzpkwBUArEN-JaCwZnF_6TfVngCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7444.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Our luggage on the train today in London... yes we lugged that around all day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-7118017798809964762017-12-17T16:28:00.000-08:002017-12-17T16:33:18.319-08:00Week 15: Dec. 11th-17th (La Última Semana)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, folks. This is it: the last week of my living here in Sevilla. I'm not quite sure how to feel... it was a very long week for sure, but now--it's Sunday. Tomorrow is my last day walking to UPO ever and it's also my last day with my host family. But..... you know what that means?!?! My parents are here!!!!! They land in Sevilla in less than an hour from the moment I am typing this. I cannot wait to see them. I don't think I'm going to let go of them once I touch them.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So I had three days of class this past week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday which were just full of review and presentations and projects and essays. Then, Thursday I had two finals and Friday one. Now I have my last one tomorrow at 9am. Then bam--there goes my first semester/quarter of my junior year and my time studying abroad. Es loco (it's crazy). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So on Monday I found out that I won the photo contest!! I entered a photo contest through my school where I had the chance to win a free sweatshirt. And I won it! I went into the office to get it and Rubén, of course, was there. He asked to see what photo I posted and said I had good photography skills. I don't know why I'm so awkward but I just get super shy when he talks to me in the office... although I did finally get a picture with him so I'm proud of myself (see below). But anyway, I really like the sweatshirt so thanks to everyone who liked my photo on Facebook so I could win, hehe. On Tuesday, it was the last day with the kiddos I have been teaching at the bilingual school outside the city. My heart was so full when I left because each one of them lined up and gave me a card and a hug. It was the sweetest thing ever. I cannot even begin to explain the emotions I felt after leaving them. I didn't ever want to leave... it will never be that way again. Ahh, it makes me sad just thinking about it. I wish I had more time with them. I would spend the rest of the year with them if I could. It was just a day of goodbyes I suppose because then, later that night, I had to say goodbye to one of my friends that I made in Morocco. Her name is Lindsey and she was in another program here in Sevilla which ended a week earlier than mine. She left to go home this past Wednesday. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">On Friday night, my friends and I finally made it to the discoteca that is right next to Carly and my place. It is called Abril and it's this massive place. We had a great time because they were playing great Spanish music and we just were dancing and people-watching. We realized that Spaniards seriously dress so nicely. It doesn't matter how cold it is outside... they will still be wearing dresses or bras (seriously, fancy bras) and skirts with tights and high heels. Me? I decided to go for the natural beauty/casual look. I wore jeans and a bright pink shirt and hardly did anything extra special with my hair and make-up. There were two things I learned from that club that night. One, no true Spaniard wears jeans. Two, they all wear dark colors. It was quite comical. I probably had five or six people touch my shirt or point at my shirt. There were the blue lights in the club so I was extra glow-y. At first, I thought people were just being touchy because that's what Spaniards do (they have no concept of space). And then I realized I was being touched and talked to because they were pointing out my bright pink shirt. Leave it to Kellie to stand out with her bright pink something or other. Oh, also... I've gone from trying to fit in and be a Spaniard to appreciating the uniqueness of being American and being myself. I'm proud of being American and proud of my American accent. There's no hiding it. I guess that's why I didn't think twice about the pink shirt. Also, if you put on an American song, I'm going to dance and sing every word. Oh, dancing gives me away too--I dance very "big" and just a lot... and Spaniards are very casual and tranquilo and move very slightly, however they usually dance very well. To be honest, I don't really care--I just have fun! I met this guy David, who talked with me for a little. It was so loud in there that he couldn't hear me so I wrote out what I was trying to say in Spanish and he would try to talk to me in Spanish or in English. At least I can say that I met a local. And of course I got a picture... because I take pictures with all the cool guys I meet. Well, we finally got home at 5am and went to bed at 5:30am. Then, we woke up at 1:30pm the next day. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Saturday was really fun. After lunch, Carly and I went downtown where there is the Ferris Wheel, Christmas markets, and an ice skating rink. A group of my girlfriends and I skated for an hour or so, then rode the Ferris Wheel right as the sun was disappearing and it was so pretty. You could see the entire city. It was a very fast Ferris Wheel, which made it so fun! After that, we did a little shopping in the Christmas markets and then Carly and I were going to get sushi for dinner downtown somewhere. Oh, back-story...so our host mom had this big party thing all day Saturday. We saw her at lunch and she was all dressed up and, man, she looked like a babe. She was so cute...she didn't want to leave us. Well she said she was going to probably be back super late and we didn't want to make Padre cook for us and we had wanted to get sushi so we decided to go get sushi. Okay, so back to us going to dinner. Carly and I were on our way to this sushi place we found and right before we got there--we saw a pizza hut. We smelled the pizza and we were like, mm.. let's just go look inside. Well, I know... I know we are lame, but we decided to get pizzas para llevar (to-go) and go back to the house, pick up a bottle of cider on our way home, and watch a Christmas movie while eating and drinking on our couch. It was a great choice. We watched a cute Christmas movie and ate our yummy pizza and drank our cider. Then, our friends wanted to meet up at a bar downtown. So we went to this Irish Pub. It was grand--we had our own table between the six of us and we were just chatting and listening to the very loud Irish-ish music. Oh, and I met this guy named Florencio who was super funny. So I went up to the bar to grab a drink and he thought I was copying his drink or so he said. Then, we just chatted for awhile. He was from Sevilla, too, so I can say I met another local. He spoke very good English and he was quite funny. So the Irish Pubs started to get super crowded and so I realized I had been gone a long time but my friends hadn't noticed because they just thought it was taking a long time to get a drink. Well, then the moment they happened to look over was when he was telling me the reason he got kicked out of this club. He had pulled out these animal masks, had put it on his head, and then given it to me to put on. So as my friends look over, they see me putting on this animal mask. They got a great kick out of it. Don't worry, I got photos (see below). His friend was pretty funny too. It was great meeting some more locals. Well after the pub, MJ and I (the OG) decided to go out to a discoteca again. There was one called Utopia which is really popular and was close by. So we go around 2am and end up waiting in a line for 45 minutes. We finally were done waiting since we hadn't moved much so we tried another discoteca. We had to wait in line there too and it took another 30 minutes. Then, right as we were towards the front, I texted Carly to make sure she made it home okay because she had left to go get a taxi an hour and a half before. She replied and said "No I can't get a taxi. Help!!!!" I was so confused on what she had been doing or where she had been for the past hour and a half. I was very concerned so I told MJ to wait in line and that I was going to go get her. Well, on my way to go get Carly, MJ called me and said she was the next person in line. I started to sprint back and we got up to the front, but then there was an entrance fee and I was like MJ we really need to find Carly and take her home. After waiting in line for so long, we had lost our motivation to dance. So, MJ and I left and went to find Carly. We found her on the corner of the street by her self, trying to hail a taxi. She ended up telling us that there was this massive line for the taxi and she didn't know what to do. She had tried walking home and then her phone died, so she asked someone to take her back to Triana, which is the neighborhood where the pub was, that way she was at least in a public area that was familiar and would have lots of taxis. There were just so many people out and about--it was ridiculous. And it was definitely not the warmest so... like I said, Spaniards are loco! Well, I have the application 'MyTaxi' on my phone so I called a taxi with that and we ended up making it home by 4:30am. It was quite a crazy evening though!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So now it is Sunday. I slept in until about noon. I woke up at 9am this morning with a bad cold, or so I thought. My nose was stuffed, my voice was froggy, and my head felt full and heavy. But once I fell back asleep and woke up again at noon, I felt quite a bit better. Then, host mom and Carly and I went to lunch "afuera" or outside the house at a cafe on the street. But, the first one we went to had really bad service (even for Spain) and the tables were in the shade so host mom decided we should go to the mall and eat at an American restaurant there. We had to ask for la cuenta (the bill) about four times or more. Host mom was not happy. But then, we went to Fridays which is TGI Fridays and had a huge meal there. It was exciting because we had to wait for a table and so they gave us one of those pagers that buzz when your table is ready. The host hands it to our host mom and she goes "Qué es?" like "What is this?" because she has never seen one of those before. Isn't that crazy?! We had fun with her. She got cajun ribs, I had a tex mex type burger, and Carly had french dip. It was the most American meal I have had in months. Yet, now I don't feel as good as I normally do so I have to admit, I really like my Spanish diet here... but it was still a wonderful time. I did a little shopping after and then came back to the house. Now... I really need to pack...but I really don't want to. So I am going to try to procrastinate, yay. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, the next time I blog, I will be in Prague, Czech, with my parents. Ahh! That is so crazy. And then 11 days from now and I will be flying home to Denver. Wow--America--I'm coming for you.</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hope you guys are all doing well and are getting ready for Christmas and are enjoying the holidays! Hasta luego!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-BpUZ0BRvk/WjcMujwOn3I/AAAAAAAAVZI/5rOVbvJQtFw94pJt-YQpgmQAT-cvvsEegCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-BpUZ0BRvk/WjcMujwOn3I/AAAAAAAAVZI/5rOVbvJQtFw94pJt-YQpgmQAT-cvvsEegCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Host daddy with Felix, our fat cat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hoodie I won!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Wyoming.. my friend on the TV that we watch every night at dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Rubén!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yavaQ5SLn_c/WjcKoQB4dKI/AAAAAAAAVYw/YcdkmaLw2kYIwMb4PCcRFQFIUsDDgVD3ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yavaQ5SLn_c/WjcKoQB4dKI/AAAAAAAAVYw/YcdkmaLw2kYIwMb4PCcRFQFIUsDDgVD3ACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7038.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Lindsey!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jawx3TtBpNM/WjcKoReA99I/AAAAAAAAVYw/D-X2r-ijEeQjVwgxsUvhN5IDVxhWX-UxgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jawx3TtBpNM/WjcKoReA99I/AAAAAAAAVYw/D-X2r-ijEeQjVwgxsUvhN5IDVxhWX-UxgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_7063.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I say "Kellie," they hear "Kaly"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En la playa (at the beach)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is David (night #1) -- don't ask me what I was doing with my finger... I do not know</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice skating!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferris wheel!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The masks...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What he actually looked like... This is Florencio (night #2)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florencio's friend -- the funny one</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm gonna miss this girl (MJ) :((</td></tr>
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<br />Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-45845002083122208592017-12-10T10:25:00.000-08:002017-12-25T08:01:21.358-08:00Week 14: Dec. 5th-10th (Valencia, Spain)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">(Photos below)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hi friends! Guess what?! One week from tomorrow, I get to see mis padres (my parents)!!!! Estoy muy emocionada (I'm very excited). It's nearing the end and it feels very bittersweet. I absolutely want to see my parents and I am missing my entire family a ton... especially as I see photos of them all together and hear of all the holiday plans they've got going on. However, I am not ready to go home, I don't think. I am finally getting settled here... but then again, I am excited to be back in America. I don't know... like I said, it's very bittersweet. I think though, if I stayed in Europe, I'd want to do a semester in London. I love the British accents...and although it is very similar to America, I think it is also very different and would be a very unique experience, but we will see what I think after I go to London.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So this weekend was my final trip during my time here in Sevilla. My parents are in Europe and we will meet up after my last final next Monday. Then, off to Prague and London and then HOME. It's so close, I can almost taste it. Well, this past week was pretty busy. School went by pretty fast since we had Wednesday off because it is Spain's independence day. On our day off, a group of my friends and I went to a movie. We saw Asesinato en el Orient Express (Murder on the Orient Express) and, to answer your next question--no--it was not in Spanish. However, we had Spanish subtitles. If I saw a movie in Spanish, it would have to be originally filmed in Spanish. I don't like the dubbed over movies. I would be so distracted trying to read the actor's lips the whole time. Movies are cheap here. We had a really good time! Afterwards, we walked around downtown which was so packed. I love that about Sevilla. There are always people in the street. Getting home was fun (sarcasm) because the metro was so packed and Spaniards have no perception of personal space. But I've gotten used to it more by now and I don't mind it too much anymore.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">After class on Thursday (only five people showed up since everyone took the "long" weekend to travel), I packed and got ready to fly to Valencia. Yes, I'm a good student and booked my flight later in the afternoon after class so I wouldn't miss it. So, I went with Mary Jo and we were excited to actually stay within Spain this time so we could continue to use our Spanish instead of being placed somewhere where we couldn't understand or speak the language. Well, here's a little lesson about Spain. It is kind of a funny country in this way... it has 5 official languages: Castilian (what I have been learning), Galician, Basque (Euskarian), Occitan (Aranès), and Catalan. Then, places like Valencia have their own language which is Valencian. Spain is quite the divided country. Most other European countries are similar if you are in the North or in the South, but here in Spain, it is very different depending on what region you are in. It is quite interesting and that is why I think my culture experience has been so incredible compared to some of my friends in other parts of Europe. There is so much culture and tradition to learn and so, for me, spending a month in the northern part and then four months in the South, I can compare and contrast and learn so much more. Anyway, Mary Jo and I first arrived in Valencia at 10pm on a Thursday night. The first thing we notice is that the signs are not in Spanish. They are in Valencian. So much for understanding the language... but luckily, they had Spanish and sometimes English as well. We took the metro to our Airbnb. We felt so weirded out because there were literally no people on the metro. Remember how I mentioned I love that Sevilla always has people around? Yeah, I guess that's just in Sevilla. We finally made it to our Airbnb and the weather was quite nice, even at night, so that was relieving. We had forgotten to book our Airbnb until the last minute since we had been so busy, so we ended up in this apartment owned by a younger man who was staying there during our stay. We had our own private bedroom and bathroom, so it worked out. But the first night, we were watching a Christmas movie on our laptop in bed, and I swear the sound was not that loud. Well, he knocked and said "Could you keep it down for the neighbors?" His room was right next to ours so we assumed he was the "neighbor" but I was annoyed because it was only 1am and he's Spaniard... that's early for Spanish people. Whatever, we only had five minutes left when he knocked.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Our trip to Valencia was nice and relaxing because MJ and I are both laid back and we decided not to have really any set plans but to just take it moment by moment. We got a late start the first day and decided to get a quick bite to eat from the supermarket since we had to buy water bottles anyway. All over in Europe, in the grocery stores, they have these salads that include the fork and dressing. They are pretty high quality salads for only two or three Euros (at least in Spain). They are the ones I ate every single day for lunch when I was in Santander. Then after that, we knew we wanted to hit the Aquarium and Science Museum. The Aquarium is supposedly the largest in Europe. It was called <i>L'Oceanogràfic</i> in Valencian. MJ and I were dragging around for some reason. We think it's because our bodies are physically exhausted from so much travel and it's just now catching up to us. But we did pretty good work. We saw the Science Museum and then all the different parts of the Aquarium including: dophins, sharks, fish, crocodiles, birds, etc. Oh! The jellyfish were my favorite part. There were a whole bunch of different kinds and they were all so pretty. After that, we were going to go out for a nice dinner but we had no motivation. Instead, we found this great big supermarket in a mall (everywhere I go, there's always a supermarket...it's just "my thing"). MJ was astounded. She hadn't seen a supermercado that big in Spain before. It's true... we are both used to going to Fruiterias to get our fruit and Verdurarias to get our vegetables and Farmacias for make-up or medicine and mini supermercados for leche o algo (milk or something). Anywho, this was like a Target. It had everything! We probably spent over an hour in there...easy. We had been craving sushi but, since we were at this great big supermarket and we were tired, we decided we would just get cheese and meat and just have a snacky kind of dinner that we could eat back at our Airbnb. Well, we got lucky--there was a sushi market type kiosk in this supermarket where we could have them make us fresh sushi. They had just made some that looked delicious so we put our cheese and meat back and grabbed some freshly made sushi. Valencia is on the coast so I figured the fish would be pretty good. MJ and I enjoyed our second meal from the grocery store (at least we were doing it cheap) while watching the Incredibles on our comfy bed. This time, we finished the movie before midnight so our "host" couldn't complain.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Saturday, we got another late start to the day. We left around 2pm and went to a cafe to get some cafe con leche (coffee with milk--soy milk for me). I've decided my favorite coffee is the one I had in Italy. I just haven't found a great place here in Sevilla. There's this one coffee shop I want to try this week though so I'll let you know. After that, we walked downtown. Valencia's downtown is quite modern looking. The buildings are super pretty too. There were a lot of cool shops and cafes and restaurants. We enjoyed just exploring without any specific place to go. Finally, we chose a place for lunch where I tried the Aqua de Valencia (which was definitely not water) and I ended up getting pork ribs on the bone with potatoes. It was a pretty high quality meal and very delicious. Lots of meat! It could have used a little BBQ sauce--oh well. Then, we walked around some more and then ended up at another cafe where we wanted to get a coffee with Baileys in it. It was such a cute coffee shop and it was called Fika!!! Fika is the name of one of my favorite coffee shops of all-time in Parker, CO where I went to high school. I was really excited. Then, we walked around some more and browsed through the shops. I was on a mission to find some comfy booties because the zipper on the ones I have is shot. They have been such great shoes though, so it is hard to imagine parting from them. Therefore, I have high expectations for my replacement shoes. So then, that made it hard to find any and I didn't sadly. However, we saw a lot of cute shops and things. I found an adorable snow-globe ornament that says Papá and Mamá on it for my host parents. After that, we were going to go back to our apartment for a little and then come back downtown for dinner. On our walk home, we stopped in this Zumería (smoothie place) where we were just going to look at them since we had had so many liquids already, but once we stepped in, they looked so good that we had to get one. Finally, we made it back to our room where we played cards and listened to music for awhile. Then, we taxied back downtown to this sushi restaurant. I had a sushi craving this weekend apparently. Well, when we got there, they said they were full but that they had this other location down the street. So we went there, but it was a Japanese restaurant that didn't have sushi. But we had a lot of great food and for a great price. We had Edamame, Miso soup, Rice (that was sticky how I like it!), pulpo (octopus), and asparagus. I was really proud of myself for trying the Octopus. It was kinda chewy which I didn't like as much, but it was pretty good. So, MJ and I were trying to figure out something. What gave it away that we were American? Because everyone at the restaurant just automatically knew. They spoke to us in English and MJ and I had a pact that we were going to try to do everything in Spanish this weekend. Luckily, our waitress asked us if we wanted Spanish or English and we told her Spanish. I like when they ask. It's okay that they know we aren't perfect at it, but I don't like when they switch to English and don't even give us a chance to try to learn. Well, we were laughing a lot and having great conversations which meant we were probably loud, so maybe that is what gives it away. But see, that was later on after we had been sitting in the restaurant for awhile... whereas they knew right off the bat that we were American and I want to know why... could we not have been German or something? Da igual. After dinner, we went back to the Zumería for another smoothie as dessert. Then, we took a taxi back to our apartment because it was 1am and we had to wake up at 5:30am for our early flight home the next day. Oh, and a P.S. about the taxis, the first night from the grocery store, the taxi driver called me to ask where we were and she was speaking in Spanish. I couldn't fully understand her so I panicked and said, "Inglés?" But she kept talking in Spanish so I was like darn, I guess I have to do this in Spanish. AND I DID IT! Whoooo, go Kellie. I actually had to do that three times this weekend. It's a whole new level to talk on the phone with someone in a different language. I was very proud. Okay, P.S. over.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sunday... it was supposed to be a very uneventful day. Our flight was super early, but it was also only an hour long. So the plan was to be back home in our beds in Sevilla by 10:30am. That didn't happen. First of all, MJ and I both were so sick from all the sugar we ate the day before... thinking about it just makes me so grossed out. We really only had two decent meals but then we had the two coffees, two smoothies, candy, etc. Bleh, bleh, bleh. So we were both miserable this morning and, we slept through our alarms. Our plan was to leave at 6am, but we didn't wake up until 7am. So we had to call a taxi and rush to the airport. Want to know the thoughts that were running through my head? "I thought after Amsterdam, you weren't going to do this to yourself again Kellie!!" But then again, it was Spain. We only had twenty minutes once we got the airport, but we got through security in less than ten. They had already started boarding though, so we definitely cut it closer than we should have. And, we were both feeling so awful. So I ended up throwing up on the plane which was so terrible, but I felt a little better after. Then, I was just trying to sleep and get through the flight. I had my headphones in and was completely ignoring what the pilot and flight attendants were saying of course... well, we started to descend and prepare to land but, as I looked out the window, there was an ocean and it was definitely not the Sevilla airport. I decided I should probably take out my headphones and listen to what they were saying over the PA. They told us that it was too dangerous to land in Sevilla because there was such thick fog and they couldn't see, so we were going to land in Malaga for now. Great... just what I wanted when I was feeling so awful. Well, then they told us that they were going to load us all on busses to get us to Sevilla. Of course. Things just kept getting better (sarcasm)... well, that's what we did. We all got on busses and got to Sevilla four hours later. I luckily slept most of the way back and so I was feeling better once we got to the Sevilla airport, but I was just so anxious to get home. I got home just in time for lunch with my host family where I looked like death... oh well. After lunch, I showered and unpacked and felt much more refreshed. I made sure to avoid any sugar at lunch and I felt so much better after having a healthy, appetizing meal. We had Paella and salad. It was just what I needed. So now, it is Sunday evening and, although my day definitely didn't go as planned, I also have never been happier to be home. I am officially worn out, though I think. I am ready for this last week of classes and then finals and then to see my parents!!!!!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hope your December is treating you swell. Throughout all the Christmas rush, don't forget the true meaning of the season. :) Have a great week!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Carly & I went on a coffee date :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">El cine = movie theater</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Costa Coffee: black cherry hot chocolate with soy milk...mmmmmm</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">1st time I've had an alcoholic beverage in an airport!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Science museum!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Mi amigo, Dino</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">A Christmas tree decorated w/animals in the aquarium! That penguin tho...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">"I shall call him Squishy & he shall be mine" -Dory</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">JELLYFISH ARE SUCH COOL CREATURES</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Pingüinos!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Dolphin show at sunset!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My pork ribs and potatoes...mmmm</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Bailey's Coffee</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Smoothie #1</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Smoothie #2</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">As you can tell, I was quite happy about the delay</span></td></tr>
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<br />Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-24088076942195460512017-12-05T14:42:00.003-08:002017-12-06T14:17:00.695-08:00Week 13: Nov. 27th-Dec. 4th (Amsterdam)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">(See photos below)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hi friends! Happy first few days of December. How's the Christmas shopping going? How's the temperature? Let me tell you...it is absolutely freezing here in Sevilla now. It is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and high 30's or low 40's during the night. That is cold--I don't care what any of you say. I was spoiled with almost 5 full months of very, very warm weather so my body is not used to this change in temperature. It doesn't matter that I am from Colorado either... I still get cold. And that's that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, my week last week was pretty typical. I had classes, taught the kiddos on Tuesday morning, had tutoring... I did meet up with my friend that I made in Morocco, which was fun. I also had my last real International Marketing class because all we have left is our final presentation which is on December 13th. Classes are definitely winding down. Wednesday night, my roommate (Carly) and I had a wine and Christmas movie night. This was the first time I started to acknowledge the Christmas season. I try not to get myself too excited too early. I had decided to wait until December 1st to listen to Christmas music. I figured a Christmas movie on the night of November 29th wouldn't hurt... it was close enough! Carly then left for Prague the next day and I had a night to myself. I don't even remember what I did so it must not have been super exciting. Carly and I have had a great time living together this semester.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So then on Friday, I left for Amsterdam. My flight was at 12:50pm which was great so I didn't have to wake up super early in the morning. On my walk to the bus station, I started listening to Christmas music for the first time as planned, of course. I was in the best mood. There were also Christmas lights in the stores I walked by... ahh yes, so great. The bus wasn't too packed which was nice and I got to the airport with the perfect amount of time to spare. I have my system down now. I didn't need to check in so I got to my gate promptly. The flight to Amsterdam was pretty simple. It was a 3-hour direct flight. Once I landed, my friends met me at a bus station and we went to a grocery store (YAY). That is seriously a tradition in every city I visit. The city felt very much like America... it was strange after being in Spain. So after going to the grocery store, we went to the liquor store to pick up some mulled wine. It was apparently a necessity for me to try. It is a holiday drink that is pretty much vino caliente (warm wine?). It makes more sense to me in Spanish than it does in English, ha. Oh dear... well, it is actually quite tasty. I would recommend it! So to get to where we were staying, my friend had gotten us all bikes to ride because that's what everyone does in Amsterdam apparently. That was definitely one of my favorite parts. I seriously was laughing the entire first ride. It was wonderful and the air was definitely so much colder than Sevilla, but it was refreshing (at the time). I noticed very quickly that the sun sets super early there. It was already almost dark by 5:30pm. After dropping off my stuff and thawing, we made plans to go downtown for dinner and explore the city some. We had bought tickets for the Amsterdam Ice Bar, as well, which was an exciting adventure. However, I admit we are crazy. It was FREEZING. It said -10 degrees Celsius, which is only 14 degrees Fahrenheit...but boy, it was miserable. They serve you drinks in glasses made out of ice which was pretty cool. But we only stayed in the ice bar for about 20 minutes because it was just way too cold. Then after that, we ventured to a few other places in the city and then made our back to where we were staying. The bikes were great but the worst part was knowing that, after riding the warm metro, you still had to bike 5-7 minutes home in the bitter cold... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Saturday morning, we had tickets to the Anne Frank house. It was a very humbling experience and I am really glad I went. It was weird to think that that place is where a young Anne Frank hid out for almost 2 years... it seemed very empty and lonely. I can't even imagine. It was very powerful, though. After we did that, we made our way to this brunch place to meet one of my friend's friends who is actually from the Netherlands. Her name was Femke and she did an exchange program in high school at my friend's school and that's how they met. She was so amazing. I enjoyed talking to her... she had a wonderful accent, hardly noticeable, and spoke incredible English. We ate at this place that is very similar to brunch places in the US, which made me super happy. I cannot wait to have brunch in America... but this meal helped me to push through for the next 3 weeks. The concept of brunch doesn't exist in Spain--¿qué pena, sí? (what a shame, yes?). Anyway, after brunch we went to the Red Light District... I don't really recommend it unless you are big into tourist shops (revolving around weed), coffee shops (which are actually places to smoke weed), and prostitutes. This section of the city was definitely not my favorite part of Amsterdam. I finally found a semi-normal place that at least had post cards. We then had to say bye to Femke, sadly, because she was going back home to a town outside of the city. We were going to go to the tower where there's a swing on top, but we were all chilled to the bone. So we decided to go back and hangout at my friend's place for a little. It took taking a hot shower and almost burning myself with how hot the water was, but I finally warmed up. We were fearful to venture back out, but we had to because I was only there for a total of 48 hours, so we bundled up and set out on our next adventure. We visited this place called the Foodhallen, which is an indoor food market. It was super cool. There were so many different food trucks, but indoor. I'm not sure what you would call them... Then, there was a live DJ and a bar in the middle of everything, of course. It was packed... but there were Christmas lights so it was really pretty. We finally found seats and I had this Mexican bowl type thing. It reminded me of Illegal Petes or Chipotle... I guess I was trying to get everything from home that I could while I was in Amsterdam. It is so much more similar to America than in Spain so it was definitely a plausible thing to do. After dinner, we went to this classy whiskey bar. I haven't tasted much whiskey in my life (if any) and I was unsure if I could even drink whiskey because it is usually made from barley, which is gluten. But I guess when it is distilled, it removes the gluten. I decided to try it and see how I felt. I had a whiskey with ginger ale. It was nice. I drank it nice and slow and we met up with a couple of my friend's friends so we had a nice little group and lots of good conversation. We were there for almost two hours. My stomach did hurt afterwards, but I still don't know if it was from dinner or the whiskey. All day, we had talked about going to this pancake place because the Dutch are known for their pancakes. Well, we forgot to check the hours of the pancake place and, because we talked for so long at the whiskey bar, it closed before we got pancakes. I was devastated. We went to a different pancake place but they of course didn't have gluten-free, so I didn't get anything. 😥 After that, we went home and went to bed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sunday morning, we got up and made breakfast since we were staying with my friend who had a communal kitchen. Then, my friend and I went to Hillsong church. I was soooooooo excited to go... I have missed going to church so much and my heart just needed to be with other believers and people who wanted to sing praises to Jesus. It was at the Amsterdam theater right next to the water. It was beautiful. The service was in English but there were Dutch lyrics under the English ones, which was so cool. People were so welcoming and asked where we were from and were so fascinated by the fact we were Americans studying abroad. I felt so special. The worship and sermon was both great and just what I needed. After that, things flew by. The service ended at almost 1pm and my flight was at 5pm. Yet, we still needed to eat lunch, see the famous letters in Amsterdam, and possibly go to the Rijksmuseum. We only had time to go to lunch and barely see the letters and it was almost 3pm. I started to realize we really should head back to get our stuff because I needed to be at the airport by 3:30pm. Well... we didn't get back to my friend's place to get our stuff until 3:35pm...so that is when things really started to get stressful. We still had to bike to the bus stop to catch the bus to the airport and we just missed it. It is now 3:50pm. We decide it's better to take an Uber, but the Uber couldn't find us and kept rerouting. So we jumped on the next airport bus instead. It didn't help that Amsterdam is not a small airport. I started realizing that I could miss my flight. I checked my gate and the security line wait time online. It said 15-20 minutes when I first checked which was not great. Also, the bus said it wasn't going to get to the Airport until 4:30pm and that is when my boarding time was. We couldn't do anything at that point though, and luckily the bus arrival time changed to 4:20pm and that is when we got there. Once we got there, I told my friend a rushed goodbye and started running. I ran through one part of the airport after another. I finally reached security which was really close to my gate and there was a pretty short line. It was 4:25pm (I run fast). I did ask to cut someone that looked nice since I was still scared the line could take awhile. At first, she said she was worried about what others behind her would think, but the people behind her heard me and said they were okay with it, thank goodness. Well... if the security had been similar to the Sevilla security, I would have been fine. But of course it had to be complicated. They had a fancy scanner and a lot of automatic machinery I have never seen. You had to put every bag in a bin (even your suitcases and big bags) and send it through the machine. Then, if there was any question, it was sent to on a conveyer belt where the security guards had to take each bag and open it up and go through it. Or there was a second conveyer belt where things were cleared immediately. So, side story. We had bought peanut butter for the weekend and my friend didn't want it. Well, I love peanut butter but they don't have it in Spain, and even if they do, it's very hard to find. So, I decided to try and bring it with me. However, it was the all-natural stuff, so it was more liquid than not. I was nervous it wouldn't get through but my friend said to at least try because the worst they could do is throw it away, which is what would have happened to it anyway. Well, my bag got put in the search conveyer belt line, and I was beating myself up so badly because I was guessing it was because of the peanut butter. That's not even the worst part. Something happened, and they had to stop the entire security line for some reason. I had at least five or more bags in front of mine that needed to be opened up and searched and it was 4:35pm. My gate closed at 4:45pm... it had said on my ticket. I was feeling sick to my stomach. I started checking new flights from Amsterdam to Sevilla that were later that night. I was thinking I might have to wait until the next day to go home. That is not a good feeling. I still don't know what happened but that security line was not moving. Tons of guards were coming over and talking to this one lady. I felt the color drain from my face. I told a security guard my gate closed in five minutes, but of course he said one minute and then forgot about me. The lady in charge of checking the bags that go through the machine was watching me--I could tell. Well, it was 4:43pm and the line finally started to move again, but there were still five or six bags in front of me that needed to be checked. A couple came up behind me and said something to the security guard in a different language and the security guard grabbed their bags and moved them to the front of the line. That's when I was like, "Nuh-uh." And I was desperate to get anyone's attention. The lady who had been watching me (the one in charge of the x-ray scanner for the bags) saw me panic and asked me which bag was mine. I showed her and she luckily grabbed someone and said they needed to help me. Bless her heart. Finally, two minutes later--so at 4:45pm--when my gate was closed, they grabbed by bag to search it. Well, she asked me if I had an umbrella in there... um, it's Amsterdam where it rains almost every day. Yes, I had an umbrella. However, I had a big camping-type backpack and I had no idea where I had the umbrella. And she wouldn't let me touch it. She said if I touched it, the process was void and they'd have to start all over. I was so antsy. She was at least nice, but she ended up having to dump out literally everything to find it. Then, she did a nice thorough search of it as I was thinking... "I PROMISE THERE IS NO BOMB OR WEED OR WHATEVER YOU THINK THERE IS IN THERE." Then, she had to check the top of my bag for my chapstick...which, sure, I guess it's a liquid, but she didn't catch my two bottles of lotion and peanut butter. Ugh. Finally, she said she was finished. All my stuff was sprawled out all over the table--including bras, shoes, socks, and everything embarrassing. I started stuffing stuff in as fast as I could. It was 4:51pm. The lady asked me when my flight was and I told her it was five minutes ago. She goes, "Oh my" and starts helping me the best she could. As I took a glance back at the security line, it was empty. Of course--so my timing of going through security was apparently awful. Also, there had been two lines and if I would have been in the other line, I would have been through so much faster. People that I had cut in line had already gone through. Once I packed everything back in my bag, I sprinted to my gate. I could see it from where I was. As I arrived, there was still a lady out front and she sees me arrive and goes, "You're late." I was gasping for air and I go, "I know... there was a hold-up in security. Please tell me I can still go on." She waved me through the ticket line where I scanned my ticket and ran through the jetway. There was another worker exiting, heading my way, and she goes, "Just in time." I was thinking to myself, "You don't know what I've been through, lady." But she was right--I was just in time. In fact, I was the last person on the plane.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So as a summary, I do not recommend you ever doing that. I did make it home however and have learned my lesson. I would prefer to wait nine+ hours in the airport like I did last weekend than to go through what I went through to get home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">But, I guess there were lessons learned this weekend and I can still cross Amsterdam off my list. I was hoping Sevilla would seem much warmer compared to Amsterdam but it seems like it is colder here too. At least we have more sun here than in Amsterdam and we could use some rain because it is so dry, pero bueno. Hope you all have a great week! Enjoy some Christmas shopping, music and movies!! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">We don't look that cold but trust me, we are</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Amsterdam: lots of canals and bikes</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My sweet friend Femke (the one we had brunch with who is from the Netherlands)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Typical weather in Amsterdam</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My "brunch"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Our bike experience</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Amazing worship time!! Notice the dutch lyrics under the English?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Sevilla has turned on its Christmas lights!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Only in Sevilla do you have a palm tree next to a Christmas tree..</span><br />
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<br />Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-9476459974190834452017-11-27T13:32:00.000-08:002017-11-27T15:47:32.036-08:00Week 12: Nov. 20th-26th (Naples & Rome, Italy)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">(See pics below)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hi friends! Happy Thanksgiving!!! Hope you all had a great day eating lots of turkey. So Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving Day) is not a thing in Spain actually, which was kind of sad... but I was in Italy so I can't really complain that much. It was hard not being with family, but I am grateful for the friends I had to spend that holiday with and even more appreciative of the holidays I have had and will have in the future with my family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So this past week was just weird because I think a lot of people were traveling the entire week with their families or somewhere around Europe. When I rode the metro to school, it was me and a bunch of Spaniards which was strange because I am usually surrounded by a lot more English-speaking people than that. It just felt empty...but it was a nice change. Then, Tuesday was an eventful day. My favorite teacher, Rúben was sick so that was a bummer, but I bought a cool t-shirt that says ISA Sevilla on it to represent my time abroad here. Those things aren't related but I felt like saying something positive after a random comment on my teacher. So, anyway... I also had a great nap that afternoon during my eyelash appointment. So I get extensions on my eyelashes which takes about an hour or so and they put me in a recliner chair with a blanket and pillow. You have to close your eyes when she puts on the eyelashes, so please tell me who wouldn't fall asleep!? Anyway, she asked me after she was done if I slept well because I twitch when I fall asleep so she could tell I took a little siesta... whoops. She's super sweet though. Her name is Sonya and she's my friend. :) I took a picture with her since it was my last time there and told her goodbye. Since I had just woken up though, the picture turned out horrible and I'm going to go back and get a new picture sometime before I leave... then I'll post it. Hehe. Man, so much happened on Tuesday because then it was also my friend Juanita's birthday. So we went to one of the rooftop bars (one of our regular hang-out spots😉--> I'm trying to sound cool) to celebrate it with her. The cathedral was all lit up and there was no one up there for most of the time except the six of us who were there for her birthday, which was perfect. We of course got some delicious ice cream afterwards. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, Wednesday flew by because I had class all day and then had lunch and then one hour to shower, pack, and leave for the airport. I did it! Go Kellie. I got smushed on the bus to the airport because it was so crowded, but besides that, I had no problems on the travel to the Sevilla airport. I was meeting my friend Mary Jo there and we actually had two other friends that were going to Naples as well and were on our flight. Ryan Air is the airline we flew and they are just so inefficient so our flight was delayed to leave and that was a bummer. But we finally landed in Naples at 11:30pm. Okay, well I'm going to say this right off the bat in case you get bored and stop reading. This is the most important part: DO NOT EVER GO TO NAPLES ALONE. It is so sketchy. So...journey with me. Four young girls arrive at the airport and have tickets for the train/bus to go to Rome at 2:55am. They think, "Oh, we can just wait in the airport for a couple hours--there will be bathrooms, plug-ins, and chairs to take a nap on." Only then do they find out that the airport actually closes... so they go find a taxi and try to ask the driver where they should go...but the driver doesn't speak English or Spanish. The driver starts to drive around and these girls are asking if there is anything open where they could wait for a few hours... a McDonald's? Bar? Club? I am crying because I'm laughing so hard because of the language barrier. Lexi, one of the four girls, who is sitting in the front seat of the taxi tries English first...nothing. Spanish? Nothing. So I bring up google translate, type in what we are trying to say and hand the phone to Lexi who then proceeds to try to speak Italian to this man. No success--just lots of laughter. Finally, we get our point across only to get the response of, "Nothing open." Finally we tell the driver just to take us to the train station and we'll figure it out from there. The driver kept saying, "Not safe. No good." But there was nowhere else to go. So then, four girls arrive to the train station (which is stated as one of the most dangerous places in Naples) and we go inside the train station at 1am and sit down on the chairs. Shortly after, the Italian police start kicking everyone out of the station. This is scary because we literally have nowhere else to go if we get kicked out... Luckily, we show our tickets and the police tell us we can stay but that we needed to sit down and stay. It was freezing so we tried to get up a couple times to move and the police were watching and they came over and said "Sit-a down and don't-a move-a." (That was with an Italian accent in case you were wondering.) Well, 2:30am rolls around and MJ and I had our bus at 2:55am and the bus station was outside... so we decide to make the trip to the bus part of the station. Our other two friends had a train an hour later so they just stayed put. It was about a seven minute walk and the policemen had to let us outside because they had legit locked us inside the building. We go outside and there's tons of people sleeping outside and we had seen prostitutes earlier so we hurried our little booties to the bus station. We ended up walking in the middle of the street because we didn't feel safe on either side of the sidewalk. We finally made it to the big green bus, where there were more men of course, but at least this time they were workers. We got on the bus and sighed a big breath of relief. And then we slept the whole three hours from Naples to Rome and arrived at 6am at the bus station in Rome, Italy. And the second part of our journey began.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We were super exhausted, but we got some coffee and juice and fruit in our systems and decided we had to make it through the most of our day. If we tried to take a nap, we wouldn't wake up. We reunited with our other two friends and headed to the hostal MJ and I were staying at to drop off our bags. The name of the hostal was <i>The Funny Palace</i>. What a great name, right? Well, it said we were supposed to check in at the laundry mat internet cafe. That was literally what it was. We were a little worried what our room might be like but we couldn't get into our room until 2pm. That was good so we weren't tempted to crash so we changed our clothes, put on a little make-up to cover the dark circles, left our bags, and set out on our adventure. Welcome to life as a study abroad student. Sleeping is for when you are dead. Okay, but for as tired as we were, we did great. We had a few more coffees throughout the day, but we saw the coliseum (so cool) and explored the Roman forum. Our two friends lost energy (and they had their bags) for the forum so MJ and I went exploring while they took a nap sitting up on a bench. I loved seeing the architecture...some of the stuff dated back to B.C. That stands for BEFORE CHRIST which means a hecka long time ago. There was also this really pretty view of the city and with it being autumn, there were some really pretty trees that were full of beautiful colors. After that, we got lunch and on our walk there I found a public water station with regular water AND sparkling water. I was so psyched. We had lunch inside this cute place where everyone else was sitting outside so we felt like we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. They had gluten-free pasta so I was a happy camper. Then, we got ice cream afterwards and made our way to the Trevi fountain. Other people, aka disney fans, might know it better as the Lizzie McGuire fountain. We then made our way to the Spanish steps but on the way, we found this cute street with hotels and bars and restaurants that were full of lights and Christmas decorations. We got drinks and dinner around that area as well and then took a taxi back to our hostal. That is where we separated with our two friends because they were headed to take another all-nighter train to Venice. Good on them. I couldn't have done it. Mary Jo and I were in bed before 10pm. The hostal turned out to be super nice and they even upgraded us to a 3 beds room instead of 5 beds. And gave us a free bottle of wine. Europe--it's the best. My friend Claire was meeting us in Rome (she is studying in Lund, Sweden) and I was thinking we should have requested for her to be in our room. I seriously said to myself, "How perfect would that have been if she was in our room with us?" Ask and you shall receive. At midnight, in walks my friend Claire!!!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Okay, Friday... we started out our morning with the coffee and pastry that was included with our hostal. I enjoyed my soy latte but was lacking in some protein or some fruit or something to carry me through the day. I looked on my phone for a gluten-free breakfast place and, with low expectations, typed in this place called <i>Beehive</i> into Google Maps, which supposedly had great breakfast. Side note, a good, hearty American breakfast is very difficult to find because most Europeans simply eat a pastry and coffee for breakfast, which is a challenge for those of us with celiacs. Well much to my pleasant surprise, the Beehive was located a one-minute walk from where we were. It was in a hostal and it was just a cute little cafe down below the hostal. We were the only ones there and our chef, a lady from Romania who spoke really good English, was able to fix me an omelet with vegetables and cheese and I had a huge, perfectly ripe banana instead of toast. I also had some delicious tea in my favorite kind of tea cup. I'm weird... I have a certain tea cup I like to drink from. So our breakfast in the Beehive cafe was definitely a highlight of the day. After that, we went to Vatican city and saw the Basilica where Peter from the Bible is buried. That was cool. We were going to go to the Sistine chapel too, but the day seemed to go by so fast, and we were practically there. So we called that good. I'm proud of myself for getting the names right because in Rome, I kept saying the Pristine Chapel and Prisilica or something like that. After spending the morning in the Vatican city, we went to get lunch. I had found this gluten-free restaurant and we were walking through this part of town called Campo de' Fiori. It was so wonderful... I can't even describe it. #moviemoment When I am at a loss for words, I am going to use that hashtag. It felt like I was in a movie that was filmed in Italy so I guess it fits quite well with my hashtag. Okay and then it keeps getting better because that gluten-free restaurant didn't just have gluten-free pasta, they had pizza and not just one but TONS!!!!! They also had gluten-free desserts, salads, all sorts of different sauces and toppings. I was in heaven. We met a couple from Arizona who were just the darnest thing. Is that a phrase? I wanted a word different than cute.... Anyway, after that we got MJ her ice cream since she's obsessed with gelato. We decided to walk back to the hostal since we needed to burn off all our lunch/dinner calories. Rome is much safer than Naples, don't worry. Well, along the walk, we found a palace with Roman horse statues on top (official name = Piazza Venezia), the Trajan forum, and a cat sanctuary. #WhenInRome right? That's a movie--fun fact. Which ties to my other hashtag😱 Sorry, I'm getting a little carried away. Focus. So we found a supermarket on the way home, of course, because I have to go to a supermarket everywhere I go. On our way there though, we found another gelato place but this one said "homemade" on the front. I asked my friends if we could just go inside. We step inside and they have so many options but the fruity ones catch my eye. They had kiwi and banana which are not normal flavors. I sampled the kiwi and it is incredible. Then, he tells us we can get three flavors in the small and I was sold. I got kiwi, banana and strawberry. I go, "This is amazing" and the Italian man working there goes, "You know why?" and I went, "Because it's homemade!!!!" and he goes, "Exactly!" True to their sign. Good people. So, the rest of the night we just snacked on the groceries we got from the store along with our bottle of wine, which we had to open with a key because we were too cheap to buy a five Euro bottle opener that we couldn't take home on the plane with us. Which, I just looked up and apparently if the wine screw doesn't have a knife, you can bring it on a plane with you.............. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Moving on to Saturday, we woke up and had to check out by 10am. Luckily, they let us store our bags there all day again so we could explore the city more. I had looked up this park called the Villa Borghese which I thought would be fun to visit and then also Piazza Navona and the Pantheon were two other top sights to see in Rome. The park was another #moviemoment. The leaves were just the right colors and they were falling off the trees so Claire and I played in the leaves a little bit. Flashback to being a kid... there was always a little pond/lake in the middle of the park that was pretty to see. I also highly recommend the Piazza del Popolo. We kept just stumbling across these wonderful places. It was full of lights and restaurants and cute shops. We walked through it on our way to the Pantheon. After touring those sights, we got lunch and then headed back to the hostal. We started to run short on time but we were dreaming about going back to that gelato place from the night before which was called Wonderful Ice Cream, in case you were wondering. We got a move on and took our ice cream to go and made it back to the hostal at 4:26pm. Our bus was at 4:55pm and it was going to take us at least 20 minutes with the metro. We decided to start walking towards the stations and to try to hail a taxi on the way. We were cutting it close but we finally hailed one down and he took us right to where we needed to go. We found our lime green bus and then almost cried having to say goodbye to Rome and go back to Naples... at night... again... We arrive three hours later and decide right away we need to get a taxi ASAP. Well, language barrier/miscommunication became frustrating once again. So, apparently our Airbnb was located "out-of-district" and wasn't technically in Naples even though it was only a 15 minute drive. So our taxi cost us 50 Euros for 15 minutes, which is insane. We finally arrive in the general area... and used almost all our cash to pay the taxi driver. We were down to 40 Euros cash between all three of us and we refused to use an ATM in such a sketchy city. A nice couple ended up helping us find the exact spot of our Airbnb but they kept telling us to be careful and doing the universal eye symbol that says "Keep an eye out." We get to our Airbnb finally and then the lady tells us that it is a private room and not the entire apartment like we thought we had. Then, we find out that, because she knows it's expensive to pay for a taxi from the train station, that she drives to pick her "clients" up for half the price of a taxi. I don't want to talk about it. We made do with what we had. It was a nice place but at that point we just wanted to go home and get out of Naples. We still had a bottle of wine and we tried to open it with a key but it was a rubber cork and so it was not working. I felt awkward asking her for a bottle opener, but I face-timed my parents and they gave me confidence. They were super nice about it and we opened it, but by that time, we were so tired, we didn't feel like having wine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sunday, Mary Jo and my flight was at 4:25pm. My friend Claire's was at 10am. After paying for the Airbnb, we had 20 Euros cash between all three of us, and it was 15 Euros to get to the airport and so I was trying to weigh our options when I realized we had no options. We all had to go to the airport together at 8:30am. Then, MJ and I could at least get more cash from the ATM and decide from there. Well, once we got to the airport, we decided we should just stay there until our flight that afternoon. At least this time, it was early in the morning so the airport didn't close. MJ and I were in the airport for almost 10 hours because our flight got delayed. Yay. I finally made it home at 9:40pm last night.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">SO.... moral of the story: Naples is awful (sorry for anyone who loves/lives in Naples) and Rome is amazing!!!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So that was my Thanksgiving 2017. It will definitely be one to remember. I have lots to be thankful for--including you--for reading my post. :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hope you have a wonderful week!!! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Our Airbnb in Rome...laundry mat internet cafe... that's exactly what it was.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7eyZkotsCI/WhyC0WUsiSI/AAAAAAAAT5I/hkp2TcbvuIMPUDbxTXej_ocdiRdLoCJdwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7eyZkotsCI/WhyC0WUsiSI/AAAAAAAAT5I/hkp2TcbvuIMPUDbxTXej_ocdiRdLoCJdwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6164.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Coliseum.. so powerful to be there</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT0a9aqoQfs/WhyC0cegNgI/AAAAAAAAT5I/vkKaW1EQg5AJnUIZTKItKenZhgKbSmHXACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT0a9aqoQfs/WhyC0cegNgI/AAAAAAAAT5I/vkKaW1EQg5AJnUIZTKItKenZhgKbSmHXACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6230.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Those trees were much taller than they seem.. who knows how many years they've been there?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TjPV5KjDBc/WhyC0SETQ8I/AAAAAAAAT5I/TwQx36I342Qm6O8XpJehPLpzb5R2fAFJgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TjPV5KjDBc/WhyC0SETQ8I/AAAAAAAAT5I/TwQx36I342Qm6O8XpJehPLpzb5R2fAFJgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6251.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">A Kellie sized palm tree!! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpWVrUK3zkk/WhyC0TZP_kI/AAAAAAAAT5I/pi-PqCf4a2YbnbLm7USO1dREav9s19OyQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6241.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This seagull was not afraid of humans but was kinda blocking my view!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: white;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpWVrUK3zkk/WhyC0TZP_kI/AAAAAAAAT5I/pi-PqCf4a2YbnbLm7USO1dREav9s19OyQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpWVrUK3zkk/WhyC0TZP_kI/AAAAAAAAT5I/pi-PqCf4a2YbnbLm7USO1dREav9s19OyQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-An5mKLGUcOk/WhyC0UpebuI/AAAAAAAAT5I/lm5gKemkaFc-a6LdmZPs1k4QNTM7ZOGCgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-An5mKLGUcOk/WhyC0UpebuI/AAAAAAAAT5I/lm5gKemkaFc-a6LdmZPs1k4QNTM7ZOGCgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6272.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Rome was full of old bridges and structures like this one!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVxr4FPl6Yw/WhyC0efYA_I/AAAAAAAAT5I/6pK3yAGxvic7VcaRoRTgRkveVuzRRx71QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVxr4FPl6Yw/WhyC0efYA_I/AAAAAAAAT5I/6pK3yAGxvic7VcaRoRTgRkveVuzRRx71QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6321.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This was a hair salon--but it had a grand piano so I had to take a photo!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kuxK9sCLxA/WhyC0bYjFmI/AAAAAAAAT5I/2tm77oVuzPcm_fDXsVNNNlV2h_rAl3SWACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kuxK9sCLxA/WhyC0bYjFmI/AAAAAAAAT5I/2tm77oVuzPcm_fDXsVNNNlV2h_rAl3SWACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6320.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Christmas:)))</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE66A0f15mI/WhyC0Y0m0tI/AAAAAAAAT5I/YMCcJt6RhigNCpxJxQ61M3vgPMAfgurdgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE66A0f15mI/WhyC0Y0m0tI/AAAAAAAAT5I/YMCcJt6RhigNCpxJxQ61M3vgPMAfgurdgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6348.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Preach.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22snRJxrq6Y/Whyj_Nbe6PI/AAAAAAAAT5k/Ue5tkbm5SZIsXi4HhXo4BDsTCXzal5BuQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22snRJxrq6Y/Whyj_Nbe6PI/AAAAAAAAT5k/Ue5tkbm5SZIsXi4HhXo4BDsTCXzal5BuQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6354.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The Beehive Cafe</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIL1JMJ5VDY/Whyj_B4e1GI/AAAAAAAAT5k/Z5ivMTQhSu0ctSszOrJDq9K32axIg0e7ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIL1JMJ5VDY/Whyj_B4e1GI/AAAAAAAAT5k/Z5ivMTQhSu0ctSszOrJDq9K32axIg0e7ACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6353.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My amazing breakfast...notice the teacup:) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIrdId1WmbI/WhyC0T2YTnI/AAAAAAAAT5I/s2WFHPveYe84B6QTrZPmk4HjXknTS5G5wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIrdId1WmbI/WhyC0T2YTnI/AAAAAAAAT5I/s2WFHPveYe84B6QTrZPmk4HjXknTS5G5wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6371.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Vatican city!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XN9Y7vnruLk/WhyC0RHmjbI/AAAAAAAAT5I/yqGq9I0zQ68bUuaA9rRCYDRZgMG5iMbQwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XN9Y7vnruLk/WhyC0RHmjbI/AAAAAAAAT5I/yqGq9I0zQ68bUuaA9rRCYDRZgMG5iMbQwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6408.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">YUMMMMMMMM. The flag means it's really gluten-free!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXfqVAqSWDo/WhyC0eAfzuI/AAAAAAAAT5I/CZTltlP9tgA2hxfrQ-XlN-tq3Yq1RFWkQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1493" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXfqVAqSWDo/WhyC0eAfzuI/AAAAAAAAT5I/CZTltlP9tgA2hxfrQ-XlN-tq3Yq1RFWkQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6411.JPG" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My gluten free restaurant! Yes, i said "my"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7L1_5GaEbY/WhyC0aWvOYI/AAAAAAAAT5I/UxXqpaqPb0AekhNWfljekCBaesgSeJr0wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7L1_5GaEbY/WhyC0aWvOYI/AAAAAAAAT5I/UxXqpaqPb0AekhNWfljekCBaesgSeJr0wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6419.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Cats from the cat sanctuary</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FujIs6zKmaU/WhyC0aa0feI/AAAAAAAAT5I/1RTRTcqHiI4SqQ1zKshSIh3uLkRbaEZxQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FujIs6zKmaU/WhyC0aa0feI/AAAAAAAAT5I/1RTRTcqHiI4SqQ1zKshSIh3uLkRbaEZxQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6432.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Explorin' at night</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIbKDFVQo7k/WhyC0Qek5gI/AAAAAAAAT5I/gNEolRRg8rMI8w9w4w5-JFhpvsVmGMdIQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIbKDFVQo7k/WhyC0Qek5gI/AAAAAAAAT5I/gNEolRRg8rMI8w9w4w5-JFhpvsVmGMdIQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6444.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My last bite of the "Wonderful" ice cream that I accidentally dropped on the floor:((((</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gl_InABzWkU/WhyC0RMNTOI/AAAAAAAAT5I/K0F29tlx81gbcm9-mlh2Gz5RAk11a52CgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gl_InABzWkU/WhyC0RMNTOI/AAAAAAAAT5I/K0F29tlx81gbcm9-mlh2Gz5RAk11a52CgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6628.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">We were a diverse group of wine drinkers:)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6t2m_v3WzEc/WhyC0bjBP3I/AAAAAAAAT5I/zM6MXzE2x_4YPgO073np7NS8iaaQYnadgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6t2m_v3WzEc/WhyC0bjBP3I/AAAAAAAAT5I/zM6MXzE2x_4YPgO073np7NS8iaaQYnadgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6634.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Ready to go home....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-62226786676868057702017-11-19T15:20:00.000-08:002017-11-21T10:27:57.100-08:00Week 11: Nov. 13th-19th (Lisbon, Portugal)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hello everyone! Can you believe it
is Thanksgiving week already??? That is crazy to me. I am going to miss being
with my family very much but I am excited because I am going with my friend MJ
to Rome and hopefully we will find a good turkey (or Italian) meal there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I appreciate being healthy so much
more after I have been super sick. I finally felt better this week and could do
things again. My stomach is still pretty sensitive but my doctor emailed me
with some advice and I’m hoping that will help. So, Sevilla has become very
cold during the nights and in the mornings so I decided I should invest in some
sweats and a cute European jacket. I was on a mission this week. Monday, my
roommate and I spent three hours at the mall and we came out empty handed
(except we did buy snacks because supermercados are my weakness). Oh, I also
purchased some sweat pants to sleep in because I no longer can wear shorts to
bed due to the freezing (50 degree) nights. I wore my new PJ pants to dinner
and told my host mom I got them to sleep in and she goes, “Oo, tu culo parece
muy bien en esos pantolones. ¿Los compraste para salir o para dormir?” (Oo,
your butt looks good in these pants…did you buy them to go out or to sleep in?)
She’s not afraid to say what she thinks… Okay, so on Tuesday, Carly and I were
going to go shopping downtown but we went to study at Starbucks (I know, I
know) first and it ended up getting too late. Pause—I just love Tuesday
mornings. I’m not always a fan of having to wake up early on a day where I don’t
have class until noon, but it is worth it every time. I got to work with a new
group of kids along with the group that I have been with the last 4 weeks or so
and they are seriously the cutest. All of them warm my heart. So Wednesday, I went
to a different mall area than on Monday and found one soft sweater but I still
didn’t find a coat that I liked. I was determined to wait to buy one until I
found just the right one. On Thursday, I had tutoring in the morning and then
class and then I was feeling sleepy and ended up taking a 2-hour nap. Thursdays
are great because they are practically Fridays since I don’t have class on
Fridays. P.S. When I have a 40-hour/week job, 5 days a week, I might struggle… Ahem,
so it was pretty late when I woke up from my siesta but there are these cute
boutique-type shops in my neighborhood. I told myself it’d feel good to get out
of the house and so I just went exploring by myself. I walked into one of the
stores and saw a lot of great sweaters, which was also on my “to-buy” list. I touched
them and they were super soft—even better. See, there’s a lot of great stores
like H&M, Zara, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, etc. that have cheap
sweaters but the thing is, everyone goes there and buys sweaters/clothes from
there and then we go to class and everyone has the same sweater on. Therefore,
I was feeling good about this decision to try somewhere “unique.” I found the
coat section and immediately spotted a grey, longer, soft, coat with a zipper
and hood. That is exactly what I wanted. They only had one size in the grey and
I tried it on and loved it except it was too tight in the shoulders. They had a
red one that was a size bigger and I thought, why not? I’m trying to add more
red to my wardrobe right? I tried it on and it was like Cinderella! The shoe
(coat) fit PERFECTLY!! I had accomplished my mission. I was so happy. So, this
little adventure was fabulous, not only because I found the perfect coat but
then… okay, well I was the only one in the store. There were three workers: two
Chinese—an older lady and then a young guy—and a Spaniard about my age. I had
called my mom in the store (cause all week-long I was sending her pics and
asking her questions so I could pretend/act like she was shopping with me). And
so of course I spoke in English to her and since it was quite quiet in that
store, they overheard me. I was looking at some of the clothes when the Chinese
man asked me “You speak English and Spanish together?” or something like that,
which I didn’t quite understand at first. Then, I realized he was asking if I
spoke both English and Spanish, which I liked that he was asking me that
because normally when people hear us (Americans) speak in English, they just
assume we don’t speak Spanish. He started asking me questions and translating
to the Spaniard girl and I was like, well hey… I can talk in Spanish. So I was
talking in Spanish to them and the Spaniard thought I was so smart since I was
studying abroad and could speak English and Spanish (somewhat). I told her, “Mi
español es muy malo.” (My Spanish is very bad) and she told me that it was
really good which was kind of her. Both her and the Chinese boy were super nice
and they had so many questions for me which I thought was adorable even though
it made shopping difficult. It was worth it. I finally looked around some more
and found another zip-up jacket just for around the apartment and an
adorable/soft, long, dark green sweater to buy along with my coat. As I
finished checking out, the Chinese guy asked me if I liked the earrings they
had. There were some diamond ones and then some pearl ones. I told him I liked
the pearl ones and thought he might try to get me to buy them but he goes, “Gift
for you” and literally just hands them to me. I was so overwhelmed with their
kindness. I told them bye but I definitely want to go back to that store before
I leave. A little dangerous for my bank account, but I felt like I made some
new friends and I just appreciated talking to them and I got a lot of clothes I
wanted and then a pair of free earrings. It was a win-win-win situation! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Friday, we left for Lisboa (Lisbon),
Portugal. This was our last trip with our ISA program…it blows my mind how fast
it has gone. So, Lisbon was horrible. Remember how awful my last trip to
Portugal was when we went to Albufeira? Hah, JUST KIDDING. Literally, I love
Portugal. Albufeira (week 6 of my blog) was one of the best weekends of my life
and Lisbon was definitely one of my favorites/probably my favorite trip with
ISA. I have been to so many amazing places so it’s hard to choose but there is
something about Portugal that I absolutely enjoy. I obviously can’t speak the
language so that’s a downside, but it is quite similar to Spanish so, if I read
it, I can usually translate it pretty well. Lisbon is about 4-5 hours from
Seville, which isn’t too bad. So we took a bus there and arrived in the
afternoon and were able to just walk around and explore the downtown part of
the city. Cork is very common in Portugal. They have almost anything you could
want made out of cork. We also found a Christmas store which made me excited to
listen to Christmas music and see all the cities decorate their streets with
lights as the holidays are rapidly approaching. There were stands with roasted
chestnuts outside and we bought some to try and started singing “Roasting
chestnuts on an open fire…” I was the only one who actually liked the roasted
chestnuts, but hey—more for me! I refuse to listen to Christmas music until
after Thanksgiving at least. So, a little later, we went on a walking tour of
Lisbon. It is a very hilly city so we got our step-climbing goal in. We went to
the top of the city where there used to be a castle and now it is just ruins
but enough of it was intact that you could climb up the towers and walk around.
Up there, we had a view of the entire city, including the sea and the bridge
that looks exactly like the San Francisco bridge. We got to watch the sunset go
down from the top of the castle towers…no big deal. We took millions of pictures,
of course. That night we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Okay, so I
think another thing that added to this trip and made it so great was the fact
that, since it is more towards the end of our program, we have found our “friend
groups” and I have met some really awesome girls that I just love. My closest
friends are all from different Universities than me of course, and so I
realized during the weekend what my personal definition of study abroad is:
where Kellie makes five new friends from five different states. Well, I’ve made
more than five friends, don’t worry. But I hung out with these five girls this
trip and it was so fun and I just was in my happy place every time I realized
how blessed I was to have them in my life. Okay, sappy moment over…ahh so much
to tell. Friday night after dinner, we got some ice-cream (of course) and then MJ’s
friend had recommended this parking garage bar. Um, it was literally so cool.
It was an actual parking garage where you arrive and go, “hm, guess I’m gonna
park my car,” and you do, but wait… then you take the elevator to the fifth
floor and bam, it’s this super cool bar that looks out over the city. It felt “hole-in-the-wall”
and just sneaky. I felt like we had found a secret door…like Chronicles of
Narnia maybe?! Where you walk through the wardrobe and then BAM, it’s a whole
new world. Maybe I’m getting carried away, but hopefully you get my point—it was
AWESOME. After that, we tried going to this other bar, but it wasn’t near as
cool and it ended up being an empty bar that had horrible music (indie/folk/no
words/bad). We wished we had ended the night with our cool parking garage bar,
but hey…it was still a great night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Saturday, we took the bus around
the city and did a bus tour and we got to visit this massive church with a
beautiful courtyard. The architecture of the buildings in Europe is so
incredible. Then, we got to go up in this tower building that was literally on
the water that had really cool views and then, afterwards, we took lots of
pictures on the little “beach” area. Then, some friends had recommended taking
a train to this city called Sintra because there is a colorful castle that’s
pretty cool. Hint, hint, “pretty cool” is an understatement. It seemed like a
lot of work to get there because we had to take the train to a different town,
take a bus up to the top of the hill, and then either walk the rest of the way
up or get a shuttle. But, OH. MY GOODNESS. It was seriously amazing. It reminded
me of the castle that I went to with Amanda and Peter in Munich, Germany…but it
was also very different from that. The hike up was so fun because the view just
kept getting better and better. We were “oo-ing” and “ahh-ing” the entire way
but then, when we actually arrived at the castle…words cannot do it justice.
Photos will not even do it justice. But, just trust me—it was amazing. I’ll put
some of my favorite photos in the blog at the bottom, but wow-zee. It was just
breathtaking. We were in a castle on top of this mountain with this incredible
view of the city on one side and the sea and nature on the other side. The “colorful
castle” was actually colorful—it was painted stone grey, yellow, red, and had
some purple tiles on it too. We had probably taken at least 100 photos just of
the outside before we even went inside. Inside was cool because it was a more
modern castle so I could actually picture a King and Queen living there. <b>*Whistle
high pitch to low pitch (like an impressed whistle)*</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> The queen had a different room for pretty much everything. She had a
green room, a tea room, bed room, parlor room, living room, study room, etc.
Yeah, it was quite nice. So, after our jaws finally closed and we pulled
ourselves together, we took our time exploring the palace and then right as we
finished, the sun was setting. So, we watched the sunset from the top of the
palace. <b>*Jaw drop*</b> And so, who wouldn’t like Portugal when you spend two
nights in a row watching a beautiful sunset from a palace or a castle? We were
all in love. Well, it got real chilly real fast so we made our way back down
and then had an hour before our train back to Lisbon. Well, I hadn’t eaten
since breakfast since there hadn’t been any restaurants without gluten, and so
I went into this Chinese restaurant and was able to order some curry and rice
to go. We had planned on getting a genuine Portuguese meal for dinner, but once
I ordered some food, everyone else decided they were hungry too so we ended up
getting a to-go order and then sitting outside (in the cold) of the Chinese
restaurant eating our food. Good times… we are in Portugal where you can get
all this really good cheap food, and we end up eating Mexican food one night
and Chinese the next. Go us! No judging, people. All right, so then when we got
back, we talked about doing a wine night in Carly and my room. Portugal
apparently has some great wine so we all took a trip to the grocery store (I always
have to go to a supermercado) and bought cheese, salami, prosciutto, wine, hard
ciders, soda, bread, cuties (like a clementine), peanuts, and peanut M&M’s.
Classy, right? Oh, and a deck of cards. Then, we went back to the hotel…turned
on some music and feasted and were merry. Honestly, this was another one of my many
favorite parts of the trip. I had so much fun, but our night doesn’t end there.
At 1am, MJ and I decided since we were in Portugal, we should go out again. So…
we did. We took a taxi to “Barrio Alto” which was a part of the city where
night life is supposed to be great and the driver dropped us off at this place
with a magnificent view of the city at night. We got to see lots of views of
the city on this trip, apparently. All of them were worth it. We went to this
bar and ended up meeting two American girls who were studying in Rome, Italy.
It was ironic because MJ and I are going to Rome this week and we actually
might meet up with them. That is just so cool to me…small world. They were so
young! Both of them were 18 (so Freshmen in college) and this was their first
semester in college. I’m afraid they’ll have a rude awakening when they go back
for their second semester, but anyway. We stayed with them all night and had a
really good time! We also met some very guapismo (handsome) men from New
Zealand who were Rugby players. They were pretty dang muscular. MJ fell in love
with their tour-guide who was Israeli. I talked to a guy for a while who had a
jaw bone as a necklace. I tried to say I was from Australia, but that didn’t
work out too well since they were from New Zealand (which I didn’t know at
first, I’m not dumb). There were lots of cops around too and tons of people so,
don’t worry, we were safe. MJ and I are convinced that all the cops in Portugal
are babes. ¿Qué más? (What more?) Hmm, ohhh! Yes, so since we had started our
night so late (or early?), the bars closed at 3am, which is way too early. We
were bummed. Somos españoles. Estamos acostumbrados a bares abiertos hasta seis
en la mañana. (We are Spaniards. We are used to bars being open until six in
the morning.) Well, we finally got back at 4am and got in bed just in time to
wake up at 8:30am. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Today, we visited a city called Évora in Portugal on our way back to Seville.
Since it was Sunday and it was a pretty small town, there wasn’t much
happening. But one thing that totally made my day was a “pep-band” sort of
group that was dressed in suspenders and bowties, that was just walking around
the city playing music for people. There was a group of kids that were walking
behind them with sweatshirts on that said, “Just to make you smile” or
something like that. It totally made me smile! We also got to see a chapel of
bones which was really cool because, in Paris, all I wanted to do was see the
catacombs, but we didn’t get the chance to, so this sort of made up for it. It
fascinates me. Some people think it is creepy and morbid but I personally
thought it was awesome. After that, we finally got a traditional Portuguese
meal, so-to-speak, and then headed back to Seville. I am now home and not ready
to go to classes tomorrow…but, that’s okay. Three-day week and then off to
Rome!!! </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">P.S. Exciting news alert: I get to see my parents in a month from yesterday!!!!!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--R2TeMEPbKs/WhH2Ob1E-7I/AAAAAAAAS8M/dMxyeUJv89EwNPG2jhdduGsemxSQjBZMACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--R2TeMEPbKs/WhH2Ob1E-7I/AAAAAAAAS8M/dMxyeUJv89EwNPG2jhdduGsemxSQjBZMACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2416.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My new cork bracelet!!</span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8hlyD6mpmhA/WhH2OV9_14I/AAAAAAAAS8M/KRWoq6h9VbIVhbAVHNBerp1e-vZdEWkagCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8hlyD6mpmhA/WhH2OV9_14I/AAAAAAAAS8M/KRWoq6h9VbIVhbAVHNBerp1e-vZdEWkagCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2433.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Roomies</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtpR8OiTK5s/WhH2OXDJraI/AAAAAAAAS8M/OSrZ2Iiwcncpv_6LPot3XIEDzdJ_aQFswCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtpR8OiTK5s/WhH2OXDJraI/AAAAAAAAS8M/OSrZ2Iiwcncpv_6LPot3XIEDzdJ_aQFswCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5587.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yV3OGMN_52w/WhH2Of-6ZsI/AAAAAAAAS8M/8MJKpHfGeogs4M6-k4BYpT-XE1zm1h36gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yV3OGMN_52w/WhH2Of-6ZsI/AAAAAAAAS8M/8MJKpHfGeogs4M6-k4BYpT-XE1zm1h36gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5633.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">I always have to find something to climb</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Kelly & Kellie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z65lQG6Zc0/WhH2OQj0LhI/AAAAAAAAS8M/2AY9TN9f1o4E81e6KmuB_avmbvNrDcHQwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z65lQG6Zc0/WhH2OQj0LhI/AAAAAAAAS8M/2AY9TN9f1o4E81e6KmuB_avmbvNrDcHQwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5650.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Look at that view of the city--beautimus </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYBHoFF0gqk/WhH2OTyNSdI/AAAAAAAAS8M/yNTcfDgrBvgDw8po26-sY50LnUFTzBWRwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYBHoFF0gqk/WhH2OTyNSdI/AAAAAAAAS8M/yNTcfDgrBvgDw8po26-sY50LnUFTzBWRwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5671.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1aixRQGHFM/WhH2OdtJHPI/AAAAAAAAS8M/GIylNfUxhmgH_MYiMf3LAADK1EZY5B2qACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1aixRQGHFM/WhH2OdtJHPI/AAAAAAAAS8M/GIylNfUxhmgH_MYiMf3LAADK1EZY5B2qACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5661.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The view from the top of the castle ruins</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-dn1ivWFAI/WhH2OWCi8qI/AAAAAAAAS8M/GwYqa8ddAJ47mmSQZXfWP_U1kqqwHMSIACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-dn1ivWFAI/WhH2OWCi8qI/AAAAAAAAS8M/GwYqa8ddAJ47mmSQZXfWP_U1kqqwHMSIACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5701.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The buildings were so cool. They look fake but I swear this is real!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrHxJ9UlcXY/WhH2OWWM4lI/AAAAAAAAS8M/V7JmC_vZH9MzDUj1rOEWu-aj9XrZjqb8gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrHxJ9UlcXY/WhH2OWWM4lI/AAAAAAAAS8M/V7JmC_vZH9MzDUj1rOEWu-aj9XrZjqb8gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5702.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkKaOmf03wA/WhH2OX_BuzI/AAAAAAAAS8M/fkCWX3LaZQILo_MJf-nmajqBWFaMWcibACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkKaOmf03wA/WhH2OX_BuzI/AAAAAAAAS8M/fkCWX3LaZQILo_MJf-nmajqBWFaMWcibACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5713.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The parking garage that was actually a bar</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3T_CoIomVNk/WhH2Ofj1fwI/AAAAAAAAS8M/kvRVkh3dWHAiq4zG9P76tC5DPeTqo8UMACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1311" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3T_CoIomVNk/WhH2Ofj1fwI/AAAAAAAAS8M/kvRVkh3dWHAiq4zG9P76tC5DPeTqo8UMACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5736.JPG" width="262" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIrX-0ThquM/WhH2OVy_lhI/AAAAAAAAS8M/QMaV3tF8jtsTqYfQDoXyVlUXR4AaXoW5wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIrX-0ThquM/WhH2OVy_lhI/AAAAAAAAS8M/QMaV3tF8jtsTqYfQDoXyVlUXR4AaXoW5wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5738.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My gluten-free "pastry" while every one else had these incredible pastries</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcz-WlUwZq8/WhH2OajMyhI/AAAAAAAAS8M/3IzjstazfZ43f_dFaLL1eTPrlPF0Bo1sgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcz-WlUwZq8/WhH2OajMyhI/AAAAAAAAS8M/3IzjstazfZ43f_dFaLL1eTPrlPF0Bo1sgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5762.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My lovely ISA director, Marta</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxDKwyZHpec/WhH2OR-m7iI/AAAAAAAAS8M/6MZ6cL649Wwk9XR8mzOa1TYVsfXjXlhMACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxDKwyZHpec/WhH2OR-m7iI/AAAAAAAAS8M/6MZ6cL649Wwk9XR8mzOa1TYVsfXjXlhMACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlJJ6jY4umg/WhH2OazfhtI/AAAAAAAAS8M/_YB6DWZn8sMG_v0Y45oTGFFe6QFSNtACACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlJJ6jY4umg/WhH2OazfhtI/AAAAAAAAS8M/_YB6DWZn8sMG_v0Y45oTGFFe6QFSNtACACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5769.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The city with the shadow of the tower</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5E5pChTcs8/WhH2OTGmJbI/AAAAAAAAS8M/mR8hbAzJ2rs12H-t1iPLB5IT23vnHzHYgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5E5pChTcs8/WhH2OTGmJbI/AAAAAAAAS8M/mR8hbAzJ2rs12H-t1iPLB5IT23vnHzHYgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5772.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Kp3-XQ4iMw/WhH2OeATXSI/AAAAAAAAS8M/UZPPn3zBKy8dJ1Q41wr_x4f3oQZCx4-bACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Kp3-XQ4iMw/WhH2OeATXSI/AAAAAAAAS8M/UZPPn3zBKy8dJ1Q41wr_x4f3oQZCx4-bACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6069.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qMgec83R4w/WhH2Of2bn4I/AAAAAAAAS8M/ix-ID6IIjY8h4UU_krOwJeV4rhPeFWRPQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qMgec83R4w/WhH2Of2bn4I/AAAAAAAAS8M/ix-ID6IIjY8h4UU_krOwJeV4rhPeFWRPQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5740.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-aGi_ykyio/WhH3D9IAGKI/AAAAAAAAS8c/x4Vi4ZMNcQMQOR73Qf_KjL4HZSbOWz_7gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-aGi_ykyio/WhH3D9IAGKI/AAAAAAAAS8c/x4Vi4ZMNcQMQOR73Qf_KjL4HZSbOWz_7gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5855.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The walk up to the palace--so gorgeous</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5n5_yy-HK4/WhH3D6zmkII/AAAAAAAAS8c/q3LDDyEeZAUfMnQazZxeRlXpHlZ2zFtzACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5n5_yy-HK4/WhH3D6zmkII/AAAAAAAAS8c/q3LDDyEeZAUfMnQazZxeRlXpHlZ2zFtzACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5858.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpMnIzGgiIw/WhH3DxtIg5I/AAAAAAAAS8c/a5RnIHJ073MjrrNJ9v7OTwC26K79eM6DACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_8651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpMnIzGgiIw/WhH3DxtIg5I/AAAAAAAAS8c/a5RnIHJ073MjrrNJ9v7OTwC26K79eM6DACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_8651.JPG" width="269" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My face when I saw the view for the first time......</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XR8ckg5U4Kg/WhH3Dy_34iI/AAAAAAAAS8c/Fiyv5y15kKcbDGYPst9wwDfsBRxD1sEQQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XR8ckg5U4Kg/WhH3Dy_34iI/AAAAAAAAS8c/Fiyv5y15kKcbDGYPst9wwDfsBRxD1sEQQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_6070.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">10 min later...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oucbNoFeKpY/WhH3D-s37PI/AAAAAAAAS8c/dV-X-Z3f-qY9SyglWITid4XLCHyvNX84gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oucbNoFeKpY/WhH3D-s37PI/AAAAAAAAS8c/dV-X-Z3f-qY9SyglWITid4XLCHyvNX84gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5884.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Umm...wow</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-M8Ve8n1TM/WhH3Dx_OG9I/AAAAAAAAS8c/DZIPOl81js4MxsdRwfxaBIz0zz7HNa25wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-M8Ve8n1TM/WhH3Dx_OG9I/AAAAAAAAS8c/DZIPOl81js4MxsdRwfxaBIz0zz7HNa25wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5992.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Study Abroad: 5 new friends from 5 different states</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-6930480955836198692017-11-12T05:32:00.003-08:002017-11-21T10:27:47.290-08:00Week 9//Week 10: Oct. 30th-Nov.12th (Morocco, Africa)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hello friends! Well, it has been an interesting two weeks. I got back from Paris and two days later, I was on my way to Africa. Needless to say, Week 9 was a short two days for me. That Tuesday, October 31st, was Halloween. Now in Spain, they don't really celebrate Halloween which is ironic because the 1st of November is actually a holiday in Spain. It is Día de Todos los Santos (day of all the saints) and no one has classes or anything. So, in my opinion, they should celebrate Halloween because they can go out at late as they want because the next day is not a school night like it is most of the time in America.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, I left for Morocco at 3:45am on November 1st. I took a taxi to the Portuguese consulate, which was the meeting spot, and we got on a bus and set out on our journey. We didn't arrive to our hotel in Fez, which was our first official stop, until 7:30pm that night (8:30pm Spain time), so it was a very long day. I was on this trip with my program, ISA, and there ended up being 130 people on the program. We took a bus to the port, took a ferry to Morocco's port, and then our same bus to Fez. How is it possible that we took the same bus but on two different continents, you might ask? Fun fact, we took our busses and bus drivers on the ferry, along with the 130 of us. It was pretty much an American-take over on that ferry. The second day in Morocco, that Thursday, we spent all day in the Medina. The Medina has over 9,000 streets in it and the taxis in these streets are mules. It is so deceiving as well because, walking through it, it is a bunch of narrow streets that are dirty and disgusting...but if you step inside one of the buildings, it is this massive 'palace' with beautiful architecture and a homey interior. The Medina was quite the experience. At one point, I saw a man chop off the head of an animal. It was awful. We walked through tons of streets that all looked the same and if it weren't for the tour guide, we would have been lost for days. We visited four main places: the rug place, the pharmacy, the leather store, and the scarf store. The rug place was cool but insanely expensive. It makes sense though because these rugs are handmade and dyed. It takes months or years to make them. The next place, the pharmacy, was all-natural stuff. A lot of it you probably could have gotten in America, but it's much cooler to say you got it from Morocco. And some of the stuff really did seem unique. Morocco is known for their mint tea. It is insanely good and I am convinced you can only get that type of tea in Morocco so, there. The leather store was cool, but also sad. It smelled horrible because of the "factory," so to speak, out back where people were making the leather. My host mom told me later than many of the people that work in this "factory" die or have problems by the time they are 30 because of all the chemicals. Hence, why it was a sad place. And the stench--I don't know how anyone could stand being there everyday. Lastly, the scarf store had the Moroccan dresses and all sorts of different turbans/hijabs (the name of it depends on how you wear it on your head). I have been trying to expand my wardrobe to include some red since I attend a University who's colors are Maroon and Gold. Side story, the reason I never have owned red is because of a traumatic incident my freshman year of high school where I wore a red t-shirt to a strength and conditioning camp. Well, I was new to the school but apparently red was forbidden because it represented our rival schools, Chaparral and Ponderosa. You could only wear blue (which was Legend's, my high school's, color). I didn't know that since I was new but boy did I learn that fact fast...let's just say I did a lot of EXTRA strength and conditioning that day and then, after that, my wardrobe contained absolutely no red. Anyway...so I'm trying to get some red back into my wardrobe so I bought a red scarf to wrap around my head for when we went to the desert. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel to eat dinner and then back to the Medina that night for a folklore show. That was actually a blast. There were belly dancers and magicians and a band and they served us some of that delicious tea. They brought almost everyone on stage (or in the middle) at one point or another to dance with them. It was very interactive and entertaining. The next day, Friday, was another travel day. This was a traumatic day for me because we had to pee in the wilderness, not just once...but twice. Few things in life make me cry, but squatting to pee in front of a whole bunch of strangers in the middle of a fairly open area...that could be one of them. The first place we stopped was at least somewhat of a forest. But the second place we stopped...it was pretty darn wide open. Anyway, we took the bus to this Oasis, which was really pretty because it was the desert but then it was also full of palm trees so it kind of looked like a jungle. We stopped above to look at the view and then drove into the Oasis where the bus dropped us off. We were walking through the "jungle" when all of the sudden there was this building. And this is where we ate lunch. It was so weird because we were literally in the middle of nowhere. It was a nice place and it had wifi which was funny because everyone was desperate to get on their phones. I personally loved not having my phone the entire trip. And because 130 people were trying to use the wifi, it stopped working anyway. After that, we took jeeps into the desert. This was actually one of my favorite parts because there was only about six of us per jeep and we were all "four-wheeling" through the desert. It was an hour drive and it was dark out so you just saw 20 jeeps' headlights in this wide open space that was the desert. Then, we were pleasantly surprised when we got to our campsite. It was much nicer than we expected. There were about 5 toilets, and a huge tent where we ate our food, and then tents to sleep in with little mattresses and a tiny pillow. The sand was gorgeous. I had just learned how much I didn't like beaches because of the annoying sand, but this sand was different. It was full moon so we could see quite well and we just sat on top of a dune and let the sand run through our fingers. At dinner, there was a live "band" playing and a guy who was insanely good at the drums. After dinner, the band needed a break so they asked if there were any musicians in the room. Two guys who knew how to play guitar got up there and started playing some John Mayor. We all just sat around singing for a couple hours. It was great. I actually ended up getting in bed pretty early that night because they told us they were going to wake us up for the sunrise the next morning at 5:45am. And that they did. We watched the beautiful sunrise over the desert and it wasn't as cold as I thought it would be which was even better. Did I go back to bed after the sun came up? I sure did. Later that morning, was the camel ride. This was another favorite part of the trip. I named my camel Alibaba. We were a part of a smaller group of four which was nice since you can imagine how crazy it is to have 130 students on camels. We rode for about half and hour and then ended up at this massive dune. Kellie (me) thought it would be a great idea and "easier" to run up the dune. Um, yeah...so I made it up fast, but am pretty sure I almost had an asthma attack at the top. But, it was worth the view. Don't you worry. Might not have been worth almost dying, but I didn't die, so yay. After taking lots of pictures, we went down the dune which is so much better than climbing up. Some people chose to just roll down, but I just enjoyed wading through the lovely sand between my toes, which wasn't hot like beach sand but was perfectly fine and soft. We then rode our camels again to a small town and went to a hotel-type thing with an outdoor pool. I had brought my swimsuit but it was nowhere near hot enough for me to want to jump in that freezing water. I enjoyed a nice beverage (soda) by the pool while dipping my feet in and that was perfect for me. The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful except for, late that night, the weather was amazing. I was in shorts and a jacket but was perfectly comfortable sitting on a dune. Well, my friend Kelly and I were just chatting and these Moroccan men came up to us. And they sat with us and talked with us for probably more than an hour, but it was great. These "nomads" are crazy because they can speak 4-5 languages...but the even more incredible part is how they learn them. They learn them solely from having conversations with tourists. And they say they have broken English/Spanish/whatever, but it is really good. We had a genuinely great conversation and they told us jokes and made us laugh and it was fun. And that's what they do. They have a great conversation with you and then they try to lure you further into the desert or try to hold your hand and that's when you decide it's time to go to bed. The next morning was a failed attempt to see the sunrise. We did get up to check, but it was super cloudy so we decided it was more worth it to sleep. We had another long day of traveling ahead. We made one cool stop in the "Cedar Forests" or something like that to see the monkeys. They were very similar to the monkeys we had seen in Gibraltar, where they aren't friendly and they are massive. We got some fun pictures, though. Then, that night we stayed at a hotel in Meknes. I wish I could have explored this city some, because it was the biggest and 'most popping' city we had been to, especially after two nights in the desert, but I had no energy and it was late by the time we arrived. That night, dinner was the best meal I had had the entire trip. So, let's talk food for a second. They tell you not to eat anything not cooked or any fruit unless it has a peeling. So all the meals/food we ate was couscous (which is gluten and I'm nots supposed to eat but I didn't realized that until later) or rice, meat, vegetables, and cuties/bananas for desert, and bread of course (which I also can't eat). And for breakfast, it was pretty much all pastries and maybe a hard-boiled egg. Then, you also are not supposed to drink water, brush your teeth with water, or anything like that. You could only have bottled water. Well, this was all very challenging for me so I hardly ate or drank anything all week. And I did end up eating some gluten for breakfasts because I was so hungry. So, I guess that was the worst part...there is a lot of elegant and delicious food in Morocco that could be gluten free, but I didn't get that experience. I think part of it was also because all our meals were buffets because there were so many of us, so that was unfortunate, too. But anyway, back to the dinner on the last night...it was really good. It wasn't a buffet (for once) and they served us steak, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. Mm, mm. But then, the next morning was all pastries again, so darn. But then that Monday, was another long day of traveling. And we had no stops for actual food, just snacks. So that day, I had a croissant and hard boiled egg and some tea for breakfast, potato chips and soda for lunch, and a cutie and some gluten-free crackers for dinner. I was hangry (hungry+angry) by the time I got home, for sure. I got back to Seville around 10:30pm, and it was a whole other world. When I had left the Wednesday before, the weather was cooler in the nights/mornings, but it was still fairly warm. And the days were hot. No, when we arrived back in Spain...it was FREEZING. Fall has finally arrived.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So that was my trip to Africa. I've had tons and tons of people ask me how it was and my best response is: "It was an adventure." I'm so thankful I went because I think it was an opportunity I never will have again. I already appreciate it much more than I did during my time there. But I am glad to be back in Spain and it felt good to be "home." The next day, Tuesday, I had to jump right back into things with teaching at the bilingual school in the morning, class afterwards, and then tutoring later. I'm telling you--you probably won't believe me--but I was a whole different person on Tuesday. I was so motivated to be healthy. I figured since my stomach had shrunk from not eating all week, I would keep my stomach that size and just eat smaller portions. I also was motivated to run 4 times a week and workout. It was a busy Tuesday, but even my host mom thought I was a whole new person. I forced my roommate to go on a run with me and do a hard workout after. My garmin watch said we burned 600 calories. I was just in the best mood...until--dun, dun, dun (dramatic sound effect)--after dinner on this past Tuesday night (the 7th). My stomach started hurting really bad and I couldn't figure out why. I felt nauseous, like I could throw-up. I decided to just go to bed and hope that I would feel better in the morning. Well, that didn't go well. I was super sick all day on Wednesday. I had to stay close to a bathroom, and whenever I stood up, or even sat up, I had to take deep breaths to keep from throwing-up from the stomach pain. I forced myself to go to class because I had two quizzes and I wasn't about to go to the doctor just to get a note to excuse me from class. The only funny part about this day is my Sports Psych professor told me I have the perfect voice after I answered a question of his. How complimentary that my voice is smooth and coaxing, confident and affirming, (because I guess those are the traits in your voice that you need if you are a psychologist), even though I'm very sick. After my classes, I tried to go to lunch and eat but that was a terrible idea. The rest of the night I spent in bed, curled up in a fetal position. I didn't go to dinner and just decided to rest and avoid food as much as possible. I talked to my mom for a couple hours, which was great but made me wish she was with me. Talk about missing your mom--I have never wished harder for a teleportation system. I finally was able to sleep for a few hours and felt a little better...until I stood up. Then I was doubled over in stomach pain again. I didn't know if I just had the stomach flu, or if it was something I ate, or something from Morocco, or the gluten. I think it was probably a mix from everything though, to be honest. However, my stomach felt super inflamed so I am almost certain eating so much gluten had a lot to do with it. I have decided that if it comes to eating gluten or starving, I'd rather starve if it keeps me from feeling like I did on Wednesday. Which, technically is better for your intestines anyway when you have celiacs. It's just a difficult thing to avoid gluten when you are in Africa, especially since I was in such a big group. Well, Thursday came around, and I made myself go to class again. I only had one class which was good and then I finally told my host mom I wasn't feeling well so she fixed me "un vaso de caldito" (a cup of broth) for lunch, which reminded me of my grandma's amazing chicken-noodle-soup, just without the noodles. Then, she started giving me tons of instructions and was thoroughly concerned and helping me in any way she could. Thursday was so much better than Wednesday, but my stomach was still shaky so she told me not to eat any solid foods for awhile. I think I was pretty hungry though, because I hadn't really eaten since Tuesday night, and so my stomach was growling a lot. Well--I wanted to be healthy. I guess this was just a part of my diet. Friday, I didn't have any plans which is almost worse because then I just want to lay around all day. I told myself I have an excuse because I'm sick, but I'm not as sick as I was on Wednesday, so is that really an excuse? My roommate got really sick though and was throwing up. Maybe she was having sympathy pains for me... My friend from Denver who is studying in Salamanca ended up visiting Sevilla Friday night so I finally decided to take a shower and go out to meet her in centro (downtown). I felt so much better after taking a shower and getting ready. I had eaten lunch too, but I think it was a little too heavy for my stomach. Anyway, I met her and her friends, and Mary Jo met us too, and we went to a rooftop bar to look out over the city as the sun went down. It was beautiful. Then after, we went "tapa bar hopping" in Triana, which is a pretty neighborhood on the other side of the river. It was a great time catching up with Lauren. We had so much to talk about. Well, then I got home and woke up on Saturday feeling awful. My roommate felt awful too, so we decided to just watch movies in bed all day. I tried to eat some lunch but it didn't feel right. So we laid in bed and stopped eating the rest of the day. I finally realized that my stomach was swollen so I called my parents--who were enjoying a nice lunch at Olive Garden (jealous)--and they did some research. You gotta love your parents. So they ended up concluding that because I ate so much gluten last week, my intestines were super swollen which was stopping the food from digesting properly so my stomach just kept getting bigger and bigger because my digestive valve isn't working properly or something like that. Anywho, just not good stuff and so today is now Sunday and I am thankful I feel better, but I can still tell my stomach is swollen. My roommate asked me how far along I was in my pregnancy. 😅 That makes a girl feel good...but I can at least get some work done today hopefully! On the road to recovery I'm praying... but I think my stomach has also shrunk by now since I really haven't eaten normal in two weeks (since before Africa) so, my host mom keeps saying, "Es tu dieta" (it's your diet). Because I had told her when I got back from Africa I needed to eat healthy to recover. Little did I know how true that was. I am just so very thankful that out of all the weekends, this was the one where I got sick because this is my last weekend in Seville until finals. God takes care of me always. :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So back to a normal class schedule this week and then I have Portugal this weekend, Italy for Thanksgiving, Amsterdam after that, and Valencia to conclude my travels before finals. Ahhh! Well, thank you all for reading and hope you all are doing very well. It's getting closer to me coming home and I can't wait to see all of you! It's almost the Holiday season with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Have a fabulous week and I will talk to y'all soon. Hasta luego!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">P.S. I am adding a few photos here, but there are tons more from Africa on Facebook!!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">My friend from Salamanca</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-teH94uZxeoI/WghMIQBAuTI/AAAAAAAASbg/wFQDNoEdzd0RNiNLKKGofTg7ozKPNig8gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-teH94uZxeoI/WghMIQBAuTI/AAAAAAAASbg/wFQDNoEdzd0RNiNLKKGofTg7ozKPNig8gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5499.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So glad she came to visit!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuQOO7lX1fY/WghMIZchUiI/AAAAAAAASbg/vAtJ4zjS1pA51MnkRYf3kVmLsC2ekkbUgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuQOO7lX1fY/WghMIZchUiI/AAAAAAAASbg/vAtJ4zjS1pA51MnkRYf3kVmLsC2ekkbUgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5380.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">My face...I was a tad scared at times when he made weird noises</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwLlRrf-r1w/WghMIa9ioII/AAAAAAAASbg/DoB7ai3EyKAHDcHfyInZVsiGonPPGm-mwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwLlRrf-r1w/WghMIa9ioII/AAAAAAAASbg/DoB7ai3EyKAHDcHfyInZVsiGonPPGm-mwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5295.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Nomads loved jumping in our photos</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkB1dwhSa4Y/WghMIVmEDOI/AAAAAAAASbg/ERvgLCfQ0rstD_BRgPP0-zVNcdeitEGHQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="124" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkB1dwhSa4Y/WghMIVmEDOI/AAAAAAAASbg/ERvgLCfQ0rstD_BRgPP0-zVNcdeitEGHQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5233.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is from the top of the hill I climbed (where I almost died)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUXnhddQIag/WghMId2oIeI/AAAAAAAASbg/REjNH8vOM6k1pWyAo4hrB4reOCLYgpzZgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUXnhddQIag/WghMId2oIeI/AAAAAAAASbg/REjNH8vOM6k1pWyAo4hrB4reOCLYgpzZgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5228.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Alibaba, the camel!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSgdoJiPkhk/WghMIQmpNJI/AAAAAAAASbg/X3PkFbiCB3017ikOUM_8lczSdehYnLruwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1738.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSgdoJiPkhk/WghMIQmpNJI/AAAAAAAASbg/X3PkFbiCB3017ikOUM_8lczSdehYnLruwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_1738.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Can you imagine 130 people on camels?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfQ5ycyMiFo/WghMIfzimeI/AAAAAAAASbg/1M5c1KuoVlcu8HPzy-VvSqPeTnCGYL8UACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfQ5ycyMiFo/WghMIfzimeI/AAAAAAAASbg/1M5c1KuoVlcu8HPzy-VvSqPeTnCGYL8UACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5109.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Oh, the "viento" (wind)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6eCrVVLnzs/WghMIXiCaUI/AAAAAAAASbg/xpJsQQ0FqjAcbTmAp7BwVvKmP0_HXLBoQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6eCrVVLnzs/WghMIXiCaUI/AAAAAAAASbg/xpJsQQ0FqjAcbTmAp7BwVvKmP0_HXLBoQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5051.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">the amazing Moroccan tea!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hc9vfLfEX8/WghMIadkJKI/AAAAAAAASbg/CkgBDN-XE0Me0WC-34RW7yZLDV1WfPL1QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hc9vfLfEX8/WghMIadkJKI/AAAAAAAASbg/CkgBDN-XE0Me0WC-34RW7yZLDV1WfPL1QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5045.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">These pomegranates were as big as our heads...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0c_ClqaASlo/WghMIde768I/AAAAAAAASbg/UL4S5jlUTh8eMO8a20dHn_nVc5MCrMExgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0c_ClqaASlo/WghMIde768I/AAAAAAAASbg/UL4S5jlUTh8eMO8a20dHn_nVc5MCrMExgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5029.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">All hand made/hand painted ceramic!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRSswDShJwo/WghMIbKb0YI/AAAAAAAASbg/KLwTyo_3nzczM5RlEWwyw3nN0dsol1OuwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRSswDShJwo/WghMIbKb0YI/AAAAAAAASbg/KLwTyo_3nzczM5RlEWwyw3nN0dsol1OuwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5007.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thought this captured a very Arabian setting</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBoK15L9Qh0/WghMIQOBM3I/AAAAAAAASbg/VozIPnTzNE4zPVKyvrxce-b8Cw7irBXiQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBoK15L9Qh0/WghMIQOBM3I/AAAAAAAASbg/VozIPnTzNE4zPVKyvrxce-b8Cw7irBXiQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4893.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Look at those packing skills!! Notice the pink blanket...that's the Kellie touch:)</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-25226777735519123612017-10-30T16:08:00.000-07:002017-11-21T10:27:34.325-08:00Week 8: Oct. 23rd-29th (París, France)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Bonjour! I just got home from France and so my mind is still full of "Bonjour" and "Merci" and "Se vou play" ("S'il vous plait" is the actual spelling). Soooo, let's talk. How many people get to say "No big deal--I'm going to Paris for the weekend." These Europeans have such cool opportunities and it surprises me that they don't travel as much as I thought they would. Americans that study abroad here though sure take advantage of it. At the airport, there were a ton of people from my program. But, I am getting ahead of myself. I'll start at the beginning.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">On Mondays, I have three classes which always make the day feel super long. However, I hardly ever have plans on Monday after classes so it is also my day to just relax, take a nap, catch up on email or do some relaxing activity. Then Tuesdays always get busy. In the morning this past Tuesday, I went to the school I am teaching at each week, except this time, we just decorated the school with Halloween decorations. I got to meet a girl named Anna who is from the U.S. who is here for the school year as a teacher's assistant. She's 25 and this is her second year doing this teaching assistant position. Her first year, she was in Galicia in Northern Spain. She was super fun to talk to and we had a good time chatting. So we had decorations in our hands and were walking around the hallways when a class came filing down the hallway and saw us with the decorations. They recognized Anna, and said "Hallo" in their Spanish accents and then the little ones got excited and said, "Halloween!!" Adorable. Then after that, I had my one class at the University and then I went home for lunch and then headed to the ISA office downtown for tutoring. I am practicing Spanish with one of the directors from our program each week so that I can improve as much as possible. The hour went really fast and then I headed back home and spent the rest of the evening writing a paper. The 2,000-word essay was due on Thursday, but I wanted to get it done that night so the next night I could just edit it and relax and not worry about trying to cram. I finally finished it late at night and was pretty brain dead. I had two other assignments due in other classes the next day that I hadn't even worked on yet, so I decided to go to bed and wake up early the next morning to finish my homework. However, the homework was so much harder than I thought it would be and I ended up running out of time. Therefore, my entire Wednesday was very stressful because I felt two steps behind what I needed to do. However--as always--it worked out and I even did pretty good on my reading quiz despite not reading the article. After classes, I was brain dead but knew I had to get the essay done. I took a nap after lunch and I had planned to lay down for an hour but accidentally slept for four. So, I knew I must have been super tired. I finished my essay though and was very proud of it. I even turned it in more than 12 hours before it was due so go Kellie! It was an interesting topic. I had to write about: Arguments for and against Wikileaks: Transparency vs. Privacy. Communication and journalism is something you can talk about for long periods of time and we have many discussions in class. What is the solution to genuine journalism? I really enjoy my teacher--Rúben. I think I have talked about him before. Anyway, then on Thursday I had tutoring again through my University to practice my Spanish some more. Lola is her name and she helped me with my Spanish homework that was due for the next Monday which was great because my goal was to get all my homework done before that weekend so I could enjoy my trip to Paris. After class, I had scheduled an appointment to get my eyelashes redone so I went in to see my amiga de pestañas (eyelash friend)--who, I found out later, her name is Sonia--and she made my eyelashes look all pretty again. Well, after that I ran some other errands and then I went home and, as bad as I wanted to veg out and watch a tv show or something, I knew I should finish homework. I spent the rest of the evening doing all my homework that was due Monday, which, I had been assigned a good amount of work. Normally, I don't have a ton during the weekend so I was disappointed, but I also knew I wouldn't want to deal with it on Sunday or when I was in Paris. I finished all of it right after dinner and then still had to pack. I realized I hadn't taken a plane since my flight from Paris to Madrid to start my program in early September, so I was a little nervous. I hate the liquid rule. It is ridiculous. But I finally got to bed around 1am and then was out the door by 7am the next morning with just a backpack. My packing skills have gotten much better while being here because, well frankly, you can't bring hardly anything with you when you travel because there are so many rules! So Paris...</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Friday morning... I had allowed myself an hour for the bus and then an hour and a half to check-in, get through security, and find my gate. I left promptly at 7:05am and was sitting down waiting for my flight by 8am. I guess it's better to be early rather than late but I quite overestimated how long it would take to get through the whole process...oh well. The lady at the check-in desk was so nice. I asked for a ticket in Spanish and handed her my passport and then she started talking to me in Spanish and it was a glorious moment because I didn't have to think at all...I just understood what she was saying. She then realized I had an American passport and said she could tell me in English but I assured her I wanted to practice in Spanish. She then said that was great and goes, "Gate 8" and then corrected herself and said "Puerta Ocho" and flashes me a smile. I liked her. I then got through security with no problems and practically no line. So then, I just sat and decided to read the book I had brought by Nicholas Sparks called "The Choice." It is a really good book and I highly recommend it. I buried my head in it and the time went so fast. At about 8:40am, I went to my gate and realized I couldn't understand the language. I had been so confident in my Spanish that morning...what had happened? And then I realized it was because a ton of people were speaking French. It's a weird concept and not one we deal with in America. When we fly from DIA (Denver International Airport) to Dallas, we don't hear a whole other language. Yet, here in Europe, a two hour flight means a whole different culture, city, language, everything! It is kind of mind-blowing, kind of weird, kind of overwhelming...and all of the above. I was doing well with my languages that Friday because a lady in front of me needed to fill her water bottle and she asked me to watch her bag. Although she said it in French, the language of gestures is universal so thank the Lord for that. She had said "Merci" to me earlier because she was putting something in her bag and the line had moved but I let her go in front of me still. I just nodded and smiled the first time, but this time I had remembered from my trips with Amanda and Peter that "You're Welcome" was "Prego." So I said "Prego" and we got on the plane. Well, ahem... I should have just not revisited this in my mind because I was happy with how the situation had turned out and thought (as I wrote just a few lines above) that I was doing so well with languages. But now that I am thinking about it I am thoroughly embarrassed. Prego is you're welcome--just in Italian, not in French. 😳😳😳😳😳 Don't trust me with my languages. Do not use Prego in French. It doesn't exist. Oyy, Kellie. Well, let's just move on. SOOOOO. Ahem, oh wait. There's more... as if I didn't probably seem stupid enough to that French lady, on the plane, I was in the emergency exit row and the flight attendant was trying to give me the instructions in French and I had to tell her I only knew English. She told me she was going to tell the couple next to me the instructions in French and then she would tell me in English. Well, the couple goes "We can do it in English" and it made me feel so small because the French know 30 languages and I know one. I might have been able to do it in Spanish, but I sound very English anyway so ugh. I wish I could be cool. So, I read my book the entire way to Paris and it was a pretty quick flight. I was on an airline I had never taken before and I liked how quick and organized they were but they were super strict about bags. My bag got marked as a bag that goes under the seat but, since I was in the emergency exit row, I couldn't have any bags under the seat anyway. It all worked out and it was nice to have the extra leg room. Well, when I got to Paris, I was meeting my friend there from DU who is studying in Amsterdam. He landed about 40 minutes before me and had sent me a text saying he was waiting at a restaurant named Paul's and as I walked into the airport, there was a big sign saying "Paul's" literally right outside my gate. I figured he either knew which gate I was coming out of, the stalker, or it must be a really small airport. Neither were true--he just happened to choose that cafe (apparently). So we made our way downtown and made it to our Airbnb by 11:30am. We had until 2:30pm to check-in though so he had found a crepe place that made their crepes with buckwheat (so I could eat them, yay!) and it was a 20 minute walk. Because I had thankfully packed light, the walk was easy and we made it to the restaurant in no time. It was packed and we ended up getting take-away and then eating at a park close by. It was great because it gave us a couple hours to settle in, enjoy a French delicacy, and catch up on the past few months. Our host had messaged us and told us that she would be late and would meet us closer to 3pm, so we finally meandered our way over at 3pm instead of 2:30pm and waited for her. She didn't show up for about 30 more minutes, which was strange, but she seemed unorganized and frazzled. I felt bad for her. We made our way upstairs and then she rummaged through her purse for about 5 minutes until she realized that she didn't have the keys and that she left them at her own place. She said she'd be back in an hour and took off. We didn't know what to do so we went to a cafe down the road and had a glass of wine and beer. We were people watching and enjoying soaking up the sun. There was a definite temperature drop in Paris, but the sun felt great and I was happy for the change of temperature. She finally came back and we got into our room about 5pm. It was a great place, though. And although it was a little inconvenient having to wait with our bags, I felt bad because she seemed to have had a horrible day. That night, we set out to have dinner at a Jewish food restaurant about 20 minutes away but because it was a Friday night, they weren't open. They aren't allowed to be open until Saturday night according to their laws, I think. So then we walked back towards this other place that was back the way we had come but on the way there, we realized that place closed in 15 minutes. So, a third time we walked back and found a cute hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It was really busy so we knew it was probably good. I don't know what type of food it was but it was fresh tortillas with meat and hummus and veggies and stuff inside. They didn't have gluten free but we finally convinced the guy to give me a bowl instead of wrapped in a tortilla. They played some fun music. The area we lived near was so cool. I had to keep reminding myself that this was real. We were really in Paris. After dinner, we walked around some more and decided to try to find a place to have cocktails. There were so many places to choose from and that's the awesome part. We walked all over and there were these neighborhoods full of bars and restaurants and just amazing places. We saw the Notre-Dame at night, also, and it is so pretty. We also saw another really beautiful building that had the Olympic Rings in front of it. Apparently Paris is holding the Olympics in 2024. Cool, huh? Crazy what you stumble upon when you are in PARIS. Sorry--I just have to keep reminding myself that all this actually happened. So anyway, for our cocktails, we wanted a place that was popping, but all of them were so full and, being Americans, the concept of space is quite important to us. All the tables were so close together...Europeans just have no personal space. We finally compromised on a place that was busy, but had seats on the very end with a table in between us and the next people over. After drinks, we went and got ice cream at this yummy place. My friend had lived in Paris for a month a few years ago, so he had some good recommendations of places to go from his parents. We learned very quickly that Paris is quite expensive. After ice cream, despite the freezing weather, we walked back. As long as I walked and had pants, boots, and a coat on, I did okay. So that was the first night. The second day was full of exploring. We had tickets to see the Eiffel Tower at 5pm. We had stumbled across a Japanese restaurant the day before the smelled delicious so we went there for lunch. It was as good as it had smelled, don't worry. Then, we went to the catacombs. So I was excited to see these considering it was Halloween weekend, but that excitement quickly failed as I realized the line wrapped clear around the block. We would have had to have waited for hours. So a little tip...it's worth the extra money to pay for the tickets online and skip the line. We then visited the Luxembourg gardens, which were pretty but you could tell it was fall. Things were starting to wither and there were leaves everywhere. After that, we started making our way towards the Eiffel Tower. We stopped by a grocery store and got a bottle of wine, cheese, salami, and a bar of chocolate and took our picnic to a park bench in front of the Eiffel tower. That was one of my favorite moments. It was like I was in a movie. After, we went inside the gate to wait in line for the elevators to take us up to the top of the tower. Well, what's life without adventure? I had brought along a knife with a bottle opener for the wine, but little did I think about the security for the Eiffel tower. It wasn't my knife so I felt bad and I got through the first security point (shh, don't tell anyone) but then the second one had a bag scanner and there was no way I was going to get through without being caught. So I tossed it right before security. Living life on the edge, everyone. Well, the timing of our tickets was the most perfect thing ever. We got to go to the very, very top and we watched the sunset from up there. Photos do not do it justice, but it was so wonderful. The view of the city and just being there. It was another movie moment, but instead of pinching myself, I was reminded that it wasn't a dream because of the intense, bitter, frigid wind. Right as the sun set, we decided to take the elevator down to the second level (which is actually super high still) because we wanted to go outside of the Eiffel Tower back to the grass to get an overall view of the tower because, at dusk, they turn on 'the twinkling lights' for just a few minutes. This was another favorite moment as we were running down hundreds and hundreds of stairs (I told you the second level was high) just laughing and having a great time. I didn't care one bit what people around us thought. We ran outside the gate and turned around, and literally the timing could not have been more perfect because the lights started to twinkle at that very moment. It was breath-taking. After the lights stopped twinkling, we took a bus closer to our apartment and looked for a restaurant. We ended up going to a Thai food place, which is my favorite type of food. That was it for Saturday night. Sunday was weird because, when I woke up, my watch said something different than my phone so I was super confused, until I remembered my host mom saying something about a time change on Sunday. We fell back an hour which actually worked out nice because we got an extra hour in the morning before we had to check out at noon. Sunday was rainy, which I didn't mind, but it was unfortunate that we had our bags to carry around all day since our flights were so late at night. After checking out, we went back to the crepe place that we had gone to the first day for breakfast, but it was so crowded and you had to have a reservation. So we found this other place called Season and there was an hour wait time for the restaurant, but there was a take-out section that was more like a second restaurant since it had tables, so we ate there. It was a healthy, gluten-free, all-natural type place but I got gluten-free avocado toast that was really good. It was such a cute little place. No space--but hey, welcome to Europe. Afterwards, we went to the Louvre museum. Unfortunately there was a huge line so we couldn't go in but I got a picture by the pyramid and can still say I've been there. We went to the underground mall after that and I had my first Starbucks since I've been in Europe. Sad I know, but it was at least a cool Starbucks since it was underground. We then just visited a whole bunch of different places around the city like the Grand Palace which is across from the Petite Palace. We saw green fountains, we went into a prison that was also a palace in the 14th century. We saw lots of cool buildings and parts of the city thanks to our super duper metro passes. I highly recommend it because the metro takes you seriously everywhere and because Paris is so big, it is necessary. We got a pass that was 4 Euros ($4.66) and it includes zones 1-5 and was an unlimited pass. So we could use it to get all over the city (including the airport). It was perfect! ALSO! One of the trains that we got on was playing the perfect French music which completed my French experience. It was loud, too, which I loved since it drowned out the noise of the train. Ready? Think classic French music where you are sitting at a quaint cafe in the bustling city, sipping your coffee and tapping your foot to the beat of the music playing. You are sitting at a table, and you pick up your coffee to sip it as you look out the window just as a snowflake falls to the ground. The snowflake is incredible, but what really catches your eye is the incredulous view. Right before you lies the Eiffel Tower. You smile as you realize how content and perfectly at peace you are as you sway to the music. Think music from Sleepless in Seattle or Ratatouille. Good ol' classic music or good ol' disney music (depending on what era you are from). Ah. I sigh just thinking about it. #moviemoment. I should just start a hash tag for all my movie moments. Okay, back to real life, friends. So, after exploring different parts of the city, we ended up going to the other crepe location (same place, different location). I finally wrote down the name--it was called the Breizh Cafe. This one was much more "tranquilo" (calm) than the other one that we had tried to go to that morning. It seemed a little fancier, too. Guys, another movie moment. It was so fun because we went in and enjoyed our last supper, taking in the surroundings while enjoying some scrumptious food. I ordered a crepe with egg, Iberian ham (from the Basque country of Spain!!), and cheese. We also ordered cider because the restaurant was known for its delicious cider and it sure was good. Finally, we shared a chocolate dessert crepe with ice-cream. I just have to say, the crepe without the ice-cream was around 6 Euros, but with the one VERY SMALL scoop of ice cream, it was almost 10 Euros. THE ICE CREAM IN PARIS, MAN. So expensive. Negativity over. Because really, it was such a beautiful place and another movie moment/one of my favorite moments. Oh, and the best part was... there was this older lady sitting right next to us when we sat down (and I mean right next to us because remember space...you know, not a thing). She was eating a crepe roll with tea that came with a mini tea pot. She seemed so sweet and content and I enjoyed watching her. With her amazing French accent, she waved the waiter over and asked for more hot water. Then, for the check and then she left and gave a tip, as well (which is pretty rare in Europe). Well, less than two minutes after she left, another old lady comes in and the waiter seats her in the exact same spot. She orders a dessert crepe and the exact tea as the last lady. She then enjoyed her crepe and seemed so sweet just like the last lady. And then she asked the waitress, with that same awesome French accent, if she could get some more hot water...weird right...and then after finishing her tea, she paid and left a tip. The minute she left, my friend and I were like, "Did you see that?!" I think they should be good friends or would be if they knew each other. 30 minutes. They missed getting to know each other by that much--que pena (what a shame). But having them sit next to us just added to the ambiance and beauty of the restaurant. That and the music and people who were laughing and chatting around us. It was an embrace-the-moment, people watch, and relish the moment type of meal. After we finished, we walked around a little more and I was able to FaceTime my mom, who was at church, and say hi to some friends from back home. Another movie moment, because they go, "Where are you?" And I was able to say, "No big deal (even though in my head I was freaking out), I'm just in Paris." I flipped the camera and showed them the plaza where I was currently standing which, at the end of the massive street, was the Eiffel Tower. Yep. I was in France. It was such a different experience from the first time I was there. I think I was more comfortable since I had been there before but that also made it awesome, that even though I went to the same big city twice in 3 months, I had two completely different adventures. After that, we headed to the airport and I headed back to Sevilla. Crazy enough (but not that crazy), I ran into one of the girls on my program at the Paris airport. That's how we Americans are--we have the travel bug. So I wasn't actually that surprised at the likelihood of one or more of the people from our program being in Paris the same weekend I was. My flight landed at 11:55pm, and my goal was to be home before 1am. I had class at 10:30am today and I needed sleep... I was exhausted. I made it home by 12:45am and my host mom is a saint and had dinner waiting for me. And another perfect end to the weekend was my roommate waited up for me just to welcome me home, the sweet dear. So needless to say, it was a wonderful weekend and no words could explain the emotions I felt throughout the three days at being in such a city. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It is now Monday the 30th, and I only have one more class tomorrow before I leave for Morocco on Wednesday at 4am. It is going to be six days full of adventures such as riding camels in the dessert, camping in the sand, eating lots of new food, and who knows what else. I get back next Monday, so I will probably have another long post for you next week sometime of my time in Morocco. So until then, friends, remember to enjoy any #moviemoments you have and to live life to its fullest! And you should listen to some classic Sleepless in Seattle/Celine Deon/Frank Sinatra type music...it's good for the soul. Au Revoir, mes chéries (goodbye, my darlings). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjmYTaO29j8/WfevmucpopI/AAAAAAAARe0/CRVzFM86PsYUlOYYPVrNcImtrHH1CaNEwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjmYTaO29j8/WfevmucpopI/AAAAAAAARe0/CRVzFM86PsYUlOYYPVrNcImtrHH1CaNEwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4729.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Just an everyday building near the place we stayed at...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Notre-Dame is in the background</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Look carefully! you can see the twinkling lights</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">La Louvre!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ6SEU6gvGI/WfevmshBykI/AAAAAAAARe0/BrLBqJC4yT0tCIFKHQspvalhHWzFpjGHQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ6SEU6gvGI/WfevmshBykI/AAAAAAAARe0/BrLBqJC4yT0tCIFKHQspvalhHWzFpjGHQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4853.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Even the metro stations in Paris are cool </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4JECtKU984/WfevmpQgkmI/AAAAAAAARe0/Dvm7VS3g1yE38ZdWEY_qYCQSvRl6fmopACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4JECtKU984/WfevmpQgkmI/AAAAAAAARe0/Dvm7VS3g1yE38ZdWEY_qYCQSvRl6fmopACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4855.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The green fountain!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HDkyrD30WSs/WfevmkqBg-I/AAAAAAAARe0/CsW747SVJQA0qqgJbJy7u3dBU8JhF845QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HDkyrD30WSs/WfevmkqBg-I/AAAAAAAARe0/CsW747SVJQA0qqgJbJy7u3dBU8JhF845QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4857.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The Grand Palace!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_fmVcYJ8Q4/Wfevmtw-OqI/AAAAAAAARe0/Ouxt_q-ADSApwmWSMxn_00TIvYPrMuJxQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_fmVcYJ8Q4/Wfevmtw-OqI/AAAAAAAARe0/Ouxt_q-ADSApwmWSMxn_00TIvYPrMuJxQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4868.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Dinner at the crepe restaurant the last night</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Isn't that ice cream scoop RIDICULOUSLY small?!?!</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-74889059060500191782017-10-23T15:47:00.002-07:002017-11-21T10:27:06.227-08:00Week 7: Oct. 16th-22nd (Córdoba & Granada, Spain)<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I have officially been in Sevilla for more than six weeks. This is week seven of classes and then I have seven more after this week. How crazy! I am counting down because I am excited to be at home, but then I also don’t want to leave. It’s a tough battle to fight. Rough life, I know. Well this week was more miserable than the past six weeks because I had to study A LOT. I had three midterms on one day--one right after the other--and then one the next day as well. Let’s just say by Thursday, I was ready for a break. A lot took place this week and weekend though and overall, I am happy about it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> This past Monday night, I got an email from ISA, my program, that I was accepted into the program for teaching English to kids. I was told that I had to be there at 9:45am the very next day and I needed to sign a contract at the ISA office beforehand. The ISA office was about an hour or more in the opposite direction and both places were very far from where I live. I almost bailed on doing the program, especially because I was stressed about having to study for midterms but my roommate convinced me to give it a try. So I got up at 7:30am (that is very early here) and made my way to the ISA office to sign the paper...ugh, that’s all they needed...and then grabbed my schedule and headed to the school. The school was located in the more suburban area of Sevilla and I was almost completely alone on the metro on the way there which felt so strange. Once I arrived, it was less than a five minute walk to the school. I had a very difficult time opening the door. You had to buzz in in order to get the door open but every time it unlocked, I could not figure out how to open it. I finally got it to open on the third try and then I walked up to the front door and couldn’t open that one either. It was rough… then I didn’t have any idea where to go or which classroom I was supposed to be in. It always adds an extra layer of fun when you aren’t fluent in the language, too. It was a bilingual school--or at least they teach classes in English--so I was hoping more people would know English but no such luck. I finally found my way to the classroom and FELL IN LOVE. There were about 30 kiddos or so and they were about 11 or 12 years old. They were all so curious and seriously so adorable. They had to introduce themselves in English and then they got to ask me questions in English. They were mostly yes or no questions but I cannot tell you how much fun it was and how adorable their accents were. Then the teacher, Sylvia, let me write on the chalkboard and lead some activities. A chalkboard, yes, that’s what I said...and I don’t know how they do it. My hand hurt so bad because the chalk is so tiny. And to have good handwriting with a piece of chalk is quite the challenge. It was so fun though. I thought about moving to Spain to teach English to students there. No joke. Still slightly considering it. I guess every other week I am with the students I was with on Tuesday to teach them English and then the other weeks, I am with 8-year-olds to teach them science. We shall see this week how that goes. Science might be quite trickier. Either way, I am thrilled at working with them and am so glad I didn’t bail. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So then Wednesday came and I had my three midterms. On the bright side!!! It rained for the first time and it smelled SOOO good. I had forgotten what rain smelled like. My roommate and I got our rain gear on--my rain boots and rain jacket--and took photos that night in the rain. But anyway, midterms. They went better than expected I would say, but my Sports Psychology test was ridiculous. I just don’t even understand the questions he writes. He had to blot out or give us the answers to three out of 30 of the questions because he didn’t proofread his work. I like that class and I like him as a person and coach, but as a teacher...he is very frustrating. Wednesday night, I spent a good deal of the night studying for my Communications and Media in the Digital Age class. That is when I realized I really enjoy that class and I also have a mini crush on my teacher. Not a lovey-dovey crush, but more of an admiring crush. I like who he is as a person. I really enjoy his class and I like the way he teaches and how passionate he is. He has also taught me so much in life and in material in the last six weeks. He is one of the younger professors there and is single, but that doesn’t matter. ;) So the reason I am telling you all this is because of what happened on Thursday. Because before this all took place, I didn’t realize how much I “admire” him. So I was supposed to have tutoring at 11am at my University to work on my Spanish. I was going to meet with a lady named Lola and she works in the international office called CUI. I don’t remember what that stands for, pero bueno. (<--a transition phrase in Spanish that means “but good” and it’s a perfect phrase for this scenario but doesn’t sound right in English so I am going to use some Spanglish.) So I was walking to this office and thinking about my teacher--his name is Rúben by the way--and as I walk up to the office, guess who is standing outside? Rúben. We are on a first name basis...cool right? Ha. Just kidding--every teacher goes by their first name. But anyway, he works in that office as well, but he was outside and he looked at me and goes “Hola, q tal?” It clicked. I realized why I appreciated him so much. He speaks to me in Spanish and treats me like a friend as well as a student. I like that he doesn’t just speak in English but also that he gives me the chance to be a Spaniard. I also realized how in class he always looks me straight in the eye, which I appreciate teachers than maintain such concentration. So I went in for my tutoring session but Lola ended up not being able to meet which gave me more time to study more for my midterm so it worked out. I took my midterm later that afternoon and I ended up being the last person in the classroom with Rúben. As I was walking up to leave I was thinking of all the ways to say bye in Spanish and have a good weekend and stuff and he totally beats me to it and says it so quickly that I just stumble over my words and go, “Gracias, hasta luego.” Ugh. The struggle. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well Thursday night, I finally felt free and was able to facetime my mom for 3+ hours and it was glorious. It was like spending an afternoon with her. It was great. Then, that night, Carly and I had a wine night with cheese, aceitunas (olives), and potato chips. We watched the Switch, an American movie, but don’t worry it had Spanish subtitles. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Friday morning, we left early for Cordoba and Granada on one of our excursions as a group. We stopped in Cordoba first and it was an older city that was beautiful. There is a pretty mosque/cathedral there and our tour guide was very passionate and proud of his city. The tour seemed a little long though because there were a lot of people and we were starving by the end of it. But it was cool to think how at one point Muslims, Christians, and Jews all lived in harmony together. There were many cool little restaurants and there were lots of awesome narrow streets and cute tourist shops. It was slightly hilly but seemed like more work than we were used to because Sevilla is so plano (flat). Our host mom had packed us bocadillos (similar to sandwiches) and we sat outside and ate them after the tour. We then got ice cream, of course. I got mango...classic. I usually either get mango or fresa (strawberry) because the fruit tastes so good. Then, we went and got drinks and tapas at a restaurant after where we could just sit and chat. It was a short few hours in Cordoba and then we headed to Granada. Granada is a college-town and is very hilly compared to Sevilla. It is the only city in the south where you can ski in the winter time. We saw the snow on the Sierra Nevada which are the mountains there. It made me want to ski real bad. We arrived in the heart of the city and ended up staying at a beautiful hotel. I did not realize how cold Granada was at night so I very badly under-packed. I brought mostly shorts and tank tops. I had one jacket. I greatly regretted my packing decisions. That night, we climbed about 10 flights of stairs (or the equivalent) outside to get to this viewpoint. It was exhausting. We were sweating despite the freezing weather (in the 50’s and 60’s, which is cold compared to Sevilla). The view was incredible though. It was of the La Alhambra at night and then it overlooked the whole city, as well. So gorgeous. After that, we went to a flamenco show. We had the room just to ourselves. It was so much fun. They can sure move their feet fast. I hung out with a great group of girls this weekend. There wasn’t really a set group but I had a blast with all the different people I hung out with. That night, we went to dinner after and I biffed my spanish so bad when I was trying to order a drink. Yet, the camareros (waiters) had such a great time with us. I love when they can mess with us Americans instead of hate us. We even got a photo with one of the waiters, which I will post below. After, we found a dessert place that was FANTASTIC and even had gluten free options! There was chocolate cake, a date cake, and carrot cake. I got carrot cake and it was so moist and fresh and yum! I was a happy camper. After that, my friend Mary Jo and I decided to go get a glass of wine at one of the places near our hotel. Our hotel was literally smack dab in the middle of everything. Then, we decided we wanted to check out one of the clubs. There were big men/security guard type people out front and we were really intimidated. One of my friends from Santander, Elena, who lived in Spain for a few years and just knows Spain really well was messaging me and telling me how they were just bouncers, like the US has. We felt silly we had thought they were something else but that made a lot more sense. So we went there--and got IDed--which was funny because they have no idea how to make sense of our American driver’s license. Also, fun fact. My license expired at the beginning of this month since I turned 21 in September but I didn’t want to get a new license before I left because I would have to get another new one when I get back so I am using it despite it being expired. I never usually get IDed so it works. Anyway, MJ and I had a good time. It was literally all locals which was cool but we tried to blend as much as possible. We decided they are so cool and we are so not. They have such little dance moves, but they’re good. MJ and I like to go crazy. We like our space. But we didn’t want to draw attention to ourselves. We stayed out til about 4am and I had 10,000 steps before going to bed. That’s always fun. The next day, we had to wake up early for the all-inclusive breakfast before meeting for our tour of the La Alhambra. They had gluten-free options at breakfast which was exciting. So then, we saw La Alhambra. It was a palace and fortress that was built a long time ago. There were a lot of historical facts that went in one ear and out the other because it is too much for my brain to retain, but one thing I remember is that Isabella and Fernando lived there at one point and they honored Christopher Columbus in one of the rooms we stood in. The design was so intricate and most of it was so well preserved. It was so impressive. The views were incredible and the gardens...lovely. I told myself I was going to just enjoy the tour and only take a few photos. I think I took over 200 photos not going to lie. It was incredible. I highly recommend it. After, we went out for tapas and drinks. So in Granada, when you buy a drink, you get a free tapa. By the way, a tapa is a small portion of something. Like a small bocadillo or a tortilla de patata which is like an omelet. So we went to this restaurant and I spent eight euros and got two alcoholic beverages (I’m legal and it was only soda and wine, don’t worry friends.), a omelet thing, and an assortment of meats and potatoes. We stuffed ourselves. Our waiter was so nice about my celiac disease as well. It was a grand experience. After, we all hit a wall and went back to the hotel and I napped for three hours. Then, we got up and went to go get ice cream and found a frozen yogurt place. Eat, drink, be merry--right? After, we walked around the city. It was incredible how many people were out but there were SO many cute restaurants. We got dinner at this one restaurant and it had stuffed potatoes with a sauce over it that had mushrooms and beans or something. I enjoyed it very much. Dinner was also fun just because of the people I was with. After dinner, I convinced them to go back to the dessert place from the night before because I wanted the chocolate cake this time. I’m such a bad influence, I know. Unfortunately this time, I was disappointed because they only had the dates cake. I decided to get it but it was not very good. It was dry and it was sugar free, lactose free, and gluten free. I can’t imagine anything like that could taste very good. After dessert, MJ and I decided to go to a bar and get drinks and talk. We had such a great time. It was a cute bar but we realized that it was only old people in their 50’s that were there. That was great for us because we could be left alone to talk. She’s a really good friend and gives me good advice. She also has a relationship with Jesus so we relate in that way. Well, after that we decided to try out this famous discoteca that a friend of hers had recommended. Let me just say--it was crazy! There were four bars inside this place. It was kind of inside of a mall. All of the bars were playing different music. We had fun for the first two hours, but then afterwards it got so crowded, we couldn’t even dance. There was a lot of shoving and I don’t like that. Also, a ton of Americans and people from our program were there and we don’t like that, either. We prefer to be with the locals and to have our space to dance. We left around 3:30am, before we got our 10,000 steps but we figured it wasn’t worth it. Besides, we needed some sleep. We had 9,400 steps so it was close enough. The next morning, we went to the cathedral where Isabella and Fernando are buried. It was a cool tour and we didn’t have a tour guide this time. We had one of those devices that you hold up to your ear and it tells you all the details. I chose for mine to be in Spanish because I thought it’d help me focus more but I gave up shortly after. I preferred to just look around. You could actually go underground sort of and see the tombs. It was cool. Then, we went outside and there were the statue people who dress up like statues and stand still unless you give them money. Then they will take a picture with you and move. One of them looked like a statue and he kept scaring people, even a little girl. After that, we went back to the hotel and sat and had coffee and just talked and enjoyed each other’s company. An hour before we were supposed to head back to Sevilla, we decided to get a quick lunch. We ended up back at the place we went to dinner the night before because it was so good. There were so many solicitors out at this time which is annoying that they can just come up to your table. One lady walked by, just a tourist, and she saw the stuffed potato and was like “¿Qué es? ¡¿Qué es?! ¡Yo quiero!” It was great. She was so nice. I love people like that! Then, we ended up heading back for Sevilla and got home around 8pm. Now it is back to reality. I am not sure I am ready to face the week. At least I don’t have midterms this week. Just a paper for my class with good old Rúben. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, sorry for the long post! A lot happened this week I suppose and with the trip to Cordoba and Granada, I just had a lot to record. I hope you guys enjoy the pictures! It’s almost November (already?!) so I will be posting a group of photos on Facebook soon...after this weekend probably. Hope all is well with you guys and that you are enjoying your fall weather. Sevilla is supposed to be between 85 and 90 degrees this week...ahh. Longest summer ever. Pues, adiós mis amigos! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cabGJDlKdHY/We5uy2XLEtI/AAAAAAAARBI/gsiZOi2ckt091AkL3CBY9tFqfc_l9NCWQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cabGJDlKdHY/We5uy2XLEtI/AAAAAAAARBI/gsiZOi2ckt091AkL3CBY9tFqfc_l9NCWQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4704.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is my friend Maddie--such a sweetheart</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hvU5VSe5Ok/We5uy6bUWhI/AAAAAAAARBI/Y1euqqS6T-YSyPSvI_OZ3DUqCmEiKD7gACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hvU5VSe5Ok/We5uy6bUWhI/AAAAAAAARBI/Y1euqqS6T-YSyPSvI_OZ3DUqCmEiKD7gACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4702.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is the statue man that scared everyone</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WLmOv1NdaoU/We5uywC2lII/AAAAAAAARBI/RkOP_xif6zoVGyBflgmn8lT3CcX-TEiRgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WLmOv1NdaoU/We5uywC2lII/AAAAAAAARBI/RkOP_xif6zoVGyBflgmn8lT3CcX-TEiRgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4674.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Beautiful view of the city!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihrh-bnJAwE/We5uy517tTI/AAAAAAAARBI/efy54g9Ul8Y7hHWhjpcdCi38FKQdnNJ3ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihrh-bnJAwE/We5uy517tTI/AAAAAAAARBI/efy54g9Ul8Y7hHWhjpcdCi38FKQdnNJ3ACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4666.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">MJ and me</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlbjNZ3ZoVI/We5uy4iFTzI/AAAAAAAARBI/XhTRKB6o_2QtiP9KjAuiOO14xsrwOK4ZQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlbjNZ3ZoVI/We5uy4iFTzI/AAAAAAAARBI/XhTRKB6o_2QtiP9KjAuiOO14xsrwOK4ZQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4658.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Seeing the gardens finally made me feel like it was fall!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UOTrpmal5I/We5uy61H77I/AAAAAAAARBI/S5nhC-lZFighXg7mNO5x-_EAYy5YIdcrgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1397" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UOTrpmal5I/We5uy61H77I/AAAAAAAARBI/S5nhC-lZFighXg7mNO5x-_EAYy5YIdcrgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4634.JPG" width="279" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Gorgeous gardens </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33p_zqVJI6s/We5vqchagPI/AAAAAAAARBg/Jr7arYIqkeAEsdky9--Yri3Vov4gfKU3wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1129" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33p_zqVJI6s/We5vqchagPI/AAAAAAAARBg/Jr7arYIqkeAEsdky9--Yri3Vov4gfKU3wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4623.JPG" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Id like to point out that this was taken in the bathroom--that's how nice this place was.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToiZM0whbTM/We5uy9x4_zI/AAAAAAAARBI/wcsUGLS0WeEFk2p0HAYy8Xl4ITuPniR8gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToiZM0whbTM/We5uy9x4_zI/AAAAAAAARBI/wcsUGLS0WeEFk2p0HAYy8Xl4ITuPniR8gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4610.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfEJKt2dATk/We5uyyfXENI/AAAAAAAARBI/xVV6CgfvroU7R41AERNb6IipQ3H-9FeHQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfEJKt2dATk/We5uyyfXENI/AAAAAAAARBI/xVV6CgfvroU7R41AERNb6IipQ3H-9FeHQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4603.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cze60bTav4Q/We5uy0QXVzI/AAAAAAAARBI/UIy0aZ5ru04UXQqgArxBSUP2QuqWNidLACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cze60bTav4Q/We5uy0QXVzI/AAAAAAAARBI/UIy0aZ5ru04UXQqgArxBSUP2QuqWNidLACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4583.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OaZ1-40DEo4/We5uywVLTeI/AAAAAAAARBI/C1ijo_VamL80AxEhKkGK0F93nHqREFaiQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OaZ1-40DEo4/We5uywVLTeI/AAAAAAAARBI/C1ijo_VamL80AxEhKkGK0F93nHqREFaiQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4573.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Fun fact. If you look at this photo up side down, you can see the exact same picture because of the reflection.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drVZydgACTg/We5uyzBwz9I/AAAAAAAARBI/HSm1nLNMn0EX7_7gsQFDre-tUPdUpOnoQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drVZydgACTg/We5uyzBwz9I/AAAAAAAARBI/HSm1nLNMn0EX7_7gsQFDre-tUPdUpOnoQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4554.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is the same reflection view as the photo above, just from the other side..</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccPXCAnIMcE/We5uywBwn9I/AAAAAAAARBI/Jdy4zj9WAho761oRTfLbb6gfLPcJ8x35QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccPXCAnIMcE/We5uywBwn9I/AAAAAAAARBI/Jdy4zj9WAho761oRTfLbb6gfLPcJ8x35QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4542.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__hBdzOQE1c/We5uy33ZdQI/AAAAAAAARBI/tf0iKSfqshA6kbhPMuBl07TF5YbeKzo9QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__hBdzOQE1c/We5uy33ZdQI/AAAAAAAARBI/tf0iKSfqshA6kbhPMuBl07TF5YbeKzo9QCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4589.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So much detail</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYiSq10tfZo/We5uy9DI8TI/AAAAAAAARBI/XshME08sNmoZAZYRoN6xfEEwtyeBHVEQACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4523.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYiSq10tfZo/We5uy9DI8TI/AAAAAAAARBI/XshME08sNmoZAZYRoN6xfEEwtyeBHVEQACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4523.PNG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">My friend Juanita! </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A3UShPwZ_6c/We5uyxBkoHI/AAAAAAAARBI/XWjsDwACMy0JVoFX9oI06rBzBnq0K4JAgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A3UShPwZ_6c/We5uyxBkoHI/AAAAAAAARBI/XWjsDwACMy0JVoFX9oI06rBzBnq0K4JAgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_5456.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Our fun waiter that took a pic with us!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQyh8yziYLo/We5uyxH4DZI/AAAAAAAARBI/hnj375YgivwAlNZ-q7k6STdYGHQsY_MfwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQyh8yziYLo/We5uyxH4DZI/AAAAAAAARBI/hnj375YgivwAlNZ-q7k6STdYGHQsY_MfwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4521.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iEk4R4jnEg/We5uy5J5vkI/AAAAAAAARBI/WaD6C4bUhigHeyEaDnR6kiEe5-tjOk-ZgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iEk4R4jnEg/We5uy5J5vkI/AAAAAAAARBI/WaD6C4bUhigHeyEaDnR6kiEe5-tjOk-ZgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4496.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The night view of the La Alhambra</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXgBh0lGRL0/We5uy-sJ5xI/AAAAAAAARBI/e7dYNzchtx0OhfT026cuIu1Wvl0dc6FuQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXgBh0lGRL0/We5uy-sJ5xI/AAAAAAAARBI/e7dYNzchtx0OhfT026cuIu1Wvl0dc6FuQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4502.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Night view of the city...worth the sweaty hike</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dR44CJSOQtw/We5vKhP7sII/AAAAAAAARBQ/hDC352ntaU4MQWsa2Ovg2FRI61nTVmhLQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dR44CJSOQtw/We5vKhP7sII/AAAAAAAARBQ/hDC352ntaU4MQWsa2Ovg2FRI61nTVmhLQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4464.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is in Cordoba!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-priRv7r58QQ/We5vKrlRg6I/AAAAAAAARBQ/7XcVNCzfUusDf8NdiXHHKRnHbFuWX08WwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-priRv7r58QQ/We5vKrlRg6I/AAAAAAAARBQ/7XcVNCzfUusDf8NdiXHHKRnHbFuWX08WwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4459.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Cool pic in Cordoba where the cathedral spire lines up right in between the narrow street</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TxgcZzEcVt8/We5vKnvytEI/AAAAAAAARBQ/1bWi1AQpSOcnq1eML57trmOrnw4FTZMPQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TxgcZzEcVt8/We5vKnvytEI/AAAAAAAARBQ/1bWi1AQpSOcnq1eML57trmOrnw4FTZMPQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4450.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The mosque/cathedral in Cordoba</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxv86K8UaNU/We5vKmp3AaI/AAAAAAAARBQ/Pni9eGgKshQqc3z6mrGcr-_gbOYY6q1VwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxv86K8UaNU/We5vKmp3AaI/AAAAAAAARBQ/Pni9eGgKshQqc3z6mrGcr-_gbOYY6q1VwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4433.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Cordoba!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSX35rl8XGM/We5vKjLetfI/AAAAAAAARBQ/M3F_d-tNLcIrRBrXuOcCDaJxMkOU3taigCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSX35rl8XGM/We5vKjLetfI/AAAAAAAARBQ/M3F_d-tNLcIrRBrXuOcCDaJxMkOU3taigCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4416.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">IT RAINED FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-7UrNchSbw/We5vKlUQptI/AAAAAAAARBQ/HOKCP7eWLgo5b8HJNYoNEfxURWU9dz4MgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-7UrNchSbw/We5vKlUQptI/AAAAAAAARBQ/HOKCP7eWLgo5b8HJNYoNEfxURWU9dz4MgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_4390.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">"singing in the rain" <br />also, you can see the name of the street we live on behind me so it's a great pic for when my memory fails me a year from now</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-41624156839973241932017-10-15T15:52:00.003-07:002017-11-21T10:26:27.582-08:00Week 6: Oct. 9th-15th (Albufeira, Portugal)<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Buenas, amigos! Another way to say "Hola" here is "Buenas." It doesn't directly translate to anything, but it's a way of greeting someone. So... this week has been one of my favorites weeks. I unfortunately was sick last Sunday and chose to take the day to relax and do absolutely nothing. Monday, I was feeling better and therefore I was proud of myself for actually resting and not pushing it. However, I felt even worse than I did on Sunday later on in the week. But I pushed through. Sometimes medicine, especially for colds, really does help. On Tuesday, there was an intercambio event through my program, ISA, and it was such a great experience! They treated us to drinks at a nearby coffee shop and we were able to meet quite a few more Spaniards so we could practice Spanish and they could practice their English. We were there for a long time just chatting away. When you lose track of time talking, especially when there is a language barrier, you know you have good company around you. I think it helped that there was a group of us so there wasn't as much pressure, compared to if it was just one on one. On Wednesday, our sports psychology teacher told our class that he had gotten 10 tickets to a fútbol (soccer) game for that night. The game started at 10pm and it was going to be a competitive game because it was Sevilla versus Cádiz, who is a big rival of theirs. Cádiz is a small beach town about an hour and a half south and a little west of Sevilla. Although I am not familiar with all the rules of soccer, we had a fantastic time at the game since we were surrounded by locals. There was a lot of chanting that took place and it reminded me of high school--but I loved it. There was so much team spirit! We had an interesting time getting into the stadium because the security guards were impossible to understand because they spoke so fast and asked us strange questions. For example, they asked us how old we were. We still don't know why. They were just questions that were completely unexpected. Then also, they allowed me to bring in a water bottle but they threw away the cap. But it was already full...so I could've had whatever fluid I wanted in there...so it just didn't make sense to me. Then, when we went inside, we could pick our seats but we were trying to save seats for a pretty big group. I'm sure it wasn't appropriate but the stadium was filling up fast so we put our legs up on the seats to reserve them. We are definitely Americans. I saw a couple of Spaniards mimicking us though so maybe they thought it was a good idea and we started a new trend! We stayed for the whole game and it ended up being a tie. It was crazy to me how late the game started but that's just how Spain is.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Thursday (October 12th) was a holiday in Spain and therefore, we didn't have classes. Some of my friends and I took the opportunity to go to Portugal for the weekend. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I went with two of my friends from the ISA program, Mary Jo from Georgia and Juanita from Arizona. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We went to Albuferia (good luck pronouncing that...I can't, no matter how hard I try). We found really cheap bus tickets and then a cheap Airbnb, as well. The apartment we stayed in had a hammock on the balcony. We had two balconies and a supermarket downstairs. So the first thing we did when we got there was buy snacks from the supermarket and sit on that balcony and watch the sun go down over the city past the mountains way out in the distance. Then, we went to dinner later that night and that is when we realized that the city life in Portugal is so much different than we are used to in Sevilla. First of all, there were no people out. We went to the "strip" where all the restaurants and bars and tourism was...supposedly. However, it was seriously empty. If there were people, they just stared at us. We were very confused. However, we found a nice restaurant with really yummy food. Then, we explored the strip more and found that more towards the beach, there were more people. And that is when our night really began. I can't even explain to you how much fun I had. We found a bar where there were old couples dancing to modern club music and it made my day. When I am 70-years-old, I hope I can boogie as well as these people could. I ended up meeting many, wonderful people this night, as well. MJ and I had nicknames for just about every one of them. There was the Ginger, Hollish, bodyguards, and then Callum, Jim and their friends. This post would be so long if I tried to explain all that took place, so just take my word for it...it was probably one of my favorite "nights-out" in my life. Another difference from Sevilla, because Sevilla is so big and difficult to get around in late at night so it's hard to go out. At least in my experience so far. Well, the next day, we went to the beach. Now, I have had a realization lately. I don't really like the beach... I don't like sand everywhere, the sun burning my skin, and laying on the hard, hot sand. I don't like the water and walking in the ocean where there are creatures. Therefore, there is not much about the beach that would seem appealing. However, the atmosphere and idea of going to a place where there is a beach is exciting and is the ultimate definition of a vacation for me. And so I figured out what I like about beaches. I like when there are rocks and caves and adventures. That's what this beach in Portugal was like. We had our own private alcove, if you will, that was surrounded by rocks and it was just wonderful. I'll post some pictures in the blog, but I know it won't do it justice. I think we took over 250 photos, though, so hopefully there are a couple that can give you an idea of how much fun we had. We spent pretty much all afternoon there and then headed back home in the evening. That night, we decided to have dinner at a Chinese restaurant. We never really figured out what Portuguese food is--and also the language is very strange. But anyway, the food was good, but we had a show during dinner. There were fights breaking out at 10pm. "Toto, we aren't in Spain anymore," we said to ourselves as we saw people getting drunk as early as 10pm. In Spain, people don't drink like that until midnight or later (another difference)... But, we also realized through all of this how attractive Portuguese cops are. Anyway, MJ (Mary Jo) and I told ourselves to keep our expectations low for that night because we had had so much fun the night before, there was no way we could have two amazing nights in a row. Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, it is possible. We had another FANTASTIC night out. We found our friends again--all of them including: the Ginger, Hollish, bodyguards, Callum, Jim and friends. Side note, who is Hollish and bodyguards you might ask? Well, that is our deep dark secret and I cannot tell you....unless you ask me. :) Okay, so before we met all our friends, we did something kind of crazy. So there are tons and tons of bars along this so called strip. Some are super duper crowded and others are completely empty. Well, MJ and I decided we wanted to go into all the empty bars and just dance and have the time of our lives. That is exactly what we did. One of the bars that was empty had a live feed on a TV outside the bar. And it was an open bar so as people walked by, they could see we were the only ones inside. We did not care. Not one bit. We seriously had the best time dancing on that dance floor all by ourselves, without a care in the world. The rest of the night only continued to get better and, no matter how hard I try to explain it, I never will be able to come up with words effective enough to describe our night. It just has to forever live inside of me. Thank the Lord for memories, right? Let's just say we didn't get home until 4:30am and I already had more than 12,000 steps on top of the 25,000+ I had before the clock switched to midnight. (Aka, lots of dancing was involved with this night). Oh man. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was such a great weekend. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm pretty sure that's why MJ and my abs were so sore on Saturday. We rode the bus back on Saturday so we could have Sunday in Sevilla and I'm so glad we did. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">oday (Sunday the 16th) was super fun as well. I got to go with my host parents to a pueblo outside the city called Salteras. I think if I lived in Spain, I would live outside the city. It was such a wonderful little town and it reminded me more of home because it had big restaurants like I am used to. The one we went to today reminds me of the Italian restaurant Maggiano's that I go to in Colorado. It was a Spanish version of Magginao's, I guess. But it was so delicious and I was able to relax and have a great time with my host parents. I also love when we use the car because it reminds me of home, as well, since Americans drive everywhere in the U.S. My host mom is learning/practicing her driving. Let's just say I am glad for seat belts--no, really, she's a great driver though. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, it's time to get back into the swing of things. Carly was gone all week in Morocco but now she's back and my mini vacation is over. I dread Mondays no matter what country I'm in, I suppose. I am getting ready to prepare for midterms. I have three in a row on Wednesday (please pray for me) and then another one Thursday. Then a midterm paper, among other assignments, due next week. But if I can get through this week, I leave on Friday for Granada and Cordoba which I know is going to be an awesome trip. Bueno. Thanks for reading! I had a lot to share but I wanted to write it all down before I forget. Have a great week everyone and I shall write again soon! Hasta luego. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My adorable host mom!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The outside of the restaurant like "Maggiano's"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Mis 3 amigos in Portugal</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The caves were so cool!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Me pretending to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid..dreams do come true</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The rocks were very slippery..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Our little alcove! There was a water barrier so only the brave dared to enter...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">You always have to have the handstand pic</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Meet "Ginger." Did I mention he's British? He's got the cutest accent...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">We found an American diner...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: white;">Of course Elvis belongs inside the diner...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Sevilla vs. Cádiz fútbol game</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-75769945114650534492017-10-08T07:54:00.002-07:002017-10-08T08:04:06.876-07:00Week 5: Oct. 2nd-8th<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hi! It is Sunday...which means that tomorrow is Monday, and that means another week is here. This weekend was my last weekend in Seville before I start traveling every weekend until the second weekend in November. Whew, that was a lot of the word "weekend" in one sentence. Then, I travel three more weekends in a row after that one weekend off which takes me to the beginning of December where I start preparing for finals. Time is about to start flying. I am going to Albuferia, Portugal, Granada and Cordoba, Paris, then Morocco. I get one week in Seville then to Lisbon, Portugal, Naples and Rome, and finally Amsterdam. Since I'm here, I have to travel! My goal is to hit 10 different countries.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So, this week seemed to go pretty fast. It is STILL 90 degrees every day and, therefore, I can't tell you how excited I am for the weather to change. I like the sun, but if it could be 20 degrees cooler, that would be great. This past week was the first week of October! The first of October marked the day for the vote to take place on whether Cataluña can become its own country apart from Spain. It passed and as of tomorrow, October 9th, Cataluña, which includes Barcelona, will not be a part of Spain anymore. This is all the media has talked about for the past three weeks. It is a big deal though, so I understand that. I'm sure you've seen some of the violence and protests that have taken place in Barcelona if you watch the news often. It fascinates me to be here during such a memorable year. It also amazes me that, if I was in America, I would have nowhere near the knowledge of what is taking place compared to how much I am hearing about it now. Spain is a very divided country already, but this is a whole new level. I am interested in seeing what will happen in a couple of months. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">This week was full of coffee shop visits, school, </span><span style="font-size: large;">kayaking, </span><span style="font-size: large;">getting my hair done, and resting. I have found a couple of cafes that I like, but I refuse to get hot coffee when it is 95 degrees outside. Therefore, I have been indulging in the fresh fruit smoothies. They are quite delicious! My classes have been pretty good. I really am enjoying my Communications and Media in the Digital Age class, especially with all that is happening in Cataluña. The media definitely has strong power to influence our society. So I also went kayaking this week. Man, it is hard work. But we did it in the evening and it was so very pretty! We got pretty dang wet, but after sweating in this heat all week, I wasn't complaining. Then, I got my hair done this week! I was nervous to do anything to my hair while I was here, but I needed a trim and my highlights were looking very bad. I did some research on words used in a "Peluquería" (hair salon) and then took a chance. My appointment lasted almost 4 hours. My peluquero (hair dresser [P.S. I had to look up that word because I knew it in Spanish, but not in English...uh-oh.]) was very nice and he loved my hair. He told me, "Tu pelo es </span><span style="font-size: large;">maravilloso</span><span style="font-size: large;">." (Your hair is marvelous.) I thought to myself, "It isn't going to be marvelous after you're done with it" because he wouldn't leave it alone! But, he alternated dark and light highlights so my hair could look as natural as possible and then trimmed my hair also. He had a little too much fun giving me layers (I hate layers) but I figured they will grow... so I am not too upset. I love the way it turned out! It's definitely a lot darker than before but I think it'll look great for winter time. I also met with my intercambio, Eduardo, for the second time. He seems so young to me (he's 18--but in boy years, that's 15), but it is interesting to hear him talk and to learn about his culture. He is from Granada so we are both figuring out Seville together whenever we meet up. Another thing I was able to do this week is visit two different rooftop bars. The views were incredible. This city is massive and I feel like I find new places, new streets, and new restaurants every single week. One last thing, last night I was walking home on the main street in downtown Seville and there were people passing out Biblias Gratis (Free Bibles) in Spanish. My friend Mary Jo and I were so excited--they have probably never seen two young, white girls so excited to get a free Bible. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Other than those few things, my week wasn't super eventful. I guess I'm settling in more now and can officially say it feels like I live here. I am enjoying the "down" time. I have been back and forth with it. At first, I was so excited for it because I never get down time in Colorado during school. Then, I was super upset because I felt like I was a loser who had no life. Now, I am enjoying doing things I don't normally have time to do. I'm listening to podcasts, watching movies, talking with friends, spending a thorough amount of time reading my reading homework (like I usually should) and I still have extra time for naps and relaxing. I keep telling myself I better enjoy it while it lasts... which is exactly what I plan to do!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Have a great week and enjoy your fall weather/snow/cool temperatures. I'm starting to miss the United States, but I am also so very thankful I am here. Hasta luego, mis amigos. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">I'm bummed the picture is dark, but I was able to climb on top of the kayaks and take a picture. The bridge behind me is called the Triana Bridge. I have posted pictures of it before--it is the beautiful one that gets lit up at night.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My free Spanish Bible!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">I found a gluten free peanut butter, chocolate cake pastry. I was so excited.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Could the streets be any narrower? </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Highly debating going skydiving...but I haven't told my parents yet...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The lit-up cathedral is behind me. This was taken from a rooftop bar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My new hair!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-73170242241810581152017-10-01T10:26:00.004-07:002017-10-04T08:29:27.788-07:00Week 4: Sept. 25th-Oct.1st<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hola! Things are starting to really speed up so I decided I might need to break down the days or I'd start to mix the days together or forget what even took place over the week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This day was very unproductive overall. I had class for almost four and a half hours which makes the day fly by and I lose a lot of energy by the evening. But! I did go for a run before class finally. The weather is really nice in the morning and it isn't searing hot like the afternoons. However, after the run, I couldn't seem to cool down my body temperature and I ended up getting a terrible headache. I might have just been dehydrated but it made the rest of my day a tad miserable. I didn't do any homework--which fortunately I had none due the next day. I took a nap and ran a couple errands and that's about it. This weather has been so hot at night so I had a tough time sleeping the night before, so that might have been part of the reason my head was bugging me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Tuesday was a much better day than Monday--isn't that always the case? I set up an appointment (in Spanish) to get eyelash extensions. I was a tad nervous not being able to communicate fully, but she did a really nice job. Luckily for me, the word natural is the same in Spanish and in English so she was able to make them look like they are my own eyelashes. My "peluquera" (hair-stylist) was super sweet! Although she's not really a hair stylist...but I don't even know what the word in English would be to describe her--eyelash extensionista? "No lo sé" (I don't know)...hmm, if I don't know the word in English, I definitely don't know the word in Spanish. Anyway, I also found a Chinese store that sells a whole bunch of cool items. I found some notebooks for really cheap since my journal is filling up fast, and then also a shade of lipstick I've been wanting for night time when I want to go out and dress up a little. I had way too much fun shopping around that store. I also finally got "los sellos postales" (stamps) for the US so I can send postcards home. I had a lot of homework to do since I hadn't done any of it the day before so I got to work on that and then was feeling real motivated. I went on a run and did some abs and stretched and boy, I always feel so much better when I work out. I even clipped my toenails and repainted them--TMI, sorry. But I was just able to get so much done so I was proud!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Today seemed like such a busy day but I just had class all day and dinner with the host family. I don't have much to report from today. I did end up going to an intercambio event where we met up with people from Spain, German, Japan, Canada, etc. We have the option to sign up for a program where we can have a "Compañero" (partner) where they help you learn their language and you help them learn English. It was quite interesting to go and meet some people from all over, but the way it was set-up wasn't super efficient. Oh well... I'm glad I went. I am supposed to get assigned a partner here soon. I'm glad it's Wednesday, but I can't believe it's already Wednesday. It's one of those feelings where you are conflicted if the week is going by fast or slow...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I was so busy today which is pretty rare here in Spain. I only had class from 12:00-1:20 but I just find it so fascinating. The class is my Communications and Media in the Digital Age class. Media is so powerful. We are talking about how the Gutenberg invention of the printing press was one of the most important in history. It started this mass communication process and almost all that we have today is based off the concepts that were started with this machine. I love the quotes and depth of meaning in that class. It is one of those classes that I use the concepts and apply them to my life, not just my learning. I think that is when education is truly beneficial. So, I also got my intercambio today. His name is Eduardo. He is 18-years-old and seems quite nice. We are talking about a time to meet up so we shall see. Tomorrow I have an excursion to Gibraltar with ISA and so I'm really excited for that. However, I am not excited for the fact that I have to wake up at 6:15am. Time for bed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Today has been a very eventful day. Gibraltar was a 4-hour bus ride away. I actually do not mind the travel time. It is time to decompress and relax and listen to music or watch downloaded Netflix episodes or purposely be lazy but not actually because you are being transported somewhere so it is technically beneficial still. I'm not sure if that made any sense, "pero bueno" (this is a transition phrase used all the time here). Gibraltar is actually owned by the English, the British. It is such a strange city/mountain. It is so small. To cross the border, we literally held up our passports. It was the most "tranquilo" (chill) system ever. We did a bus tour of the city and this was so cool. Our tour guide had British English because English is his first language but he also spoke Spanish with some weird words from France and German mixed in. I asked him how the languages worked there and I guess every person is required to know both English and Spanish before primary school. It makes sense because it is technically in Spain, it is just such a weird concept. We got to go to the very tip of the Peninsula and we could see Morocco from where we were. Also, as we drove from one side of the "island" to the other, it was the Atlantic ocean and then we crossed through a tunnel and it was the Mediterranean Sea. I thought that was pretty cool. Then, we went to the top of the mountain where we got to go inside these caves where they hold concerts because the acoustics are so cool inside. I'll post pictures on Facebook because it was super cool. Then, as we went outside...these gigantic monkeys were just all over the place. If you've heard of Gibraltar, you've probably heard of the monkeys, too. I'll post pictures of that too but it was so weird because they are just all over the mountain running wild. They are scary though because they are not nice. As we were driving down the mountain, several jumped on the top of our van and then jumped into the sides of the windows. It was quite terrifying. Then, we had free time in the city where I discovered that it is a very British culture. The currency was in Pounds, but everything was super expensive. It definitely had the feel of London, and it made me really happy I chose to study in Spain and not in the UK. Shh, don't tell any of my friends who are studying there. The food was terrible also, at least in my opinion. I was glad it was just a day trip there. Overall, I loved it but I could never live there. It was pretty too! But the storms there are apparently awful sometimes. We got home around 7:30pm and I was utterly exhausted but, of course I had signed up for an 8k that night. I literally went back to my apartment to change and then had to go back to town to run the race. I didn't think I'd survive but I ended up having a great time with my friend Jenna. She was nervous I was wanting to seriously run it but I told her it was just for fun and then she ended up wanting to run the whole thing. The term "running" scares so many people. They don't understand that it can be fun when there's 25,000 other people doing it with you and there's music and lights and music. The race started at 10pm, but it was still 89 degrees. So yes, I died--in case you were wondering. It was so hot. But it was great! 6.2 miles later, we felt very accomplished, especially because we got to run around the main part of the city and explore the city in a fun way. Then, I am now back home and for some reason I have been feeling homesick, more or less. I just am missing "my people" is how I like to word it. My roommate is gone this weekend so I have the place to myself so I face-timed my mom and dad until 3am. It was grand! Now I need sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday: </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I was exhausted all day today. I slept until noon so I have no reason to actually be exhausted, but maybe it's from last night. I'm not as sore as I thought I would be so that's good! I love how we can just do nothing on the weekends and not even feel bad about it. I ended up doing some homework today so I wasn't completely unproductive. Then, I met with some friends downtown and we went to these festivals by the river. It was really fun to just hangout and sit by the river dangling our feet and talking. After, there's this street that my friend's sister had said was really fun where lots of locals hangout. It was about a 30-minute walk and we wanted the exercise so we decided to go. Once, we got there it was 2:30am and there was absolutely no one there. That is rare for Spain. But luckily, we walked closer to my house so I was able to just walk home. We felt like such losers because we were so tired, but I just am too old for all the partying. 21 hit me hard, man. It was still a 30-min walk home but on the bright side, I got 9,770 steps in before I went to bed. That way, if I don't walk at all tomorrow, I don't feel bad cause I can still get my 10,000 steps. Hee hee, sneaky--I know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, today is back to 93 degree weather. I am so ready for it to cool down, but once it gets cold, I know that I'll want warm weather again so I'm trying to enjoy it. Today, I met up with my intercambio, Eduardo, for lunch. We had tapas at a bar and then got "helado" (ice cream) and then walked around. He is the tallest Spaniard I have met here. Most Spaniards are very short here, but he's well over 6-foot. He has very tall legs and probably weighs 110 pounds. He was super nice though and can speak 4 languages of course. We were technically supposed to be paired with someone who speaks the same level of English that I do Spanish but he is pretty much fluent in English. He said I spoke Spanish very well though and that made me pleased. I know it isn't true, but I was still flattered. We had a good time and we will probably meet up again next week. He's different than most of the locals I have met here. He actually lives on the campus of UPO and is from Granada. He is young, but brilliant. I have figured out that English is pretty easy for Spaniards to learn if they want to because they can watch and read in English very easily and English is spoken all over the world. I learned in my International Marketing class this week that English is becoming the official business language or something like that. There is push in businesses for adding language programs to their company so that there isn't miscommunication between employees. I think it could be very beneficial actually. Speaking of all this, I have a presentation in that class tomorrow about this so I better go finish that now. Saving homework for Sunday--that's something that I can do in any country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be posting pictures on Facebook this time since it is already October 1st!!!! That's crazy. Oh, also a big day for Spain because, I don't know if you all have heard, but Cataluña, which is a region here in Spain in the North (Barcelona is a part of this region), is trying to get its independence. It wants to be its own country apart from Spain. It's technically illegal but the vote is today so it's a big day here in Spain. I am interested to see what happens. Thanks for reading and have a great week!!</span></span><br />
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-32455618701101358962017-09-24T07:35:00.002-07:002017-11-21T10:25:15.555-08:00Week 3: Sept. 18th-24th (Cádiz)<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! Well...this week went so fast! I cannot believe it has already been another week. Last week was so slow, but I guess since classes started, it sped things up quite a bit! This week was super fun. I had my birthday last Monday and I had a great group of friends who made it super special. We went to a restaurant along the river called “Don Cammillo e Peppone.” I highly recommend it. It was delicious and, the best part, is that they had gluten-free Italian food! I had 10 of my friends join me and we just enjoyed the good food and good company. The waiters were really nice, too. It was also a beautiful night. At the end of our meal, they brought champagne and dessert and my friends sang happy birthday to me in English. It’s weird to think that I’m 21. In the US, it would be such a big deal, but I like that here in Spain...it isn’t. It was a birthday and now I’m 21 and that’s that. We went to an Irish pub after dinner and an Irish man works there who speaks English, and then a lady who has the cutest British accent and also speaks English. They were so sweet and fun. She “IDed” me because she knew that that’s how they do it in America. I can actually say I got IDed on my 21st birthday! I didn’t think that would happen. And not because I look younger than 18 (the legal drinking age here)...but to make it feel like home in America. Woah, I really don’t believe that when I say it. 21? It’s not that I feel different, but I think there’s a “stigma” that, unless you’re 21, you’re not an adult. I guess in some ways that’s true and then also, it represents some indication of your experience. This could be a very complicated subject, but let’s keep it simple! It was a great birthday! My host parents are so sweet and got me a starfish necklace. I love it!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I really am enjoying my classes. I’m not used to not having a ton of homework so that’s been a bit of an adjustment. I actually have time to practice my Spanish or do things that I would like to do, but don’t usually have time for. I applied for internships this week, I am sorting through pictures and email, and I have time to listen to podcasts and journal and enjoy where I am in this moment of my life. I feel a little inactive but then I have over 10,000 steps every day so I’m not exactly being inactive. I do think I need to figure out a workout schedule soon or I might go crazy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I learned something crazy this week. Our host mom told us that every Spaniard has two last names. The last name of their dad and then their mom. I told her how we take the name of our husbands when we get married and she thought that was crazy. She thinks that that demeans women in some ways. I didn’t quite agree with her, but I don’t really have the vocabulary to explain exactly as I’d like to. I just let her do most of the talking. But I guess I’m “old-fashioned” and I like the way weddings are represented in America. Well, or the old-fashioned way of America where the dad gives his daughter to the husband and you take the last name of the man. Weddings just don’t seem that important here. It is common for a couple to have kids before they are married here. She says a legal document shouldn’t define your love or commitment and, that statement, I agree with. I just think a wedding in a way of professing your love and commitment in front of witnesses because you are happy to declare your love for each other. And it’s exciting! Everyone has different opinions about it, I suppose. I like hearing about their culture for sure. It is interesting to compare the differences. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, also. My teacher said this quote in class this week and it is now my motto to live by. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>“The limits of your language are the limits of your world.”</b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is a quote by an Australian Ludwig Wittgenstein. I love it! I believe that is exactly why I am here. I am learning this language to expand my world. And it’s true with my major, too. As I study the business world, that is expanding my world to know what the business world is like so I can be successful in that area of my life. There is no way to know everything--we are not an all-knowing species, hate to break it to you--therefore, it is better to look at it as limits. The more you are eager to learn and the more you do learn, the wider your world expands and the less “limits” you have. It is up to you to choose how far you go. I just fell in love with the quote and the meaning behind it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, as for activities this week, we went to the beach in Cadiz yesterday. It’s a small peninsula on the south coast of Spain. It’s almost at the bottom of Spain and a little west. It was super fun! I went with my roommate Carly and our other friend Mary Jo. We relaxed on the beautiful beach and then walked around the town and then “tomar algo(ed)” at one of the cafes. It was super small, but so beautiful! We also got some delicious helado there. It was real toasty in the sun but a perfect temperature in the shade. It was only an hour and a half train ride there and so worth it! I highly recommend it if you ever come to Spain! Oh, and then last night Carly and I had another adventure. We went to go visit our friends at the residencias, which is about 30 minutes away by metro. We left a little after 11:30pm. The metro closes around 11pm on the weekdays but on Friday and Saturday, they are open until 2am. Well, we must have been tired from the beach because neither of us thought to take the metro and we jumped on a bus instead. We were on it for much longer than we must have thought because we finally realized we were going the opposite way of center. We stayed on for a little longer thinking it would circle around, but it didn't seem to be doing so and so we got off. We switched sides and were just going to ride the bus back and start over. Well, we waited for over an hour and no bus came. Then, we realized we were an hour walking from home. That was much, much further than we had thought. But because no bus ever came, we only had two options. Walk or take a taxi. We like getting our steps in and it was too late to go to the residencia at this point so we ended up walking home, which took us 45+ minutes. We got home at 1am, having accomplished nothing but walking over 5,000 steps. Ugh. We were quite annoyed but there was some reason that happened to us, so I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it. :-) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This week I have some more great activities coming up. I am going to run in a “Carrera Nocturna” (night race) which is about 5.3 miles. It starts at 10pm on Friday and is supposed to be one of the most fun races to be a part of in Seville. Then, also on Friday--because I love doing everything on one day--I am going to Gibraltar with our ISA program group. I’m super excited for this excursion. I think we’ll be able to spend some time at the beach there! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It’s supposed to be super hot this week so send cooling thoughts my way. Have a grand week everyone and I’ll catch up with y’all soon!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Carly is pointing at where we ended up on our night adventure, I'm pointing at where we were supposed to be...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMY1d-gb29g/WcfB8EAkScI/AAAAAAAAPfE/tz9Ng8mMX70zxUqr4zpAR15XZ9ywV1OtACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMY1d-gb29g/WcfB8EAkScI/AAAAAAAAPfE/tz9Ng8mMX70zxUqr4zpAR15XZ9ywV1OtACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2771.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We had a picnic at the park in Cadiz:)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-T9j0I1aVs/WcfB8IoVz4I/AAAAAAAAPfE/-5mwTwI2UlEvQLggxi5TG_rRd5e8kvTeQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-T9j0I1aVs/WcfB8IoVz4I/AAAAAAAAPfE/-5mwTwI2UlEvQLggxi5TG_rRd5e8kvTeQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2765.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Pretty place in the center of Cadiz</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FByjX8C4L68/WcfB8BT7EJI/AAAAAAAAPfE/CO_tBs-oUkYLa_GMM8skNRe_QelKES_CgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FByjX8C4L68/WcfB8BT7EJI/AAAAAAAAPfE/CO_tBs-oUkYLa_GMM8skNRe_QelKES_CgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2737.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Cadiz had a lot more "green" than we usually see in dry Seville.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEW1wUkwKcE/WcfB8KiFovI/AAAAAAAAPfE/M6DX3wNz6f4DOOCtsuiS9GizmNYS3USDwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEW1wUkwKcE/WcfB8KiFovI/AAAAAAAAPfE/M6DX3wNz6f4DOOCtsuiS9GizmNYS3USDwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2735.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Cadiz building...so pretty</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEICTbCIIE0/WcfB8CBgU0I/AAAAAAAAPfE/5np7A4_d53c7nEK0GSkuKSNmAp_7CA3cQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEICTbCIIE0/WcfB8CBgU0I/AAAAAAAAPfE/5np7A4_d53c7nEK0GSkuKSNmAp_7CA3cQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2736.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Cathedral of Cadiz</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzjh-DGG16k/WcfB8Lh4xAI/AAAAAAAAPfE/6QK15V6cmbI2g_yypg2YYNfXuJ0gXtXCACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fzjh-DGG16k/WcfB8Lh4xAI/AAAAAAAAPfE/6QK15V6cmbI2g_yypg2YYNfXuJ0gXtXCACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2733.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I've always loved my palm trees:)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1OmUiFeJBM/WcfB8HHSHVI/AAAAAAAAPfE/xTOU6qfECisg2a5LB5JgBW6MfQzOIzG_ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1OmUiFeJBM/WcfB8HHSHVI/AAAAAAAAPfE/xTOU6qfECisg2a5LB5JgBW6MfQzOIzG_ACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2731.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">La playa!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">We started watching tv and movies in Spanish </span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">this week...baby steps</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The Irish pub with the two Kelly's (on the left & middle)</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> and one Kellie (me)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4E4JFqnvLWs/WcfB8JbnWiI/AAAAAAAAPfE/LWHi-mqjxoANzqX3thKg60P4XcMxUMChQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4E4JFqnvLWs/WcfB8JbnWiI/AAAAAAAAPfE/LWHi-mqjxoANzqX3thKg60P4XcMxUMChQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2671.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Mis amigos!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-froDj0qT4xs/WcfB8Kq_9OI/AAAAAAAAPfE/LhtoTVkKs7ILPK7nhr4kB6DeeiNk_czqgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-froDj0qT4xs/WcfB8Kq_9OI/AAAAAAAAPfE/LhtoTVkKs7ILPK7nhr4kB6DeeiNk_czqgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">21...whaaaat</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ErDEpCFZNs/WcfB8Is_3GI/AAAAAAAAPfE/yQvtICMKLyU_HfV1QcLOMr0CiUH67UrUwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ErDEpCFZNs/WcfB8Is_3GI/AAAAAAAAPfE/yQvtICMKLyU_HfV1QcLOMr0CiUH67UrUwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2658.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">The Italian restaurant</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-89902137145089913112017-09-17T08:03:00.003-07:002017-09-24T07:40:24.925-07:00Week 2: Sept.10th-17th<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Photos are below)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hola todos! Wow, as I lay here and start to write this, I can hardly believe it has only been one week--ONE week--since I got here. It feels like I arrived a month ago. Yes, it felt like a long week but I think that’s because we were trying to settle in. We got a lot accomplished and I’d say it was a good week overall. We got to tour the third biggest cathedral in the world, do a lot of shopping, have a welcome dinner with the ISA program, settle into our different living situations, and figure out the metro. Not necessarily in that order, but we have been adjusting for sure. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought I would die in the heat, and there were about 2-3 days that were absolutely miserable. But, just the past 2 days, it has really started to cool down even during the day, so I don’t think we will be miserable much longer. I really appreciate their siesta time here. I mentioned how siestas work here in my last blog but I have really figured it out and I love it. I use it as a designated time for me to be productive with things that I need to sit down to do. For example, I’ll do my homework during this time, catch up on my journaling, listen to music/podcasts, check my email, etc. Every one usually does this stuff, it just might be more sporadic throughout the day. This is just a set time to do those things everyday and it is during the time of day where you wouldn’t be productive anyway because it is so hot. Therefore, it is perfect! Oh, and if I’m really tired, I nap too. It’s still productive though because our bodies need sleep!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="color: white; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Figuring out my schedule for classes was a little rough. We had signed up for 10 classes before coming on this program, but I didn’t choose very specifically. I just chose classes in English and subjects that looked interesting and related to my major. I thought we would get to learn more about them and then choose them when we got here. Instead, they gave us 5 classes of the 10 we had chosen and then it was up to us to figure out if we wanted to switch by looking at the schedule and “adding” or “dropping” classes by getting a professor’s signature. Therefore, I had to go to almost 4 classes per day to try to switch around my schedule and get into the classes I wanted. I originally liked my schedule, but I realized I really want to practice my Spanish grammar while I’m here, so I wanted to switch into a Spanish class. However, they keep those classes super small and every one wants in those classes. Also, based on your placement exam, they only let you into certain classes. You would think because we are IN SPAIN, they would give a lot of Spanish class options, but I think there were less than at my University in Denver. Oy. But, no te preocupes (do not worry), because I figured it out. I have 3 classes on Monday/Wednesday from 10:30-2:50 and 1 class on Tuesday/Thursday from 12-1:20. I do not have classes on Friday which is awesome so I can travel! They are all really good classes too. I’m taking International Marketing, Español Intermedio, Communication and Media in the Digital Age, and Sports Psychology. All the teachers seem really great so I’m excited! The campus is pretty dang ugly, but I figured out why DU is so expensive. Because they take our money to build new buildings every year and to buy the newest technology. It is the perfect example of an “American” university. Whereas here, not only in their universities but in general too, they live very simply but have the same quality of what is important. For example, their education is very good here. They just don’t have the prettiest of campuses. However, it is FREE. It is a public college so the locals can attend the University of Seville for free. I have realized how beneficial being here and studying here is, solely because I get to learn about a different culture. I get to understand how their systems work here. If I plan on saving the world some day, it’d help to know what the entire world is like so that I can pull the best “systems” from each part of the world to design the perfect system. I guess God’s got that under control, but I have a good start nevertheless. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well last night was incredible! We got to meet a ton of locals because our host parents hosted a barbacoa (BBQ). Carly (my roommate) and I were very curious what “BBQ” meant for Spaniards. We found out it’s very similar to a potluck. There’s a lot of beer, wine, soda, etc. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Oh! They made us mojitos too, which are delicious and very common here. Then, they have some form of meat on the grill and then every one brings a traditional Spanish dish. Por ejemplo (for example), tortillas de patatas or aceitunas (green olives) or some fresh fish with chips or salsas (dips) or queso (cheese), etc. Oh, and of course pan (bread). And you know how they say Spanish moms force the Americans to eat lots of food and make sure that they are really, really full? Well here, I had about 15 Spanish women there and they were constantly saying “Come, come, come” (eat, eat, eat). It was great. Oh, there’s also a lot of “besos” (kisses). I get very awkward real fast. Sometimes the women accidently brush each other on the lips and I almost die. I’m just super awkward...ah, ah, ah. Madre mía! (Mama mia). Anywho, most of these Spanish parents also have sons or daughters that are between 14-20 years old so there were a lot more people our age there than I expected. Oh, and the 14 year olds look like 18 year olds. You wouldn’t believe it. They don’t speak very much English so, at first, I thought it would be a little rough. Then, we all started talking and ended up talking and hanging out until 3:30am. It was so much fun! We created a group on Whatsapp and they said they would give us a tour around the city. I’m so excited to know some locals! They’re all so sweet and nice. And, it will be great practice for our Spanish. One of them understands English perfectly, she just can’t speak super fast. It’s so annoying how a Spanish person will say in Spanish…”No hablo inglés muy bien.” (I don’t speak English very well). But then, I tell them to try speaking and their English is perfect…. Ugh. I go, no no. You guys don’t understand. I say I don’t speak Spanish very well and it is very true. Oh well. I am starting to practice more everyday by watching Friends in Spanish and to read in Spanish, as well. That is how they are so good at English. They listen to music in English, they read news in English about the US, and they try to learn about our culture. That is why I am embarrassed to be American sometimes. Because I think we are so selfish because we don’t “need” to learn a different language because we expect the whole world to know English. Then, we don’t learn about their culture or try to keep up with their news. And I get it, it’d be hard to do that for all the countries in Europe because they are all so different. It just has made me realize how, in general, Americans are so uncultured. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, that was my rant. Anyway! I am really appreciating things here and am excited I get to live here for 4 months. I have to remind myself of that everyday. Hope you all are doing well!!!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytuLd6w8ZGk/Wb6MJuPY5lI/AAAAAAAAOoo/G8AZp8NTjk4oQYGn39z_vB8xJ1b-38-KgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ytuLd6w8ZGk/Wb6MJuPY5lI/AAAAAAAAOoo/G8AZp8NTjk4oQYGn39z_vB8xJ1b-38-KgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2042.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is such a beautiful plaza in the center of the city by the ISA (my program) office.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbX7SuQy83U/Wb6RwXDQ0PI/AAAAAAAAOrc/fmCcdO53s7UhlVqwL-8gUVRX6n8OXpAVwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbX7SuQy83U/Wb6RwXDQ0PI/AAAAAAAAOrc/fmCcdO53s7UhlVqwL-8gUVRX6n8OXpAVwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The view from the Cathedral!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRa5owTo98M/Wb6MJfB1GjI/AAAAAAAAOok/B064_1KQxbU27B7ENCJN00_-zhrWngDBACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRa5owTo98M/Wb6MJfB1GjI/AAAAAAAAOok/B064_1KQxbU27B7ENCJN00_-zhrWngDBACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2506.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My friend Mary Jo in the cathedral tower.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stgN2IX7uDk/Wb6MKODBlcI/AAAAAAAAOow/XqUAwxUA-MQtMRirFw2m82XiunKEP1hSgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stgN2IX7uDk/Wb6MKODBlcI/AAAAAAAAOow/XqUAwxUA-MQtMRirFw2m82XiunKEP1hSgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2519.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Delicious mango and watermelon ice cream. And don't miss the cathedral in the background!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS3mKcYSTDw/Wb6MK_CVTZI/AAAAAAAAOo0/hRSwUQGsE4QBhXe21F_zuMW64kNeXvFjQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS3mKcYSTDw/Wb6MK_CVTZI/AAAAAAAAOo0/hRSwUQGsE4QBhXe21F_zuMW64kNeXvFjQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2526.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The river...it's gorgeous. (See next photo)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is in front of the building where all our classes are.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Look closely... the name of the school is on the bench!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">THE LOCALS!!!!</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-6453157862408138082017-09-10T10:03:00.000-07:002017-09-11T04:44:21.058-07:00Seville - Week 1<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hola hola hola! Hoy es un buen día (today is a good day)! I am finally in Sevilla. After 43 days in Europe, I have made it to my final destination...at least for the next 4 months. It feels so good to finally have a place to call home, where I can settle in and just relax. I absolutely love my host family. I have a dad and a mom and they are the cutest thing ever. I have been able to understand them and speak Spanish to them and it is such an amazing feeling. They have told me multiple times that my Spanish is really good (even though I know it isn’t that great). Pero, esta bien. (But, it’s okay.) Because I love the language so much and I am so thrilled to learn. We have our placement test tomorrow and I’m really hoping I can take some of my classes in Spanish. If you would have asked me two months ago whether I wanted Spanish or English classes, I would have never even considered taking my classes in Spanish. But I have never been this excited to learn and, what better way to learn a language than to take a Spanish class in reference to my major? The program I am with, ISA, has a very good support system so I think if I struggled, I could get extra help with them. Also, I thought I was going to die with the heat but it hasn’t been too bad. During the hottest part of the day, which is around 4pm-7pm, we have what we call “siesta time” or “rest time.” That is when I’ll most likely be doing homework, taking a nap, relaxing, etc. I thought I’d hate the schedule here, but I actually love it. I haven’t gotten my class schedule yet, but I did find out I only have Friday classes for the first two weeks, and then I have Fridays free which will be great for traveling. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The place I am staying at is incredible. I have a roommate, Carly, and then we share a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. We pretty much have an apartment to ourselves above the actual house. Are we spoiled? Yes, we are. The beds are </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> comfortable...too comfortable. It’s going to be dangerous. The food has been so good, as well. We have a little patio downstairs and our host mom told us we are having a BBQ this weekend. How cute is she? She’s super affectionate and gives us kisses all the time. I love it. I haven’t had a lot of time to explore the city, but the metro system is super easy to use and there’s a stop really close to our house that takes us downtown. I’m excited to find the supermarket. Tip about Kellie: She </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">loves</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> el supermercados...especially in Europe! Also, fun fact. The third largest catedral (cathedral) is in downtown Seville. We get to take a tour of it on Tuesday. This week is going to be fun. I’m really excited! I have also met a ton of awesome people so I am excited to see where those relationships go. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Oh! I forgot to mention Toledo. So, our program started in Madrid. We stayed in this really nice hotel and I broke a record for how fast I can get from the hotel, to the metro, to centro (downtown), climb five flights of stairs to the ISA office, pick up two suitcases (big ones), go back to the metro while carrying those massive suitcases up two flights. Sometimes there were escalators and sometimes there were not. I did all of this is 35 minutes. I think that should have counted for my workout of the day. It was cute...the ISA workers at the Madrid office told me I should take a taxi, but I was like “Nah, I got this. Line 2, line 7 to the Gregorio Marañón estación (station).” They just kinda stared at me but I think they had a lot more faith that I could take care of myself. And the best part is it only cost me three euros total. Anyway, I had a great night to myself. The next day we toured the city and I did the tour of the old part of Madrid in Spanish and was really proud of all I understood. Then we toured the Prado museum, as well. Then, that night we got a bus and went to Toledo. I fell in love with Toledo. It’s a very old and well preserved city. It has lots of hills but we had an amazing tour guide who showed us a panoramic view of the city and then showed us all around his town. He was so proud of it. It was really hot but we also got el menú del día. I introduced some friends to it. It was so delicious. I am so very glad I did the intensive program in August. Even though it was so hard, I am so much better with my spanish. Everyone thinks I speak amazing Spanish and asks me to do the communicating, but I definitely need to do a lot more work to get to where I want to be. The hotel we stayed at was also super nice. It had a really nice pool and reminded me of a hotel in Vegas. It was located outside the city so we had to take a taxi to the city, but I still liked it a lot. That night, we got dinner at this restaurant and had an awesome waiter who liked to mess with us and was very “chill.” That was a bonding moment for us girls--there were 6 of us there. We were probably at dinner 2-3 hours. There was a light show at the cathedral that took place every half hour until 1:30am and we almost missed the last show. We got there right at 1am. That’s how long we were at dinner… Yeah, well it was a really cool light show! Then after, we went to this discotecha that actually used to be a church. Our group was pretty much the only ones there because it was “early” for Spaniards to be out dancing. But I seriously had an amazing time. Except…neither my roommate nor I woke up the next morning on time. We were supposed to be downstairs with all our stuff at 9am and we definitely woke up at 9:10. We freaked out and packed all our stuff really fast and were afraid the group was going to leave without us, but then we didn’t even leave the hotel until 9:45am so we were fine. And...the worst part is that I had this bad feeling that we left too fast and forgot some stuff, but I didn’t recheck it and so I ended up leaving my retainers and my hair towel. But luckily I called the hotel today and they are going to ship it to me so all is well. But anyway… it was quite the adventure, but all in all, I LOVE Toledo and highly recommend visiting at some point.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, that’s all for now. I only had one crazy story this time (thank goodness, right?!). I plan on trying to post every Sunday now that I am here in Seville and I’ll probably have to stick to posting pictures on Facebook because I have so many I want to include! Thanks for reading and I’ll be praying for the US. I’ve been following all the hurricanes and fires and it does not sound too good… please stay safe! Adios amigos. </span></span></div>
Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-84829805779786117052017-09-06T13:41:00.002-07:002017-09-11T04:45:24.593-07:00~Travels Through Europe~<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hi everyone! Wow, it has been a crazy but amazing 11 days. I met up in Madrid with Amanda and Peter and my friend Alison and we hit the ground running. We went to Madrid, Barcelona, Florence, Lucca, Bologna, Munich, Paris, and now I am back in Madrid. There are so many stories to tell… I might have to do two posts. I am going to try to highlight the biggest thing in each city. Here we go…</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Madrid. Well, I was so very excited to see Amanda and Peter and Alison and be able to speak English. They immediately caught on to my newly found Spanish accent. They made fun of my “uhms” and “vale” but then had fun with me being able to somewhat speak the language. They picked up keywords very quickly. Well--highlight of Madrid was staying up until 6am for the second night in a row because Alison and I wanted to experience the clubs in Madrid. We had such a good time and met some really cool people. I was able to speak all night to them in Spanish so that was super fun for me! The next night was equally fun because we all went to a rooftop bar and got a whole bunch of different tapas and pinchos (similar to small appetizers). Amanda named the waiter “Massimo” and decided that she wanted him to be my husband. He was very nice and helped us with our food. He spoke broken English because he studied in Australia for six months. Maybe there was something in her wine, because it is very unlike Amanda to encourage me to talk to a boy let alone ask him to marry me… </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All right, next city. Barcelona. Now let me just say I loved Barcelona, especially compared to Madrid. It just had a lot to offer and was really pretty. We had “el menú del día” there where Amanda, Peter, and Alison got to try it and they loved it. The bridge over the water was pretty and we got to see La Rambla which is similar to the 16th street mall in Denver. However, it is also where the terrorist attack happened and so there were tons of flowers and candles and it was both scary and sad to think of what took place there. Since we are kinda on a sad note already, let me tell you about another heartbreaking incident (but on more of a lighter and less meaningful note). So, because Amanda and Peter won’t be with me for my 21st birthday, they wanted to do something special for me. I was in need of some comfy walking sandals since it was so hot and we were doing a ton of walking. Well, there was a mall by the water in Barcelona. We walked in, I found a shoe store, found the perfect (and I mean perfect) shoes. They were the right size, right style, perfect color, everything. Amanda and Peter bought them for me and then we went to another store and Alison and I went crazy trying on shirts and dresses. I took all my stuff into the fitting room, tried on something, and stepped out to show Amanda and Alison. I finally found a shirt that I really liked and as Alison and I were in the checkout line, I realized I was missing a bag...my shoe bag!! I ran back to the fitting room and someone was in it. I waited impatiently for the person to come out and in the meantime, asked the person working about them. He asked the front but no one had seen them. As the person came out, to my horrible dismay, it was empty. My shoes were gone. I searched all over the store but they said Barcelona is known for petty theft and I had become a victim of it. Less than an hour after they were bought, they were gone. I went back to the shoe store to try to buy another pair but that had been the last pair. I am still so sad about it. Amanda, Peter, and I decided to have a memorial service for my shoes eventually. So that definitely put a damper on Barcelona. That and the fact that the language is so hard to understand because it is NOT Spanish. They speak Catalan--ugh! Another language to try to understand… really though, I did enjoy Barcelona even if it doesn’t seem like it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Florence. Well, it was very hot and we didn’t stay overnight in Florence so we had our backpacks the entire day. Oh, and I forgot to mention. So Amanda and Peter and Alison only brought backpacks. Well, I wasn’t quite prepared to literally backpack through Europe because I had a school backpack but definitely not one meant for clothes and stuff. There was too much on my mind a month ago when I was packing--I didn’t think to bring a travel backpack. I made do with the one I had, but it was definitely challenging so I might have been a little cranky at times… Anyway, our flight from Barcelona to Florence was at 6am so we decided to stay up all night before. In Barcelona, we had a rooftop in our airbnb (which was fantastic by the way) and so we just sat up there until 2am and then we headed to the airport. Let me tell you, I have pulled way too many all-nighters in the past 11 days. So, we were also exhausted when we reached Florence but where we were, there was so much to see. There was gelado everywhere--it was like heaven! We also ate at this super delicious restaurant and ordered risotto which I could eat, yay! We then made our way to the train station and headed to Lucca. Oh! And I found some real Italian leather, red sandals in Florence. They won’t replace the hole in my heart from the other shoes but these ones are actually super adorable and comfy and they look European, so I love them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Lucca is known as the walled city. We had a very spacious place and it was a great location. Really, Amanda did amazing in her planning because they were all great locations. This place was a little bit more low key which was a nice change of pace. We found a supermarket (like we did in every city, let me tell you) and also toured pretty much the entire town. The wall was three miles around, we figured. So it was a very cute town. Highlight of this city was all the gluten free Italian food! I had gluten free pizza one night and gluten free pasta the next. It was all very delicious. Amanda was thriving in her Italian cities since she had a special bond with Italy due to her studying abroad in Italy exactly seven years ago. This is where we caught up on all our sleep. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Bologna. This was probably my favorite city in Italy. It was just full of shops and cool places. We had an awesome airbnb and there were so many places to eat and so many supermarkets (I think I actually have an obsession with supermarkets…). Oh, and the red wine--mm delicious. It was so good! I was sad because Alison left for her program in Scotland from Bologna, but I was so happy she was with us as long as she was. We had such an amazing time! This was a very short trip so I don’t have a lot to say about Bologna. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Then Munich. Well, the train ride was interesting. It was six hours and we had our tickets, but no seat numbers. Well, people got on the train and kept taking the seats we were sitting in. We were so confused until we found out, I guess they sell tickets that allow you access on the train, and then they sell more expensive tickets that guarantee you a seat--but you have to book them six months in advance. This was all news to us so that was fun playing musical chairs for six hours. Poor Peter had to stand for four of the six hours. Also, there was only one working bathroom in the entire train...that does not work. Well, we finally made it and I found I really enjoyed Munich. I love Germany! The people are so nice and we just had such a pleasant time. Then, here comes the best part. We got to visit Neuschwanstein Castle!!! In case you don’t know, it is one of the most famous castles in Europe and it is the castle that the Disney castle is based off of. We took a bus to the little town and--can I just tell you--it was the most amazing experience ever. I mean I have been seeing some pretty amazing stuff but there was nothing like this castle and the town. Amanda and I were two princesses in our fairy world. It was rainy and chilly and we had no warm clothes but I had a rain jacket so we made do. It actually turned out to be the perfect weather because we hiked up the hill to the castle and toured it and the walk was long, but kept us very warm. It was all so beautiful. You will see many, many pictures of it when I post my pictures because there were just so many beautiful parts to see. The castle inside was very cool and had so much history to it, so that was amazing to tour as well. Amanda and Peter did this for me also as my 21st birthday present. Aren’t they incredible? Who else can say that for their 21st birthday, they received a ticket to a castle in one of the most beautiful places in the world? I’m spoiled for sure. Everything about that day was perfect. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, last but not least. Paris. Okay, don’t get me wrong Paris is great. It was just SO much different than what I was expecting. First of all, I didn’t see the Eiffel tower for forever and I couldn’t believe that I was missing it. I expected it to be huge, but I finally figured out that it’s my perception of Paris that was skewed. I thought everything revolved around the Eiffel tower, but actually it is located a little far from everything else. Paris is also MASSIVE and I just wasn’t expecting that. We walked--wait for it--35,000 steps yesterday (which equals over 15 miles, in case you were wondering). Amanda and Peter are crazy, but also I am very proud. We ended up seeing a lot of different places, enjoying crepes and macchiatos, and getting a feel for how people live in Paris. MY FAVORITE PART = WE GOT CHIPOTLE. I have been craving chipotle for over a month and I was finally satisfied. I know; I’m lame. I could not resist knowing it was within my grasp. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I am sure there are many details I missed, but at least this gives an overall summary of the biggest things that came to mind of our travels in Europe. I have decided it would be easiest to post pictures on facebook since we took a bazillion, so that’s where the photos will be. I am now in Madrid and have officially started my Sevilla program. We are in Madrid until tomorrow night where we will then go to Toledo and then we are off to Sevilla. Pray for me as it is supposed to be 100 degrees in Sevilla………….yeah. Well, thanks for reading and I hope and pray all is well with all of you. Adios for now and I’ll talk to you guys soon!</span></span></div>
Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-78147707417504898252017-08-26T09:07:00.000-07:002017-08-26T09:07:11.553-07:00La Última Semana en Santander<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Hola! Well guys, just like that, my time in Santander has come to an end and I am now on a train to Madrid. Man, I don’t even know where to begin. I apologize if this post is a little all over the place--I am currently writing this while running off 3.5 hours of sleep over the last two days. I have this new saying: “You can sleep when you die.” That’s the lifestyle I’m living right now. It definitely isn’t sustainable so I’m going to need to sleep eventually but sometimes you do what you have to do to fit everything in. So, let me start at the beginning of this week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well this was week four and so we had a very different schedule. At the beginning of this week, I looked at my schedule and knew it would be crazy. I had an all-day excursion Monday and Wednesday, class for 5.5 hours on Tuesday and Thursday, four big assignments due on Tuesday, two due on Thursday, and one on Friday with the big final exam on Friday morning. Yeah… so you could say it was a packed week. It started with us going to Bilbao on Monday morning. It’s around an hour and a half drive to Bilbao from Santander so we took a bus as a group. We stopped in a little town in the middle of Bilbao and Santander on our way there and it was so pretty! It was right on the coast so we got some pictures in front of the mar (sea) with los montañas (the mountains) in the background. Then, in Bilbao we toured the Guggenheim Museum and then explored the city after. I had way too much fun. I’m not a very artsy person but this museum was very unique (and inappropriate) so I enjoyed it a lot. After we toured the museum we found a restaurant where a group of friends and I ate and it was probably some of the best food I have had in Spain. It was such a nice place and the waiter was having a fun time talking with us in Spanish. Then...okay, I’m not a shopper but when I have something I really want and I find a store that has it, I can go crazy. Well, we went to H&M, which I know they have in the US, but they have clothes that are the style of Spaniards. I found some flowy shorts and pants and some shoes and I was way too excited. We also got helado and I found a Starbucks. I definitely didn’t get anything from there. There’s no way am I buying Starbucks in Spain. After we got home, I realized how different Santander is from other cities and it made me excited to explore the rest of Spain in the upcoming months. Tuesday was full of class and homework. Then Wednesday, we went to a pueblo (village) that has been well preserved from the Romanico times. I actually don’t know how to say it in English because there’s a difference between the Roman times, Romanesque times, and one other one. Too much roman for me… anyway, it was really cool but we didn’t really do much. I sat with my friends in a bar and got coffee and just talked. We then ate our goodbye lunch in this really delicious restaurant where I ate way more food than I should’ve but I was able to talk to one of my professors, Javi, and I really enjoyed lunch with him. He’s the reason DU goes to Santander because he grew up in Santander and is now a professor at DU. So he has a very thick accent when he speaks in English and then he’s fun to talk to in Spanish because he speaks it so naturally. Oh, it was great. So he had completed a half ironman race the weekend before and we were talking about it and he showed me a picture. The caption said “Finished ½ iron man” and I go “Solo medio?” which means “only half?” and he goes “Solo?! Solo?!” (only?! only?!). The table had a paper covering on it so he demanded a pen from my friend and proceeded to dramatically write out on the table what exactly a half ironman contained. Something like a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and then 13.1 mile run. He then ripped off that piece of paper and gave it to me very emphatically. Apparently it’s not “solo” in his mind, because it was very challenging and took him five hours to complete. Don’t get me wrong--it was a big accomplishment. I just loved how offended he got. After our lunch, we went to this other pueblo where, up in the hills, there were caves from a long time ago that we could go in and explore. I was exhausted after that excursion and just the entire week. Well then, on Thursday we had tons of class. In fact, we finished class at 7pm and had our final exam at 9am the next morning on material that we had learned in class that day. That’s how the intensive programs work here I guess, but it is a quick turn around. I was being positive and thinking, well at least it’s fresh in my mind. I wanted to do well on the exam so I stayed up until 3:30am studying. I wasn’t able to start studying until 12am because, by the time we finished class, and then with dinner being so late and taking so much time because that’s Spanish culture, I had no time to study except during my sleeping hours. Then, I woke up at 6:30am to study more. Well, after my exam, I was exhausted. I took a nap and just took my time packing. It was weird that the program had come to a close but it was also relaxing in a sense. I had a great goodbye dinner with my host mom and another french exchange student and then I went out with my friends after. We found a pizzeria called Sibrita’s where they had gluten-free pizza (that was amazing) and it was super cheap too! I was so, so happy. It was so good. I am going to dream about it, literally. So...in Spain, on the weekends, it is very typical to be out until 6am. The bars don’t even open until 2am or 3am. Anyway, since it was the last night, we went to the beach bar. It was so much fun but we were there until 6am. I had originally planned to wake up at 7:30am for breakfast to leave for the train station at 8am, so I figured it was not even worth it to go to bed. As I was trying to stay awake for the hour, I was journaling. You can tell in my journal that the words got progressively worse, handwriting wise, and--this is my favorite part--I switched to spanish mid-sentence and then fell asleep on my notebook for 30 minutes. This was my sentence…”I pray my experience all over Europe will be great. I also Tengo pizza y fue delicioso.” That translates as “I have pizza and it was delicious.” So, remember how I said just a few sentences ago that “I’m going to dream about the pizza place, literally.” Well...I think that’s what was happening. The restaurant and food had such an impact on me that I wrote about it in Spanish in my journal. Guys, I was dying laughing when I read it later on. It is a journal entry I will always remember. Well, that is more or less my eventful week. I am so excited to meet up with Amanda and Peter and Alison and am also super ecstatic to get some sleep in a bed. Gracias y buenas noches (thank you and goodnight)!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is the gluten free pizza place!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My host mom and I made gluten free banana bread!</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-17456542175251708902017-08-19T05:25:00.000-07:002017-08-19T10:10:23.601-07:00~Semana Tres (Ya?!*)~ <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> *Ya = "Already" in Spanish</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great week. This week flew by! It was my last week of language class and I am actually really sad it’s over. It was a really cool and fun class. There were two Indonesians, two Italians, two Chinese, and then three of us Americans in the class. And then the teachers were so very sweet! On Friday--yesterday--we took a field trip to the Mercado. It is similar to a farmer’s market but then there is fish and meat and fruit and vegetables and pretty much everything you could ask for when it comes to fresh (and I mean really fresh) food. We had a paper with a list of questions and types of food that we had to list which forced us to ask “los españoles” questions to practice using our Spanish in 'real life.' We were in groups and it was fun to interact with the Spaniards. One of the ladies we talked to who was working there was so nice and eager to help us. I should’ve asked for her name and taken a picture of her because she was so cute and "amable" (kind)...oh well. But, I was content at the end of the day because I had three or four people tell me that my Spanish has improved so much since the first day of class. It was encouraging but it also pushed me to want to work even harder because I still have a long way to go. For example, I have had two people stop me in the street to ask me for directions. I must look like a really nice person. 😇 Anyway, the first time, when these men asked me where a certain beach was--I just said “No se, no se, lo siento.” (I don’t know, I don’t know, I’m sorry.) That was probably two weeks ago. This second time, it was a really sweet lady and I understood part of it, but the problem is Spaniards speak muy rápido (really fast) and, if I’m caught off guard, my brain isn’t ready to process it. However!! I understood more than I have in the past and, as I started to give her directions, I asked her a question to clarify and it was apparent I had an American accent and so she goes “Lo siento” and touches me all compassionately and walked on. That is how it is here if I’m not talking to my host family or teacher. They automatically think I can’t speak the language and don’t give me a chance. One of these times, I’m going to have the guts to tell them I actually speak Spanish and that I just need them to slow down a little. A little more practice and I will be better for sure. Although it's hard to give directions even in my native language when I don't know the city. But to my great surprise, I am really enjoying learning in Spanish and I literally cannot stay away from the language. I want to continue learning it and continue to live here and take classes here, especially because I feel like I am </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">finally </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">falling into a ritual. And of course, now it’s time to leave. But that is why I’m really happy I’m going on to study in Sevilla and also that I’ll be there for four times as long as I was here, yet I am now disappointed that my classes won’t be in Spanish in Sevilla. ← I never thought I would say that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> I swear time is twice as fast here as it is in America. I had my midterm test for my culture class on Monday and I have my final this Friday. I’m learning a lot about the history of Spain in that class. Then I’m also taking a composition class in Spanish, so my schedule is full. On Thursday, the Denver group went to the “Palacio de Magdalena.” It was so very beautiful. It’s a really close walk from my house and it’s located on a peninsula that overlooks the city and the sea and the town of Somo, which is on the other side of Santander. The history of the palace is very fascinating and they also had penguins outside!!!! I was definitely in my happy place. However, it was on that excursion that we heard about the terrorist attacks in Barcelona. Last weekend, we were planning a trip to Barcelona, but then we decided to stay in Santander because we are only here for a short amount of time and we wanted to enjoy everything this city has to offer. I am also going there with Amanda in about a week and a half so it seemed wiser to stay here anyway. It makes me so sad for those families who lost someone. The attack wasn’t very close to here but I think we are all so used to being in America, where we don’t even have to think about terrorist attacks. Here, it is different. There are terrorist attacks happening all around Europe. But my teacher told us, there is no place in the world that is safe. And that is true. Even in America--and so that’s why I think none of us should take our lives for granted but we should strive to enjoy every single moment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> I am really learning a lot about classes--about the language, about history, and about myself. Although I don’t think I notice it all the time, I am having to make decisions and do things I wouldn’t normally have to. My “routine” is out of place and because of that, life is different so I am going to be different. The thing that’s tough for me to comprehend is that I’m changing at 10mph, for example, where I think everyone who’s life is the same right now is only changing at 5mph. And that’s how life works. We all have different periods in our lives where our level of change speeds up or slows down and it’s hard to hold on to people that are going at a different pace than me. I am learning the value of true friendships and how important my relationship with Jesus is because He’s one person that will always be by my side. So no matter how I feel, I am not alone. And I believe there will always be great people in my life, too. My host family has been amazing and I have also met some really sweet people on this trip. As I was contemplating all this and more on my walked home the other day, I was listening to the song “Details” by Sarah Reeves. This is one of the verses: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You map the road of my traveling</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You never let go, no, You're here with me</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">In every high, low and in between</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You are my one and only consistency</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">And this is the chorus:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You know me better than I know myself</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Your ways are higher than anything else</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You have the plan far beyond all my wildest dreams</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Just like You paint the fiery skies</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You chose the color of my eyes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">From the start until the end of time</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">You're in the details, You're in the details</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> If you get a chance, I really encourage you to listen to it. It’s an accurate depiction of my life right now. God knows me better than I know myself and He is mapping the road of my traveling and so, I’m not going to worry and you shouldn’t either, because God’s got this. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> Next week is going to be a crazy busy week with lots of excursions and class and events taking place, so I’m sure I’ll have a lot to tell you guys next week too. :) Have a fabulous weekend and I’ll talk to you all soon! Hasta la próxima (until next time)!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W0Nu2WW_iE/WZgoLaPnmII/AAAAAAAAOQg/IXgNwHsex3UZptJVwiSwlXznWS4NaDpvwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W0Nu2WW_iE/WZgoLaPnmII/AAAAAAAAOQg/IXgNwHsex3UZptJVwiSwlXznWS4NaDpvwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0869.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is a mansion that's really close to my house. It's really pretty but spooky at night...</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDh2lXR9BYo/WZgoLd253rI/AAAAAAAAOQg/jgisV2ySCfY0cx4kr7GdshnY_cNSjihyACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDh2lXR9BYo/WZgoLd253rI/AAAAAAAAOQg/jgisV2ySCfY0cx4kr7GdshnY_cNSjihyACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGji5g9Sxnc/WZgoLUrCXCI/AAAAAAAAOQg/9003WnUtYtgexgqd-aOPGtR1acfyf2udgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGji5g9Sxnc/WZgoLUrCXCI/AAAAAAAAOQg/9003WnUtYtgexgqd-aOPGtR1acfyf2udgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0875.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">PENGUINS!!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0fcJl_pHUM/WZgoLQPwEWI/AAAAAAAAOQg/rC8RwbZ8TakEkKHAsaDBHaOJVRqWnYLNwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0fcJl_pHUM/WZgoLQPwEWI/AAAAAAAAOQg/rC8RwbZ8TakEkKHAsaDBHaOJVRqWnYLNwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0876.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V90-GCJHC08/WZgoLdxHb6I/AAAAAAAAOQg/xsbHSNm6BjkH1I7_hc3MkUtjEeAnk8Z-wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V90-GCJHC08/WZgoLdxHb6I/AAAAAAAAOQg/xsbHSNm6BjkH1I7_hc3MkUtjEeAnk8Z-wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0882.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">"La foca" - a seal</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GR_DjrWjpZk/WZgoLTdSJgI/AAAAAAAAOQg/1QOKNr9MZKoCWxePAnkFvzsfegBWY46GwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GR_DjrWjpZk/WZgoLTdSJgI/AAAAAAAAOQg/1QOKNr9MZKoCWxePAnkFvzsfegBWY46GwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0887.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuWxNkS2Q9g/WZgoLSsNGAI/AAAAAAAAOQg/JY0Crkk3NG0ldKOPekyCJgJE0ameEr6xgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuWxNkS2Q9g/WZgoLSsNGAI/AAAAAAAAOQg/JY0Crkk3NG0ldKOPekyCJgJE0ameEr6xgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The water is so pretty here!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVWxPT035SY/WZgoLctnACI/AAAAAAAAOQg/gBczZFbv_roAtnTcHiEXGCotwB0SmmyMgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fVWxPT035SY/WZgoLctnACI/AAAAAAAAOQg/gBczZFbv_roAtnTcHiEXGCotwB0SmmyMgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0896.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">"Comedor" - dining room in the palace</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HX9Trh_m5uQ/WZgoLQAtHRI/AAAAAAAAOQg/bQub53PepKkPPw9sVXpqO3zRyHHLIFVrgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HX9Trh_m5uQ/WZgoLQAtHRI/AAAAAAAAOQg/bQub53PepKkPPw9sVXpqO3zRyHHLIFVrgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0900.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The sitting room of the palace. It reminded me of Darcy's house in Pride and Prejudice for some reason.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcFwHaZ_gis/WZgoLfR7qUI/AAAAAAAAOQg/8_fV-xzueEkdzfPjiTkpGlQYxdDgaZuKQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcFwHaZ_gis/WZgoLfR7qUI/AAAAAAAAOQg/8_fV-xzueEkdzfPjiTkpGlQYxdDgaZuKQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is me getting in trouble because our tour guide thought I wanted to play it, not just take a picture...whoops.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8nnLF0f8jc/WZgoLTxW-XI/AAAAAAAAOQg/F85iitGssloONoICfd95ZKH3Vp5bAfvpgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8nnLF0f8jc/WZgoLTxW-XI/AAAAAAAAOQg/F85iitGssloONoICfd95ZKH3Vp5bAfvpgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0931.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3iRfHg_MPu0/WZgoLeE6Y2I/AAAAAAAAOQg/DvSmczJviC8K_griHgpU5s6jNmNVsK6ywCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3iRfHg_MPu0/WZgoLeE6Y2I/AAAAAAAAOQg/DvSmczJviC8K_griHgpU5s6jNmNVsK6ywCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The outside of the palace.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fq3p-GE69I/WZgmZk77c-I/AAAAAAAAOPk/uERSGtcjwvIBK2ioWu5OcQ_A70T4RR_CACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fq3p-GE69I/WZgmZk77c-I/AAAAAAAAOPk/uERSGtcjwvIBK2ioWu5OcQ_A70T4RR_CACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CFVuZncs5gs/WZgmZludkkI/AAAAAAAAOPk/-DtJSGQe050-YaqZhXNsCdR-R9HeyWjVQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CFVuZncs5gs/WZgmZludkkI/AAAAAAAAOPk/-DtJSGQe050-YaqZhXNsCdR-R9HeyWjVQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKWfpTb7ApI/WZgmZgOHDxI/AAAAAAAAOPk/uiN15yrSIlovOUUbPybLBBLjRB40P1riACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKWfpTb7ApI/WZgmZgOHDxI/AAAAAAAAOPk/uiN15yrSIlovOUUbPybLBBLjRB40P1riACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0986.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My host mom's daughter, Daniella, and a French exchange student who was here for the week!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIEPIQehSBg/WZgmZnKIJvI/AAAAAAAAOPk/Y3fCO_zTMjwUUcN-W5KVpWuZgfN21eBQQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIEPIQehSBg/WZgmZnKIJvI/AAAAAAAAOPk/Y3fCO_zTMjwUUcN-W5KVpWuZgfN21eBQQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">A cup of chocolate with some gluten free cookies. Don't mind if I do.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfStFA2Rovw/WZgmZgBmnQI/AAAAAAAAOPk/250Oad8m1GsOaaUzaz6vLMABSlQR58WMACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfStFA2Rovw/WZgmZgBmnQI/AAAAAAAAOPk/250Oad8m1GsOaaUzaz6vLMABSlQR58WMACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is my school here. It's called UIMP but it's pronounced "Weimp"</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8uJKEZVUj2Q/WZgmZlP-q7I/AAAAAAAAOPk/fSmkWaDwwhMSEKFy_2IdI2QXgvuf90jOACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8uJKEZVUj2Q/WZgmZlP-q7I/AAAAAAAAOPk/fSmkWaDwwhMSEKFy_2IdI2QXgvuf90jOACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sMp-EX__0c/WZgmZlvO3dI/AAAAAAAAOPk/OygbLnf8YEs5NyLzREDqgLlIk_4kJFAAwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sMp-EX__0c/WZgmZlvO3dI/AAAAAAAAOPk/OygbLnf8YEs5NyLzREDqgLlIk_4kJFAAwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0966.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This was the "mercado." Was there a strong fish smell? Yes. Did I survive? Barely...</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo9KHjoUJWE/WZgmZvjDkDI/AAAAAAAAOPk/qrWmZ1VRaGU-GEA0kLNgTFPUht8HZX-ZwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo9KHjoUJWE/WZgmZvjDkDI/AAAAAAAAOPk/qrWmZ1VRaGU-GEA0kLNgTFPUht8HZX-ZwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0955.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This is the grandson of my host mom.</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-60079495945101446442017-08-11T06:51:00.001-07:002017-08-19T04:36:27.872-07:00~Semana Dos (Week 2)~<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well it’s Viernes (Friday)! I made it through another week. Tomorrow, I am halfway through my first program already...boy, does time fly. Last week felt like a vacation and then this week felt more permanent. I guess I am more settled in you could say. I am more used to the eating habits of Spaniards now and the type of food that they eat. In fact, my host mom has a cook come in at least once a week to cook and the food is delicious! She makes a plate called Paella which is very common here in Spain. It’s rice and a whole bunch of seafood. I do not like seafood but here, I’ve made an exception. And I’m so happy I have because it is so very delicious. I am also figuring out what times work for me to workout or nap or go to bed or do homework. Everything is one big change, but in the end, it’s the same result. I still do everything I did in America--it’s just all scrambled up here. I’m convinced Spaniards’ clocks are just wrong. It doesn’t get dark until about 10:30/11pm here and then the sun doesn’t rise until about 7:30. Change all the clocks two hours earlier and--bam--problem solved. But I guess that’s just not how things work here. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">It has rained a lot here the past week but I’ve enjoyed it. I was able to wear my rain boots and raincoat and use my umbrella. I took a picture in front of the UIMP sign, which is the University I am going to here in Santander. (See below) UIMP stands for Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo. Oh, another highlight this week is that I really like the supermercados (grocery stores) here. The main one is called Lupa and they are everywhere. There’s one every few blocks. I have one five minutes from my house that I go to almost every day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">So, as far as classes go--I am really enjoying learning. Not that I hate being taught, but if you know me well, you know I have the patience of a lightning bolt (as my dad likes to say). Here in Spain though, I find it interesting. I have a two and a half hour class about Iberian Culture in Spanish and, even though it’s super hard, I really enjoy it. I enjoy my language and composition class, as well. The only thing is, sometimes my brain is on overload because I am in class a lot and it’s all in Spanish and I have to really focus to comprehend everything and then I still don’t understand a lot of the time. It’s getting easier everyday, though. I find it definitely helps when I get more sleep. Last night, I finally got eight hours of sleep for the first time since I’ve been here. It was glorious. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Yesterday we had an excursion downtown where we toured the cathedral and then went to a museum--but I don’t remember the name of it. I find I have that problem a lot here...where I go to some place cool but when someone asks me “where?” I literally have no idea. I should start writing it down. I am learning a lot of new words and meeting/getting to know some really cool people. I also am purposely trying to take some time for myself where I am not constantly spending time with other people. I think by doing that, it is helping me fuel this passion to learn and it also gives me more time to do the things that I want to do. I turned off all notifications for snapchat, facebook, instagram, messages, and email. I only check social media when I want to/every once in awhile for something important and it is so nice to be in control of that. I know this sounds silly, but I think my notifications were in charge of me because I would just answer whenever one popped up but now I get to choose when to respond. I have Whatsapp to communicate with friends and family and that is the only application where I keep the notifications turned on. So if you want to reach me, download Whatsapp--it's free. :-) I do check my email once a day to make sure there’s nothing important I need to check, so that works too! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Well, I don’t have as much to tell this week but I do have more pictures to share this week. I’m grateful it’s the weekend and am excited for what’s to come. Thanks for reading and I’ll talk to you all very soon! Adios!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Shh, don't tell. I was craving pizza.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My friend Marissa at the museum </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">My friend Andrea at the cathedral</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">The inside of the cathedral</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Another beautiful picture of the beach I took on one of my runs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">A building downtown that I thought was really pretty!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">This was a park that I found on one of my runs</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-1435471625534354742017-08-05T11:40:00.003-07:002017-08-06T03:08:33.767-07:00~Semana Uno (Week 1)~<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">¡Hola mis amigos! Well it is now Saturday and that means I have made it through the week. I guess it doesn’t matter where you are--the weekend is still a wonderful thing. It has been a roller coaster of a week. There have definitely been times where I consider moving here because I love the beautiful beach and palm trees or the fact that it doesn’t get dark until 10pm. Then, there are times where I miss America and the comforts of home so much that it hurts. I think this week was definitely an experimental week. There are 16 other students in the program all from DU, but almost none of us knew each other before this trip. There is a benefit to that because then that allows us to start fresh become friends at the same time. The hard part is that we are all so different. We are learning to navigate life in Santander very quickly and I am sure, in no time, we will have our groups. We all live in very spread out parts of the city. I am the only one that is by the beach, which is nice, but it is a more heavily tourist part of town and I am about a 25 minute walk to anyone else’s house. Without any phone service, it’s very tough to connect and meet up at places. Luckily, we have wifi at our houses and can message through WhatsApp so it’s working out. It’s very cheap to get a phone plan here so that’s also a possibility. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I definitely admit it is different than I expected. I actually did not know what to expect. There have been two nights with my host family that I absolutely loved. For dinner, which we have at about 9pm, it was a candlelit dinner with two courses and Sangria and dessert. The food was delicious but I also just loved the time we spent talking. I feel like I have already improved a lot with my speaking and understanding in Spanish, especially with how confident I am, so it was enjoyable for me to have a conversation with the entire family. My host mom has a cook that comes and makes dinner in the afternoon. In Colorado, I do not like fish besides sushi. Here, they have a dish called “paella” that is rice with all sorts of different fish like shrimp and mussels and clams. I actually really enjoy it! It’s very fresh. In Spain, for lunch, which is from 1-3pm roughly, it is common to order “El Menú del Día” which is where you choose off a limited menu and get two courses, dessert, and a drink for between 12-18 euros depending on how nice the restaurant is. I’ve also gone to the grocery store about 3 times already and I’m always so proud of myself for figuring out how to pay and ask for help. It makes me feel like a local. The store is called Lupa and I have one right down the street from my house. One of the things I’ve noticed is that it is really hard to work out. Don’t get me wrong, I walk about 15,000 steps a day but that isn’t a good old workout at a gym. The University’s gym is very small and there are no fitness gyms here that I’ve seen. I’ve gone on a run and it was wonderful but my sleep schedule is too messed up right now to do it consistently. I need a schedule first so I can get to bed early enough to run before class. But the run was definitely one of my high points this week. It was so beautiful and the weather was perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">School was hard but good! I really like all my teachers and they are teaching me a lot. I have found that my “accent” is very hard for them to understand. Even if I know how to say the sentence, they don’t understand me because I say it weird. They also have a heavy accent and don’t use as much slang as mexican spanish so it is very difficult to try to comprehend everything they say. I think spain spanish is so pretty though. My favorite word that they say here is “vale” which just means okay, but the way they use it in a sentence makes their language sound very beautiful and it flows so nicely. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well today we had an excursion as a group where we toured Roman ruins and made bricks out of mud and straw ropes and saw the inside of the huts and then the insides of massive 10,000 square foot houses for Romans who were very rich. I’m glad we went on the excursion but everything was in Spanish and there were a lot of words that were tough to understand because they were tools or things about their history. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t even understand it in English. It would have been even better if I wore the appropriate clothes. It was rainy and there was a lot of fog and mist which made it super cold because we were in the “mountains.” Although, compared to Colorado mountains, they were just hills. All of us had all planned to wear shorts and tank tops because it has been so hot the last few days. Instead it was cold and windy so we all froze and that just didn’t help us enjoy it as much. I’m really happy I still have the rest of tonight and all day tomorrow to hang out and chill before week 2 starts.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two more things that I anticipated to be easy but that has actually been hard is the time difference and down time. Eight hours is just enough where I am pretty much on opposite schedules as my friends and family back home. There are small windows of time where I can talk to someone but then they have to be available too. It works, it’s just harder than I had thought. Also, I had heard that it is easy to get lonely because you have nothing to do and you have so much free time. WRONG. At least right now--because we have been so busy so I have hardly had time to have any down time. I guess if you know me, you know down time and me just don’t go in the same sentence. But I’m striving for it! I will get my down time one of these days...or weeks...or months...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I miss all of you and hope all is well! Thanks for reading! I keep thinking my blogs will get shorter and then that doesn’t happen. Hmm, well ¡hasta luego! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-JOpGmWsiA/WYX8QkdiwLI/AAAAAAAAN0Q/lszJnF20CIYtAxG7-r-ZLfoD7LafeyAtgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-JOpGmWsiA/WYX8QkdiwLI/AAAAAAAAN0Q/lszJnF20CIYtAxG7-r-ZLfoD7LafeyAtgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is the view of the sea from downtown.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">"El helado" (ice cream) here is so good!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCOTNpYAxpg/WYYBK2-fLYI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/uLYsJx0AlN0cwDRBD3BTT6rFjJaZ6OYSwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCOTNpYAxpg/WYYBK2-fLYI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/uLYsJx0AlN0cwDRBD3BTT6rFjJaZ6OYSwCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0733.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is the rich Roman house we visited on our excursion.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cldxlseD8vQ/WYYBK_gxMhI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/9_LZKpEvB5YpfNNpJrFUDnXpC_sYGpCxgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cldxlseD8vQ/WYYBK_gxMhI/AAAAAAAAN-Y/9_LZKpEvB5YpfNNpJrFUDnXpC_sYGpCxgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0723.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">This is where we ate lunch on our excursion. The water was so so clear! It was beautiful!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;">These next two photos were the ones I took on my run!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Se1T8BoaUMA/WYYBK3vgA2I/AAAAAAAAN-Y/4W0o-LcH4HIb_N7C3W6pjY1Fh_OauUaQACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Se1T8BoaUMA/WYYBK3vgA2I/AAAAAAAAN-Y/4W0o-LcH4HIb_N7C3W6pjY1Fh_OauUaQACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_0743.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5537124443416689309.post-60181687192841215542017-07-31T16:15:00.000-07:002017-07-31T16:15:34.507-07:00~The Journey to España~<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FvYAwydo_E/WX-233Fl98I/AAAAAAAANrE/a32NNgkDkZ8FDK8oXfLOyXULoH3V3aNYgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FvYAwydo_E/WX-233Fl98I/AAAAAAAANrE/a32NNgkDkZ8FDK8oXfLOyXULoH3V3aNYgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0620.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a plaza 5 minutes from my house and right next to the beach!<br />(More pictures at the end of the post)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hola a todos! I made it to España! It was quite the feat and it feels good to be here, that's for sure. I was supposed to travel from Denver to Dallas to Madrid to Santander. But things never go as you plan, right? Instead, I went from Denver to Dallas to London to Madrid to Santander. Don't get me wrong--the airport in London was cool and I don't regret seeing it, but I wouldn't say it was worth missing a connecting flight. What?! Yes, let me explain. I was doing well with my traveling solo until I reached the gate in Denver, specifically gate A48, and then that's where the trouble began. It was unfortunate that it was at the beginning of my travels, but hey--it is what it is. Let's back up real quick to the night before I left where packing became my enemy. Five months is a long time to be gone and with a one free bag rule and 50 pound weight limit, things were not going my way. I finally figured it out after six hours of my mom saying I needed to pack in outfits and me overcoming my fear of having to wear the same clothes over and over again (this fear will be relevant later). Don't judge me--I do wear the same clothes time and time again, but I have a weird thing with wearing the same exact outfit in multiple pictures that are posted. Hey, I said don't judge. Anyway... back to Denver gate A48. I got there with plenty of time, but when I went to board the plane, the gate lady told me that my smaller suitcase (which probably weighed more than my big suitcase) needed to be checked because it was a full flight. This suitcase had my travel charger and ALL my clothes in it. I reluctantly let her put a checked bag tag on it thinking this was a blessing in disguise because I got two free checked bags, they didn't care about the weight on this one, and now, I wouldn't have to lug it around everywhere. I said hasta la vista to my bag and stepped on the plane awe-struck by this journey I was about to embark on. The first flight was very smooth. I was feeling good. It was a quick flight. The only issue was that it took awhile for us to take off because there was a maintenance logging problem. About 45 minutes after our scheduled time of departure, we were on our way to Dallas. I had wifi, a place to plug in my devices--no complaints besides being seated in the back of the plane. But it was worth it because I got to sit next to two French ladies. Well these ladies had questions about their connecting flight and I started listening to people around me about all their connections and how they were afraid they were going to miss them. I looked at my second scheduled departure and realized our set time to land in Dallas was 4:26pm and my next plane was set to depart at 4:40pm...and it was on the other side of the airport. Hm--I decided not to worry but to take it one step at a time. We landed a few minutes earlier than expected so I grasped onto the hope that I would still make my connecting flight. As we were taxiing to the gate, people started unbuckling their seat belts and trying to reach their bags. The minute we landed people were trying to spring out of there. The flight attendant kindly asked anyone who didn't have a connection or had a longer layover to let the people who had to run to their next flight off first. Well, I had less than 10 minutes to get to my next flight, so I figured I qualified. People are either selfish or everyone had a connecting flight because the plane was empty in front of me when I got off. I literally ran through the airport, had to take a tram to the clear other side, and arrived at the gate at 4:48pm. Nope--no one was there and the gate was shut. Great...now what? Well, I waited for 45 minutes in the American Airlines customer service line only to find out they rebooked my flight on British Airways and they were on the last call for boarding. On the bright side, I met a cool French man in the customer service line who had also missed the plane to Madrid. He didn't get rebooked like I did, so he was pretty frustrated. Anyway, I ran to the gate for the British Airway flight and barely made it. I think I was the last person on the plane. But this was hardly a plane. It had two levels and beds and many more seats than the planes I am used to flying on. Talk about a new experience--this was all very new to me. Now I'd like to tell you the rest of the trip was simple, but it wasn't. I was seated in between two large men who snored very loudly. The guy closest to me on my right moaned and snored at the same time. I don't even know how to explain it. I was thinking to myself that it was going to be a long flight but then the flight attendants, who all had British accents by the way, asked me if I wanted wine or beer with dinner. The mention of food always cheers me up and then to be able to have some white wine with my dinner was like the cherry on top. Things were starting to look up, but then there was confusion with the meal they gave me because it was not gluten free. I luckily had a really nice flight attendant who was able to fix me a gluten-free meal--it just took some time. The rest of the plane ride was mostly smooth besides the occasional snoring episodes of the man next to me. I finally made it to London after sitting on a plane for nine hours. At least I was in Europe! I was nervous about figuring out my connecting flight to Madrid but fortunately it was relatively easy. The weird thing about European airports is they don't tell you the gate until 45 minutes prior to departure. The rest of the trips were pretty uneventful. I was exhausted by the time I got to Santander. It is a very small airport and I got off the plane and waited by baggage claim praying my bags made it all this way. Of course they didn't, which means that--ironically--I would have to wear the same outfit for multiple days. Hence, I needed to overcome my fear right away. Well, I at least had a driver waiting for me who picked me up and took me to my new home for the next month. Once I got to the house, I felt a little better but I also was tired and hungry and feeling a little lost without my bags. The sun went down--very late I might add--and when it came up in the morning, I realized it was a whole new day. Here I am, Monday night...still without my bags...but I am thankful because I am in Spain and I have an opportunity that many would die for. This new experience has definitely had a rocky start, but I know through it all, I am growing every single day. It will all be worth it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I apologize for the lengthy post this time. I just had so much to share! I will continue to keep you all posted, but until then--adios mis amigos! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4THM0gv9AVA/WX-22e2J2PI/AAAAAAAANrA/nWGEUJ7g7NwbxUTmgXzggV0AJ-2PgTilQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4THM0gv9AVA/WX-22e2J2PI/AAAAAAAANrA/nWGEUJ7g7NwbxUTmgXzggV0AJ-2PgTilQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0621.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This is the front door to the place I am staying at. <br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love all the pretty green! This is the front yard of the place I am staying at.</span></td></tr>
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Kellie Stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196731946668188930noreply@blogger.com4