And we're back...

So apparently internet usage concerning all things blog-friendly are not as accessable as I orginally thought. Experiencing desires of sharing stories, pictures, and revelations her came harder than i had hoped. But, two weeks into my trip, I hope to offer you some pictures and tidbits here and there (much like the following food: tapas). I've come to accept and like the Spanish way of handling meals here. They enjoy "tapas" with their drinks at various times of the day. Orginially tapas were served on plates ontop of drinks a sort of snack or h'or d'veure, ranging from potatoes, to bread and cheese to pork everything! (spaniards go nuts over pig products- chicken is very hard to find!) they usually have it with beer, wine, sangria, or sodas and act as a snack or many can fit for a meal. Dinner is not even thought about until about 9pm here and its normal to go to bed around 2 or 3 in the morning. Being the morning girl that I am, this had been quite a change. but, when in Spain... :)

my trip thus far has been broken up into two phases (due to lack of time, out goes grammer :) four days in Caceras with Betsy Stolzfus and two weeks in Madrid. Caceres greeted me with new friends, lots of rapid spanish, and a place to rest and acquaint myself with the culture. Betsy was an answer to a prayer of my herat that I hadn't even uttered. Her friendship and hospitality acclimated me to a culture very foreign to me and helped me rest some fears, curiosities, and simply... rest. One highlight from my time there was hanging out at the Feria with new friends- Jose and his family, and betsy's friends from work/church. Dancing the night way at these European casetas and trying new foods like charros (like funnelcake) was so exciting and fun. the dance/bar places there were different to me than the US, the only way i can explain it is that the mentality is different here... People of all ages just come out to have a good time and dance, not to hook up, get drunk, or whatever :)

Class starts momentarily, but I wanted to share some pictures with you...

eating charros with Jose and his family at La Feria (the Fair)

chillin w/my roomate nikki and friend rachel outside a castle in Segovia, spain

my roomies nikki, jason, me, and adam :)

view from my bedroom window :)