Day 14: Free time and Exploring

Wow! This week has been so full! We haven't had any spare time for anything, not to mention lots of homework and studying for me! I gave a presentation in my conversation class today about holidays and traditions. We talked about traditions during holidays in the U.S. and compared them to the others in our class. We have one from Switzerland, one from Italy, and one from Belgium. It's interesting to talk in Spanish about so many different cultures! I really like conversation class. It is the hardest for me but is pushing me to speak more!

On the left is my conversation teacher, the one in the back from Italy, and 

the one in the front is from Switzerland. This was their last day of class so we got a pic. :)

They both invited us to come stay with them when we do our traveling. :)

We just might take them up on it.

Rodd has classes with students from Hong Kong and China. He said he likes his conversation class more also because it is interesting to learn about the culture and differences in Hong Kong and China.

Today is Friday so we do not have any activities planned for the afternoon or evening! It's fun to go out and see the city with a guide, but when we're on the go as much as we are, it really takes it out of you! We're actually looking forward to a little break. Rodd is actually taking his ciesta now (sleeping) and we'll head out later to walk around and explore the city.

Lunch: Lentejas

Lunch: San Jacobo

(meat and cheese covered in meal and fried... Spain's version of a gluten-free sandwich)

Note: tons of their groceries at the store are gluten free. :)

The restaurant we eat every single meal at.... located next door to our school.

Standing outside the school after lunch.

This is the street we live on now. :) 

The name has left me, so I'll have to post it later.

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We took a long, nearly two-hour walk of a part of the city we haven't seen yet. The weather was great and we were able to find a river with a park alongside it. On the way back, we stopped by a chocolateria and got some pasteries and hot chocolate.

 A round church by by our school. 

Our guide calls this the iglesia de queso... but I don't that's the real name... 

 Walking the city.

 We found a park with a river running alongside it.

 Rodd loves bridges. 

 On the way back we saw some guys playing a pick up game of soccer.

Soccer is huge here and is everywhere you look. Kids start playing when they can walk!

If there are children outside, they are playing soccer... it's crazy.

Chocolateria

 Pasteries and hot chocolate.

 The hot chocolate here is so different from home. It's a lot thicker and richer. Funny, its actually more chocolate than anything... :) It's like eating warm pudding before it cools... SUPER thick and rich. One little cup was more than enough for both of us to share. Tasty...

 Dinner: Spanish tortilla and salad.

Just a funny note, its a trend here that people have crazy-colored hair... especially the old ladies!!! It's definitely not uncommon to see people with hot pink or bright purple hair, but it strikes me as funny to see the old ladies rocking the hot pink. We were walking down the street tonight and saw this lady with gray hair with pink highlights! The old ladies come out at night all dressed up and walk around the downtown together. If you go out for an ice cream, it's quite entertaining to just people watch. :)