Day 11: Salsa Dance Class

Today was really good! We had class as usual from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. 

Lunch: Pasta con Ternera y salsa do tomate

We had this last week when we arrived. It's pasta with veal (young calf) and tomato sauce.

Really rich and yummy!

Then we went back to the universidad pontifica de Salamanca (Pontif University of Salamanca?) This is the tallest building in Salamanca, by one inch or so, so it has the best views!

This is the outside of the Universidad pontifica de Salamanca

This is where we walked to get to the top of the building...

It doesn't look like a lot, but it was! But completely worth the hike...

Inside the ground level of the Universidad.

Ceilings of the ground level (el techo).

A sketch of the university.

It started out as a university (part on the right),

then later they added the cathedral (on the left).

Inside the cathedral part... Gorgeous!

Dentro de la catedral

This is a model of the building. 

We climbed to the top of the cathedral part, looking down at the school.

Okay... We took over a hundred pictures today between the two of us, so I've uploaded a bunch of the view from the top...

Some of Rodd's panoramas:

This is one of my favorites!

Our guide from the school, Carlos, and Gazelem.

Our profesora, Sara, getting in her 'I'm taking a photo' stance. :)

Tons of pictures, I know. The view of the city was stunning! I could have spent most of the day up there... After we got back, we had a Salsa dance class where we got to dance Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. They didn't do anything we didn't already know, but it was fun to refresh before we head to the DR!

Our dance teacher and Rachel from our group as his partner.

Freestyle... ;)

Ham and Cheese sandwiches and salad for dinner. Yum!

Day 10: Tapas Tour

Today we had a little longer break in the afternoon today that we usually do. Rodd took an extra long nap and I took advantage of the time to study. 

 

Lunch: Sopa de maravilla (Marvelous Soup... 

I think it is named after the type of past that is in it) 

and pavo con pisto (a light tomato sauce).

A common type of food in Spain is called Tapas. They are little bite size appetizers on a slice of baguette-like bread. They put all kinds of things on there! It's common for people to go around from place to place and just get tapas for dinner! A tapa is like a taste... I've seen this on our schedule and have been so excited to do this! Each piece is a tapa.

Gambas con mayonesa y perejil

Shrimp with an herb aioli...

(This one was my favorite!!)

Pincho moruno (Cerdo con cebolla y pimiento)

Skewers of Pork, Onion, Red Pepper

(This one was Rodd's favorite!)

 Mmmm. ;)

 This was our group from the school there on the Tapas Tour.

Drinking is Mikayla, on the phone is a girl in my class from Italy, then Sara from our UVU group,

then Dasha from Russia is in my class, then some chicas from Germany.

 These are chicas from our UVU group...

(Right to left) Sydne, Kristy, Gazelem, Rachel, Sydney

 Rodd and his favorite Tapa... awe. ;)

Round one of Tapas: Don Mauro 

We've eaten at this restaurant twice and it's been so good!

 Round two: Cafe Casa Paca

 We each had one tapa here:

Atun con anchoa (Tuna with anchovie)

Salmon con crema de queso (Salmon with cream cheese)

Both were good... Rodd even said he likes their cream cheese (he doesn't like cream cheese)!!

 Round three: Erasmus Cafe

Drink: Mosto

Tapa: El secreto Iberico (pork with a sweet cranberry sauce)

YUMMY

 A tapas tour is fun with a big group because each time you move you get to sit at a new table with new people! This was our group at this stop. So fun!

 Round four and final: Casa de vinos

Tapa 1: Jamón Iberico (Cured ham)

Tapas 2: Queso de oveja (Cured cheese from sheep's milk)

 In Spain, they eat a lot of cured meats and cheeses. This was my least favorite stop.

The meets cure for 5 years to reach their prime, and the cheese for several months. 

This cheese was good, but a little to strong for me... and I like strong cheese!

 We walked home through the Plaza Mayor and were able to get a picture at night.

We're having a lot of fun! It's just crazy to think that we get to be here for another three weeks or so... :)

Day 9: Our LDS Branch - La Rama Salamanca

We attended church at the little LDS branch in Salamanca. Church started at 10am. When we got there at 9:55 am, we were the first ones there, except the branch president and his wife. Our group of 10 practically doubled the attendance of the branch.

Today they had testimony meeting and someone who was baptized yesterday was confirmed. It was a great experience to attend church in another country and in Spanish, as always. Today is Mother's Day in Spain, so the Elder's bought a cake some juice for the sisters.

This is the branch president's wife, Carmen.

 There was another small group visiting the branch from BYU. They are studying genealogy all across Europe. Rodd recognized the couple leading the group from his time in the Windsor 6th Singles Ward.

It really is a small world!!

Everyone in our group left the church today with an assignment for next week. Someone is teaching Sunday School, another Relief Society, some are teaching Sunday School for the children, and others are teaching in Primary. Rodd and I are doing Sharing Time in Primary... in Spanish. :) Their little branch of 6 or so that are used to teaching and leading discussions every week are probably looking forward to a little break. :)

Lunch: fideua con frutas del mar

Pasta with tomato sauce and seafood (Fruits of the sea... :)

 Dinner: Pizza and tomatoes

Dessert: Chocolate pudding

After church, we took a nap. :) I love that about their culture. After, I studied a little bit. With about an hour before dinner, we went for a little walk down a street called Calle Van Dick. It is known for it's tapas. We didn't try anything, but will return one day when we have time to try the food out! There is also a theater nearby with movies, plays, operas, etc. We could go see Iron Man, but Rodd isn't into watching movies dubbed in Spanish. :)

Tomorrow we are back to school and a crazy-busy schedule. :)