TRANQUILA

Many times a day you hear 'tranquila'! The Spanish people are so calm and wonderful. Any time they notice you're feeling stress, or when you try to speak the language and apologize for not doing it well..you hear 'Tranquila' And they mean it from the heart...'relax, nothing to worry about, it's all ok'. Lovely. So that's what I have been and continue to do..be Tranquila.

It's been a tough last 3 days learning conjugation of verbs. There is no limit to the verbs in this language and there is no limit to the 'exceptions of the rule they just told you'. It's confusing but it really is funny, this language. You ask yourself often 'why'? what? huh? Tonight is my first big homework assignment. I have to write a 100 pallabra (words) paper on my hometown. Oh boy this is gonna be fun but I need to get it done because tonorrow I am taking a tour arranged by our school with classmates to 'Sierra de Francia'. Look it up .. it's beautiful. I will certainly tell you about it and have pictures in the next few days. Domingo (Sunday) is the last day of the semana (week) long Festiva de Salamanca. There's going to be music, food, dancing and then fireworks in the Plaza Mayor. I will definitely be there. And Lunes (Monday) there is no escuela (school) as it is a holiday. Woo hoo! However that means EVERYTHING will be closed...so I guess it's study study study. 3 days off already.

Last night, after the Cultura de Espana class, we went to a Cerverceria where we paid 3 Euros for a glass of wine/beer and enjoyed all you can eat tapas. Delicioso! Then we enjoyed a few beverages at a little bar in the Plaza. Next thing we knew it was 2:00am. What? You should have seen us all scatter. Needless to say it wasn't easy to get up at 7:00am today. And it certainly wasn't easy to focus in class. I won't be out that late again. So tonight I am being a good girl by staying in and doing my homework and getting a good nights rest. I really haven't had one since I've arrived..it's been go go go.

Carmen just came and gave me a hug. She's going out with her amigos for a cafe. I can't tell you how wonderful she is. In just a week I feel we've become great friends. There's much love for each other. When I got home tonight she took me to her friend's gym so I could join. Then she walked me to the Correo (Post Office) to mail Post Cards. By the way, if you'd like a Post Card from Salamanca, please email me at my personal email with your address and I'll send you one for sure.

I may be going to a Bull Fight in the next few weeks too. They don't know exactly when it's going to be but it's usually in late June or early July. It's not something that I've wanted to do (ask Patty, we chickened out in Barcelona) but I just feel the need to see this very cultural event this time. I'll be closing my eyes alot that's for sure.

The sun has come out off and on the last 2 days but at least the rain has hopefully gone. Supposedly by the weekend it's going to finally be sunny, hot and dry..around 24C. I can't wait man cause I am losing my expensive 'electric' tan dang it.

Well, I got to go while I am still 'tranquila' and write that paragraph. Hmmmmn, what shall I tell about my beautiful City by the Bay? We shall see what comes out of this completely full head. WHEW!

Paz y amor todos!