Just lying here in bed on my last night in Salamanca and thinking of the things I will miss.. Carmen my wonderful, beautiful spirited new friend, walking the streets every day to and from school just feeling the peaceful spirit of the Spanish people, the smiles, aromas, the older people hand in hand sitting or walking through the parks every evening, the old men making that kissing sound to flirt with me as they walked by, the hundreds of young students that fill the streets speaking their newly learned language with each other, the vino blanco, rosado y tinto, pinchos, tapas, jamon iberico, bocadillos, the cafe bars every 20 feet, the big beautiful parks in every neighborhood and right now as I lie here I hear, see and feel the thing I will miss each night......the warm air through my open window, the starry night sky I've seen two full moons in and the children with their parents and grandparents playing in the park nearby until midnight or later. It's just so beautiful the way they live their lives here enjoying each and every day with much ... paz y amor.
Hasta luego Salamanca!
oxoxo
Paz y Amor
CARRASCO WAS HERE!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
YOU ES HEEPEE FROM CALIFORNIA....SI?
Many times in class we just talk and share our lives. It's another way of learning and practicing Spanish. I'm usually talking about volunteering, music festivals, rock n roll and the 'green' world of California. Most the kids from Amsterdam are very inquisitive about the 'greenery' in California as I am about the 'green' in Amsterdam. It's amazing the open conversations we can have in class. I found out that same sex marriage in Spain has been legal since 2005. Just amazing....how can a world so full of "Catolics" do it but most of the U.S. can't? What a strange world we live in and on my friends.
I am down to only two days of classes left. I have learned so much grammar it's truly amazing. But don't expect me to be speaking Spanish with great ease when I return home. I have much much more to learn and many years of practice. I will continue at City College and am also trying to find a discussion/conversation group to practice with. I am also fortunate to have many Spanish speaking friends that have offered to help me. How wonderful is that? I'd say by next summer I should be speaking pretty damn good...bad grammar still, but pretty damn good. They say it takes years to truly learn Spanish grammar and speak fluently. I know now they speak the truth.
I will miss the people I have met here both in and out of school. Classes are tough but I do love the interaction and the learning. But it's time for this school girl to see her man and get her party on for a few weeks then get home to begin the process of preparing for more adventures. Maybe this path I've taken will lead me to South America where I can teach English??? Hmmm? I am definitely going to look into that possiblity when I return.
In class we had to write about our goals and dreams in Spanish...and I wrote all of the above. My life in California, my continued education in the Spanish language, my dream of working for a non-profit that helps the homeless, my dream of having a 'green' bakery and my dream of someday being an English teacher in Peru, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay etc. etc etc?? My little part of this world is definitely a blank canvas right now and I am a first time painter.....what shall I paint?
After I read my little life out loud this is what the Profesora said "You es heepee from California, si?"
Paz y Amor
I am down to only two days of classes left. I have learned so much grammar it's truly amazing. But don't expect me to be speaking Spanish with great ease when I return home. I have much much more to learn and many years of practice. I will continue at City College and am also trying to find a discussion/conversation group to practice with. I am also fortunate to have many Spanish speaking friends that have offered to help me. How wonderful is that? I'd say by next summer I should be speaking pretty damn good...bad grammar still, but pretty damn good. They say it takes years to truly learn Spanish grammar and speak fluently. I know now they speak the truth.
I will miss the people I have met here both in and out of school. Classes are tough but I do love the interaction and the learning. But it's time for this school girl to see her man and get her party on for a few weeks then get home to begin the process of preparing for more adventures. Maybe this path I've taken will lead me to South America where I can teach English??? Hmmm? I am definitely going to look into that possiblity when I return.
In class we had to write about our goals and dreams in Spanish...and I wrote all of the above. My life in California, my continued education in the Spanish language, my dream of working for a non-profit that helps the homeless, my dream of having a 'green' bakery and my dream of someday being an English teacher in Peru, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay etc. etc etc?? My little part of this world is definitely a blank canvas right now and I am a first time painter.....what shall I paint?
After I read my little life out loud this is what the Profesora said "You es heepee from California, si?"
Paz y Amor
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
ALCOHOL IGUAL HABLAS ESPANOL? SI!!
Ok...I have said in class several times "If I could only have a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey I'd relax" but ..NO!
So...after class I came home to study and then I took a walk down to the nearest (believe me there are at least 6 near me) bar y cafe for a drink. Today I went to Cafe Devino (cerca mi casa) near my home for whiskey!! It was quiet outside at 6:30 because it was raining. I sat down and ordered a my whiskey. It was just me outside under the awning enjoying the warm rain and my Jack Daniels on the rocks. I love my American whiskey and there's usually only two choices here..JD or J&B. Oh and you don't say J&B...it's hota y beh (spelled as pronounced). I found Jim Beam once when I first arrived. Anyway, since it was just me I asked the waiter his name. His name is Julian (hooleean) and he's the 'dueno' (dwenyo) owner. What a wonderful two hours and two whiskeys I just had. As he cleaned the tables, swept the streets and tended to his indoor bar he stopped to talk to me often. How fun to practice the little bit of Spanish I know and to feel comfortable doing it. I don't speak much in class because I get nervous and forget all I know in that atmosphere but outside with the people of Spain I feel very comfortable. And as Julian put it...'Diana, mucho bebidas de alcohol igual hablar espanol'. LOL...so true. Julian suggested I come by in the morning for a 'pequeno' (small) shot of alcohol before class. Hmmm? I may do that my friends..really!! Either that or a Xanax..I have two left and 1/4 helps a long ways for me. I think I prefer the alcohol.
Hey, gotta go! Carmen just got home with her new pair of shoes to match her beautiful dress she bought last week. Perfecto! I will post photos of the 'bicho raro'!
I sure am going ot miss this place! And now I will be even more confused when people ask me where I am from......Dublin, SF, Ferndale, Boise or Salamanca?
Paz y Amor
xoxo
So...after class I came home to study and then I took a walk down to the nearest (believe me there are at least 6 near me) bar y cafe for a drink. Today I went to Cafe Devino (cerca mi casa) near my home for whiskey!! It was quiet outside at 6:30 because it was raining. I sat down and ordered a my whiskey. It was just me outside under the awning enjoying the warm rain and my Jack Daniels on the rocks. I love my American whiskey and there's usually only two choices here..JD or J&B. Oh and you don't say J&B...it's hota y beh (spelled as pronounced). I found Jim Beam once when I first arrived. Anyway, since it was just me I asked the waiter his name. His name is Julian (hooleean) and he's the 'dueno' (dwenyo) owner. What a wonderful two hours and two whiskeys I just had. As he cleaned the tables, swept the streets and tended to his indoor bar he stopped to talk to me often. How fun to practice the little bit of Spanish I know and to feel comfortable doing it. I don't speak much in class because I get nervous and forget all I know in that atmosphere but outside with the people of Spain I feel very comfortable. And as Julian put it...'Diana, mucho bebidas de alcohol igual hablar espanol'. LOL...so true. Julian suggested I come by in the morning for a 'pequeno' (small) shot of alcohol before class. Hmmm? I may do that my friends..really!! Either that or a Xanax..I have two left and 1/4 helps a long ways for me. I think I prefer the alcohol.
Hey, gotta go! Carmen just got home with her new pair of shoes to match her beautiful dress she bought last week. Perfecto! I will post photos of the 'bicho raro'!
I sure am going ot miss this place! And now I will be even more confused when people ask me where I am from......Dublin, SF, Ferndale, Boise or Salamanca?
Paz y Amor
xoxo
Sunday, July 10, 2011
YOU DO NOT HAVE ZEE MANNERS OF ZEE FRENCH!
Hola amigos! 5 weeks have gone by in my little life as a Spaniard. This weekend I went on my last excursion with the school. We went to Segovia and Avila. Segovia was just beautiful. It's much smaller then Salamanca yet not a small country town. It's a bit more green and built on hills. It's famous for the 2000 year old acueduct built to bring water from the Mountains. It was an amazing sight to see. As I looked around almost everyone's mouth was wide open in awe. I felt the same way I did when I visited the Palace of Knossos on the Greek Island of Crete. Unless you've experienced it I just can't explain the feeling of standing near, on or in something that was built so long ago you can't even fathom the time that's past. And to think persons of those times were right where you stand at that moment. I have to admit .. every time I've had the opportunity to visit these ancient places..I get teary eyed. We also visited the Alcazar de Segovia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Segovia). Absolutely beautiful inside and even more so was the view from the windows looking down over Segovia and the surrounding area. I found the perfect spot for my Airstream and I have already set my mind to come to Spain next year, as a tourist, not a student and spend much more time in Sierra de Francia, Segovia and the Basque Country. By then I should be able to make 5 full sentences in Spanish?
After our stop in Segovia we went back to the bus for our next stop in Avila. My friends Kirsten and Chris decided to sit in different seats this time. They were separated on the trip to Segovia so they wanted seats together. They sat in the two behind me. Next thing I know I hear "Perdon me, but were you sitting there on our arrival? (no answer from Kirsten or Chris). No you were not, how rude of you, you do not have zee manners of zee French". I almost died laughing. My back was to them but I could hear her distinct thick French accent and attidude. Kirsten and Chris didn't say a word to her and just stayed in their seats. I could here the French woman 'humph' and walk to the back of the bus as she spoke in French, obviously about the situation. Everyone on the bus was giggling. We had a good laugh about that. When we arrived in Avila we were given an hour to wander as we like. I chose a little cafe near the Plaza where I had a glass of beer. Then I hear a French woman speaking. I look behind me and the same woman on the bus has sat at a table behind me. She proceeds to speak to the waiter in French. The waiter walks away and doesn't come back for quite some time. Finally he returns and the woman again speaks in French. That's when the waiter says in broken English "Madame, I will help you if you order in English or Spanish but I will not in French". Oh my God....again I almost pissed my pants trying to hold back the laughter. She mumbled something then ordered in Spanish. Later I overheard the two waiters speaking in Spanglish, I could understand quite a bit, about how they're tired of the French expecting them to only speak French in France but will not speak the language of other cultures when in their country. I love it. I have to tell you I've been to the South of France and yes we did experience some very snobby attitudes but I've tried not to label a whole Country for that. I don't like it when others lump us from the United States. But I have to say..it's getting hard not to when it comes to the French. That lady was just rude, snobby and plain old mean. Oh and when we had to get back on the bus for the trip home, she RAN on before my friends to get her original seat back. When they walked by she said something snotty in French to them. Believe me it wasn't nice, you could tell by the tone. So.. tell me someone...what are 'zee manners of zee french'? Cause if she's an example of what they are...then it must be just plain 'rudeness'?? Hmmmm, let's ponder that, shall we?
Oh and the 10 very young Italian school kids that were on the excursion gave Madame a run for her money in the 'rudeness' department. They were some cute kids but they wouldn't stop talking even when the Profesor was explaining the sights to us. He asked them several times to be quiet..to no avail. It was actually kind of funny though. I got a kick out of watching them talk....Italian people really do talk with their hands. There were 20 arms flailing at one time when those kids started talking. What a sight! I should have video taped it.
All in all the excursion was just lovely. I've enjoy touring Spain as much as I can. Our guides only speak in Spanish so I don't always get the history behind the sights we see but it helps me learn more of the language each time. And there's always the internet when we return from the trip.
I arrived home last evening and shared a bottle of 'Verdejo' with Carmen. It's a white wine from the Segovia region. Absolutely delicious. I'd love to bring some home but traveling with liquids isn't fun and it isn't cheap to ship. So it will be the treat I will look forward to each time I return. Even better idea I'd say. Some things are best 'craved'!
Well, I will stop this babbling for now. It's Sunday in Spain, my favorite day. The shops are closed and the streets are quiet and perfect for walking and finding a little Cafe for a glass of wine and a tapa or two.
Paz y Amor
After our stop in Segovia we went back to the bus for our next stop in Avila. My friends Kirsten and Chris decided to sit in different seats this time. They were separated on the trip to Segovia so they wanted seats together. They sat in the two behind me. Next thing I know I hear "Perdon me, but were you sitting there on our arrival? (no answer from Kirsten or Chris). No you were not, how rude of you, you do not have zee manners of zee French". I almost died laughing. My back was to them but I could hear her distinct thick French accent and attidude. Kirsten and Chris didn't say a word to her and just stayed in their seats. I could here the French woman 'humph' and walk to the back of the bus as she spoke in French, obviously about the situation. Everyone on the bus was giggling. We had a good laugh about that. When we arrived in Avila we were given an hour to wander as we like. I chose a little cafe near the Plaza where I had a glass of beer. Then I hear a French woman speaking. I look behind me and the same woman on the bus has sat at a table behind me. She proceeds to speak to the waiter in French. The waiter walks away and doesn't come back for quite some time. Finally he returns and the woman again speaks in French. That's when the waiter says in broken English "Madame, I will help you if you order in English or Spanish but I will not in French". Oh my God....again I almost pissed my pants trying to hold back the laughter. She mumbled something then ordered in Spanish. Later I overheard the two waiters speaking in Spanglish, I could understand quite a bit, about how they're tired of the French expecting them to only speak French in France but will not speak the language of other cultures when in their country. I love it. I have to tell you I've been to the South of France and yes we did experience some very snobby attitudes but I've tried not to label a whole Country for that. I don't like it when others lump us from the United States. But I have to say..it's getting hard not to when it comes to the French. That lady was just rude, snobby and plain old mean. Oh and when we had to get back on the bus for the trip home, she RAN on before my friends to get her original seat back. When they walked by she said something snotty in French to them. Believe me it wasn't nice, you could tell by the tone. So.. tell me someone...what are 'zee manners of zee french'? Cause if she's an example of what they are...then it must be just plain 'rudeness'?? Hmmmm, let's ponder that, shall we?
Oh and the 10 very young Italian school kids that were on the excursion gave Madame a run for her money in the 'rudeness' department. They were some cute kids but they wouldn't stop talking even when the Profesor was explaining the sights to us. He asked them several times to be quiet..to no avail. It was actually kind of funny though. I got a kick out of watching them talk....Italian people really do talk with their hands. There were 20 arms flailing at one time when those kids started talking. What a sight! I should have video taped it.
All in all the excursion was just lovely. I've enjoy touring Spain as much as I can. Our guides only speak in Spanish so I don't always get the history behind the sights we see but it helps me learn more of the language each time. And there's always the internet when we return from the trip.
I arrived home last evening and shared a bottle of 'Verdejo' with Carmen. It's a white wine from the Segovia region. Absolutely delicious. I'd love to bring some home but traveling with liquids isn't fun and it isn't cheap to ship. So it will be the treat I will look forward to each time I return. Even better idea I'd say. Some things are best 'craved'!
Well, I will stop this babbling for now. It's Sunday in Spain, my favorite day. The shops are closed and the streets are quiet and perfect for walking and finding a little Cafe for a glass of wine and a tapa or two.
Paz y Amor
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
DIEZ Y SIETE DIAS MAS!
It feels good to say that. Don't get me wrong...I have enjoyed every minute of Salamanca but it's time for MUCHO MUCHO FIESTAS! I've been focusing on my studies and not much play time. Not complaining though. That's exactly how I wanted it to be. But after almost 5 weeks of intense Spanish lessons my body needs to fall down drunk. YES..fall down drunk. England and Ireland here I come. I sure hope Damien's up to the task of taking care of me. Those first few nights he's definitely going to need to. Whoops!!
We're first meeting my cousins, Ted and Sam (not gay..Sam's a girl) in England. They live outside London in Southhampton. We'll stay with them a few nights enjoying the area, eats and drinks. VINO VINO! They've built a pizza oven in their backyard so I am sure looking forward to some homemade pizza. We're all also gonna stay a night in Bristol with some of Sam's family then Damien and I fly off to Dublin the next day. I've booked us for two nights at the Hotel Bloom in Temple Bar, Dublin. Hotel was inexpensive and right in the heart of what we require...BARS. Plus we get a free cocktail upon check-in and later a whiskey tasting. Someone say WHISKEY? There's a restaurant I've heard has damn good Shepherd's Pie too. It's called 'The Shack Restaurant' and it's near where we're staying. Mmm mmm good. One of my favorite dishes. We've also got tickets to tour the Guiness Brewery. If we're up to the task there's a one day tour via train to Galway and back. We wanted to stay in Galway a night or two but the big Horse Races are happening that weekend and the hotels are booked. If they aren't book they average $200 or more a night. I don't think so man. We'll head down to County Cork, Midleton to be exact, to see our friend Michelle Maloney. She moved back to Ireland some time ago. She's crazy fun...DUH..she's Irish. From what I understand she's got access to her Dad's old ambulance so it seems we're gonna hit the roads of Ireland. How freakin' fun is that gonna be. I love partying with my Irish friends in SF....but I can't wait to see the Irish in action on their own territory. I hope I can keep up. I am gonna try.
This weekend I am going on my last excursion with Don Quijote. It's a day trip to Segovia y Avila. I hear they're both beautiful towns. I wonder if they'll have an Iglesias? AAAAAHHH! No MAS IGLESIAS'! I think I'll find the closest cafe and wait for that part of the tour to end...got VINO? Sorry peeps but I am really sick of Churches. I hear there's a cool Castle though.
My very last weekend in Salamanca is going to be wonderful. Saturday, July 16 is Carmen's birthday. Friends and family are coming to the house for Tapas, Vino, Cerveza and more. Then it's off to go dancing. So wonderful to be a part of the celebration.
Then on Wednesday the 20th....we're going out to have Paella and Sangria for my last big Spanish meal. I've saved the best for last.
BTW...if anyone wants to do tonight's homework for me I'll email it to you. MI, MIS, MIO/A, TUYO/A, SUYO/A...etc.. To tell you the truth I don't give a F if it's mine, yours or theirs now. HA HA HA!
Paz y Amor amigos
We're first meeting my cousins, Ted and Sam (not gay..Sam's a girl) in England. They live outside London in Southhampton. We'll stay with them a few nights enjoying the area, eats and drinks. VINO VINO! They've built a pizza oven in their backyard so I am sure looking forward to some homemade pizza. We're all also gonna stay a night in Bristol with some of Sam's family then Damien and I fly off to Dublin the next day. I've booked us for two nights at the Hotel Bloom in Temple Bar, Dublin. Hotel was inexpensive and right in the heart of what we require...BARS. Plus we get a free cocktail upon check-in and later a whiskey tasting. Someone say WHISKEY? There's a restaurant I've heard has damn good Shepherd's Pie too. It's called 'The Shack Restaurant' and it's near where we're staying. Mmm mmm good. One of my favorite dishes. We've also got tickets to tour the Guiness Brewery. If we're up to the task there's a one day tour via train to Galway and back. We wanted to stay in Galway a night or two but the big Horse Races are happening that weekend and the hotels are booked. If they aren't book they average $200 or more a night. I don't think so man. We'll head down to County Cork, Midleton to be exact, to see our friend Michelle Maloney. She moved back to Ireland some time ago. She's crazy fun...DUH..she's Irish. From what I understand she's got access to her Dad's old ambulance so it seems we're gonna hit the roads of Ireland. How freakin' fun is that gonna be. I love partying with my Irish friends in SF....but I can't wait to see the Irish in action on their own territory. I hope I can keep up. I am gonna try.
This weekend I am going on my last excursion with Don Quijote. It's a day trip to Segovia y Avila. I hear they're both beautiful towns. I wonder if they'll have an Iglesias? AAAAAHHH! No MAS IGLESIAS'! I think I'll find the closest cafe and wait for that part of the tour to end...got VINO? Sorry peeps but I am really sick of Churches. I hear there's a cool Castle though.
My very last weekend in Salamanca is going to be wonderful. Saturday, July 16 is Carmen's birthday. Friends and family are coming to the house for Tapas, Vino, Cerveza and more. Then it's off to go dancing. So wonderful to be a part of the celebration.
Then on Wednesday the 20th....we're going out to have Paella and Sangria for my last big Spanish meal. I've saved the best for last.
BTW...if anyone wants to do tonight's homework for me I'll email it to you. MI, MIS, MIO/A, TUYO/A, SUYO/A...etc.. To tell you the truth I don't give a F if it's mine, yours or theirs now. HA HA HA!
Paz y Amor amigos
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