A Great Weekend

SO MUCH FUN IN THREE DAYS! Friday night, the girls and I went out for tapas and sangría, then went to a discoteca near by. The next day, I went grocery shopping with my host mom. For all of you who don't understand how SUPER EXCITING that is in Europe, you should probably try leaving the US for a few months and then coming back and seeing how SUPER EXCITED you are to find all the little food items you missed so much! So Roxy loaded up on yoghurts, cheeses, salami, and various other seemingly normal items that represent her childhood. The carnicería (meat vendor) was also...quite an experience. We bought a whole chicken, and I didn't realize I was staring until the butcher laughed and asked if I wanted to learn how to cut up a chicken  so that I could do it myself at home...Imagine. The entire chicken is chopped, and everything is opened, and just when you think the butcher cut the pieces off because they're too fatty or bloody, he puts them in the soup pile, or the broth pile, or the rice pile...It's very economical and practical, really, and nice to see a chicken that doesn't come in cubes :)
Then a delicious lunch ensued (as always), and Becky and I met up afterwards to go visit the Lonja, a medieval trading house that is still beautifully preserved. See?

Look at the details on the roof!!

The Spanish flag floating in the clouds :)

 The tops of the city :)

 The two adventurers!

 The last person who sat here (omit tourists) would probably be 658 years old.

 The Mercado Central! It was closed when we got there but I promise this bustling interior mercado will be captured in photos soon enough :)

Buy two bags, get a free...scarf?
 On the street...no big deal.

 A wine shop we found...we photographed it for future reference, the owner looked as old and as legit as his wine selection.We also photographed the street he was in -->

THEN WE WENT FOR CHURROS!!! YUMMMMMM

And...this is where I parked my bike that night to meet my friends at another tapas bar, and then another discoteca, where I met a friendly Italian...please ask me for details personally.
And sunday, I went to an even BETTER, more authentic churros/hot chocolate café with another friend! Although, twice in two days...Now I'm stopping.
But it was SUCH a good week-end!!
Besos,
Roxy

"OOh, she's a little run-away!"

My dad told me once that the best way to get to know a place was by running it.
So today, because my archaic teacher made me really mad with his macho interpretation of my words (in other words, because he made me feel stupid), I decided it was time to have an hour and a few to myself to do some physical exercise.
I started out running down to the river-bed, which is a long park with brick trails as well as dirt trails that weave in out of the trees. I ran past where I usually get off to go to my school, and ran through a white marble expansion with random geometric glass shapes weaving through the pavement. Alright. Looking up, I noticed the bridge above me looked like the Hogwarts Express ran over it millions of years ago, with its sculpted angels nestled within chipping golden rocks. OF COURSE I ran up the ramp to run across it, and my run became timeless! For the next hour, I forgot my feet were moving and found hidden marble statues, bridge arches that resonated my foot steps (and slightly heavy breathing), huge fountains with jets of water competing for who could touch the sky, and it all seemed perfectly timed with the music in my ears! Magical!
Then I remembered that, to get to school, I passed a park everyday. I ran towards it and again, found myself in little paths sneaking between rows of trees, ponds, statues...and then I turned a corner and saw a peacock.
Wait, no. Two peacocks. Just sight-seeing, like me, in the amber glow of the setting sun.
This was the cherry on top of the hot-fudge-sundae-nuts-included. I would like to mention that the peacock, in Buddhism, is the symbol of Buddha (thanks Mom!). So if anyone thinks they have a more magical run experience, please feel free to share it with the world because it must be pretty darn glorious.
The consequent six calls of "Oyyy guapa!" that I heard from six not-that-attractive-or-young men pulled me off of Cloud Nine. Thank you, gentlemen, for bringing me back down to Earth. Stay classy.
I PROMISE I'LL BRING MY CAMERA NEXT RUN!! The pictures will be gorgeous!
Besos,
Roxy

I Love Fresh Air

The awesome thing about Valencia is that it has the charm of a European city (think Paris), combined with the mystery of ancient relics (think Rome), all in a medium-sized, easily-navigable array of streets! I really enjoy the fact that, every morning, my friend Valenbisi and I take a hike through the empty riverbed that has become a park. Everyone that I see in the park in the mornings is either athletic or simply taking a stroll, and everyone is happy. No better way to start the day, right? With a smile and some fresh air...as long as I don't forget the deodorant.
Today, on my way back from school, I stopped at a little florist's shop held by a nice old lady (who made me wait 20 seconds as she finished her row of knitting). I bought irises for my host mom and put them in the basket of my bike, and let me tell you, with my new booties and my flowers....I felt like a piece of the puzzle :)

After lunch, I learned to make a bonbon! Not only is its name so cute (means candy in French, but as a cute little kid would say), but it comes in such a cute size...

A bonbon is simply coffee--Spanish coffee, ok, so that little amount is as strong as a huge American cup--with sweetened condensed milk at the bottom...Good for the heart, bad for the bikini waist. Mmm :)

Speaking of cute sizes, I finally got a Spanish phone today! And it fits in the palm of my hand! And now I know what the words for "settings" and "new text message" are in Spanish!
Oh, the daily impressions of a European life!
Besos, Roxy

A Word on Academics

Dear American readers, both home-based and abroad:

You will undoubtedly learn, sooner or later, that the academics between Europe and North America are distinctly different (I haven't tried Asia's, but that seems like a very strong curriculum as well). Today's lesson is on the most IMPORTANT difference between the two.

It is not that European teachers lecture more and ask opinions less. Though they do.

It is not that there are only 2 major exams in European classes (sometimes only the final), when there are an average of 3.5 in US classes. Though there are.

It is that no matter how fast the material for the day was covered, or no matter how relevant to the actual topic, the professors will keep. talking. for the entire. 1h30 class period. without fail. If you finished your lesson with 20 minutes to spare, then the professor will discuss the difference between governmental procedures in Spain versus in Belgium. Or will talk about the good museums to go see.

But don't ever. EVER. (at least in Valencia, Spain) expect to get out of class early.

Also?
For each year of age your professor has over 55, he will keep you after class that many minutes longer.
Turns out I have a 70-year old professor....
At least we talked about Belgium and its chocolates!

Besos,
Roxy

I Caught a Sunset

Yesterday Ricard (my host brother) showed me the top of Valencia! And I saw the sun...(I opened up my eyes and I saw the sun!) :)

The Top of the World--or of Xátiba :)

 The entrance to a beautiful castle....and the inside plaza!

 My beautiful Brazilian friend Gabriela, who probably doesn't know these pictures are up.

 Interior details.

 Where we ate lunch...no big deal, ancient red carpet-style.

 

The view from our spot...

 Oops...turn your head sideways for this one :) We climbed high!!

The inside of a jail cell!

Climbing to the Top of Xátiba

Just keep climbing, just keep climbing...

A little update on our mileage up the mountain (for us obviously out-of-shape people--or maybe it was because we were laughing too much).

Roxy and Becky!

DESTINATION IN SIGHT!

Everyone was taking pictures of the city below, so I took a picture of it--through the branches (original!).

La conquistadora de Xátiba (but not the destructor, or I'd get my portrait flipped!!)

GETTING CLOSER!!