Life in Córdoba

School here in Córdoba is picking up the pace and we are diving into the lessons. I have three classes: Spanish Grammar and Conversation, International Relations, and Spanish History, and the last 2 are actually pretty interesting. Things move at a relatively slower pace which is great because the language difference adds a dimension of difficulty all on its own.

The professors here are very helpful, not only in class, but they keep us posted on the goings on in Córdoba and the nearby cities, as does our program coordinators. When I first got here things seemed really disorganized but as things get going I am realizing that its just a matter of finding what you need (and going to get them in the few hours the places are open).

The weather is still warm here, but the mornings are brisk and there is a nice wind that cools us off in the mornings and late nights.

Other than that I have just been walking around a bunch, SPAIN WALKS EVERYWHERE! and learning my way around the city while navigating through the Judería (the old Jewish neighborhood) whose streets are as maze-like as the ones in Cádiz. Yesterday Marissa, a friend from UCSB in my program, and I went out with her interacambio, Rafa, and exhausted myself by speaking spanglish for hours (The intercambio program is something the school sets up so that Spanish students learning English can practice and vice versa for American students), i get to meet my intercambio, Carmen, later this week.

I also tried a Flamenco class on monday, but wasnt too into it and would rather play rugby or fútbol (soccer) here, so im waiting to hear back on how to do that.

Plans for this weekend are to stay in town and check out Córdoba. Thier fútbol team is horrible but i need to see a game, for the sake of seeing a game, while I am here. There are also Mercadillos (huge bazaar type markets) on Sundays here, which will give me something to do when the place is dead.

FOOD: I also have been experimenting with the food here. There is only one thing I have tried, since the tapas sampler in Madrid, that i didnt enjoy, and that was a tuna salad smothered, literally, in Mayonaise, YUCK! other than that things are really yummy: Paella (a rice dish made with meat and saffron), lots of albondigas or bolitas (little meatballs or fried meatballs), pescado (fish), gazpacho (basically Spanish V8), paté, yes paté, and its not bad when its made with real meat and not liver, and tons of pan (bread). I think my favorite so far are the postres (desserts) here. Lots of yogurt in yummy flavors like pear and coconut and really good sweet breads. My favorite so far though, is called leche canela límon which is literally milk with cinnamon and lemon. I know it sounds nasty but the lemon is very faint and it is a really yummy drink. They make it as a batido (milkshake) too and you can choose what flavor of ice cream to put into it!

Well thats all for now, thanks for all the messages, i love hearing your voices. Happy Birthday to Steph (yeah for 21!!) and Nicole W!! I miss you all, talk to you soon!