Here we go!

It's been a little over a week since I've been here and I am adjusting more and more each day. I have class each day from 9-1 then lunch at 2 and then relaxing. I've been shopping a couple times and have bought a few things :) Don't worry Dad, I haven't bought a lot. Everything is on sale right now for like 2 euros, which is awesome for us turistas. So I have 2 new scarfs, some earrings, a purse/backpack. It's been awesome.

The weather has been improving also. When we came here it was about 40 and raining. But the last couple days it's been in the 50s and sunny. Just a light jacket when you go outside and you are set for the day! They don't have central heating in the buildings, which does make a big difference. For instance, it's warm in our classrooms, but really cold in the hallways. Warm in the living room of my apartment, but cold in my room. Very strange.

I am still not used to the European showers. As I'm sure my parents would contest, I like long, hot showers. But here it's practically impossible. My shower is a large square, two walls made of plastic with a point in the middle where then bend, kind of like closet doors. You open these and step in. They go all the way to the floor and meet a little plastic strip which is supposed to keep all the water inside (but it rarely does it's job). The other two walls of the shower are the walls of the bathroom and they are covered in tile. The first time I took a shower I practically drenched the entire bathroom because I didn't close the doors/walls all the way. I've discovered a technique where I don't create a monsoon in the bathroom. Showers are definitely only for cleaning yourself and not for relaxation. Showering for me consists of the following steps: 

1. Disrobe 

2. Step in shower 

3. Make sure the walls/doors are closed 

4. Point the shower head at the wall and turn on the water to let it warm up while shivering in the cold bathroom 

5. Once water is warm, drench entire body and try to reclaim lost heat 

6. Reluctantly turn off hot water 

7. FURIOUSLY shampoo hair

8. Turn on hot water

9. Breathe a sigh of relief

10. Rinse hair

11. Reluctantly turn off hot water again

12. Condition hair and wash face while dancing in the shower to keep warm (pardon the imagery)

13. Turn on hot water

14. Dance a happy dance for the existence of hot water

15. Rinse conditioner out

16. Turn off hot water

17. Grab towel and dry off

I think once I get back to the United States I am going to take an hour and a half long shower, so be prepared for that water bill, mom and dad.

The food is still really good, very, very nutritional. The other night we had pizza with goat cheese, and it was so delicious! She also made a rice dish with duck, artichoke and red peppers. It was really awesome. Last night though, the food took a turn for the worse. We had fish sticks (ew) and calamari (ew times 10000). I tried both, to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I can't do it. My Spanish mom tries to get me to eat fish, and I try, but I really don't like it. I have yet to be blown away.

This weekend we are going to the castle in Denia to explore it. That should be really exciting! It's one of the most attractive feature of the city for tourists. On Saturday we will be making a trip to Valencia for the day. We are going to go to some museums and explore the city a little more. That should be really exciting too!

Funny Spain things:

1. You can buy wine in juice boxes (I laughed in the store for a really long time)

2. Nudity is no big deal, we watched a movie in class with a sex scene... one word to describe it: awkward.

3. I almost brushed my teeth with face wash, but I caught myself before.

I think that's all I have to say for now. Oh! If you want the link for pictures, here it is: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31336772@N02/