Blogs from Salamanca, Castile & León, Spain, Europe - page 6

Thoughts to Jot: Earlier today, Judith, her friend Tencie, and I had just finished a conversation about Pepsi vs. Coke (I brought home a diet Pepsi), when I began talking about my experience of never having dated or banged any other man when I married my ex-husband. I was trying, in a sad attempt, to explain that since my divorce I have been dating and experiencing the world so to speak. I was struggling to find the words in Spanish, so Tencie interrupted, saying “Es como si te gustas Coke, Pepsi, Fanta” (you have to try Coke, Pepsi, Fanta, to see which one you like best). God bless her for making something that seemed so complicated to explain so damn simple. I need to compare men to types of soda more often! Sentiments: A very BIG ... read more

Thoughts to Jot:The pastry and chocolate shops are my FAVORITE :) My host, Judith, is two years younger than me and yet I look and act 10 years younger (no surprise for those who know me!). I have been without a cell phone for over three days now. Sentiments: A very special thank you to Fry’s Electronics for selling me a PIECE of SHIT converter that converts nothing. I now have the lovely dilemma of finding a way to charge my camera, that I might be able to eventually use it! Questions: Why is tuna on EVERYTHING here? Tuna (and ham) are apparently very important to this country. Something of the Ridiculous: 1. Seeing a lifesize Dora the Explorer balloon bobbing amongst the crowds in Plaza Mayor. 2. My host, Judith, played the soundtrack to Dirty ... read more

So, waking-up in Salamanca, knowing that our entire group (at least who we expected to have at this point) are here… That felt fantastic. We woke-up at 7-something to get cleaned-up and have breakfast before a 9am rehearsal at the Palacio Figueroa, which is a place often-used for concerts and other fine and performing arts. Rehearsal went until noon, which was good, since we hadn’t sung together since being in the US. Rehearsal went very well, and the space was nice, not super-live, but not dead, either. After rehearsal, Daniel and I wandered a little bit, found a couple of shops where we got some new scarves, a sweater, and some gloves. It’s kinda cold here, so the scarves are particularly nice to have. After some shopping, we walked around a little bit, got a touch ... read more

Whilst I was in Spain participating in the Pueblo Ingles program (see past blog) we were given the opportunity to have an excursion to the nearby medieval village of La Alberca. La Alberca was the first village in Spain to be declared a National heritage site, and thanks to this it has retained a very timeless feel. After a hot walk to the village the cool cobbled streets bordered by traditional beamed houses were a welcome relief. The roads are very narrow with no traffic which instantly transports you back to past centuries. Despite its main income being through tourism, or perhaps because of this, the village still has many traditional shops such as a wood carvers, black smith’s, bakeries and several jamon shops. There are also a few restaurants along with souvenir shops, many selling ... read more

Salamanca on hyva esimerkki siita kuinka suunnitelmani joskus muuttuvat. Minun piti tulla tanne alun perin bussilla - paatinkin tulla junalla. Lahtoaika oli suunnilleen sama ja oletin etta junaan saa varmemmin lipun viime hetkella, mutta bussi voi olla loppuunmyyty. Minun piti olla taalla vain yksi yo, mutta paatinkin olla toisenkin. Loysin huokean pensionin. Kaupungissa on menossa juhla jonkin neitsyen kunniaksi. Kaduilla ja aukioilla on kojuja, jossa myydaan 1,8 eurolla juomia (viinia/olutta/virvokkeita) hiukopalan (pincho) kanssa. Keskusaukiolla oli illalla konsertti ja eraalla aukiolla nain akrobaattien esityksen. Pelle esiintyi katedraalin edessa.... read more