I’ve found that these blog posts serve as a good measure of time here, though as time continues to go faster and faster, I’ve admittedly had trouble keeping up. I do usually get to the end of every month and think “How’d that happen?” while showering, but, at the very least, I think I’m attempting to do the maximum possible and I suppose that’s what’s important.
Since my last blog post (two months ago…), we’ve returned to school after a both relaxing and entertaining Christmas break. In one of the last days of Christmas break, I was awakened by Pilar, saying that if I could get ready in the next fifteen minutes, I could join them on their trip to Alquezar, a small village north of Zaragoza, and I’m certainly glad I did.
It’s a village along a mountain cliff with a preserved Late Medieval style complete with a fortified castle-cathdral at its peak. As well, we were able to go down into the canyon next to the village to walk along the tranquil river. This was one of those moments where I feel so amazed and so little by the greatness of what I’m seeing that I’m filled with a sudden childlike energy and happiness. Needless to say, with the canyon and castle, this was really a complete mini-trip and one of my favorites.
Although the first few days returning back to school were a bit of a challenge as I had enjoyed the sleeping in of winter break (I’ve adjusted to the late nights here, but not the siestas quite yet). But it was actually nice to go back, as well it served as a nice stepping stone as I suddenly found that I could understand and speak much better than before, as well, I found the simple act of having confidence helped as well.
Throughout the next couple weeks I got back into a general routine, going back to school, doing homework, and studying, hanging out on the weekend with friends and occasionally going to various concerts (fortunately, my friends are highly musical, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to see concerts of different genres, whether they’re playing in it or going as fans). Especially during the last week of January during La Fiesta de San Valero, the patron saint of Zaragoza where, after a short procession where the Mayor transports the relic of San Valero from La Seo to Pilar, all of the museums are free. Later in the night all the aspiring musicians gather along the sidewalks to sing, including one of my friends, Nestor. As such we hit the streets, listened to the music and had a blast.
As well during the last week of January, my flamenco class had our first flamenco fiesta, and it went off without a hitch. It was done in the traditional style where there was no schedule or planning, the band and singers were an ever changing mix of whoever wanted to play (It’s made in a way where there’s basic outlines where the singers and guitarists can improvise while still sounding great, a bit like Dixieland I suppose) and the dance floor was open; thus making it a high energy night of chatting, drinking (coca-cola in my case) and dancing.
Then, in the beginning of Febuary, I began a Spanish class in the university during the mornings, of which, I’m happy to say I got into the top class (which, from a solid level zero in the beginning, shows some nice improvement). Although we’re not learning anything new exactly, we are practicing a lot more and polishing up the details nicely. And on a general note, I’m very much enjoying it.
As far as a few smaller things, Europe’s third most important agri-technology fair was in town, which I attended with Pablo and his brother in law, Luis and learned quite a bit from the both of them (Luis, having grown up on a farm, and Pablo, for being Pablo). I also finally attended a futbol game in the Romareda stadium, unfortunately this year, Zaragoza is dead last in the league and we lost, but regardless, it was fun to cheer them on with the rest of the energetic Zaragozians.
Now March is here. Over the three day weekend, we’re hoping to go to the south of France on Sunday. The idea was brought up by Pablo, who asked if I had any plans for Sunday. I said “no, why?” and he replied that we could maybe go to France then. To which, I burst out laughing and said that sounds fantastic. There are some times here where I completely forget in my everyday life that I am in a completely different country leading such an adventure, and then I suddenly realize how incredible it is when, what would be a dream for most people would be a Sunday trip for us.
To wrap things up, I’ve suddenly gotten to the point where I feel completely and totally content, I’m not sure when that happened, but it’s a good feeling. In a few short weeks, I’ll be off to Madrid, Toledo and Segovia with Alex and possibly to Salamanca later with Pablo and Pilar. As well, I joined a theatre troup, and we’ll be performing a short play in may. And finally, I received my return date, it’s the 20th of June, and it’ll come with a flurry of emotions, but for now, I’ll keep on having as much fun as possible, like always.
Hasta Luego.
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