A visit to Salamanca

Hola! Today was so much fun, but really random. Chrissy, Ali, Kristen and I got up really early, well early for us (6:30) and met at the train station at 8:00 to go to Salamanca. When we got there we realized that it was the wrong train station so we had to catch the later train at 11. The ride was 3 hours and I studied about half of it, I consider that productive for me.

Salamanca was beautiful! The streets were all cobblestone, and lined with local butchers, florists, and just about every quaint store. We spent most of our time wandering around the city, as it is small enough that one can get their bearings in an hour. The town is well known for the Universidad de Salamanca, the most prestigious university in Spain. We hoped to see lots of kids our age around, but it seems they all partied a bit too hard last night as the streets were empty. In fact, not only were there no college kids, but the streets were also devoid of any Spaniards at all, save the occasional tourist. My favorite site was the Cathedral. True, it was very similar to most other cathedrals, until you looked up. The ceilings were painted with such detail, despite the fact that it would never clearly be seen, that it immediately captured the viewer. I layed down on a deserted pew and stared in aw at the ceilings and massive columns for at least 15 minutes. The cathedral housed the usual small chapels with small candles burning. However, I’m continuously surprised to find electric candles in place of real ones. I’m not sure of the formal name, but the candles you light after a prayer. A tourist drops a 20 cent piece into the hole and one of the electric candles lights up. It’s extremely disappointing. The church in Salamanca was the first one I’ve seen with real candles (although it also had the electric ones). I guess they’re afraid the tourist will burn the church down?

We spent the rest of the day wondering in and out of cathedrals, down streets too small for cars, and all around the university campus. An hour before we had to go, it started to pour so we found refuge in a picturesque café and ordered 2 rounds of hot chocolate. On our way back to the station we picked up some wine for the ride and made it on board just in time. We found four seats around a table and broke out the homework. We were good kids and studied for an hour and a half. When I struggled to open the wine a kind man next to us pulled out his pocket knife and sliced it open. When he saw we didn’t have a cork screw as well, he attempted to open it. He did a great job but at the last minute spilled some all over his pants. We felt horrible! But still the wine flowed and the homework....um flourished. Then the Italians came. They told us we were in their seats (which we were cause we wanted the table to study) and we tried to explain that they could have our real seats in the other car, but unfourtantely we were speaking Spanish and they Italian. A Spanish lady yelled at us to hurry up because there were many people waiting to get into the car. In the confusion my wine spilled all over my pants and the seat. The future occupants were not very happy. We finally made our way to our correct seats and studied a little, and talked a lot.

When I returned to my house, my senora asked why my mouth and teeth were stained a bit red. I sheepishly explained that we’d had a lot of wine and did a lot of homework on the train, and she just laughed and said, “que bien” (that’s great!). I love my senora. After dinner I broke out the hookah, a Turkish pipe to smoke flavored tobacco on, and my senora and I smoked it. Again, I love my senora. How much cooler can she can get than to encourage me to break out the hookah and then help me set it up on her coffee table?

Well I was thinking of going out to salsa dance tonight with Chrissy and her friend that is visiting, but I’m thinking I’m a bit to tired after everything today. Ok, eso es todo para ahora. Hasta luego!