I've Got My Philosophy

So every day I walk to school. Normally, I am running late and have to do some serious Olympic-style speed walking and arriving to class panting, but I'm trying out a new routine where I leave earlier so I can walk slower and take in life the Spanish way. In my experience thus far, I feel like life here is savored to the fullest. The people walk slowly down the street, take siestas in the afternoon and long lunches, get five weeks of vacations from work, shamelessly show affection, and value teamwork over competition. When people always ask me "HOW IS SPAIN?!" I find it difficult to reply. It's just a whole different life, full of so much interesting detail that has to be experienced rather than described in words. Walking with my ipod is fun, and makes me feel like I'm in a movie. I can't help but break it down when waiting at the crosswalk and bobbing my head with a spring in my step. I bought some goofy sunglasses but I figure "hey I'm in Spain, so sure I'll wear weird stuff." I think studying abroad is the time were you get in situations that you just have to figure out (like navegating the city on your own or what you do when you are somewhere and find out the buses aren't running) and find yourself in miserable situations that are actually comical (like staying in a nasty hostel because it's cheap, or having to walk miles in the rain and your umbrella just flipped inside out and broke).

Anyway, so that's my philosophical bit. Last week I played tourist, and rode the Bus Touristic sporting teal headphones. Bus Touristic is the obnoxious double-decker tour bus that goes all over town with commentary on all the sites. It is "hop-on hop-off" so it was actually a great way to see more of the city. Hope you enjoyed the pictures I posted! Lots of those were from the tour bus weekend. After being here for just a little over two weeks, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the city and can get around pretty well. I am totally in love with this place!

From here on out, every weekend is pretty booked up. Last weekend I went to San Sebastian to visit Jill! (Post and pictures to come). This weekend I have a day trip with school and my uncle is coming to visit me from London. Then the loves of my life Nikki and Whitney are coming to visit me! Then we are off to Madrid to meet up with the lovily Emily Maack! Ahh life is good!