First Class

Yesterday was the first day of classes.
I am taking a Spanish conversation and composition class from 9-10, Spanish art history class from 11-12, and Spanish civilization from 1-2.
All classes are taught in Spanish. This is definitely different from the Spanish classes that I have taken in high school and even in college, which most of the class is taught in some form of Spanglish.
2 of my professors understand that we are students from the states and that we just can't understand Spanish at the rate they speak it here. The Spanish civ professor on the other hand... she basically told us that she speaks fast all the time, and that there will be no slowing down for this class. The whole first class she spoke at breakneck speed. Only stopping for air and the occasional question from a student. The cool thing was that I could understand a lot of what she was saying and I could follow along with the lecture, but boy was she flying.
I am getting 9 credits in Spain in 6 weeks of class so each class meets M-F. I haven't had classes before 10 or class on a Friday in almost a year! So it might take some adjusting for me. haha.

Tonight, Pedro (my roommate in the homestay from JMU) and I are going to get Tapas with a group from JMU. Rumor has it that these Tapas are usually some sort of delicious appetizer that all of the restaurants serve around 9-11 pm. I'm excited.
That's another thing that has been interesting in Spain. The schedule of a day is very different from the states. We wake up around 8 and have a breakfast (el desayuno usually consisting of coffee and little cookies or muffins. Then we go to class from 9 until 2 and we come back to our house at 2 for "la comida". La comida is the biggest meal of the day, today for example we had a big fillet of steak, fired potatoes, peppers, and bread. After la comida is the time for the siesta. Arguably my favorite time of the day this has been a great time for a nap, some reading, or writing this blog entry. Most businesses are usually closed around this time for 2 hours (our Padre closes his carniceria during this time and usually eats with us. Most stores open back up for the 4-8pm time and "la cena" is usually between 9-11 pm. This is not as big of a meal as "la comida".
The Uuniversidad de Salamanca is the oldest existing university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe! It was established in 1218! Now it has about 32,000 students and some of its notable graduates include Hernán Cortés and Miguel de Cervantes. Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures of the university up here soon.
Adios!