The thermometer in my bedroom reads -5 degrees Celsius.

14 de enero

23:41 (I’m feeling too lazy to count on my fingers what time that is in civilian world. 11:41 pm?)

Shivering in bed. Just had a conversation con Leo about how she prefers frio weather to calor and I’m just the opposite. Also talked about otra things, most of which I knew what was being talked about. Then I started asking about different pictures she has of people and she told me about one friend of hers and then said that he had died recently and it got really awkward.

I am still going strong with the cafes con leches. I never would have thought I’d be a coffee person but it is delicious here. I understand your Costa Rican addiction now, Marly, although I think the coffe is not as strong here, and much sweeter.

Today was a good day. After clases Caroline and I walked all around Granada, including through the park of Frederico Garcia Lorca (one of my favorite playwrights, born in Granada). It was a beautiful park full of people, even some kids who told us we were pretty. We also stopped at a place for a snack (mas tostadas con tomates y queso para mi, una bocadillo para ella), a clothing store where C tried on a few dresses and I bought a sweater for tomorrow since I’ve already worn all of mine 2-4 times and I still don’t have my suitcases. I was able to speak with the girl who worked there for quite some time and I’m finding myself thoroughly enjoying the chances usar this language. I also bought a phone charger but it was the wrong one despite muchos assurance that it would fit. So I’ll have to head back there soon which is fine because we’ve already discussed the “I want to return this” vocabulary in class con Miguel. Another stop we made was a Supermercado so I could get a picture of the little wagon basketlet, and we also bought two little bottles of what I thought was just orange juice but ended up also having chunks of strawberries in it. I’ll just say that it was a really good thing Caroline was the one to take the first sip. Once we figured it out and got used to the idea it wasn’t half bad. The last stop we made was a little bar near her house called LA TORTUGA (!!!) which was dark green and full of interesting art and American music. (Not at this bar, but elsewhere I have heard a lot of American songs with the lyrics in Spanish. Some in particular make me giggle.) Across the street from LA TORTUGA was a “sex shop” and although neither of us wanted to go in we did look in the windows on the door to see little private film viewing cubbies. Also we noticed that all the dirty words on the sign and advertising posters were in English. What’s that about? Finally we headed back to her house that she shares with Anita (from Switzerland) and had some photo show and tell time. Caroline’s Bulgarian boyfriend is very hot, and Anita has some absolutely stunning photos from her travels- very artistic. Most of the pictures I have on my computer are of mi perro and recent ones of me and friends drinking. Way to perpetuate an American Party Girl stereotype. (Cara O’Fay: right away Caroline commented “that one looks very Irish”.)

I have really enjoyed the fact that there are so many of us from different countries- there are even 3 continents represented in my class (Paul- Australia, the instructors and Caroline- Europa and me with the “EEUU”- estados unidos). I am not only learning about the customs and culture of Spain, but things about all of these countries, and even things about countries the others have lived in/visited, which is a surprisingly high number.

[SABES QUE…
That in Australia the rules for football are completely different than in America or the rest of the world?]

I also really like that for the most part no one knows what they will do when their time here is over (some don’t even know when that will be). I’m a big fan of this laid-back attitude. And also the flexible time rules. I thought I was going to be a few minutes late this morning so I ended up running half of the way up the giant cobblestone hill and I was still the first person there. Manaña I will stroll. (pasear).