Feeling at Home in Valencia

1. Breakfast with Diamonds
2. Mummies and Futbol
3. Home Life
4. Prague, woot woot!

1. Breakfast with Diamonds
Last week while at one of the public libraries, I saw a poster advertising a free showing of

Desayunto con diamontes

which is

Breakfast at Tiffany´s

. Of course I had to let the other chicas know, and on Monday night, a group of us enjoyed a classic with the locals among the aisles of Spanish literature. The voices were dubbed-over in Spanish, but those of us who had seen the film mutliple times were able to clear up any confusion to the girls whom had not. In a way, it was a refreshing way to watch the film because I spent more time focusing on the cinematography and acting. Yes, I have become more fluent in Spanish, but it was still very difficult for me to completely understand- especially when they were talking rapidly during the dramatic parts- and I usually use subtitles even for films in English.

2. Mummies and Futbol
Yesterday was our last field trip to the City of Arts and Sciences (apart from Bio. field trips) with our program groups. We went to an IMAX about the mummies of ancient Egypt. I have always liked IMAX experiences, and this one was unique because each person received a headset to listen to the dialogue in the language of his or her choice. It was very Star-Trekky.

After our walk home, Kendra and I met up with three other girls to watch the Spain vs. Portugal game at a little cafe outside our apartment. We did not watch the game too intensely, but it was a lot of fun to partake in the experience- the ambiance created by the colorfully-decorated crowd, the cheers and fire crackers when Spain made a goal. . . Spain won, by the way, and has now entered into the third round.

3. Home Life
The dog situation has improved greatly! Carmen sent them to stay at her son´s apartment, and I believe they will not be in our apartment for the rest of our time here. I know she misses them, but Kendra and I are much happier with them gone.

We have had two different groups of French boys stay with us during our time here. The first was a group of 3 boys, 15 and 16, from a town near La Rochelle which is where Sarah, Mom, and I visited several years ago. They were here with a program to visit several parts of Spain and practice Spanish. Although they were friendly, Kendra and I were relieved when they left. They smoked a lot, and the night before they left, they kept trying to take our pictures and asked if we wanted massages.

However, the second group of two French boys were much nicer, and we had a lot of fun playing card games and talking about our home towns.

Now we have a Swedish woman and her nine-year-old son staying with us. 25 years ago, she spent a summer studying abroad here in Valencia with Carmen as her host mom. Every summer she has come back, and now she has become one of the family. She is very fluent in Spanish and English, and they will be staying until the 7th of July.

4. Prague, woot woot!
This Thursday, I will be heading off to Prague with Katie, Racheal, and Molly while Kendra goes with Becca to London. I am really excited about Prague. Although I am not really sure what to expect, I have heard nothing but good things about it.