Food

I started to write another post, but then the computer kicked me off so I will begin again. There are only a few computers in the computer labs that will allow Iowa State students onto the internet. Four in fact, and unfortunately there are close to 90 of us. Sigh, so I usually try to gain access by stalking the Valencian students and hoping they do not sign off so I can use the internet with their username and password before the time limit runs out.

Some of you may already know this, but Spain runs on a very different time schedule than the U.S. Breakfast (el desayuno) is usually around 7 or 8 in the morning, and most stores and businesses start around 9. In our apartment, we usually have coffee with milk, some bread with marmalade or something similar to nutella, and sometimes some fruit. Lunch (la comida) is between 2 and 4, and some people take naps afterwords, but most Valencians do not have a siesta. The shops do close at this time, though, and 3 (the middle of the day) is considered the time to call friends, family, neighbors by telephone. Around 7 or 8, people usually like to get a drink or refreshment at a cafe, and dinner (la cena) is between 9 and 11.

I have actually adjusted to this quite well. Before the trip, this was one of my main concerns, because sometimes I am hungry for dinner at 5 in the States, but I have learned to adjust. Usually for dinner and lunch, our house mom has a salad available which is great, but it is always lettuce, tomato, and then some kind of meat, shrimp, or mussel. There is no salad dressing unless you want olive oil. I am really starting to miss other vegetables, though. In between classes, the students usually compare our homestay experiences. One of them was telling me that last night, her host mom made a plate of cooked artichokes. I am so jealous! She also usually serves either a piece of meat like chicken or deli meat or she will serve some kind of pasta with sea food in it. We usually have fruit available at every meal. I am fine with the food, but it does not seem like there is much flavor. She doesn´t seem to use any seasonings, and I am not sure if this is due to her cooking style or common in Valencia. If Kendra and I plan to stay in the city during the middle of the day, she packs us a sandwhich which usually consists of a huge piece of bread and some deli meat with a little olive oil and an apple.

In Madrid, I did have some great paella (rice with seafood) and sangria (wine with fruit and sugar.) Also, our house mom made us the traditional Spanish tortilla the other night which consists of egg and potatoes. I hope to try tapas and horchuta (a type of drink from Valencia that is from some kind of ground root) either this weekend or in one of the weekends to come.

I have been exploring more of the city and visiting many of the plazas, cathedrals, Medieval towers, important government buildings, but I have to say one of my favorite places is the Mercado Central. Inside this building are around 300 stands that sell fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, rice, bread. . . It is so fun to walk around and see everything so fresh! There is everything from squid and pig heads to pastries and figs. It is open in the mornings until around 2 from Monday to Saturday. Outside the Mercado, there are people selling flowers and cooking ware, including the biggest pans I have ever seen (for paella.) I am planning on going there some Saturday with friends to buy some food before going to one of the parks for a picnic.

Ok, I need to go. I hope you all have a great weekend!