Study Abroad
Day 6
January 23rd, 2006

Classes started today, which was nice because it finally feels as if I’m getting something accomplished. I still have so many errands to run because I couldn’t get anything done yesterday because it was Sunday, nor today because it’s a holiday. Hopefully I’ll have some time tomorrow to get some groceries, school supplies, configure my computer, etc.

My first class was at 10:15 this morning and it’s a theology class about Spanish mysticism. My professor, Sr. Santos, is very nice and the curriculum looks cool. We’re going to talk about mysticism in general, plus specific people (St. Therese, St. Augustine, Ignacious Loyola (aka “Iggy” if you’re Mr. Quinn)). He also mentioned that we’re going to get to go visit a convent and see the cloisters, which is something I wanted to do anyway (there are a ton of convents in Toledo) but wasn’t really sure if they’d let me wander into a cloister.

I had a break between my first and second classes, which was nice. The second class was linguistics, which I have with Danielle. I’d thought about just waiting and taking the class at the U when I got back, but I’m glad I chose to take it here because my professor, Soledad, is muy simpatica. She’s excited about linguistics, really animated and seems like she won’t make us do lame assignments.

Lunch was fine, a hundred times better in comparison than last night’s dinner, which was utter crap. Danielle described it as “one of the most horrible things I’ve ever had--on atrocious egg salad that looked delicious but tasted like death and garlic carrots which were garlic with a little bit of carrots for flavor.” There were also meatballs which couldn’t decide whether they were meatballs or hot dogs. And NO BREAD. They tried to pacify us with ice cream afterward, but we still left the cafeteria mumbling bad words under our breath. Lunch was at least edible, and there was bread.

We had a meeting after lunch about activities we can sign up for. I’d like to do some intercambios, where you get to meet a Spanish person and hang out with them. Also, volunteering at La Escuela de Idiomas, where you’d help people learning English or at the hospital. You can also take flamenco and Spanish cooking classes this week, which I’m going to do. All good things.

After that, I had another break before my second hour of my theology class. They bring in the Spanish professors from Universities in Madrid or Vallodolid o lo que sea, so some classes meet twice a day. During this hour, Prof. Santos lectured about Plato (oh, excuse me, Platón). It was nice because I already knew what he was talking about so I didn’t miss anything when it was SO HOT IN THERE.

After that I went to “The Cultural Heritage of Spain” which shouldn’t be too painful. The class is huuuuge though, so that kind of sucks. Especially since discussion is part of our grade. We’ll study the geography/history/social issues of Spain. Which is probably a good idea since I’m in Spain.

Okay, well, I’m off to dinner. Pleeeeease be edible.