Everybody's Working for the Weekend

Ponche Segoviano

This past weekend was filled with all sorts of wonderful things. On Saturday morning, I got up around 12 to wander through the shops of Segovia. After some successful shopping, two of the other students and I stopped at Limón y Menta, a little bakery by the Plaza Mayor. There we had Ponche Segoviano, the signature dessert of Segovia. From what I've learned, it is a layer cake that has been soaked in syrup, with an sweet egg cream in the center. This is then covered with a thin layer of marzipan (a dough made of almond paste) and dusted with powdered sugar. Then, an hot iron rod is used to caramelize the sugars on the top in a criss-cross pattern. It was amazing, but almost painfully sweet.

Drumline

 

As we walked back towards our houses, we stumbled upon a drumline from the UK that was doing a performance in the middle of one the squares. I'm not sure exactly what the occasion was, but it was absolutely fantastic.

Two of the other students and I had earlier made plans to go see Alejandro Sanz in concert in Ávila, a small town, about the size of Segovia, which was an hour away. We had purchased our tickets and booked our hotel for the night, and it was time to finally make our journey. That afternoon we took the bus from Segovia to Ávila. Unfortunately, I felt a little ill on the bus ride, but I recovered as soon as I disembarked.

Our hotel was not quite on the map that we had of Ávila; at the top of the map there was an arrow pointing in the direction that we would find our hotel. Not wanting to waste money on a cab, and thinking it couldn't be more than a 15 minute walk, we began our journey towards that mysterious arrow at the top of the map. After about 30 minutes, we were well past where the map ended and could only hope that we would eventually reach our hotel. We did stop and ask to make sure we were at least on the right road, and we were told to just keep going and going and it would be on the left. By the time we got to the hotel, we were totally pooped, so we just got some food at the McDonalds next door and got dressed for the concert.

The concert itself, was amazing. I wish I had known more of Alejandro Sanz's music before the concert; I was yearning to join in the passionate singing along that was taking place all around us. Most of the audience seemed to be middle aged women, though we did have the company of some people our age. Alejandro was absolutely adorable in the way he would chat with the audience in between songs. We also learned a new phrase at the concert. Because it was a bit chilly in the open air stadium, Alejandro was wearing a jacket. This was apparently not what the audience wanted because several times during the concert, they took to shouting "¡Quitate la chupa!" which means "Take off your jacket!" It was a marvelous experience.

This morning, we returned to Segovia. In the afternoon, my host brother told me he would be in a parade in the Plaza Mayor (he is in the military), so I moseyed my way over there. It was a pretty cool sight to see, and I was able to see my host brother! (He's the one in the middle right behind the gentleman in the front). There were at least 50 people in military uniforms, maybe half with instruments, that marched through the town to La Catedral, with music and drums blaring, where they waited outside the church while (I assume) a service was being held. A procession then came out of the church and proceeded through the street, accompanied by the military. I can't say that I know what exactly the significance of the parade was, but it seemed to me to be a celebration of a holiday or event. I will have to ask my host brother the next time I see him!

All in all, a pretty darned successful weekend!

'Ta Luego!

I've Got Class

Tomorrow will be the last day of my second week of classes here in Segovia. It's incredible how fast time passes once you have something to keep you occupied! I am taking four classes here, all in Spanish, and all taught by professors from Spain, which is marvelous. I learn probably a gajillion new words every day; so many in fact, that all the margins of my notes are completely covered with new vocabulary.

I start off my day with the History of Spanish Art and Architecture. The class is early in the morning, super early by Spanish standards. When I get up to get ready, my host family is all asleep and I have to tip toe through the darkness, feeling my way to the bathroom, all the while trying not to crash into anything and make a ruckus. I feel so bad for my host mom! I think she feels obligated to get up in the morning and see me off, because she always fixes me my breakfast, but I know that she would much rather be sleeping.

La Catedral

Anyways, about the actual class. So far, we've been learning all the terms associated with architecture, sculpture, and painting, some of which I never knew in English, let alone Spanish. I am super excited to get started in the history portion of the class because Segovia is so rich in architecture, with Roman, Medieval, and Gothic edifices throughout the city.

My next class is Grammar. I'm finding out just how different grammar and vocabulary in Spain is from what I learned in high school and at UAA. Goodness! I feel like I have to relearn half the things I thought I knew.

My last class of the morning is about the European Union and Spain. I didn't know much about the EU before starting the class, and it has been super interesting so far. The professor (who is also the director of the program) is absolutely fabulous. She has so much energy, it's amazing. She likes to take us on mini-excursions through Segovia to show us cool things, some that have to do with the class, and some (like where to get the best hot chocolate and sangrias) that don't.

After this morning class, which ends about 1:10, I return to my house. The family eats la comida, or lunch, at about 2:00 and it is the biggest meal of the day. Usually there are three courses; the first is a vegetable or some kind of starch; the second is a meat dish; and the third is a dessert of fruit (though on the weekend we can have the treat of ice cream!). This being the most important meal of the day, the whole family eats together. It is crazy difficult to keep up with what is being discussed; everyone speaks so quickly that I barely understand what is going on. I don't know how many times someone made a joke and everyone else laughed, while I remained blank faced, and my host mom had to explain to me why it was funny.

After lunch there is a rest time before my last class at 5. I have actually started taking a siesta because after eating such a large meal, I feel like I could sleep standing up. It's super interesting walking through the streets at this time, between 3 and 6; all the shops are closed and hardly anyone is out, because everyone is eating lunch and taking their siesta. I love that naps are part of the daily schedule! I know I have lamented the lack of naps in the U.S.

My last class of the day is Literature. We started with reading a few poems by Espronceda from the Romantic period. The professor is absolutely fantastic; he takes us step by step through the poems and helps us analyze them. He's also absolutely hilarious, and is always joking around with us.

These last few days we have actually been going to presentations instead of having a regular class. In Segovia from September 18 - 16, the Hay Festival takes place, which is a collection of presentations by and about prominent writers from around the world. The presentations we went to have been about the legends and myths of Segovia and the region of Castilla y León. It was super fascinating to hear all the stories told in the area and to think about the stories I've heard back home.

One such story was that of the Bú, which is a gigantic owl, with eyes like soup bowls, and claws as big as animal cages. Parents in Spain use the Bú to scare their children into cleaning their rooms, eating their food, going to bed, and the like. One story we heard was that parents would go so far as to open the window and call out into the night saying "Bú, come get my child and take him away because he is being bad!" It sounds absolutely terrifying! Imagine, a huge owl coming and plucking you up out of your room and taking you who knows where because you didn't listen to your parents. 

That is pretty much my average day! I am looking forward to learning all kinds of wonderful things this semester (and sharing them with you!).

'Ta Luego!

Hello!

Wow, I don't even know where to start. I am not a blogger by any means. But since I'm here in Segovia, Spain (I still can't believe it!) I wanted to be able to share with you all (theoretically you are someone I know) my adventures and experiences. I, however, don't want to spam your inbox with emails you won't read. So, I thought a blog is something you could voluntarily go to if you were curious about my Segovian adventures.

I arrived here in Spain on September 10 to participate in a study abroad program with AHA International. I flew into the Madrid airport and from there took a shuttle with 7 of the other students to Segovia, where we were picked up from the bus station by our host moms. I cannot describe the amount of nervousness we all experienced during those long moments of waiting. When we entered the bus station, we saw a group of moms standing waiting for us, but none of us knew which mom was ours. My heart was beating so fast as I waited to be claimed; part of me was afraid that I wouldn't have a mom. If you were ever that kid in gym class who got picked last (I definitely was), you know that feeling of intense anticipation and fear of not being chosen.

I finally was introduced my host mom, who is absolutely amazing. She took me home where I met my host dad and my host brothers and sister. I learned a few things about Spanish culture, like, it is extremely rude to walk around the house in bare feet or socks. Of course, the first thing I did when I got to my room was take of my shoes (in Alaska, I'm used to letting my feet breath). Needless to say, I know own a pair of blue floral slippers. The first couple days in Segovia passed extremely slowly; I kept thinking about Alaska and wishing I could go home. I wanted more than anything to go to Kaladis, or Moose's Tooth. However, as time goes on, I become more and more accustomed to being here.

El acueducto

Segovia, as a city, is beautiful. The biggest monument here is the aqueduct, built by the Romans in the 1st century. It's amazing to think that something that old and with that much history is still standing, and that, what's more, that I get to walk past it every day. There are many, many churches all steeped in history, and the streets themselves are so picturesque, the way one imagines Europe to be when one has never been.


Classes started that Monday, and at first it was amazingly overwhelming! But things are getting better and I hope that I am improving.

Castle of Coca

This past Friday, we took our first of several excursions. We visited two castles; one in Coca and one in Cuellar. It was pretty impressive to see the castles. The most awe inspiring part was in Coca, where we got to see the dungeon. It was a small round room with high sloping walls topped with a dome. At the very top there was a grate, through which prisoners were dropped into the dungeon. Although we were able to get in through a door, it was only constructed recently, and there were no exits when it was used. I can't imagine being trapped inside, in the dark, with bare walls surrounding me, and other prisoners suffering beside me.

We also visited a bodega (winery) called Malaparte and we tried two types of wine: vino tinto (red) and vino rosado (pink). Both were delectable!

That basically sums up everything I've experienced since I've arrived (except the food, which is fantastic, and I will have to address that at another time). I don't know if I'm boring you, or if this has been at all interesting or satisfying, but if you want to hear about specific aspects of my adventure, please let me know!

As they say in Spain,

'Ta Luego!