Dipping into the Spanish Culture

This week I've been trying to settle down and comprehend more of the language. So basically the same-old same-old, but it's proved to be interesting.

As I've said before, I really haven't gotten to know any actual Spanish people because I only have classes with international people. Well, tonight I'm going to go meet with a girl who the international office paired me with who is a medical student and wants to practice English. I hope we can speak more Spanish or at least an equal amount of both. If nothing else, maybe she can introduce me to others. 

I'm also trying to join a book club. I checked out their blog and they seem to read tons of the same stuff that I do, but also along with Spanish authors. That should be a lot of fun. I've started reading the Hunger Games in Spanish, or Los Juegos de Hambre, which has been a fun challenge. Pretty much anything to get that immersion. I have this fear of coming back to the States and not knowing any Spanish.

The weather has been pretty gross all week, so I haven't gone out and done too much. However, when it's been tolerable, Carmen and I have gone around the city. She has been teaching me different ways to get around. If I need to buy something or send a cart (Christine, I sent yours yesterday), she'll go with me and teach me different ways to get there--like a different way to walk or a new bus to take.

It did snow last night and the night before! It was lovely until it started to rain and turned into slush. Again, the rain boots have been my best purchase. I definitely did enjoy the snow while it lasted.

The other day, we went to a mall type place, which was really cool. It had all of the trendy shops, but then it also had a movie theater, pharmacy, and a supermarket. There are pharmacies everywhere so that's not unusual. The supermarket was a little strange though. It's like walking into a Kroger and leaving into a mall. I guess Target is like that though. 

We go to the old part of the city a lot for various reasons. On different occasions, we've been to see the arena where the bullfights happen, the statue of Ernest Hemingway, a place where you can see the whole city, several cathedrals, and just all sorts of pretty sights. 

Yesterday, I got a library card! And I checked out a few movies with it. I got Mean Girls (Las Chicas Malas), the Other Boylen Girl (Las Hermanas Boylen, which is a weird translation: The Sisters Boylen...), and an actual Spanish movie. Carmen gave me a couple of Spanish movies to watch, but they don't have subtitles. If you've ever watched a movie with me, you know I want to have subtitles. Well, this want is even more of a need here because it's hard to process words in my own language, much less in another. Therefore, I plan to watch to them in Spanish with Spanish subtitles.

A week or so ago, I went to see Los Miserables (which is Les Mis in Spanish). The music was in English, meaning that basically the whole movie was in English with Spanish subtitles. However, the few times where the people talked they did not have subtitles and it was very hard to make out the words. Listening to the songs and reading along was interesting because I would hear the words, read it in Spanish, and then check the translation. Sometimes the translation was a little weird. I also learned new words that way. It was an enjoyable experience.

Oh! This Monday we were able to retake our Spanish placement exams for our levels and I was able to move up one. It only changed one class, but now the grammar class is on my level and I'm learning things I haven't learned yet. I actually have an exam tomorrow that I should start studying for. Anyway, I'm excited to be in that class. The only problem is that it makes me wait longer to have lunch. I have class at 8:30 am or 9:00 am every morning and now have to wait to eat until 3:00 pm or 3:30 pm. My breakfast is three pieces of fake toast (you know that dried out bread?) and coffee. I snack on an apple and a couple packets of cookies (kind of like Vanilla Waifers, but thinner). I'm usually starving by lunch time. I feel like I'm always hungry. I hope I get used to the food schedule soon! 

We have a long weekend coming up and I've yet to make plans. Maybe I'll try to see what Pamplona is offering, like museums or theater. The weather is so cold that I don't really want to travel. I'd rather save my money for when the weather is better. I've seen several theaters and movies, so I'm thinking I'll find something.