Life of a Local

Being here 12 days may seem like nothing but it feels as if I've lived here forever. I haven't felt like blogging but I will ramble about everything that's happened quickly.

• Day trip to Valencia was absolutely beautiful. Awesome shopping and gorgeous architecture. I definitely recommend it.  
• Group trip to the Castillo de Santa Barbara. Difficult hike but so worth it, especially for sunrise or sunset because you can see the entire city.
• Mondays: Free salsa dance lessons at Havana on "la rambla" (a main street with a lot of restaurants and bars)
• Tuesdays: Beer pong competitions at Havana
• Wednesdays: 1euro drinks and "bocadillos" (tiny sandwiches) at Cien Mondtaditos
•  Spanish class every day is 8am to 11am with a professor, Christina, who only speaks Spanish. She is the most amazing teacher I've ever had. Sitting for three hours is no easy task but she manages to make every single minute interesting and fun. Tuesdays I have class with two other students and our program director for dos horas. Awesome class about just the culture of Spain and it's very casual.
• Met with our "intercambios" who are students at the University of Alicante and want to learn English so we hang out with them about every week.
• Runs and walks are a daily must. I'd say I walk at least 8-10 miles every day. Pretty crazy but it's basically sunny every day here so runs to the beach have been an awesome daily activity with my neighbors and host sister Andrea
• Bought a phone for 6 euros and it's amazing. Shittiest phone yet I love it. Going from 7000 text messages a month and 1400 talk minutes it's a breath of fresh air now because I must only check my phone every few hours, if that, as I only have ten contacts (including myself lol). 
• Have only "partied" once since i've been here yet still managed to have at least one drink every day. It's very casual here and usually complements the meal. So far my favorite drinks are: CLARAS (half beer and half lemon seltzer water), Sangria (wine with fruit and sugar), and Tinto de Verano (half wine and half 7up)
• Typical Weekend night:
1. Dinner with the fam at 10:30
2. Get ready to go out and meet friends at the boardwalk by the port to drink your "botellones" and PREGAME at 11:30-12am
3. Head to "el barrio" where all the bars are at 1am (usually go to 2 or 3)
4. Discotecas open at 3am
5. Stay until they close at 5-6am
6. Head to the beach and either drink more or just sit and hang out and wait for the sunrise
7. Go get breakfast with friends

 

Sarah singing "Baby got Back" in a park in Valencia

La porta (we run along here and it eventually leads to the beach with a boardwalk)

First family lunch!

Beautiful University of Alicante

Sarah, YO, y Kelsey at the Castle