By Kent Truckor- Guest blogger studying in Valencia, Spain
Today I begin the fourth week at the school. I feel as if I have begun to settle in at my house and the school. I was received very warmly but it takes some time to adjust to new surroundings, or at least it does for me.
The past weekend was a good one. Friday night was very tranquil as I just hung out at the house, this was a good thing because it gave me an opportunity to review some of my work and relax. Saturday, I braved the world of shopping in Valencia as I went out looking for running shoes. Anyone beginner students of Spanish can tell you that things we take for granted such as shopping in our home countries as being something of ease all of a sudden becomes something to be feared when you are in a country that solely speaks a different language. The shoes are very expensive here and I initially bought a pair for 60 Euros, but then I found a pair for 30 Euros. Therefore, I searched through my dictionary to find the word return of which is "devolucion" and made my way back to the first store to return the shoes. Things ended up working well and I wound up with a decent pair of shoes at a reasonable price.
Although it is a scary thing, each time I leave a place of which I am forced to communicate in Spanish, not matter how the exchange goes, I feel proud of myself and my efforts. As of this morning I purchased a cell phone for my time here and effectively communicated with the sales woman for 15 minutes in order to communicate my wants and get a phone for my needs. Of course there were times when I didn't understand her and I think she knew this. But I was able to ask her questions and it went well – another step in the right direction.
This past weekend I also made it to the beach with some of my Turkish friends to watch the Fireworks. Every Saturday in July, Valencia has fireworks on the beach and it draws quite a crowd. It was a great experience to be out on the beach at midnight watching a fireworks performance with a group of friends, definitely will be a favorite memory. Next we went to some of the bars that have been constructed for the Americas Cup to be held here in 2007. If anyone is not aware of this as I wasn't initially – the Americas Cup is a very big deal and the fan fare that comes with it is in full swing a year before the actual event. I like the atmosphere, but that kind of atmosphere does not come cheap, as the drinks were very expensive – so I think I will be happy with the little cervecerias that dot the local streets. Tomorrow we do not have class on account of a holiday in Spain so it is my ambition to make it out to one of the little Pueblos tomorrow to go to this famous place for a certain drink. The place – Daniels and the drink is call horcheta. I will let you know how it goes – until then take care and enjoy!
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