Wow, where to start? The last few months have been beyond amazing and the time seems to be flying by over here in Spain! I have been so busy with travel and new adventures (and school of course) to keep up with the blog!
I'll start with travel. Before coming to Spain, I had not done a whole lot of traveling. I had been through some of the United States, a lot of Canada, Mexico and nothing else. Being in Europe is completely different! You have the opportunity to see so much culture without having to travel very far! Traveling between countries is so easy and not to mention cheap! If you’re in Europe, I highly suggest taking advantage of this and do lots of traveling!
Since my last post, I have been to Rome, which was probably my favourite trip so far! Italy is so full of life, culture and history! The city is very busy with lots of tourists but what else would you expect of Rome? The landmarks are actually more amazing than you could ever imagine. They're absolutely breathtaking and it's great to have the chance to visit such important historical sites!
Next I headed to Mallorca, a beautiful Spanish island. This trip was a lot more relaxing for me, less tourists and action! If you ever end up in Mallorca, I suggest getting yourself a good detailed map, as it is easy to get lost in the winding streets of the old towns. On the other hand, getting lost might have been the best part of the trip! You end up in such neat places, that you never would have got to see otherwise!
After Mallorca, I decided to stay a little closer to home with travels to Benidorm, Spain, a city not to far from Valencia, to enjoy the long stretch of beaches surrounded by high-rise buildings and the unique nightlife. I then headed to Madrid to visit the other BIB students who are there. Madrid is a great city, but after seeing it, I am so happy I chose Valencia. It is true when they say that Madrid is a city that never sleeps! Personally, I enjoy big cities, but only for a visit! I can’t imagine living in such a big, hectic city! It was raining most of the weekend in Madrid, which also puts a different light on things. I will definitely give Madrid another chance and head back later in the year at some point!
Now, unfortunately it is time for a little bad news. In the last week, I have been robbed twice. Robbed may not be the right word, but rather pick-pocketed. I lost my camera, wallet, jacket, scarf and sweater. This definitely puts a damper on the mood, but what can you really do about it? All I can say is, never let yourself get too comfortable in a situation! This is not only for Spain, but any country! Always keep an eye on your belongings and be very cautious. Another tip: do not carry all of your cards (ie. bank cards, IDs, etc.) with you. Luckily I only had a little bit of cash (no bank or credit cards) and I did not have all of my ID with me so I wasn't completely stuck. I am not trying to scare anyone, it's just a reality. You will be fine as long as you are cautious!
On a brighter note, it is now coming to the end of our first semester here and I can hardly believe it! It seems like only yesterday I was launching tomatoes at La Tomatina! I have been enjoying the school too. It is a lot more relaxed than in Canada, with a lot of discussions, presentations and group work. Our classes go until December 21, and we do not have an exam period. If your class has an exam it is done during class time. Lucky for me I do not have any exams this semester, just final projects and assignments!
Now on to Christmas... hm let’s just say it is hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it is 20 degrees. Some of the stores are decorated and playing Christmas music, but it definitely does not feel the same! I will not be spending Christmas with my family this year, as Canada is just too far to travel back for the holidays. Obviously spending Christmas in Europe is going to be much different for me, but due to a job, I was not able to spend Christmas at home last year either so I know a little about what to expect!
We have about three weeks of vacation and I am going to spend them exploring Europe with my best-friend, who happens to be another BIB student who is studying in Madrid! We have planned out a big Eurotrip and things are really starting to fall into place! Our travel itinerary includes the following: Belgium (Brussels and Bruges), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Germany (Berlin and Munich), Czech Republic(Prague), Austria (Vienna) and Luxembourg if there is time! I am so excited to start yet another adventure over here in Europe and am certain that this Christmas will be one I will remember for the rest of my life.
I will leave it at that for now, and will try to post again before I head off on the Christmas adventure. Happy Holidays to all, and Happy Studying! Hasta Luego!