First of all, I apoligize for not updating this sooner... My laptop won't charge anymore (even after getting a replacement power cord), therefore I've been borrowing Jessica's computer, but it's still not the same. Hopefully I'll be able to get it fixed in the states over Christmas, and then I can add more pics and be more consistant in my updates... I'm starting to think I should've gotten that insurance now... Anyway, let's move on.
We had no school Monday through Wednesday this week, so for the puente, three of my friends and I headed to Salamanca. I really didn't know anything about Salamanca before going, except that Jessica had studied abroad there and it's always really cold. The immediate reaction that every one my teachers had when I told them I was going there was "Que frío!" So naturally, I packed all the sweaters, gloves, scarves, socks and jackets that I owned and braced myself to live in Antarctica for 4 days. Luckily, it wasn't ridiculously freezing as we had anticipated, although I was happy to have bought a warm scarf before I left.
Getting on the bus to Salamanca was a stressful process. My friend Bryce had bought our bus tickets online, but none of us had printers, so we were hoping we could get our tickets at the station. Unfortunately, since a ton of people travel during the puente, the bus station was one big... mess [trying to keep this PG]. The lady at the ALSA window essentially refused to help us, so we had to weave our way through the crowds of people, and ask the bus drivers if they were going to Salamanca and if we were on their list of passengers. We got pointed in lots of different directions, but finally found a crowd of people waiting to board a smaller tour bus that was (apparently) going to Salamanca. We showed our passports and explained the situation to the driver, and he was like "OK, whatever" and let us board without even checking ot see if we were supposed to be on the bus. Clearly, we had boarded a "substitute bus"... the driver had to ask for directions to get to the bus station when we got to Salamanca.
We stayed in Pension Estefania which is right in the center of town. Our room was in the same appartment as the owners, so we heard the doorbell every time it rang, and it always smelled like meat in the hall. We also had to pass the a window looking into their living/dining room on the way to the bathroom... A little awkward, but overall, the place was clean and warm.
Salamanca is a beautiful city. It is home of the oldest university of Spain, University of Salamanca, which is spread out throughout the city in diferent facultades. It's really clean, and it has beautiful churches with intricate facades (although they do have a playful side- the Catedral de Salamanca has an astronaut carved into it). Salamanca was all decked out for Christmas. One night when it got dark, we headed to the Plaza Mayor, where they had lit up a tree light display and were playing Christmas music. Everyone was out with their friends and families and we watched the little kids try to dance in their stylish puffy coats and boots. (Seriously, even the little babies are fashionable here.) I also tried some chestnuts roasting on an open fire- not exceptionally delicious, but it did put me in the holiday spirit.
During the daytime, we explored the city, shops, and food. I tried turrón duro, and choclate con churros for the first time. We had some photo sessions on the Puente Romano (Roman Bridge), and searched all day for Jessica's batido cafe that she used to go too. Eventually, we discovered it was right next to our pension (we went there twice for milkshakes). Overall, the weekend was a nice break from the usual, and it was a great first trip to "real Spain" for me.
