I have really enjoyed my study abroad experience in Spain; we have learned an amazing amount of Spanish in only a couple of weeks. Professors Levin, Albrecht, Ivan and Maricha have been wonderful.  I opted to stay at the residence which is a dormitory used by students from other parts of Spain.

There is an option to eat our meals at the Residence, however I have chosen to eat at the local  cafes and restaurants.

There are also many markets where you can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.  You can order regular meals at the restaurants, but many do not open until 8:30 or 9 at night.  My favorite meal so far has been eating pig or piglet.

One of the things that I have found very interesting is the use of stone. Most buildings and cathedrals are made from marble and granite.  The stone masons have done a remarkable job in cutting the stone so that when they are assembled to make the structure there is no space at the seams.  Some structures, such as as cathedrals are very complex.  For example they have many arches some over 100 feet tall.  And they are so large that it is hard to imagine the labor required  to guarry transport in and assemble so much stone.

The aqueduct in Sagovia is another marvelous stone structure.  It is 86 feet tall, 550 feet long and has 75 single and 44 double arches.  All the stones are dry stacked without the use of any mortar.

Stone is used in many other ways.  Many streets and most sidewalks are granite.  Outside the city there are miles of well crafted stonewalls.  There are also miles of wire fencing supported by stone posts 6 feet tall.

I could go on for a long time but in closing Salamanca is an amazing place.

-By Roy Lockwood