June 29 day 53: The best feeling in the world is doing something you and others never thought was possible. But the only thing that feels better than that is when you get to do it again. The past few weeks in Spain have been really really awesome although I am overwhelmed and and backed up to say the least with things to do. Homework in psych, composition, and Spanish have really been taking a toll on me but I see the light at the end of the tunnel with graduation waiting on the other side so it will all be worth it.

Besides the work and downsides of school there are many good things that come with it like being able to hang out in such a marvelous city as Salamanca with all the modern art and old antique buildings – I don’t know of a better place to spend a summer. What makes it even more cool is many of my friends from last year are all popping up which tells me that I wasn’t the only one to fall in love with this city and its language. A lot of people get shy when it comes to speaking to people who speak another language better than you can but I try to push my friends to speaking with the locals along with me because every time I do I learn something new whether it be pronunciation, facts on the culture, or new parts of the city/world you would have never otherwise found.

With this I’d advise everyone who reads this to find something new this summer and don’t be afraid of making a mistake because that’s the only way we can find all those challenges, favorite places, and best friends we have not yet met. If you’re afraid to fall off the horse you will never know what it’s like to gallop through a field. Speaking on that, yesterday we all went horse back riding and later found a nice little river spot for swimming which was definitely hands-down the most fun excursion yet.

I was so glad to get the same house I was in last year and again I am roomed with a bunch of people from all over the world I have never met before but in a few hours’ time we were already a family. With week two out of three of Spanish class starting, the work is going to be a little tougher so that’s all for now. I can’t wait to hear of everyone else’s impossible journeys in the coming years.

One thing I love about this place is how in this entire city the buildings, the streets and just the structure are all old art and they allow new artist to mix their art with spray paint, it’s interesting to me. Anyway this morning my class boarded a bus to Val Verde ranch the home of a famous bull fighter where I was able to wear an authentic bull fighting outfit.

On my way home I hear we have 3 new roommates, one German/Spanish who can’t really speak English, one American from Alabama and one French. As we walked and talked we realized we are definitely going to be good friends, but I am going to miss our Irish roommates who had left to go back home.

I can tell this place only gets better and I will definitely be back next year.

I’m not sure what to say about today that I haven’t said already, but anyway I had an oral in class today about my family and I don’t feel I did all that well. I guess I got my point across though …it was way too much hesitation and ugh ugh ugh but I’ve got great teachers and plenty more time to practice. However when I’m in the streets of Salamanca I find I have no problem conversing and being understood (except for forgetting a word here and there!)

We had another scavenger hunt today, where we had to run around and ask locals for answers only they would know, like where is this building or what’s a local import? We got second place, but in my defense, the team that beat us were Spanish and I feel they had an advantage. Yesterday I ate an apple off a tree and today I noticed grape vines growing on the walls. I don’t know about you, but I’m from Florida and I think that’s pretty cool.

While waiting for our class for our excursions to the cave, a tunas (frat mariachi band) started playing, and I got to say there are a lot of talented artists everywhere here. We were passing the cathedral on our way to cuvea de diablo, the devils cave, where as the legend goes the devil would train seven students in magic arts (what we call the sciences) and at the end of the year as a winner of a lottery one student would have to stay for eternity and give up his soul.