Alright, record this one in the books. I stayed in Bilbao for over 10 days without leaving--not even on a day trip. Where to start? Well, I hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving, I know that I certainly missed it while I was in class. However, my American program did decide to surprise us and take us out to eat for pumpkin soup, turkey with blackberries, and a pumpkin pie. Honestly, it was a pretty good meal. Cannot top anything that I would have had at home, but it was still nice.
Friday, just like back home, is Black Friday--people were fanatically shopping. Unlike home however, it lasts all weekend. I went to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which was quite delightful. Though I am not surprised, I am still attempting to grasp the concept of why Spain decides that Christmas should start the day after "Thanksgiving" (which by the way is a concept that no one here understands). Most people view it as another excuse for the Americans to have a hearty meal and take off work. I guess that's the way it looks in movies, but luckily, I actually enjoy the holiday for other reasons.
I went to my first futbol game, which was very exciting. We were sitting in the 12th row, so we had clear visibility of all the players facial expressions and encounters. Spanish soccer is quite a theatrical production. I have never seen the players so involved in every call. Unfortunately, we tied. We were up on goal until the last 50 seconds of the game, when Deportivo (North-West Spain) scored. An interesting fact about Atletic, the Bilbao team: they ONLY have basque players. Recruiting doesn't exist outside the province, whereas other teams, will accept players from any region (or even country). Their pride is too high to allow others onto the team, as again, I am reminded that this is a region based on tradition and principles.
The reason this is rather short, is because I actually spent most of the weekend working on my wonderful political theory paper. Writing about the relationship between religion and democracy, which is interesting when I talk about it with my classmates, as they believe the US to be an extremely religious country. I guess my presentation will surprise them...
Thursday night I begin travelling so that I am in Morocco by Friday morning. I won't lie, I'm stoked. I'm home in less than a month, a concept that's still a bit unstable for me. That also means less than a month til Christmas, I cannot complain about that. Oh, and my senora loves my stocking that I have hanging in my room, which wouldn't be there without the wonderful craftswork of grammy--so again, thank you grammy for letting me have my Christmas decorations in Spain.
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NO, I never ventured to Morocco. But I have heard some bad stories. Cover your hair, you thought Spanish men were bad...When shopping stay outside a browse, don't let them take you inside alone anywhere...OH and BEWARE of the MONKEYS in the trees. Supposedly they come down long enough to grab a purse, then they go right back up to the top of the trees. I have heard way more shady things, than I have good to be honest with you.
Btw, about the Spanish opinion about Thanksgiving being an excuse to get the day off...remind them that we do not take a week off for Easter, and another week off for the start of the fairs in the Spring-which really is the start of bullfighting season. Well, at least we get "Discovery" Day. Oh, and if you go to the Dominican Republic, they'll tell you Colón is buried there.
Don't forget your to buy your Christmas lotto ticket-just kidding, it took me forever to figure out what those old guys were selling everyday on the street. I guess their Christmas lottery is a biggie.
PS: We all have our pronunciation issues...yours maybe Vitorea, mine was sandalia. Could have been worse, my friend asked for a coño de helado one night. OOPPPSSS!
<3 Sra Clarke
PPS: sanDALia
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