Uno, dos, cha, cha, cha

OK, so I've been a bad blogger. (Who reads this, anyway?) Possibly have been a bad American too, seeing as I went to a salsa dance class instead of watching Obama's inauguration...

Anyway, here's the rundown of what I've been up to, and I hereby PROMISE to update more regularly.

Last Saturday: Went to Segovia, saw the castle Snow White's was supposedly modeled after, the aqueducts, cathedral...and ate a lot of awesome food.

Sunday: Went to el rastro (flea market) on the edge of the city. Bought a cute bufanda (scarf) and una bandera de Espana (Spanish flag) to hang in my apartment next year. P.S. Becca, you should get one from Ireland! Took a long siesta.

Monday: Intensive Spanish class. Flamenco class -- this may come as a surprise to all of you, but I'm very bad. Went to The Irish Rover (a pretty Americanized pub) and had a pizza party with the group. Stayed for a while to dance, but did not partake in the weekly Monday night beer pong.

Tuesday: Intensive Spanish class, salsa class. Even worse at salsa. More hip-shaking. However, was right behind male instructor, so I got to watch him shake his ass for about an hour.

Wednesday: Intensive Spanish class. Signed up for this semester's classes: political systems of contemporary Spain and Portugal, the Franco Regime and the transition to democracy, intensive grammar, economic development in Spain: 1939 to the present, and institutions and laws of the European Union. Sounds fun, no? Am very excited about no Friday classes! Also, went out that night. Weekly karaoke night at the Irish Rover. Sang "Mrs. Robinson" with a friend. Scared a lot of locals and probably some Americans as well.

Thursday: Intensive Spanish class. Karaoke with the group. Went worse than Mrs. Robinson the previous night. Went out for tapas (small plates, like appetizers) with some friends.

Friday: Final intensive Spanish class, with oral exam. Passed, I guess. Went to a buffet for la comida at the mall just outside of the city. Did some shopping, bought a cute shirt for 4 Euros. Went and saw "El Valiente Desperaux" ("The Tales of Desperaux?"). Kind of cute, but strange. Easy to understand. Some others went and saw "Siete Almas" (Literally: Seven Souls, but "Seven Pounds"). I'd seen that already in English and didn't think I'd be able to stand seeing it again, in another language nonetheless. Was going to go out, but it was raining. BUT, booked a cheap flight for Semana Santa (Holy Week a.k.a. spring break) to Dublin. Am SUPER psyched!

Saturday (Today): Went to Toro and Zamora. Saw una bodega (wine cellar) in Toro and did some wine tasting. Not bad, not bad. Went to Zamora and saw a lot of old buildings. Had a very small conversation with an old man who wanted to know where we were from and whether we actually spoke Spanish. Luckily, I know enough to respond to what he was saying and not look like an asshole. Went to the shadiest restaurant ever in the middle of nowhere and had a lot of fun. Ate some chorizo (like sausage), bacon, ham... Drank some wine and did some shots. Am planning to go out tonight with some friends late tonight, and stay up until 5 a.m. to get churros.

There. More to follow soon, possibly about my adventures tonight if they stay G-rated enough.