Day Four - Saturday

ORIENTATION PART II

Chelsea's alarm went off at 10:00. We didn't get out of bed until 10:30. The night before was so late, and we still hadn't fully adjusted to the different time zone and schedule, so we had absolutely no desire to get out of bed. Unfortunately, we had to meet Jesus, Ramon, and the rest of the group at the Plaza Mayor at 11 for the second part of our orientation, where the professors would be showing us around the inner city and guiding us to different important locations that we might need during our trip. Luckily, we were only five minutes from the Plaza, so we could take our time getting ready.

When we got there, most of the group was exhausted as well, some more than others. We all waited for Jesus and Ramon, who revealed that they would not be showing us the way – we were to find the way to each destination ourselves, using our maps. Oh, great. So not the best time for an adventure.

First, we had to find the aulario, or the classroom building where our classes would be taking place. The quite small building was on an even smaller street near the Plaza de San Isidoro, but since we had gone there the day before, we had a general idea of how to get there. It only took about three minutes from the Plaza Mayor, which was amazing because it makes you realize how very close together everything really is! The map makes the city look so incredibly big, and yes it's pretty decently-sized but it's nowhere near the size I had in my head. Plus, I love walking, so it all works out for the best!

Next, we had to go to a side street where our doctor's office was located. We had been told that the medical insurance was part of our program, so if we were sick, we were to go to the doctor immediately and treatment was gratis. Can't argue with that offer!

After the doctor's office, we went to the oficina de correos – the post office! It was nice to have a sense of where that was, since I'll probably have some postcards to send before too long ;)

The final leg of our orientation took us to the JMU Office, where the rest of the group was shown the facilities and we were given our mobile phones to use in case of emergencies. We also got to use the Internet on the computers in the office! SWEET!!! Facebook and Gmail have never looked so good...

The group split up after that, and five of us decided to walk around Calle Zamora and check out the local shopping. I didn't buy anything, of course, but it was so nice to window shop and to scope out the fashion on the move.

Speaking of fashion, I'm a little surprised at the fashion in Salamanca. I know it's not a fashion capital or anything, but it's still a European city and I'm intrigued by how much grunge and goth chic fashion trends I've seen roaming the streets. Also, apparently it's way fashionable to dye your hair bright red (like, traffic light red) when you're at least over the age of 45. Weird, right? Pepita clearly started a trend! Also, I'm pretty sure that Chelsea's “guys with rattails” count has reached double digits, and we're pretty sure that they're not the same guys. So strange.

VAMOS A EXPLORAR

After a nap during siesta, Chelsea and I met up with Jess, Jen and Caitryn to go around and explore the city some more! Jen and Jess got lost, so we decided to ask them to meet us at the Corte Ingles. Getting there wasn't hard since we were starting to slowly get adjusted to the sense of direction – hooray for not feeling like complete idiots!

CORTE INGLES

To begin, let me explain what the Corte Ingles, because many people think that it's something that it really isn't. First of all, it's not the English Court, as it translates to – it's a shopping center. Second, it's not a mall like we have in America – it's more like a MASSIVE department store with about seven different floors of merchandise that sells more fancy (and usually expansive) brands. Think Macy's mixed with Chanel and Nordstrom, and you're in the ballpark of this rather impressive shopping haven.

The cool thing about the Corte Ingles is that there isn't just fancy things in it – they also sell little trinkets and school supplies, and really just about anything but grocery-store items like food and such. There was a bookstore section, movies, art supplies, every variation of clothing, home goods, you name it! We went up the escalators and checked out things (I mostly lusted for shoes, as I have a tendency to do) and made comments about what we liked.

Okay, girly moment incoming: THEY HAD AN AIRE BOUTIQUE IN THE CORTE INGLES!!! For those of you that have no idea what Aire is, it's a very famous Spanish dress designer that has some of the most gorgeous wedding dresses in the world! I am a HUGE fan and can't get enough of photos of their gowns in magazines and online. Anyway, they had a sample section in the store and I absolutely flipped out (pretty embarrassing, but hey, I've done weirder things) and grabbed one of the selection books to flip through. We all sat down and dreamed about getting married and what each of our dresses would look like, all that gushy stuff. I was in heaven <3 (Sam, stop judging me. I know it's hard, but STOP IT. I less than three you!)

CROSSDRESSING BADMINTON PLAYER

We eventually returned to Calle Zamora, where we strolled and took some group photos. On our walking travels, we spotted a horrifying but fascinating sight: a man dressed up as a woman (not a transvestite, just in costume) playing badminton with a tourist! He had this hysterically-overdone make-up, a curly black wig, a short pink tennis skirt, and fake (hopefully) breasts that made me think, “okay, a guy has better boobs than me. Must go jump off tall building now.” Jess took some photos of him, and he seemed to love the attention! He was hamming it up, snapping his fingers across his face and screeching the Spanish equivalent of, “bitch, you can't touch this!”.

ROCK IS SO MUCH MORE HARDCORE IN A LIBRARY

After some souvenir shopping by the other girls, we walked down a side street and came up on the Biblioteca Publica and one of the major cathedrals in Salamanca – where there was preparation for a wedding going on! How fun!

We heard some interesting music coming from the Biblioteca, of all places, so we decided to check it out... and there was a rock band setting up and rehearsing in the center of the very old library building! It was so freaking awesome! We listened for a few minutes and then went upstairs, where there was a gorgeous photography display set up to walk through and check out. The second floor was only more of a walkway around the edge of the building (which was a square), so we could look down on the band performing and enjoy ourselves at a different angle. Tons of photos were taken (including one of Chelsea which is now her profile picture!) and we enjoyed the diversion so much.

The really cool part about the Biblioteca Publica is that the roof doesn't really exist – the second floor is covered, sure, but the center of the building is uncovered, making it into a kind of atrium area. Like I mentioned about the second floor being cut out, it's the exact same way with the roof. It's gorgeous to look through because from the second floor you can see the nearby cathedral looming ominously overhead...

IF IT'S SO FAMOUS, WHY ISN'T IT ON THE MAP?

Much later, after getting even more lost and discovering the Rio Tormes (which is so gorgeous, by the way), we decided to find the famous fachada of the Universidad de Salamanca and take a bunch of pictures. So of course we look on our maps and try to find it... only to find that it's not labeled.

Hold up. One of the most famous tourist locations in Salamanca, and you're telling me that it's not on a map??!, I hear you say.

Why yes. That's exactly what I'm telling you. And yes. It was just as annoying as you're probably assuming that it was. In this case, assuming does in fact get you somewhere. Unlike this stupid map.

Jen and I were determined to find that fachada, or the incredibly ornate facade of the cathedral next to the universidad, so we stabbed a guess that it was near the Fray Luis de Leon statue, which was near one of the many cathedrals in that immediate area... and we got lucky, because sure enough, there it was! Teamwork does things sometimes!

WHERE THE HELL IS THAT RANA?!

Blah blah blah find the carved frog that's hidden in the fachada, blah blah blah good luck if you find it yourself without any help, blah blah blah don't really care about my luck, tell me where the stupid amphibian ninja is already. ARGH.

I eventually found it, but needed a lot of help and even more stress-ball therapy to get me through it. Geez, is that thing hard to find! But major kudos to the artist that carved the whole front of the building, because seriously, it's really very impressive to think that he saved some rock at the end just to put a teensy tiny little frog into it just for giggles.

DING DONG, THE BELLS ARE GONNA CHIME (ALL THROUGH MAY)

We were taking picture after picture of the fachada and trying to get a good shot of the rana without giving away its location, when suddenly it became apparent that there were a lot of people outside the cathedral in at least semi-formal attire... and suddenly there was music... and the doors swung open... and out came these huge flower-covered arches with a bride and groom underneath! And then came the flower petals and the rice and the streamer cannons and the very loud cheering in Spanish for the clearly-ecstatic couple!!

So, basically, I died then and there of happy overload.

We all watched as two traditional Spanish dancers came out into the circle of people that had formed and did this beautiful, intricate dance. I think that it was supposed to symbolize unity and the courtship, and coming together and being one person in a marriage. It was so beautiful, I'm pretty sure we were all in tears!

THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD (FOR YOUR) PERIOD

The following would kill off any concept of war in this world:

A chocolateria in every city of every country in the world.

Oh. My. GOD.

Best. Idea. EVER.

We stopped at this shop named Valor, which was a teensy restaurant entirely devoted to chocolate (yes, ladies, you read that right – weep for your not getting to enjoy this slice of heaven alongside me!) and was apparently one of the best in town for the price (which was way cheap, let me tell you) and got a quick snack. Jess got very creamy chocolate milk, I had chocolate mousse with whipped cream on top, and Chelsea, Jen and Caitryn got what can best be described as chocolate pudding melted to a more liquid state and very warm with churros for dipping. This can also be described as the best kind of fondue ever. Another synonym might be heaven in a coffee mug. The list goes on and on, really.

When the waitress brought out all of our snacks, we all just kind of stared in amazement at the wonderfully-delicious delicacies and oohed and aahed for a few minutes before devouring them with starving-level intensity. I can honestly say that I have never, nor will I most likely ever, have mousse of that caliber again... it was truly its own cardinal sin. Just thinking about it is making my tongue tingle with anticipation of the absolutely rich taste...

THE TRAGIC MOBILE ROMANCE

One thing that I forgot to mention about the mobile phones: they were used by the Study Abroad Salamanca groups in the past, and as such still had some of the call records and text messages for the previous users. Some of them were pretty routine, “hey wanna meet up and get a drink later with Kristy and Susan?” “haha jk nah it's cool whatevs”, blah blah blah. You can delete them and start your own count (which I did) or you can leave it, it doesn't matter.

Jen's phone, however, was riddled with the remains of what looked to be a love affair that went south after the owner of the phone was caught cheating on one of the people she was texting with someone else. It was absolutely classic! As we walked away from Valor, she read out some of the messages (some in English, others in Spanish) and we howled with laughter at what quickly became quite sad for the guy that had clearly fallen in love with the previous owner of Jen's phone.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD PAULANER?, THEY WERE SO JUDGING US, 

THE ODD GIRL OUT FEELING

After a great ham-and-cheese sandwich for dinner, Chelsea and I prepared to meet up with the same group of girls as before to take some pictures in the Plaza Mayor. When we got there, Caitryn had beaten us there and told us that the rest of our school group was in a nearby bar named Javi, which was a new favorite of the guys in our group, and that hwe had been invited to join them for a while before they cruised around to other places.

 

We grabbed a few chairs and joined the group - a few people bought drinks, some just sat and chatted. It was growing increasingly obvious that there was a definite split in the group... there were those that wanted to constantly party, and there were those that didn't. Guess which category I fall into?

Well done! I love partying so much it hurts. I bleed alcohol, baby. </sarcasm>

Coming at you at light speed, here's a quick (and depressing) factoid about me... I usually feel like the odd girl out when girls that most likely were the A-listers in middle and high schools are around, because I'm positive that I never broke C-list. Really, Kathy Griffin and I would have been bosom buddies through our most awkward years. I always feel like I'm back to being judged, like everything that I say or do is coming out wrong and that the snickering behind hands and passively-rude comments will start at any moment. It's a constant state of social paranoia that I have not grown out of, and I'm not sure if I ever will. Kind of sad, really.

Anywho, depressing stuff aside! We eventually split up into the two aforementioned groups, and "my" group stayed at Javi. Cody, one of the guys on the trip, introduced us to this really tasty Belgian Wheat Ale named Paulaner, and I have to say that it was pretty good. We sat around for another hour or so before heading out to join up with the other group, who was off dancing at another bar/club named, weirdly enough, "The Bar". No kidding.

When we got there, it was packed. I mean, standing room only. This was at about 2am local time. I guess we get when the party starts in Europe, huh? The group moved as a crazy unit around together, dancing and singing along to every English song that came on the speakers, and very quickly we were surrounded by Spanish men staring and clearly trying to figure ou which one of us was most likely to say yes to a dance (or more). At that point, I was done and wanted to head home, and so did a few more girls, so six of us left The Bar and headed home.

Quick orientation to the city: Plaza Mayor is in the center. Corte Ingles is to the north. Rio Tormes is to the south. All of us lived to the north of Plaza Mayor and we had not been near the rio yet.

We walked to the Plaza, to orient ourselves, and got walking home with Jen leading the way. The idea was to drop Jen and Jess off first, since they were the furthest out, then Caitryn, then Kirsten, and then Chelsea and I would go home last. That way, no one would be alone.

And then we saw the Rio Tormes. Somehow, we had gotten lost, at 4 in the morning, and had to navigate back up the city to our homes. (FRUSTRATION)

We got there, but my knees were shot and it was near 40 degrees outside, so we were miserable... argh...

But let me tell you, my bed has never felt so good...

GETTING HOME (AKA GETTING LOST)

FINISH THIS SECTION!!!