Day Four

Sunday was a beach excursion day. The PA's got us on the tram and to the beach and from there we were free to roam and find our way back. Dara, Brittany, Lia, Caitlin, and myself stayed there from 1-5 and we only left so we could go to the "futbol" game at 7. The waves were huge and the Mediterranean is super, super salty. It was disgusting. It was also gorgeous. When we were walking the beach we could see the tadpoles that were getting washed up closer to shore, it was that clear. The sand was so hot it just about burned the bottom of my feet. I wore sunscreen, Mom, but I still got a little burn. It was about 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water was about 76 degrees Fahrenheit. It was perfect.



We took the tram back to the apartments to shower and eat something before we left for the futbol game at 7. We had to stand in this super huge line, because there were about 60 of us and they thought we should stay together. We missed the first 20 minutes but it was all good because our nosebleed seats showed everything. It was an amazing experience, these people get into futbol. They all stand outside the arena and drink before it is time for the game to start then they leave their empty cans all over the road, sidewalks, and fountains. They're not allowed to drink in the stadium so they all do it beforehand. The game ended in overtime and at a tie. Apparently the Europeans don't need a specific winner like we do...one overtime and they were done.

After the game we walked back to the Gold apartments while some of the girls ate then we headed out for Lia's pre-birthday gelato around midnight. It was a gorgeous night and because we were all together we took a few back streets home. I now know several ways to get to the same place. I'm almost officially Valencian. ;)

From our first night in Valencia
Jacqueline, Brittany, Dara, and myself

Day Three

This morning I got up bright and early and met up with Dara and Jacqueline. We walked about a quarter of a mile before Dara decided running was a good idea. We then ran the rest of the way, about 2 and a quarter miles, to the Arts and Science Center in Valencia. We walked around there and Dara took loads of photos of us (those will appear at some point). Then we made the 2.5 mile trek back to the apartments to shower and get ready before they took us out on a tour.

The tour consisted of visiting the town center, where I'd been earlier this week with Joanne and Kathy, and the Fresh Market. I got some fresh fruit and vegetables, because what else does one get at a fresh market? I also got breakfast, pineapple and strawberries. After our walk back from the Fresh Market a group of us ventured across the bridge to the super market. I stocked up on my basics and made myself a peanut butter sandwich, with the peanut butter I brought, for lunch. After that I Skyped with Jake and took a nap. Another tour was going out at 19:30, but I'd already gone to where they would've been taking me, so I decided, since I could feel my feet still tingling, that it was not worth it for me to go.

I've since made myself pasta for dinner, and teddy grahams, and a peach, and a cookie...and I've been run out of the common room by my flatmates. No one was here for the hour or so I was in there eating, but once I brought my laptop in to work on they all decided they were going to arrive. They're watching a movie, all tried to crowed around me, turned off all the lights (while my laptop was still on), and wanted to move the table closer so they had a spot for their alcohol.

It's only midnight here but I think I'm going to call it a night. We've got a beach tour at 12:30 tomorrow and they're going to show us how to get to the Polytechnic University, where are math and science classes are held, along the way. I'm planning on going to the 8am mass in the Cathedral, get breakfast, go shopping, and be back for the tour tomorrow. Adios!

Day Two

Today we woke up and had an awful "free" breakfast. They set out croissants and bread with ham and olive oil on it, not very filling and the croissant was chewy instead of flaking and delicious. From there we went back for another "orientation" but I couldn't hear much because of the guys in the back. I swear it's like middle school all over again!

They set us free for a two hour lunch break and I went off on my own to explore. I walked ~3 miles around the city and in that time I found this AMAZING gelato shop. Therefore, I had gelato for lunch. We met back up for a second half of orientation and were set free again. Jacqueline, Lia, and myself went to the park across the street and threw the Frisbee around. However, Jacqueline accidently threw it up on the driving bridge, the bridge without sidewalks, so we had to have a biker grab it for us, and he did, so everything worked out! We went for a little walk around the other side of the bridge and came across this very sketchy workout area/park thing.

At 5 we walked back to Garnet to meet up with our PA's (Program Assistants) so they could show us where the closest supermarket was and how to get to the mall via the bus. There's nothing super special about the supermarket, but the mall is GINORMOUS! It's huge! We walked around there for a bit and walked the mile or so back to the apartments. We like walking here. After we got back we, Jacqueline, Dara, Lia, Brittany, and I went back to the Gold apartments, where everyone but Lia and I live. We hung out at their apartment until we left for dinner. More people were invited to dinner and a photo may appear soon. I got steak and potatoes, because I'd only had a croissant and gelato, and we shared a bottle of wine between four of the ten.

The plan was to go to a bar at the beach with most of the Valencia FSU students, but after we got dessert (gelato, again) we decided against it. Instead, we sat outside of a restaurant, drank some sangria, and played the card game BS. So far I believe I'm with the right group because...cards. Some of them are still walking around, but a few of us have called it quits. It's 2am here and the Spaniards are getting ready to go out, but I am getting ready for bed.

Jacqueline, Dara, and I are all going for a walk at 9am tomorrow, because it won't be too hot then, so I have to be up and ready!

P.S. I'll add pictures later, but right now I'm going to sleep

Official Seminole

Today Kathy and Joanne helped me move into my "apartment." I share a room with one other person, Cami, and I share a suite with 8 other people. We have 3 bathrooms total and we all share a common room/kitchen area. I need more magnets and something to carry my shower items to the bathroom and possibly a bag for school items but I'll probably go out and get those tomorrow.

Tonight we had dinner inside of The University of Valencia, it was paella, a Valencian specialty. From there I traveled with a group of 4 other women, Jacqueline (I knew her from orientation), Dara, Lia, and Brittany, around the park across the street from the Garnet building. The park was once a riverbed that soon became the home to a 10k bike/walking path, football (soccer) fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, etc. It's pretty impressive. Afterwards we went to a dance "competition" that was held in the center square of Valencia. We stayed to watch the Spaniards and the Italians dance, but everyone was tired so we headed back home. It was very cool just to see how many people were out. It was a free show and a gorgeous night. You grabbed a chair and you found a spot, we figured out the system pretty quickly. Overall it's been a pretty successful day.
The photos below are photos from/of the park and my room/common room area.

Final Day in Paris and on to Valencia

Our last day in Paris consisted of monuments, boats, rain, and chocolate. We took a selfie at the Louvre because the inside, by Becky's standards, is not that impressive. Then we took the metro to the Arc de Triumph and went up to the top, as suggested by Mr. Roberts, which was super cool! After that we went to Angelina's to have it's famous African Hot Chocolate. It was like warm chocolate syrup mixed with a little pudding. It was super rich and thick and it was delicious. One can have too much though, it is a lot, a lot of chocolate. We made it to Notre Dame after they'd closed for the night, but we took pictures outside anyways. We went back to the hotel for a bit to use the restroom and for me to call Jake. The call went a little long so we missed the 20h30 night bout tour on the Seine and we walked in the wrong direction, so we missed the 21h00 boat too...but we got top choice in seating for the 21h30 boat! It was gorgeous and it rained a bit but Kathy and I had come prepared with rain jackets and hoods! After the boat ride we ended with dinner: take away crepes. And we were up at 04h30 for our 06h45 flight to Valencia the next morning.

The lady made me check both of my suitcases, because they were too large for the bins. My carry-on sized one was definitely not. However, it would not fit in those stupid bins they had to test the bags with, so it went on as Kathy's "checked bag." There were a total of 14 people on our flight. Six people, however, were a part of the flight crew. My bag could have fit. Anyways, we made it to the airport in Valencia and met up with Joanne. We went to breakfast at Paneria then left to go shopping. Once shopping was completed we got gelato, ate paella for lunch, of course, and rested at the beach. We walked around Valencia and I go the "low down" on the places to go for clothes and food. We got pizza for dinner then everyone was in for the night.

Days One and Two en Paris

Today is our last day in Paris and we've got a 6:45 flight to Spain in the morning. Two nights ago, after I had finished my last post, Kathy and I fell asleep around 16h00 and awoke around 20h00. At that point we walked to get dinner and then visited the Eiffel Tower at 23h00, when it lights up. Last year we weren't allowed to go to the Eiffel Tower at night, but this year there was no one stopping us.

We woke up the next *morning* around 13h00 which meant breakfast was lunch and it was a rainy, dreary day. The rain didn't help much with the sleepiness, but the steps up to Montmarte definitely did. We walked through Sacré-Cœur and picked up pain au chocolat, which I am holding in front of this red door. Dinner that night was at Le Chateau-Landon. Le Chateau-Landon was across the street from the hotel I stayed at last year, so of course we had to go back and eat there again! 

Paris: Day One

I am sleepy. Our flight landed around 8am local time which means one has to start her day on (maybe) 2 hours of sleep. The flight wasn't too bad but there were some rough spots as we got closer to landing. I must say that watching the sun "set" and "rise" while flying is pretty cool, as well as flying in the pitch black with stars scattered around the plane. However, it is currently 15h17 here and I just want to sleep.

Countdown: Today

Bonjour! Kathy and I are waiting for for our flight to start boarding. We've got approximately two hours until take off and an hour until we can board. I've got my teddy bear, my bags, and my sister. I'm set. Currently we're attempting to figure out le metro via the internet and travel book.

Countdown: One Day

The suitcases are packed and under 50lbs! All that is left to do now is pack up my backpack but I'll do that in the morning. All communication has been figured out with my parents and friends I can be contacted via Whatsapp and Skype when I'm in a wifi zone. I guess all that is left to do are the goodbyes. Goodbyes are the hardest part of starting a new adventure. A chapter in my life has ended and a new one is beginning. I'm ready for you, Spain!

Countdown: Three Days

Update: my bags are basically packed I just have a few odds and ends I need to go out and buy and then I need to check that they aren't over 50lbs, that would be very unfortunate. I have to take my math and Spanish books with me because shipping packages to Spain from the USA is an issue, or so I've been told. I'm scared, excited, and ready to start this new chapter in my book. In three days I leave with Kathy for Paris and we'll be spending three days in France. Our plan is then to take a flight to Valencia and meet up with Joanne. Joanne, who lives in Madrid, is going to teach me how to do laundry, the Spanish way, without a dryer and help me get acclimated with the city before school begins.