Buenas tardes! Siesta was fantastic today. Ah.

I'd like to report that more than a week in, I'm still going strong and very happy with the program thus far. The people here are great. It's been fun getting to know all of the IES kids and also knowing that everything's going to change a lot when the university students come back to town in two weeks. I'm excited to make friends with the españoles. 

It's been so busy here that I've failed to keep this updated with all of our random activities. Granted, a lot of it has been exploring the town, which has been great in itself. I love walking everywhere, and it helps that I'm really close to everything. The Plaza Mayor is five minutes away, maybe (ten minutes if I stop speed-walking like an American), and not only is it gorgeous, but there's always a lot of people there, all hours of the day.

(There's also a lot of heladerias there - ice cream shops. This place is dangerous.)

Other than exploring independently, we've had IES activities keeping us busy. We've had a flamenco lesson and a salsa lesson, both of which were really fun, despite how much the teachers laughed at our collective lack of skills. IES also took us to a bar to hear la tuna, which are these traditional music groups made up of university students (read: attractive Spanish men) that play all over town, especially during summer nights. 

We also had our first excursion to Segovia on Saturday, which was beautiful. They have this 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct running right through the middle of town, which leads to a castle at the other end of town - the Alcazar. Apparently it's one of the castles that Walt Disney used to design Sleeping Beauty's castle, although it doesn't quite compare to Neuschwanstein.

Anyways, we got to wander around another adorable Spanish town, and then go stuff ourselves at a (free!) multi-course comida. 

I'm really excited for the excursions that we have coming up - one day to the towns of Toro and Zamora, three days in Granada and Sevilla, and a day in Toledo. Then, on top of that, I'm excited to do a little bit of independent traveling, around Spain and Portugal. 

However, as much as I want to visit other places, the experience is going to be better if I get to know Salamanca well (and I'd actually have money left then!)

And tonight is a perfect chance to do so! The festival for the patron saint of Salamanca (Santa Maria de la Vega) begins tonight and continues for at least a week. There's a parade today, followed by fireworks, and a giant party. Then, there's free concerts, plays, art, and other random activities that continue throughout the week. 

Apparently the view of the fireworks from our balcony is perfect. I love this place.