Excuse #1: Spanish time

Especially now that our official University of Salamanca classes have begun, one phrase that keeps appearing is "Spanish time." Essentially, this just means, "Hey, Americans: we're not punctual; get used to it." What's surprised me most is how it has even infiltrated the educational system. Here, university classes that start at 8pm, for example, won't actually begin until 8:15. And this is the norm, not just one lazy professor. 

Therefore, the fact that I'm still writing about adventures from a week ago is yet another sign of being accustomed to Spanish culture - obviously. 

Back to my Portugal rambles:

After a full day in the city last Friday, we had planned on taking a day trip on Saturday. My friend Hannah had gotten a recommendation from her dad about the town of Obidos, which looked to be just an hour north of Lisbon and easily reachable by bus.

However, the Portuguese bus system seems to hate us because it took lots of wandering, asking bus drivers questions in Spanguese, and getting lots of blank stares in return before we finally found out that indeed, a bus would take us to Obidos.

Obidos

Despite all the annoyances we faced in getting there, they were ultimately worth it. The town was a.dor.a.ble., complete with its own castle (those things are popular over here). We wandered around the old city walls, were tormented by rogue bees at lunch, and debated which house we were going to buy the day that all of our dreams come true...


Far too quickly, Sunday arrived. Already, we had to leave and go back to the fake real world, even though we would have liked to stay and explore more of Lisbon (to spend time on the beaches as well as go to all the good concerts that were coming within the next few months). However, we left on a high note - Indian food! (and the whole trip in general, really)


Loaded down with plenty of Basa's smorgasboard still uneaten, I boarded the train, exhausted from our adventures. And then the huge group of American freshmen girls followed us, and one of them was already crying. I was very thankful for my iPod in that moment - and for the seven-hour train ride that followed. 


In the past week, I think I've managed to tell everyone in IES Salamanca that they need to go to Lisboa - now. Has anyone listened to me thus far? Probably not, but it's their loss...