Different Ish, Different Day

For the most part my routine here in Salamanca is similar to my routine in Ann Arbor, particularly in the morning. I wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, clean up (brush teeth, hair, etc.), and go to class. The difference lies mainly in what I eat in the mornings. Here in Salamanca I usually have a cup of coffee, bread, and cereal but at home, cereal and fruit. Here on the weekends some people may have a pastry or even churros to kind of “treat themselves” and change it up. In opposition we in the states might take that extra time to make pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, toast, etc. Both are very rewarding and I think it’s nice that the weekend allows for more time to eat! Haha Sometimes I’ll eat in the morning with my señora or if I want to try something new in a café, I’ll leave a bit earlier. Here I wake up at 8:15a but at school I can usually sleep until 8:30 or 9a! At home and no classes, there is no telling because I tend to go to bed really late and take the extra hours to rest up just to do the same thing again.

In Salamanca I have class from 10a to 1:30p. I am taking 7 credits and four classes. The first, A Foodie’s Guide to Spain, only meets the first and last week of my time here but we try and get together as a class once every couple weeks. I have Art History from 10a - 11a and I really really enjoy it! I don’t believe I could have been put in a better class. I have always enjoyed art but to know the history behind works and the background of the artists is truly amazing. Then I have Culture of Spain from 11a-12p. It’s an interesting course but my profesora is a little repetitive. Finally I have my course, Living and Learning in Spain, with a U of M professor from 12-1:30p. I enjoy that one as well. After class I have lunch at 2:30p but in between that time I usually call my mom, sightsee, or visit some tiendas (stores). If I do get home before 2:30p (which is rare because I have a tendency to cut it close!), I’ll surf the web.

Lunch is usually good and almost always something new! My host mom claims that she isn’t too fond on cooking but she has cookbooks galore and is always trying new recipes. There is another student from Turkey, her name is Burcu. We all chat during lunch but my host mom always has the t.v. on when we eat so we eat, chat, and watch. It is very nice. I like to take photos as I’m sure a lot of my family and friends reading this know, so I always take photos of my meals. I try to do so when she is not around so I don’t weird her out or make her feel like I’m judging her food. Also, there are so many great café’s and a few that I would love to try before I leave so maybe a day or two I’ll have lunch at one of those instead.

After lunch, it is siesta (nap time) until approximately 5p. I spoke with one of the directors of the program who told me that times vary by individual. Sometimes it can be as early as 2p and end at 5p at 3p until 6p. It’s crazy because the entire city practically shuts down. It’s a nice time to rest but I’m not too fond of many of the tiendas and businesses shutting down at the same time for so long. It’s okay though, every culture has its differences! I might nap (rarely), waste time on the internet, talk with family, or TRY and study. Lately I try to go for walks to the park and relax there, which is always great, or do something active because all that food just sitting there and laying down doesn’t feel too good.

When the sun begins to go down about 8p, I’ll go for a run down to the park. I’m usually there for about an hour or so. After I’ll come back home at about 9:30p, take a quick shower, and eat dinner. I try to be back before dinner begins though so I can shower and eat with my host mom and Burcu.

After dinner it’s party/social time (or is meant to be)! I might meet up with friends for ice cream, tapas/drinks, or just to go out and chill. If I don’t have dinner at home, I usually will eat with friends. If I don’t go out I am usually doing something either film/music related as well as catching up with family.

After horribly procrastinating, I finally go to bed at about 1:30/2a. The days go by so fast but they are definitely fun-filled or just simply chill which is nice that I get to choose.