Late Nights

This week has been pretty busy. But I would like to first address the fact that if anyone ever moves here you better be ready to get fit! This week I walked about 18 miles. Last week it was about 24. The amount of walking you do here is ridiculous. You also eat healthier since there's not as much processed food and it's all like farm fresh fruits and veggies. When I get back to America I'm going to get so fat. Dang it. 

Anyway back to my busy week. Monday I had lunch with the old retired guy. His name is Eduardo and he goes to Iceland every year to fish for Salmon. I also met with him Thursday and we talked about UFO's. It was a little weird getting paid for talking about such random topics. But whatever it's a little extra cash. 

Tuesday I went to this huge mall in Marineda City with my friend Lauren (the American). It was so large that they had an Ikea connected to it. 

 We went to Ikea becuase Lauren had never been to one before. Who's never been to Ikea? And why wouldn't you go to Ikea when the opportunity presents itself? It's one of my favorite stores to go to, along with Target, Wegman's, and Trader Joe's.

Wednesday I didn't do anything noteworthy. The kids had the day off school because of Columbus day. They celebrate it on the 12th of October here. So we watched movies (Star Wars! Woo!), went to the park, and pretty much just played together. I'm really getting to like these kids. Sure they can be annoying sometimes but what kids aren't? The kids are beginning to include me in the things they play, Teo wants me to hold his hand when I put him down for a nap, and they like my made up stories that I tell to them. They think I'm flipping hilarious. It's pretty awesome to be thought as hilarious. They also dig my Ukulele skills. So that's something.

I already mentioned what I did Thursday, and Friday I spent most of the day with the kids. They have a different school schedule Friday that makes me have to pick them up earlier. I had Spanish class Tuesday and Friday. Not Wednesday because again the holiday. Now you people are probably like, "Marley I'm sure just doing one thing a day with people is not keeping you fully occupied. What else are you doing?!" Well I've been studying for the SAT and ACT. I've been entertaining the idea of going to college next fall but I'm not satisfied with my test scores. We'll see if it goes any better. Maybe this time I'll actually get into the school I want. However this time it's my goal to not get my hopes up about it. February when I found out I didn't get into the school I wanted it left me a little depressed and disappointed. My tests are set for the first and second week of December so wish me luck. Pretty much as soon as I get back I'm taking tests.

Anyway Friday I did spend most of it with the youngins as earlier stated, but I did have "coffee" (a.k.a zumos naranja) with one of my classmates from Spanish class. She's from Poland and followed her Spanish boyfriend here. She teaches English and is taking Spanish so she can know how to form sentences properly. So grammar I guess. She has a pretty extensive vocab of the Spanish language. I'm jealous of it. Fo Sho. She's really nice and super helpful to the other students in the class who are struggling. I love her and I'm excited to get to know her better. They apparently have these "after class coffees" all the time so I have more opportunities to get to know her.

Now to the fun part. Saturday.

 Saturday I spent the morning with the fam. Had breakfast which varies for everyone. I had toast with nutella, Sole always has toast with tomatoes and olive oil, cereal for the kids, etc. Then after clean up I was a free bird to do whatever I wanted. So I went and got a waffle with Linda (the Australian) and Chantell (the South African) It was pretty dang delicious and made me happy. But pretty much any good food will make me happy.

We chilled at Plaza de Maria Pita and chatted. Being an American kind of sucks out here. With the elections looming everyone expects me to have an opinion on the matter. They're like "Who do you want for president?" And I'm like, "No one?" Oh well. But we also talked about our different cultures and homes. One of my favorite things here is learning about all the different cultures. Yes I'm learning and adjusting to the Spanish culture but hearing about how the German, South African, Polish, Australian, etc. people live their lives is so interesting. It makes me want to travel, live, and experience all these different countries all the more.

 Anyway on my way home I saw a pulpo shop. Like their display? It kind of grosses me out to think that I've eaten this stuff. It doesn't taste gross or anything it's just a creepy looking thing that I've eaten. I'll probably never look at an octopus the same again.

Afterwards I came home and read a book for a couple hours. I'm reading the Scarlet Pimpernel. That book is hilariously dramatic. I just want to laugh at it. I was about to get ready for bed at 11:30 when my dear friend Lauren messaged me and was like, "Hey there's something going on outside my house and I won't be able to sleep. Want to get tapas!?" Which I replied, "HECK YES!"

 This is what was going on outside her house. A drag queen band was playing. It was a very um.... interesting thing to be keeping these people out so late.

We stayed for like 5 minutes then proceeded to one of the many bar streets of A Coruna. Seriously though there are dozens of streets just filled with Cafes and Bars and late at night they're all open and full. We settled for one at random. I think it was called La Luga or something. Not that it really matters. I got myself a coke and some tapas. I think I've found my favorite food here. It was hand cut freshly fried french fries with a really delicious seasoned chicken and some creamy sauce on top. Soooooo freaking good. I really love how fresh everything is here. Like I don't feel like I'm going to die of cancer when I eat anything. No offense America. Instead I feel weirdly healthy. The orange Juice is to die for and pretty much my favorite thing to drink. And now my favorite dessert is tied between the Galician Crepe and Tarta tres chocolate. I had it last night and dang it was good. It was more of a pie than a cake but it was creamy chocolatey goodness that filled me with joy.

 After our tapas adventure we just strolled around the old part of the city. We found a cool marble plaza with carvings of random cartoon characters carved into it. So in case you ever wondered Charlie Brown is called Carlinos in Spanish.

 There also was some old man.

 Hello old man. I like your broken nose.

I ended up getting home around 2 in the morning. I felt like such a rebel. The funny thing however is that that is considered an early time to go home here. People often stay out till 5 or 6 in the morning at the bars drinking and partying to their hearts content. I think they're crazy. Partially because I like to sleep but if they want to party let them party! In a way I think it's cool they like to party like this. I feel the party attitude shows that they're a chill people. That could just be me though.

 Anyway that was yesterday. Today I had church. I got myself all prettied up and took the bus to the church building. It's really convenient that the bus stop is only half a block away from the building. Today I was actually really proud of myself. My few English speaking friends offered to translate for me but I said it was okay. And guess what?! I understood a good chunk of what people were saying in class! I was so happy and surprised! As much as it's really nice to have things translated for me I feel it disrupts from the spirit. Not a ton but enough so that I can't feel it to it's full potential. So it was really nice to know that I'm at the point where I can get through church on my own. Of course there was some things that I didn't understand what they were saying and I had to ask but I got most of it. So not only is it amazing that I got to feel the spirit more today I also got to know that my Spanish is really coming along. Now can I have a conversation? Not really. I can reply to basic questions and such. I just struggle at asking questions back. It's coming along though and that's what matters.

I also had my first dream in Spanish this week. It was like as long as I asked for things correctly in Spanish I could have whatever I wanted. Or something like that. I do know that I kept asking for pastries though. My dream self really likes to eat apparently. I mean so does my awake self it's just kind of sad that it's prevalent in my dream self as well. Anyway that's what's been happening. Till next week!