Valencia

So, let me start by saying sorry for being the worst blogger of all time. My journal is great, it's really just this that I am struggling with haha!

Anyway, obviously things overseas have been keeping me busy! We went to Morocco (more on that to come in a later blog), I went to Valencia to see Miguel, and I started classes!

Upon returning to Granada from Morocco, Sarah, Abby, John, and I decided to take a bus the next night to go to Valencia! A very last minute trip which was surprising because Sarah and I have been wanting to see Miguel since the day we arrived in Spain!  We left Wednesday Sept. 29th at 11:30 at night, really thrilled for the eight hour bus ride. We tried to sleep most of the way there, but as Abby stated about the bus, "it's as hot as hades in here!" We arrived to Miguel's and he made us some delicious warm Cola-Coa, basically like Nesquik but not so sugary) and we were catching up on everything. I fell asleep, but a short nap was necessary.  Then we went to explore the city: went to Miguel's school, the Paula de les Artes, downtown, and pretty much saw it all.  Back at the apartment we made dinner, a fabulous Spanish Omelette with some chopped tomatoes and Nes-Tea (we had previously had this at lunch and decided to buy a giant liter of it for dinner ha).  Following dinner we all got ready to head out for a night on the town.  It was also Miguel's first night out in Valencia, as he had only been living there for 4 days.  El Botellon in Valencia was so much more fun than the one in Granada.  Sarah and I decided that we liked it more because we were able to meet Miguel's friends and other Spaniards versus mainly talking to Americans in Granada.  Loved that they wanted to practice their English while we wanted to practice our Spanish.  It was like a mini Inter-Cambio!  We then headed to Betty Bop- Sarah's first discoteca of the trip and the best one ever!!!  Highlight of the night was when Miguel told me, "you two look so American right now," I replied, "Miguel, I AM American, and we are sure as heck having more fun then those Spaniard girls over there".  He couldn't argue with the because NO ONE was having as much fun as Sarah and I.  We left the club at 7 AM- time flies when you are having fun- and walked home amongst other adults that were on their way to work haha.

After 3 hours of sleep, Abby Lu, Sarah, and I were up and ready to head to the Aquarium for the day.  It was sweet, lots of tunnels that make you feel like you are in the tank and a great dolphin show.  It was worth staying for the dolphin show at 3:30 (the 3 hours of sleep had really started hitting us around 1) to see Abby Lu's excitement.  We also met someone from Iowa too! FINALLY! I had heard her say "Iowa" to a group of kids that she was taking a picture of, so I naturally responded, "Iowa? Go Hawks!" She laughed and said, "well I am actually from the Cedar Falls area," I said, "Even better, GO PANTHERS!" Small world, she even knew a couple people that went to Central! A great reminder of why I love being from Iowa.
It's a very special thing being from Iowa, and only Iowans can understand it:) Back at Miguel's a nap was necessary yet again, then after some snacking, we took the metro back downtown to go get some Horchada (a popular drink in Valencia-like cold eggnog but not eggnog). Got some real food for dinner, got my first Kebab and it was fabulous!  Back at Miguel's around midnight, Sarah and Abby Lu fell asleep, and following a movie with his roomies, Miguel to fell asleep.  I was left as the lone ranger to stay awake and make sure we got out on time haha! Lots of facebooking back to friends at Central- thanks for keeping me awake haha! Saw all the pics from the scrimmage on FB too, and it made me so sad:(. Finally around 4:30 or so it was time to say our goodbyes (goodbye until the following weekend that is ha) I was already falling asleep in the cab on the way to the bus station! I was out for good as soon as we found our seats!

Back in Granada, I walked in the apartment to discover we had three 15 year old Germans here for a week. Had lunch with them, then was in bed by 2 that afternoon.  Another nap before we all went out for Abby N's bday.  Didn't think I'd need an alarm, but whoops, woke up at 7:30 and we were meeting at 8:30 at Abby's hahah! Got ready quick, then we all went to a Mexican restaurant- no chips and salsa:( Her roommates joined us at the Chaputeria then to El Botellon and G10.  A fun night out, but I was definitely ready for a morning of sleeping in! Haha