los borachos

You'd think that after almost a week, and after finally settling into a routine, that things would become monotonous. That hasn't happened yet, and with Madrid offering as much as it does, I don't think it ever will.

Class was class today. We watched a movie, "Welcome, Mister Marshall!" in Spanish of course. It's a comedy from the 1950's that criticizes the Marshall Plan America created after WWII, and the government of Spain under Franco. I loved the movie and will probably be watching more of Berlanga's works on my own time.

7 people either arrived late or completely skipped class today. One girl in my class left after our half hour break. Our professors and the university's professors here weren't very happy, but I think yesterday was someone's birthday...

I'm kind of disappointed in that aspect of the trip. I knew people would want to go out a lot because the drinking age is 18 here and it's just part of the culture, but it still just bothers me. Some of them are wasting so much time and money and probably won't even remember most of the trip. It's their decision and I'm not judging them at all, I just don't understand. I'm just blessed to have met Sara!

We came home for lunch and had leftovers, which was just as good the second time around. Then we visited a fair on our street. It reminds me of an outdoor mall, literally, with little booths set up and people selling everything from jewelry to leather bags to scarves to lighters to mini mini books. We walked towards c/ Goya in search of more school supplies (I have a small paper due soon and no normal sized paper to write on!) and clothing stores. Just so you know, H&M is better here than in the States. Zara and Mango are very similar to H&M but better. Fashion here is incredible. I wish I had the nerve to wear some of the things they do. Maybe in another week...

We stopped and talked with a little shop owner for a loong time this afternoon and she told us about her favorite places in Madrid and all of Spain. She thinks it's unfortunate that we're spending a whole weekend at the beach in Alicante, too. It's touristy and doesn't have a lot of important historic things. Maybe I'll be surprised by it. Hopefully.

Paloma is fixing dinner right now, and after we eat Sara and I are going to la Puerta del sol to meet up with Sra. Clough, one of my Spanish teachers from high school! She's here with a group from Bob Jones and I haven't seen her since I graduated, so I'm pretty pumped. Plus, we're meeting over churros y chocolate. :)