Conociendo (getting to know) la gente

From reading the comments made on my blog, some of you are very impressed with the number of posts I have been able to make so far.  Well, the thing is that I have a lot of time on my hands- spaniards take a siesta from 2-4 every day.  Some people sleep, but others, like me, just lay in bed and blog.  

Anyways, yesterday, today and tomorrow is orientation for international students in the Universidad de Cantabria.  There are about 150 students that were there at the orentation, studying for all parts of the globe - Mexico, France, Germany, England, Italy, Australia, Bulgaria, and of course, North Carolina, carolina del norte.  After a quick tour of the university (which was kinda hilarious because the tour guides were from a different organization and didn't know the university well) we meet for some tapas.  It was facinating to mingle with people from so many different backrounds.  Some spoke english, others spanish.  I had so much fun.

Especially fun was meeting some real Italians.  I felt like I was at home- mama mia!  And yes, it seems most of the stereotypes about Italians are true, but they are so nice (simpaticos) but at the same time crazy (I heard they stayed out until 5:00 am) last night.  It was also good to meet some english-speakers who know a bit of the pain that we are going through.  Hopefully, I made some lifelong friends, but we'll see.

After mingling, we headed out for a tour of some of the best parts of Santander.  It was so cold and so windy outside.  Of course, this was the day that I decided it was warm enough to go without a jacket.  Typical.  Nevertheless, it was really fun.  I've posted a couple videos that might give you an idea of the miserable weather here.  After a bit of a bus tour, we went down to the port where we boarded a boat and took a tour of the bay (bahia).  Us crazy people went on top to the viewing deck and nearly got blown over- but it was worth it for the gorgeous view.  We just don't have places like this in America.

After yesterday, we added a few new members to our group- two Australian guys and two Australian girls, a British guy and girl, and a Belgian guy.  Also, we have made friends with some Spanish speakers, which we help me immensely with my spanish.  It's a very dynamic group of people.

Finally, we went to watch the match between Spain and England in soccer.  We mixed right in with the locals, enjoying the game as much as anyone else.  Of course, the party rolled on from there, but I had to give it up and go home at 1:30 am, well before the Italians were finished.  

Today, we went to the little town of Comillas where there was a old fortress and a cathedral.  From there, we proceeded to the mountains called Picos de Europa.  These moutains are amazing!  I took tons of pictures until my camera ran out of bateries.  I was hoping that we would go up to the top or be able to hike but we stopped at a little town halfway up and walked around.  I hung out with a group that had people from Germany, Spain and Denmark.  These were the advanced spanish speakers, so I mostly just listened.  But I think I picked up some helpful spanish phrases.

Tonight, I am taking it easy- I actually write this as I watch a documentary about the military coup Spain had to establish it's current government.  I am watching it with my host parents.

Let me know how you guys are doing! I hope that things can final progress well now that you have be out of the way.

In Christ,

Charlie