el domingo

el 21 de junio

It. Is. So. Hot. Ay yi yi!

We have a research paper to do for our culture class, so we decided to dedicate our Sunday afternoon to doing homework. Unfortunately, I didn’t get as much done as I had planned. Before I came here, I had always heard that there were internet cafés all over the place, and that they would be easy to find if I didn’t have internet at my homestay. Yeah, not so much. There are computer labs called lociturios, but you have to use their computers (you can’t bring your own) and that sucks because the keyboards are different and it’s a little hard to get used to. Plus, I like using my own computer so that I can upload pics and save my work, that sort of thing.

So today, Lori and I set out to find a cyber café one street over from us where supposedly you can use your laptop, but either it doesn’t exist or it is closed on Sunday, like most other businesses here. We walked… and walked… and walked… and finally ended up at the tried and true café/bar up near the CLM (Centro de Lenguas Modernas). Of course, we had to catch up on Facebook, emails, news, etc. first, and then I started my research paper. We ordered my favorite, the tortilla española and then flan to share, and both were really good. Then the waiter, Emanuel, came over and asked if we wanted a chupito… well, I thought he said “chopito,” which is baby squid, or calamari, assuming that he was offering us a free tapa – but that’s not what he said at all! A couple minutes later, he comes back with 3 shot glasses – chUpitos!!! Apparently, today is Miguel the cook’s birthday, and since we were the only people in the bar, they decided to celebrate with us. We thought it was funny, and laughed about the fact that we not only did a shot with our waiter and the cook, but also while doing homework, and then we got back to work… then a few minutes later, he comes back with 3 MORE shots! What?! Jajaja… in total, there were 3 shots and then we had to get out of there – I ended up only getting 2 paragraphs of my 3 page paper done, and we had to get home for dinner anyway. Guess that means we’ll have to try again tomorrow!

The bodega (wine cellar) yesterday was nice and we had a good time, though it would have been better if the bus had shown up on time… it was supposed to pick us all up at 11:30am and was like an hour and a half late! So we finally made it, but we missed the tour of the outside (probably for the best, considering the heat, but still) and we only got to see inside where the crush, ferment and store the wine and then we had the tasting. I have always wanted to go to a wine tasting, and it was really fun – the guy there taught us how to look at, smell and taste the wine, which was interesting, and something I’d definitely like to do again when I get back home. I was talking to two of the girls in the group about starting an unofficial wine club when we get back, and meeting once or twice a month to share wine and hang out so that we can keep in touch. I guess the only problem with that is that some of the girls aren’t 21 yet, but that’s not really a big deal. I just think it would be nice for us to stay in contact once this trip is over, and not just forget about each other!

Well, I guess I’m going to call it an early night and start getting ready for bed soon. Tomorrow is the first day of the last week of classes, so this week will be busy – gotta finish the research paper, start on my supplemental assignments for Mason and study for the final exams, plus I have to give a 15 minute oral presentation next Monday. Maybe I’ll stop by that café/bar for a drink before the presentation, since my Spanish seems to flow much more naturally with a little liquid courage… jaja….

Oh, and to my dad (and all the others who may be reading): ¡que tengas un feliz día de los padres!

- LC