Starting the Adventure

So, I decided that I would rather just blog separately here than the one for class.  There are specific assignments that I have to write about in Spanish, and I would rather just write here about what I want.  If anyone has Tumblr, I update it with a picture and a little description each day, so follow me there at derekdeitsch.tumblr.com.  This post might be a little long since I haven't posted much about the trip so far.

So, the first two weeks of class have been pretty good.  I remember quite a bit, a lot more is coming back to me, and I am learning even more.  It's amazing to me how much more I can learn in such a short amount time through an immersion program than I did just taking Spanish classes before.  I live maybe 5 minutes walk from campus.  Classes are in La Casa de las Lenguas, one of like four building on campus.  Maria is an amazing teacher!

Thursday night we went to an Espicha at Tierra Astur.  It's like a traditional Asturian reception to welcome us to the University of Oviedo.  There was lots of food and sidra!  It was definitely a good time, and I finally got a chance to pour some sidra myself.  Definitely don't like drinking it, but fun to pour!

Saturday we took a trip to Astorga and Leon.  I got so excited because we went to the Museum of Chocolate in Astorga,  but it was the lamest thing ever!  You'd think it was like a chocolate factory with all kinds of exotic chocolates and stuff for you to try, right?  No.  Basically it was just like a tiny pioneer museum with chocolate molds and stuff.  But, at least I got to go see the palace there designed by Gaudi.  Gaudi architecture was definitely on my list of things to see in Spain, so I'm glad I at least got that.

Tuesday was Martes de Campo here in Oviedo, so we didn't have class.  Naturally that meant partying all night downtown.  Now, when I say all night, I pretty much mean all night.  I stayed out until about 3:00, and that is pretty early for the nightlife here.  I would post pictures, but they're not so pretty.  Anyway, I went home that early because I had to get up to go to the beach in Luanco.  It was about a 40 minute bus ride from Oviedo, but it was worth the trip.  Such a cool, little town with a beautiful beach!

Yesterday after school, we took the bus to Gijon to visit the aquarium, which Maria claims is small, but I think it's pretty big.  All the pictures from that are still on my camera so I can't post any yet, but I'll just let you know it was a pretty good time!

Well, that's all I got for now!  I tried to keep it at least reasonably short for you.  I'll post some more pictures and try to share a bit more often.  Hasta luego!