Nueva Entrada!

Hola!

The first picture is of my class here at the University. Their are people ranging in all ages and from all over the world!

The second picture is the shrine Bascillica in Fatima!

The third picture is a candid of two men playing and singing on the streets of Salamanca. It is very common to see this type of entertainment any time of the day and night.


It has been difficult finding time to write in this blog! I have been so busy and recently busy in an undesirable way. Last Thursday night I came down with a stomach bug my friend living next to me had. The next morning I went on a very uncomfortable 8 hour bus ride to Portugal. When I arrived I slept in a wonderful 4 star hotel bed until dinner. After taking medicine and eating very little I felt much better and decided to go out with my friends just for a an hour or two. We roamed the beach side popping in and out of local places and finally stumbled across a Portuguese birthday party taking place on top of a fish market that welcomed us in with warm smiles and gestures to take empty seats. As soon as we sat down a man who was clearly the host handed us a packet of Karaoke songs and asked us with rapid head nodding to choose one and sing. My friends Julie, Julz, and I decided to go for it. We picked an American song called Wonderwall by Oasis. When our turn arrived we confidently took the stage and began singing the song plastered on the huge screen behind us. After a few minutes we realized absolutely no one in the crowed recognized the song except a very excited young man sitting at a table to the side of us. With all the opportunities I have come across in my life to try Karokee ,waiting to be in front of 30 Portuguese strangers who do not speak English was probably not the appropriate time! It was quite the feeling, singing in sea of blank stares with one very excited fan. After the song the host thanked us graciously even though we failed to get the crowed going and we laughed about it the entire night. The people there were very friendly there and happy to have us regardless of our lack of talent.

Saturday I spent the first half of the day sleeping on the beach and the second half of the day poolside. I felt very sick doing anything other than laying down. Id have to say however, if your going to be sick and unable to do anything but lay down what a time to do so on a beach in Portugal! I cannot complain too much! I relaxed, chatted with friends, listened to music, and read. I would like to return to Lisbon someday to explore the city and experience the culture.

Sunday we left around 12 noon and traveled on our bus to Fatima, a Catholic City in Portugal. Fatima's claim to fame is the shrine called the Bascilica built to commemorate the events of 1917 when three peasant children claimed to have seen the "Virgin of the Rosary", When the children asked for her name, she said "I am The Lady of The Rosary". The city is incredible, vibrating with faith. I was able to spend two hours there walking around the streets and looking at various religious gifts in the stores. Fatima is unlike any place I will ever go again. My professor told our class it is common for people to walk on their knees in Fatima in symbolism of a pilgrimage but I did not see anyone doing so.

Tomorrow is my final exam for my class in the University. My last day of class will be Thursday and then we leave Salamanca on Saturday morning. We will then travel to several cities in Spain during our last week and spend our nights in hotels. I am excited to travel to new places and experience more! I have fallen deeply in love with Salamanca however and if it were up to me (and not the coordinator of the group), I would prefer to spend another week in Salamanca.

As for my stomach bug, I am still getting over it today and several other people in the group have now gotten it. I am taking medication, resting, and drinking water. I have done a pretty good job at not letting it completely ruin any day I have here. I consider my days abroad very precious!

I hope to write again soon!


<3Kelly