El fin de semana era una pasada

One of my favorite bars

           Wow. What a weekend! Every day so far has been better than the previous. My two-week advanced grammar review class started last Monday and has been very refreshing. The class is three hours each day and is very easy. However, even though it is easy, it has been a great review and has forced me to speak Spanish to other American students. On Friday I had my first test in the class, which was over basic conjugations of the preterito, pluscuamperfecto, imperfecto and presente perfecto. I had to place object pronouns in the correct spot and correct erroneous sentences. I got a 9 on the test, and on a composition, which is very good. The European grading scale is a 0-10 scale. The class has been a great help in learning more about Spanish culture.

La Plaza de España

          For a homework assignment, I had to interview eight Spaniards on the street about their cultural and family traditions; even drug use. Some of the questions were quite personal, but I have learned that Spaniards are more open about personal matters than Americans. Tomorrow I have to go to a typical Spanish market to observe, and then write a composition about what I see using the many forms of the subjunctive tense.

With so much to do, I have suspended the idea of writing my blog in both English and Spanish. If I have time once the regular semester starts, I might throw in some Spanish, but as of now I only have time to use one language. Speaking of language, I feel like my Spanish skills have improved immensely in the past two weeks. With the suggestion of my Spanish friend Miguel, I am now carrying a small pocket sized notebook around with me to write words and phrases down that I learn. What a great idea!

Views from the top of the Cathedral

            I spent time with my Spanish friends this past weekend. We went to the top of the Girlada, the tower of the Catherdral. The views were spectacular! To get to the top, you have to walk up ramps, 34 flights high. We also rented a boat and rowed up and down the Plaza de España, one of the largest plazas in Europe. The plaza was stunning at nightfall. Other highlights included touring the Real Alcazar, a famous palace and garden in Sevilla. All this, and not to mention going to the discoteca until 5am two nights in a row.