La Semana del Despidida (Goodbye Week)

Yesterday was like any normal day, except for the fact that Carmen made us eggs, bacon and toast instead of just the normal piece of toast.  It was really nice of her.  Ryann and I had been planning on going hiking this friday later in the day because of the heat, but some of our friends contacted us and wanted to go after school yesterday so we decided that we should tag along while other people are going.  School went well, of course something silly always happens like Alvaro singing "Macho, Macho man."  Someone always manages to say something inappropriate in our class in Spanish without realizing it and Alvaro just cracks up.  Our craziness usually starts during our second period with Alvaro.  Yesterday the other girl in our class, Rachel, was late for class and was standing below us in the courtyard talking to a boy.  Alvaro made us call to her and tell her she was late and then he yelled out of the window "Rachel el es tu hombre?" (Rachel, is he your man?)  Her face got really red and she ran up to the classroom.  In the mean time, Alvaro had locked the door and was standing behind it giggling and when she tried to open it he kept asking her why she wasn't coming in because it was unlocked.  This sounds like a mean thing but it was really funny and we were all laughing about it throughout the whole time.  Yesterday he announced to us that we were, "Mi clase numero uno de OMG" (His number one OMG class).  It was really funny and we all laughed for a while.I wish I could express to Alvaro how incredibly awesome he has been.  He makes me want to come to school and makes all Spanish people way cooler than I thought before. Alvaro also told Ryann and I that he thinks we should take the test higher than the class that we are in and that he is really proud of how well we speak Spanish.

We had a sub for our grammar class and it was really boring. We reviewed the past perfect and the preterit.  It was just a boring review day.  Our listening class was good.  Esther is really nice all of the time and always helps us with words or phrases we don't understand.

After school we ran over to the sandwich shop across the street, bought a sandwich and got water and headed off on our hike.  Our journey started off by a local Spanish woman telling us that we were going to die if we went on the hike because it was way too hot.  She was really encouraging us to go:).  We went anyways, despite the local woman's advice.  Our hike up was hot, steap and we got lost a couple of times.  Ryann was about to give up a couple of times because of her knee and her random fainting spells, but I encouraged her and tried to stay behind her most of the time to make sure nothing happened.  After an hour and half, we finally got to the top of the mountain and the hike was well worth it.  It was a beautiful view of the city of Malaga and the pictures don't do it justice.  You could see everything.  Our school, houses, apartments, stores, the ocean and ships sailing on the crystal clear water.  There were two peaks and we were on the smaller of the two but Ryann, Amber and I decided to head back home before climbing the other because we had our going away dinner at 8 and it was almost 430 by the time we headed down the mountain.  So, we made the trek back down and headed home to get ready.  I wasn't very sore yesterday but now my butt-cheeks are really sore.

We came home and got ready.  When I say got ready, we really got ready.  It wasn't my normal basketball shorts and sweatshirt.  It was a semi-formal event so I had a dress, jewelry and flats on with my hair done the best it could be without a straightener, curling iron or blow dryer.  We met at the ISA office with the rest of our group and headed out to a fancy restaurant to have dinner.  We were served pretty much a 5 course meal.  We had rolls (I had 7 in total:)), salads, two different appetizers (including one with bull tail), our main courses and dinner.  Ryann and I had pork for our main course and it was really good.  All of the dishes were made really well and it was a nice last time with our whole group.

This morning we woke up and went to school.  Because some of our group went to Morroco this weekend, Ryann and I were left in our class alone with Alvaro.  He was really happy about it though because we reviewed the Subjunctive, which will be on the B1 test he wants us to take.  Even though he is our conversation teacher he taught us grammar all morning because he wants Ryann and I to be as prepared as possible for the test.  He even told us to hide our worksheets and homework from our grammar teacher because he didn't want to step on her toes but wanted to teach us more.  He is awesome.

Paqi was at school today and we learned a lot about using cuando, si, and then past, subjunctive and future tenses.  We did a small review about future.  At this point my head is exploding and I don't think I can learn anymore grammar!  Esther's class was pretty chill and we did some listening exercises but other than that just chatted about el dia de San Juan (which is today).

After school we came home and Carmen had made us Albondigas (YUM) with mushrooms and chicken nuggets and french fries and bread.  It was so delicious and easily filled my starving tummy.  Then we took our afternoon siesta, well I did, Ryann is still taking hers :).  At 6 we have a short meeting at the ISA office and then will come back home and get ready to go to the beach for the dia de San Juan.  This festival celebrates the coming of Spring and is said to be a really magical night on the beach.  Here in Malaga, bonfire are lit all across the beach and many things are done such as jumping over the fire, touching the water or swimming in the ocean because it is blessed and will answer your wishes.  It's just a really cool thing that they do here and Ryann and I are really excited to say we went.  After our meeting we are coming home and getting our stuff around and ready and heading down to the beach at 9 to meet with our friends and have a good night.  The actual celebration starts at 12 but the beaches will be packed at 10.  A lot of people drink while they are there but Ry and I are going to pass on the alcohol and enjoy a nice, crazy evening. There will be pictures tomorrow.

Because of the festival, no one goes to school here so Ryann and I will be skipping as well and finishing up our gift shopping and head to the beach for a while.  Counting down the days until I'm home but trying to enjoy every last one here.


Vaya con Dios!