As I sit here eating my Cuban banana (it’s legal here! though odd to think of fruit this delicious being illegal in the states) looking back, it’s been a pretty eventful week. Third week of classes, getting used to new schedules and also to the fact that I have less than an hour’s worth of homework for all of my classes combined. This is something I could get used to. I’ve now been to a couple of Kung Fu classes as well; they’re odd to say the least. Imagine the stereotypical zen, calm, fit guy you would expect to be teaching a martial class. Now make him Argentinean and ninja, that’s the teacher. Though no matter how ninja he may be, he’s very patient which is appreciated considering my knowledge of the art is zero. There were some great failures that first class fumbling around trying to manage crouching, balancing on one foot, and kicking with the other all at the same time. Fail. I have never been and will never be that coordinated though it was nice that he thought all of us were. I’m also the only girl in the class, the youngest by about ten years and the only without past experience. How do I get myself into these situations? I love it. Kung Fu kicks aerobics’ butt anyday. (pun very intended)

Over the weekend a girl, Sarah, I knew from Art of the Book last semester decided to come visit me from London where she is studying abroad this semester. It’s always fun being translator and tour guide to a place that you love so I spent a few days joining in on all of the touristy things again. Saturday my friend Ruth came along as we explored the Alhambra again and took way too many pictures in the gardens nearby. In typical fashion, we got ourselves into a bit of shenanigans climbing up walls in the palace of Carlos V to pose in the alcoves like we were statues. Best part? Two minutes later a group of Spaniards comes by, laughs at us, then moves to the next alcove to do the exact same thing. Ten points for trendsetting. The gardens which we moved on to next are absolutely gorgeous. Created in Romantic style, they engage as many senses as possible and have surprises around each corner to create for great walks that could last hours. These gardens in particular are on top of a hill and overlook the city proper so there were some great views along with the flora and peacocks. Yes, peacocks. They just walk around like it’s completely normal for them to be there, like they own the place which in a way I guess they do. At one point I tried playing hide and seek with one of them because I wanted a picture, fail. A five foot, colorful bird is about as inconspicuous as I would be if I were in China.

Along the way we may or may not have snuck our way onto an island in the garden that we weren’t supposed to be on, hiding out in a tower as other tourists came meandering along. We also might have found our way into some centuries old aqueducts, climbing all the way across through some pretty impressive sludge only to find that the incline on the other side made it impossible to do anything but trudge our way backward. All hypothetical of course. We also might have dueled in the lower gardens with some fifteen foot fallen palm fronds, respectively acting as Inigo Montoya and Darth Vader, but that would just be ridiculous. I try to keep my life pretty average; adventure free is the way to be.

Saturday night was my first flamenco show! Amazing!!! I wish I could have taken a class but now I see that I really wouldn’t have been able to learn much in my stay here. The dance itself is intricate and passionate; I’ve never seen anything with as much strong emotion expressed in such a short time. The guitarist, singers, and dancer just absolutely express passion and it was thrilling to watch. http://www.deflamenco.com/videos/verVideo.jsp?codigo=FLA|3116 A link if you’re interested.

Oh, and I got told off by a gypsy woman. She was trying to scam some poor guy so I helped him out because I knew her tricks, earning myself a nice scolding from her. Ya, I’d rather not repeat what she said.

Laurel: very good question, it’s not so obvious of an answer.