Las Últimas Semanas en Segovia

Last weekend on Saturday we visited El Escorial, which is a palace very close to Segovia. In the building we saw the tombs of almost all of the kings and their wives since Charles I. We had our bocadillas and lunch that day in a park and on the way our driver got very stuck. We had to go down a huge hill backwards for about 10 minutes and on the way he managed to hit something. When we finally made it safely out of the bus we had a fiesta for Brian’s (our director) daughter, Carolina. She turned 5 and we got to hit a piñata and eat cake with her! ☺
That night my family was gone so I went and ate at Bon Apetit with Anna and Erinn. It was crazy in town because people were in Segovia from all over due to the Marathon the following day. We waited super long and ended up just getting our food to go….wishing we would’ve thought of that earlier. By the time we got out with our food it was pouring rain and we had to run for cover and we ended up eating outside under a covered area haha. It was definitely an experience.

It was Coque’s 5th birthday on Wednesday the 29th! I got to go out with the family for his birthday lunch …he picked burger king! I had no idea what to get him, I ended up finding these little things they are always playing with (Bokukon and Lyoko) I don’t know if those are popular in the US. When I got home there was a package waiting for me from mom and dad! ☺ SOO EXCITED! The goldfish and chocolate are hitting the spot and now all I want is some apple juice to go with my fishies. I also got some easter candy which was very exciting, since I am not going to be home to find my basket ☹ I gave the boys peeps and they got a kick out of them. Didi brought one into his class for show and tell.

On Thursday we had a very busy day! After class from 9-2 we had a pizza party for the group. It was gorgeous out so we ate outside in a patio and caught some rays. I cannot wait for American Pizza, who would’ve thought it could be that different? At about 4 we went on an excursion in Segovia to two different churches. They were on a hill a little away from the city center and we could see it all from on top of a hill. It was absolutely gorgeous! There was an area that was covered and to the outside there were open arches and on the other side a small pool. Then in the background was the castle. It was so beautiful…I am going to have it in my backyard when im older ☺ castle included! Later that night there was a fiesta at HOOK with the students from our university. It was super fun because we got to go straight to the discoteca and dance! On the bar they had tons of different kinds of candy sitting out…nummm! What a great idea right?
On Friday I taught in the morning and we were trying to explain the difference between our sports. They could not understand the difference between soccer, football or rugby and it was tough to explain with only a piece of chalk and limited vocabulary. After teaching a few of us girls went up on this hill that had a great view of the aqueduct and the city. We caught some rays and hung out for a while. After lunch and some homework in the sun, I helped out with what turned out to basically be a dance recital! It included Flamenco and ballet and some other fun numbers! We got involved because Bridget’s host mom was the one who put it on. I actually ended up helping with the little ballerinas to keep them entertained before dancing, but then we got to see some of the numbers later during the show. It was really fun to see the different styles and the similarties! There were a few productions to beauty and the beast and Mary Poppins and they were very similar to what you would see in the US at a dance recital.
On Saturday we went to “La Granja”, which is a palace and garden that is 10 minutes from Segovia. The Granja was a lot more modern than all of the other Castles and Palaces we have been to because it was during the reign of the Bourbon’s, starting with Philip V. It was made to be modeled after the Palace of Versailles and was used as the Kings summer home. The gardens and the fountains are very well known, however they were not on while we were visitng. Inside the palace every room has a different looking huge chandaleir. They were all so intricate and gorgeous. The Granja also has a museum and inside we watched some people blow glass, which I had never seen before!

Our group had the option to either stay or go back and I chose to say with a small group. We wandered through the gardens and woods and found a lake with a really cool cave. I later learned that the lake was how they made the fountains work when there was no electricity. The lake is situated much higher than the land where the fountains are and there is an underground system that carries the water and makes it shoot up from the difference in the heights. After our adventures Brian took our small group out for ice cream as a prize for sticking around! ☺

Later that night Jorge picked me up from the house and we drove to the family’s pueblo home! There are “pueblos” are the small town outside the city. There are a lot and each has its own church and little neighborhood. When I got there it was dinner time, so we ate and then sat in the TV room and watched Beethoven with a fire in the fireplace! The next day we had a big lunch for Coque’s birthday with the family. Carmiña and Anna came along with Carmen, Pepe and their son Pelayo (Carmen is Jorge’s sister). Then Jorge’s aunt and cousin came as well because they live in the pueblo. We had a great big lunch along with some champagne and later, coffee in the cutest little cups. The rest of the day we spent resting on the couch by the fire siesta-ing. I lost my second phone somewhere in the pueblo..booo. I am guessing its in the couch or under my bed.

It is Monday the 4th and I officially have a week and a half left of classes…it went by so fast I cannot even believe it. I have lots of homework (essays, presentations and tests) that I just want to be over, so I can enjoy my last week here doing all the “lasts”. This week is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous outside so I am thinking it is going to be very hard to get things done!
I will try to get another update up after this crazy week!
Adios amigos,
Morgan