Rebajas!!!

So if you weren't sure what my title meant, this picture ought to explain a lot, and a reason why my bank account is slowly dwindling. "Rebajas" are the sales that begin January 7 and go until February 21 (yes, I have asked multiple people when they end, just to be sure!!!) In Spain, they celebrate Christmas and the kids get a present or two, but their big celebration takes place on January 6, Dia de los tres reyes (3 kings) and because the kings brought presents to baby Jesus, that is when all the kids get their presents. In my opinion, Dec. 25 here is just like one big tease to the kids. Poor things!!! Anyways, Jan. 7 is like our Black Friday...except the sales last for 6 weeks. And when I say sales, that is an understatement. Almost everything is marked down 50-70% off!! So before you go assuming I am a wreckless shopper, let me say up front that I was told to do ALL shopping during Rebajas because the prices will return to normal prices in a week or two and the inventory will be more or less the same. Not one to turn down shopping advice....my favorite purchases are 4 new pairs of shoes (mom, let's just blow past this one...) ONLY for40 euro TOTAL (mom...read that!!), few new sweaters, jackets, skirts, pants, dresses, jewelry, SCARVES!! You get the jist of it. Needless to say, I will be looking extremely European with my new wardrobe!! My next mission is a dress for Aunt Carol's wedding :) I could write for days on the shopping here, but enough is enough (that is for you dad!)

So last night was a blast. We are finishing our last week of intensive classes, and because my presentation was done and my last paper written, we went out to a bar to watch Real Madrid vs. Sevilla play. Met some friends from the business program there and had a drink. It is great watching the game with so many Sevillianos... my next mission is to go to a game. The really neat thing is that we literally live 4 min from the stadium .. (see pic below)

The weekend in recap was great -- lots of shopping, exploring, and booking trips. Have planned a bunch and booked most, so that is pretty exciting. First up, this wknd a friend and I randomly booked a flight to Palma Mallorca, island off of Spain, google image it, it is gorgeous! Better yet, wait for pictures from me :) Yesterday for presentations in class, we had a group compare beers here and in US. AFterwards it seemed only natural to do a taste test...so we did. Our teacher Jaime (in Eng) said, "What happens in the class stays in the class, Vale? (Okay?") It was great. Very unAmerican! Lauren (my roomie ) and I are also figuring out short cuts and even how to work the metro (with the help of a nice Spainaird, although I am pretty sure we hurt the American image a little bit more after looking like idiots with the stupid credit card machine). My favorite metro experience so far was my friend Abby. She tried to get on it and the doors were shutting, so like any American would do she put her arm in the door to prevent it from shutting...yup doors don't have sensors over here! Luckily, a guy drives the metros so she got us on the metro! I have also learned the hard way elevators don't have sensors either... another dumb American moment.

One of my favorite things I have started? Spanish spinning!!! Almost all American music is used, and the Spanish music that is used is "house" or techno. It is great--you also like literally dance on the bike to the rhythm, it is SO right up my alley!! The only thing that is different here is the lack of resistance they use on the bikes. These crazy spaniards are not going to have functioning knees in a few years. As for my instructor...gorgeous! I will get a pic of him somehow, someway. It is necessary. And spinning with a polo on? No American could pull that off. (Sorry dad...onto a new topic) The room we spin in is like a little sweat box, but hey I won't complain. I will complain about the seats as I literally think I have a bruised bum from them. But instructor makes it worth it! Will be teaching with a little Spanish swagger when I am home..that is for sure :)

As for the family, they are great! Check this pic out.. (sry kayla!) So that is totally normal to have in any store or home here. I THINK it is ham..and they use it kind of like we use parmesean here..just sprinkle it on top of other meats...interesting to say the least, but their ham is way better here than at home.

Okay, enough for now, but there will definitely be an update after this wknd. I have learned that whatever team I cheer for (My bears, Purdue, Seville...) loses, so I think I will be rooting on the Packers this wknd ;) It wil make my friends here happy...and my family at home happy! (Sorry katie). We get back from our wknd trip at 11:30 pm, superbowl starts at midnight, so I think I am going into this with the idea of "Hey, when in Spain, who needs sleep?" Until after the wknd excursion

Peace, Amor, Espana
Ana