Poison for Dinner

Hello!

So it looks like I’m not going to be able to get internet tonight, so I’ll just keep up with the blog and post when I can.

Today I went to my language class to only have a grand total of 7 people show up, which is a little less than half the class. We started talking about the past subjunctive, so we’re making progress!

In history we spent a lot of time talking about the important people of the Spanish Revolution. We learned all that yesterday from the film, but the key words here are from the film. Basically, it was like hearing it for the first time. We also learned the meaning of the term “pan sin sal” as it is applied to a person. Literally translated in means bread without salt, but when referring to a person it means the person is weak, doesn’t make decisions, sits around and doesn’t take action, etc. My history professor used this expression to describe the president of Spain, Zapatero. I shared this with our ISA director on the bus today and she said that Zapatero is an excellent example of the expression pan sin sal.

In literature we talked some more about the 1950s and literature during that time. We had about 5 people in that class.

In culture we began talking about Spanish movies, especially Almódovar and his movies. We’re supposed to come in with movie ideas to watch after our final on Tuesday.

Then, I rushed home in order to pack for Portugal, and then rushed to lunch. We had French fries, a fried egg, and two slices of grilled pork. She gave me a hard time for cutting the fat off again. I then ran downstairs and finished packing. We had to say good bye to Anton, one of the French boys, because he’s going back home on Sunday and we wouldn’t see him as we would be in Portugal. It was all very sad. We then hiked to Fonseca and got on the bus.

Shortly before the Portuguese border we stopped to rest and there was a little super market there. I bought chocolate milk, melon juice, and gummies. Then we went into Portugal! The entire bus ride was about 4 hours long. We watched Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

The hotel is decent, but definitely not the best we’ve stayed in. Hopefully breakfast is good tomorrow. The worst part is they only gave us one key for two people in each room.

I really wanted to try the regional dish here, barbequed cod, so Patti and I walked around until we found a decent restaurant and ate together.

Patti is really nice. She is an older lady and is currently earning her bachelor’s. I really respect her for that. It can’t be easy doing that or leaving your life at home to come to Spain. She’s been here since the end of May! We had a really nice dinner together and talked a lot. I can’t tell you how nice it was to just talk to someone and not worry about anything. It was significantly more enjoyable than any meal I have had with the people my age here. I got the traditional cod with potatoes and freshly made orange juice. It was interesting because fish was listed as poison on the menu. I was a little worried for my safety, but so far I feel fine! It was also a really fun experience because our hostess didn’t speak any English and only the minimum of Spanish, and we of course don’t know a single word of Portuguese, but we somehow got our order across. We even got a dessert after. I ate a rice pudding.

Patti wanted some juice so we walked to this little shop called chocolate&chocolate right outside of our hotel. The guy there was super nice and gave us each a free sample of the most traditional Portuguese chocolate; it had a port and rum filling I believe. We then bought our juice and I decided to try another chocolate. The whole thing came out to 3 euro! It is so much cheaper than in Spain. Our dinner total was less than 18 euro as well and I had fish! We promised to go back to the chocolate shop tomorrow. They also have milkshakes, smoothies, crepes, and waffles. The guy there speaks excellent English as well because he lived in Toronto for 5 years and London for 1 year.

Tomorrow we’re going to go on a gondola ride through the canals of the city. I can’t wait! I’ll try to post this as soon as I can.