Welcome to my life

Hola, hola de Valencia!

Welcome to my life: my new, adventurous, tranquil life in Espana. My new life comes complete with hours and hours of walking to where ever I want to go, which is just the way I like it! Who needs buses and taxis when I can get to where I'm going by walking at most 45 minutes. Yes, yes, 45 minutes seems like a lot, but when everything is so beauty I really rather prefer it.

I walk 40 minutes to my University everyday. I choose to walk through el Rio (the river). Don't worry, although there is an abundance of religious influence throughout the city it has not rubbed off on me so much so that I am able to walk on water or anything like that. El Rio used to be a river. It flooded in the 1960s. After much of the city incurred water damage city officials decided to reroute the river leaving behind a stretch of bare land. Now el Rio is a BEAUTIFUL park (how's that for a history lesson). There are various sitting areas, fountains, running/biking tracks, sculptures, benches to read (one of my favorites) or just people watch. I love this walk because I get to clear my head every morning. Yesterday my Spanish brother and I went for a lovely bike ride through part of it! Que divertido! I'm going to attempt waking up early tomorrow to go for my first run--since I've been here it's been too hot to run...which brings me to my next point--el calor (heat).

OK. So who is the biggest dork you know? Of course all should be answering "Morgan." Why is it that I am the silliest person you know? On second thought, don't answer that! I will tell you. Only I can suffer a severe case of sun poisoning/heat rash the third day I arrived in Valencia. Oh yes, that is right. Day three was spent on a beach and exploring an old castle in Pensicola. That was a day! I delayed the bus departure time because I (only I) would receive a humbled and VERY unexpected monthly visitor...I'm counting on all of you to clarify the ambiguity ;-) Upon returning from this trip I noticed my skin was quite red; but NO, that did not stop me from spending the next day at another beach sitting in the sun. Please keep in mind I put on sunscreen each time...when I returned home that day my prison time began. I had an entire body rash that itched. Oh, how it itched! I could not leave the house for leisurely strolls, which I wanted to do because the heat would make it unbearable; nevertheless, I could not miss the first day of school. On the first day, it must have been 90s or 100s I went to school wearing a cotton sweater--my skin could not tolerate exposure to the sun. I am happy to inform you that after a day of covering my body in anti-itching powder (provided by mi madre) and apply pure aloe vera, which was a whopping 12 euro for a 6 oz bottle and almost impossible to find, I am in the final stages of recovery! The Mediterranean sun is too hot and is out for too long--it mocks me. I miss/appreciate Wisconsin weather so much more now :-)

What more to say? How about a list of random things I would like to recap.
1) Coolest thing I've seen yet: A young woman walking a rabbit on a leash throughout el Rio!
2) First night of dancing: Yesterday. AWESOME. I am that crazy American girl that everyone is just in awe of because I don't stop. lol.
3) My level of class: Every student in the program got a free alcoholic beverage at the club last night. I tried it...I had like 3 sips poured it into another girl's glass, kept my cup the rest of the night and refilled it with water from the bathroom sink because I did not want to spend 2 euro on a bottle of water.
4) Simplicity is lovely: Second night I was here went out with my lovely freshman year RA, Rachel. We took the metro (my first time using it in Europe!!! Surprisingly very clean. Also, I love that they have digital signs telling when the next train will be there--sweet!) to the pizzaria where her boyfriend works. I had REAL Italian pizza because the owner is from Italy! Also tried Sangria for the first time...not bad, but not great. lol. Rachel's boyfriend took me for a ride on the back of his moped!!! My fantasy of riding through Europe on the back of a moped is complete. Thank you, Ruben :-)
5) My biggest culture shock: Being in a modern country. Having technology and the same luxuries of the U.S. I am used to third world countries where I don't know when I will be able to contact home. Here it is as easy as turning on the computer. I don't know what to do with myself...I'm accustomed to isolation. Hahahaha.
6) Greatest feeling: Speaking ONLY Spanish the first day I was here then having to write an e-mail in English and having great difficulties.
7) The superior goal for my stay here: Learn how to balance my life. School and social life. I do not want to live a life of stress and overexertion like I usually do in the States. Here everything is so laid back. It's frustrating at times (when shops close because the workers are going home to eat lunch and take a siesta), but definitely something to be admired.

More to come soon! Lots more has/is happening, but it's beddy bye for me. Buenas noches todos