I just got back from Valencia for a field trip with my program which is in southern Spain for those of you who are not geographically savvy (me being one of them)! Although I want to tell you all about my trip I figured I would wait until I have uploaded all of the pictures and can give you a full recap!
Recently I have began to explore the Spanish culture a little bit more. We have been visiting hole-in-the-wall bars where the locals hang out and drink rather than hitting up the discotecas where all of the American study abroad students can be found. Don't get me wrong I love me a good discoteca, but there is something about the Spanish music and sticking out like a sore thumb that I can't resist lol! We recently went down to the fútbol stadium to watch el clásico (FCB vs Madrid) and the locals were literally chanting "You are boooootiful" and singing American songs to us trying to convince them to give them a kiss! They definitely love the blonde hair here...I guess we are seen as exotic?
Kier and I have become wine experts within the past week! We signed up to go to a wine tasting class and learned all about the aging of wine and what to look for!
At our class learning how to properly taste test wine
Putting our skills to the test as we taste test wine at Torres Vineyards
On top of the wine tasting that we have been doing we have signed up for a cooking class that is done a man's house in Barcelona. We are able to go to his house and casually drink wine and cook a traditional Catalan dish. This is an AWESOME experience because we are able to see how the meals are prepared, ask questions and get to learn a little bit more about the Spanish culture. It is supposed to be a two session course but of course we fell in love and want to keep doing it so I think we are going to try to schedule more than just two sessions! This past week we made Paella this is a traditional Spanish dish that originated in Valencia and when made in Barcelona is typically made using various seafoods. We also made an in-promptu tapas (a small appetizer starter dish) and a white bean cod salad (SO GOOD)! For dessert it is traditional to have a type of mild cheese with honey and walnuts.
Muscle Tapas
White Bean Cod Salad
Paella
Dessert
Eating my first muscle (so obsessed now)
Everything we made was delicious and I definitely plan to bring the recipes back to the states with me! This week we are making some sort of chicken dish for dinner so I am anxious to see what that is going to taste like.
I really feel like I am starting to get acclimated to the culture...I really want to continue to improve my Spanish and force myself to speak in Spanish more often around town and in my apartment! After this weekend I really think that I have the whole siesta thing mastered now I just have to get on the same sleep and eating schedule as them!
Keep checking back for more updates! I should be posting about Valencia within the next few days!
Salud <3
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