Magdalena - Day 2

Hola!

Today begin early, well early in the eyes of my host mom, at 10:30am when we were all hustling to get out the door and begin our day. We didn't successful get out the door until 11:00am but then began our 8 kilometer walk to the Magdalena. What is the Magdalena you may find yourself wondering? Not only is it the name of the festival but it is also a Cathedral on a little mountain on the outskirts of town. It is a tradition for most of the town to walk there on the first Sunday of the festival. Some begin at 7:30 with canas (basically walking sticks) and others start later on in the day. We decided that the canas were not very important to us so we started later on. Some groups of people coordinate clothing, some wear the typical bandanna (which is a blue and white plaid) around their necks, and others the typical clothing of the magdalena festival. There are multiple stopping points to stop and eat some food, buy some balloons for the kids, or just rest a little while. We kept on walking because we felt that if we stopped we wouldn't get up again.

Once we arrived at the top there were a few people making a huge serving of Paella and a very long line for people to wait for it, after all it was free, people selling ice-cream, soda, typical food of the Magdalena, and much more. We sat down and ate our lunch because we didn't want to wait for the Paella we had packed sandwiches and fruit. We rested a while and watch and took pictures and then headed to find the buses to take us back. We figured we deserved a break and the 1.50 euros didn't seem too bad for a nice calm ride back to Castellon. Once we were back in town we began our short walk home, but not without stopping for a little ice cream for all of that hard work. We arrived at the house, rested, and everyone else took a little nap!

It is now dark as I finish this post and the sound of the music and fireworks are getting louder as families heading out for the night for drinks, concerts, and partying.

Tomorrow is just another day filled with surprises for me and for you!

Magdelena - Day 1

This week begins the festival of the Magdalena in my city in Spain. It is a festival that started today and will end next Sunday. There is a lot that goes on every day so I thought it might be good if I update my blog more frequently during the days that I am here for it.

La fiesta de la Magdalena celebrates the birth of Castellon more than 700 years ago. It begins around noon with la mascleta which is a combination of fireworks and other explosions such as firecrackers. There were many people there and there were so many fireworks that the ground was shaking and the sky was filled with clouds of smoke. Later at 4pm is a parade called Cabalgera del Prego which included floats, bands, and tons of dancers. I attended for a little while, but as it is about two to three hours long and mostly dancers my host mom and me decided to leave after about an hour and a half. Throughout the day there is drinking and tapas, shopping at little tents, and children setting off little firecrackers and other fireworks in the streets. Later on, once it is dark out there were fireworks that were so loud you couldn't miss them. Now, as I sit in my bed after a very long day I hear music and other noises from the street (and I live on the 9th floor). I will not be participating in the partying this evening because tomorrow morning we have another adventure to embark on which will require a lot of energy. I won't tell you too much now though you'll have to wait until tomorrow!

Hasta Manana!

Tick Tock... I need the clock to stop

Hello Everyone!

Not too much has happened lately. The most exciting thing that I have done was taken a trip to a near-by town named Valencia where I did a little souvenir shopping and got some Starbucks with one of my friends here. It was a beautiful day and a lovely trip. I love Valencia because it is slightly bigger than Castellon and there is a Starbucks as well as a few other places that remind me of home.

Also, Inma's son and grandson recently had birthdays last weekend so we all go together and ate lunch and of course sang feliz cumpleanos to them and ate cake. It was a wonderful Sunday with my family here. I was also able to see how much more I understand in Spanish which is always a plus!

I also have passed my 100 days left until I return home which is a happy and sad realization at the same time. I miss my friends and family and am excited to come home to you all soon, but I know I will miss my family and friends here as well.

My live is about to get more interesting here for a while though. Tomorrow morning begins a festival called Magdalena here in Castellon. There are bull fights, a walk to a mountain, and many more traditions for me to look forward to and experience. I will only be in town until Wednesday morning though as I will be meeting my parents in Barcelona Wednesday evening and we will then be flying out to Rome, Italy Thursday morning. We will be there until Monday night and then we will spend the next few days in Spain until they leave Thursday. I will of course post about that after they leave.

I then get about two weeks to relax and then I will have a visit from my Grandparents. I am again meeting them in Barcelona and then we will be taking day trips around the area and exploring Barcelona. Once they leave I will only have a little over two months left and I know the time will fly faster than it has been even.

My host mom continues to tell me that I speak Spanish very well and that I am improving. I know that my Spanish class that will be beginning next week will help my Spanish continue to grow. I think that I am getting a little too acostumed to the lifestyle here. I am very relaxed and calm and enjoy my relaxing afternoons which sometimes include the siesta. The weather is getting warmer so hopefully that means that I will be going to the beach soon!

Hope all is well! Hasta luego!