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            While you may be thinking that I, true to my predictions, have begun to falter with my updates, this is not the case (yet.) We were actually in Galicia, an autonomous region of Spain (or “not Spain” as one helpful sign declared), where we were told our access to the interwebs would be rather limited. Although that was entirely false and a computer would have been helpful with directions, booking, and (most importantly) blogging, we got by without one. This means that those of us who chose to “extend our stay” successfully booked a hostel and found ourselves a means of transportation back to the airport. (You should be impressed.)

            Our trip began in true DIM fashion – unnecessarily early. We caught our 7:45AM flight to Galicia and were on our first tour by 9:30. Our first day brought us to Santiago de Compostela. We started by exploring a neat little market, where we purchased the cheese which the region is famous for. (It’s called queso de tetílla. Its inappropriate translation makes it all the more fun to eat!) It was pretty delicious – we ate it with the famous corn bread of the region. Surprisingly, this tasted nothing like the corn bread I know and love (you know, with lots and lots of sugar.) It was okay, but our program coordinator, Nuria, got the good stuff. It was this white bread that put our corn bread to shame.

            After our success at the market, our day took a turn for the worst when we were all ushered into a lecture hall to learn more about where we were and why it was famous. I found the material to be very interesting, but it was really hard to keep our eyes open. Profesor Cernadas’ lecture focused on “El Camino.” This is a famous pilgrimage that many people make from across Spain and beyond (I believe it technically begins in France) to pay homage to the chapel around which this town was built. The legend is that the tomb of Santiago (aka James) somehow ended up here, halfway across the continent. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me (and you did since you’re reading this.) He showed us a pretty moving trailer for “The Way” with Martin Sheen. Definitely see it. It made me want to be the type of person who cries at movies.

            After recovering from the emotional glimpse at what is sure to be a cinematic masterpiece, we took an unbelievably long and detailed tour of the historic town and surrounding park, of which I remember nearly nothing. It seems that our tour guide, Victoria, somehow forgot we had been awake since 5AM and just sat through a 2 hour lecture. We got some recovery time for lunch. We went to this random little place called “Casa de Pulpo.” Obviously, we had some pulpo (octopus.) We got some tapas to split among the group: pulpo de feria, calamari, and clams. Everything was really good and pretty cheap (and therefore an awesome meal.) With some food and sangria in our stomachs, we were ready(ish) for another tour. This one was great, although once again pretty extensive. We climbed onto the roof and had some pretty impressive views.

            We spent the night at “Casa Rural,” which was just a rural as the name suggests. It offered beautiful views of the landscape, which was incredibly green. We ate some fish, potatoes, and soup for dinner. We also got to try to young wines which Galicia was famous for. After dinner, a few of us went to check out the taverna (aka closest thing to civilization by Casa Rural) but called it an early night as we had to wake up at 8AM the next day. (I THOUGHT THEY SIESTA-ED IN THIS COUNTRY! I did not sign up for this 5AM-1AM nonsense.)

            Anyway, the next day was a lot more relaxing. We went to check out San Andrés de Teixido, to which people almost make pilgrimages. There were these women who sold little trinkets which were supposed to represent all sorts of things – they either brought good or warded off bad (these people are very superstitious). You were supposed to buy one and put it at the end of this trek. We also passed a stream where you were supposed to make a wish and throw some bread in it to see if it floated. Obviously mine landed in a place where the water wasn’t even deep enough to sink, so I’m going to go ahead and consider that a win. We saw some pretty views, I had the biggest spider I’ve ever seen on my arm – same old, same old. Then we went to the highest cliff in Europe! I was originally under the impression that it was the highest point in Europe, but then I remember the Alps. Whoops. We then went to a beach, which is so exciting! We had lunch at “La Revolta,” which was ironically not at all revolting. We had empanadas, monk fish, and ice cream. I’m all about trying new things. After the beach, we went back to Casa Rural and relaxed. After run that was way too hilly (especially since I took a wrong turn), we had a nice chicken dinner, learned some traditional Galician dances, and expelled the devils from our bodies via a drink that was on fire. Needless to say, I got the moves down pppppppppppretty quickly. We then went back to the taverna where we ran into our program directors. Not as awkward as you might think.

            The next morning we were all up and ready to go but ended up not leaving until noon. Turns out that some vandals came to Casa Rural at 5AM (this is a place where the owner said to leave your keys in your doors because it was totally safe) and damaged property. Lame. We got to A Coruña a lot later than planned, and so had to cut our sight-seeing short. LUCKILY, Erin and I had decided to extend our trip through Sunday so we didn’t have to leave right away. We saw the tower of Hercules which was pretty neat, but we didn’t get to climb it. We had a nice lunch at Restaurante Xestal – I got an omelet with queso de tetílla. Usually I confuse the great hall employees when I order an American cheese omelet because I didn’t think I would like anything else, but this was fantastic. We even got postre (dessert) at Don Croissant! I got basically a ball of white chocolate with almonds in it, and when I say delicious, that is an understatement. We met back up with the rest of the group, and then they just rolled out, and were like, you’d better be in class in Monday! Literally did not seem at all concerned for our welfare. It was fine. After wandering through the city we made it to the place we were staying, called Pensión las Rías. It was 4 euro more than they told me on the phone a night, but it was fine for our purposes. We walked around for awhile and then went to dinner at a restaurant whose name I didn’t write down, but it was delicious. I got pizza which was pretty lame and American of me, but whatever. I was fine with it. We walked around and tried to find a club or something, but we only encountered places which were over 21. What was the point of coming to Europe if we still can’t get in anywhere?

            The next morning was pure bliss. We got to sleep as long as we wanted! (I guess we got to sleep as long as our bodies let us – true to its nature, I was up by 9:30.) We got a fairly early start and went to the beach! Yay! We had breakfast (I made the healthy choice of churros con chocolate) at Gasthof, which was right across the street and just hung out all day. The water was really cold, but we braved it and went in. We had dinner at a place from which I took a napkin so as to remember the name, but currently cannot locate because I’m messy. Regardless, Erin and I split a salad and some empanadas with tuna which were delicious. Then we went to a chocolatería, which was also awesome. I got chocolate extreme, because I like to think of myself as pretty extreme. We had intentions of going out, but ended up just staying at the pensión since we had pretty much taken over it anyway.

            In the morning, after disappointing everyone who I’d told I would get a McDonald’s breakfast for by deciding to sleep instead, we rolled out to Santiago so we could catch our plane back. Perry had a great guide book (good ol’ Rick) who helped us to find a place that fed us a ton for just 9 euros a person. It was called Casa Manolo. I tried shark. It was awesome. We got home, and obviously Angeles made us a huge meal after getting back from the pool (and proving she went by lifting up her dress to show us her bathing suit – it was so unnecessary.) It was some sort of stewed meat with carrots. They now serve us melon every night because they know how much we love it and that we’ll eat it.

            Today we had another long orientation, except we got a list of classes! I’m having trouble picking what I want, but I have a few options, so I’m not too worried about it. We had a classic Angeles breakfast, and lunch was a ham and egg sandwich with fruit. We had a super long, but much less boring lecture on Andalucia, since we’re going tomorrow (until Sunday), went for a run, and just had some sort of fish and mushroom dish for dinner. Obvi we had melon, too. Angeles rolled her eyes at us when we said we were full. It was awesome.

            Sorry I don’t know how to summarize, but as you could see below, I’m learning.

CliffsNotes for the lazy:

1. tit cheese
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN7DBCbdyIQ
3. bread told me my wish is going to come true (and we all know that carbs never lie)
4. immediately after the bread thing, I find a huge (seriously) spider perched on my arm. I reconsider my wish.
5. always lock your doors, especially if you’re told it’s unnecessary.
6. beaches are the place to be
7. I am extreme.
8. McFail
9. Rick Steves saves lives
10. I think we’re finally orientated
11. Considering bringing my computer so I won’t have another mega-entry. Probably won’t.