Notas.

These are some class notes that people who are studying Spanish might enjoy.

Vosotros: In Spain, people use the vosotros form ALOT. Which they never taught us in high school. The way it was explained to me here was very simple. Basically, “vosotros” is just the informal way of saying “ustedes.”  It’s the same as how “tú” is the informal of “usted.” I’m not really sure why I never learned that.

Interesting vocabulary that I’ve learned:

Empalmar: to pull an all nighter then go to class the next day.

Loquillo – a little crazy.

Gambas – what they call people who are sunburned.

Roncar – to snore.

Peluda – hairy.

Acosador – stalker.

Emborracharse- to be/get drunk.

Camello/Narcotraficante – drug dealer.

Resaca – a hangover.

Cachorro – puppy.

Rezar/orar – to pray.

Circo - circus

Zapatillas – bedrooms flippers

Tacaño – someone who is cheap.

Da risa – laugh

As you can see, we have many interesting conversations in my class.

¿Qué decimos cuando…?

1.     Entramos en una casa y hay personas almorzando o cenando: “Que aproveche.” (Or, Bón Appetite.)

2.     Alguien está enfermo: “Que te mejores.” (if they are very sick, like hospitalized. If not, people just say, “A mí, me también,” and make up some story about them being sick, too last week.)

3.     Recibimos un regalo: “¿Por qué te has molestado?” (Why have I annoyed you? Haha.)

4.     Queremos pedir algo en un bar: “Me pones un refresco?” (It is very formal to say “Me gustaría… o Quisería….”)

5.     Brindamos con amigos: (To drink a toast with friends) “Arriba, abajo, al centro, adentro.” (You put your glass up, down, center, then bottoms up!)

6.     Nos despedimos de alguien que se va de vacaciones: “Pásalo bien. O: Ten buen viaje. O: Que te diviertas.”

7.     Alguien va a casarse o va a tener un hijo o ha aprobado un examen: “Enhorabuena.”

8.     Nos despedimos después de cenar en casa de unos amigos: “La próxima, me toca.” (Next time, my place. Even if it isn’t true, they say it. Haha.)

My teacher says the absolutely best way to learn spanish….tener un novio español. Hahaha.

Hopefully this gave each of you a bit of insight about the language.

Ahora, or now, it’s time for a blog update!

This weekend was pretty chill. Friday night we went to the best tapas bar I’ve been to since living here. (Sidenote: Tapas are basically free appetizers that you get whenever you order a drink. Every place offers them and they’re always different. It’s kind of a game finding where has the best ones!)  This place was called “Poé” and was so cool. They had guitars on the way with drawings of the city on them, and pictures on the wall that had been signed by past ISA students. The owner is British and super sweet. I got a teriyaki pork and pineapple shish kabob as my tapa and it was sooo good. We sat and talked in the mini couch chairs there for a while, and it was really fun. Afterwards, we wandered the city and went to the “botellón,” which is basically an event where probably 500 Spaniards between the ages of 15-19 stand around and drink. It was really awkward… I didn’t enjoy it whatsoever. We left that place quickkkkk. That was about it for Friday.

Saturday, we went walking through the barrios, or neighborhoods, up on the mountain and ended up in the Alhambra and the Albacín. It was a good workout for sure. We got helado (ice cream!) after then chilled for the rest of the day.

Sunday, we left early for the beach! We had to take a bus and it took an hour and twenty min to get there. It was the first rocky beach I’ve ever been to, and my Chacos were a lifesaver! We rented cushiony lounge chairs and laid out all day and I got to swim in the Mediterranean Sea! So cool.

Our view

This awesome cross that we climbed to the top of!

I'm on the right.

I hope everyone is doing well! I miss y’all so much! This week, there is a holiday on Thusday so no school! And we leave for Lagos on Friday morning! I love you all!