The Saybrook Blog

Here’s an old post by Calah about her summer adventures in Spain, which never got posted. I recently rediscovered it and I think it’d be a shame not to share it, so here goes. Enjoy.

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Hola from… Spain? It´s so bizarre to think that I am living abroad for the
summer, taking classes in a language that I am rapidly discovering I just
don´t speak. This is the beginning of my second week in Leon (in the north of
the peninsula) and I absolutely adore it here. Leon reminds me a lot of New
Haven, actually; minus the sirens at all hours and the Popeyes. It´s small
enough to walk around, has amazing Gothic architecture, and is a veritable
death sentence for my wallet. Spaniards don´t just have weekend sales, they
have DOS MESES of “rebajos.”

The program I’m in is a pretty intensive language program through the Uni of
Leon. We´re not allowed to speak in English at all. I’m taking two classes,
one in advanced Spanish grammar and the other in Spanish art and architecture.
Being in Spain– and seeing La Alhambra, the Mezquita of
Corboba, and the Generalife– has really pushed me towards the Arch major.
We´ll see. The fantastic thing about Spanish architecture is that it has been
influenced by so many different cultures. You can find a Gothic cathedral and a
Roman aqueduct in the same valley. Basically, Spain is an architectural
orgy, and I’m loving every part of it.

The place to go at night is called “el barrio humedo” (the wet district) and
it’s probably the best place on earth. It´s comprised of dozens of bars
surrounding this amazing Gothic cathedral. The common practice is to hit up
several bars in a night, ordering drinks at each and receiving the food
(“tapas”) that comes free with every drink. Wine is cheap, beer is cheaper, and
life is generally good.

Speaking of alcohol, I´m really missing all of the Saybrook crew. Spain is, in a lot of ways, like
Saybrook. Spaniards just don´t sleep. There is always some gathering or party
going on. They do not follow traffic laws. They will eat questionable food from sketchy places (oh, Saybrook dining hall… how we all miss you and your apple tofu crumble…)

Again, speaking of alcohol, guess where I’m going this weekend? PAMPLONA. As in, Hemingway.

As in, the running of the bulls.
As in, fountain diving. As in, three days of wearing white and red and only
showering in vino. Seriously, youtube it. It´s going to be absolutely insane,
what I like to translate as “una presentacion de mierda.” I will definitely
tell you everything about it. Maybe not everything.