Una Toalla, Por Favor

(Railings at La Plaza de España in Sevilla, Spain)

Today was a much better day than yesterday. I first went to Historia del Presente, where I answered a question correctly (in Spanish and everything) and then, during my 3.5 hour break in between classes, I went with Lizzie to the bank and to the supermarket - she is still replacing things from her lost backpack. We stayed close to Carlos III, but it was good to see more of Getafe, the town in which the school is located. We also spoke in Spanish the whole time, so we were rather productive.

After lunch, I headed up to the computer lab to study some Spanish, and it just so happened that Guilermo was sitting at the computer next to me. We chatted for a bit, and he said we should meet up for an Intercambio sometime (language practice sessions between American and Spanish students). I agreed, so I'll keep you updated. I was pretty pleased with myself.

Then I went to Spanish class and found out how to order food in restaurants, bars, by myself, with other people, for other people, in formal situations, and informal situations, among other things. Personally, I think they've over-complicated the process a bit.

On my way back to Julia's, I renewed my metro card for October and finally bought toilet paper (I was pretty excited). Since the Morocco Exchange organization told us to bring our own toilet paper for the weekend and I wasn't about to attempt that conversation with Julia, I bought my own and hid it in my closet so that she doesn't find it, (hopefully). She came in a few minutes later (I tried not to look like I was hiding something) to tell me that it is my Saint's Day today (9/29). Today is Angel's Day, and I'm named after the archangel Gabriel, therefore, in Spain, today is kind-of like a birthday for me (although there is no cake involved - which, in my opinion, would make Saints' Days much more exciting). In the past, Spaniards celebrated their Saint's Day instead of their birthday, but in modern times, birthdays (and cake) have taken precedence.

Then during dinner I used the other half of what I learned in Spanish today (asking for objects and favors), to ask Julia if I could take a towel and sheet with me to Morocco (also on Morocco Exchange's packing list). Although she said no to the sheet ("it will be too heavy" was the excuse), she surprisingly said yes to the towel. I thought the idea of her linens being transported to Morocco would push her over the edge, but she agreed, (as long as I took only white ones, so that they can be bleached when I come back).

We also had pasta for dinner, (well I had pasta, she had liquified vegetables) which was a nice surprise, and ever since, I've been studying my Spanish. The Spanish words are currently fighting each other in my brain.