grande semana

dinner thursday night was absolutely delicious! it easily was easily one of my favorite meals so far. we had croquettes (they are a small breadcrumbed fried food roll containing mashed potatoes, cheese, and ham) we also had zucchini that had seasoned hamburger and melted cheese on it. i don't really like zucchini but you couldn't taste it. our meal was fantastic. i finished first and my senora asked if i wanted more.. which i didn't i was really full.. but the spanish way is to give you seconds.. they love to keep giving you food.

after dinner thursday night my senora, my roommate, our roommate from brazil, and i went up to the plaza to get ice cream. our roommate from brazil was leaving to go home friday and wanted everyone to do something together. we all took pictures together, but i had forgotten my camera. i'm supposed to get the pictures from our brasilian roommate through facebook. after we ate our ice cream there were 2 mariachi bands playing in opposite corners of the plaza. my senora LOVES to dance so we went to check them out. we had a blast. she danced with each one of us and it was so much fun. we didn't get back home until after midnight and i stayed in to pack for santander.

we left by train at 7:25am friday morning. we made it to santander around 1. we took a taxi to our hostel and have the cutest rooms. we are staying in a small town called el astillero (which translates to 'the shipyard') about 10 minutes from the city. when we checked in the owners told us that it was the grande semana for santander and that the entire city would be a party for the whole week. we had no idea. we got lunch at a small restaurant near our hostel and then headed back to siesta. one of my friends and i got up and walked around our little city to see what all there was. we have both the mountains and the water in this little town. it's beautiful. we are probably the only americans staying in this town. it's not touristy what so ever, and the people here have been so friendly.

last night we bought train passes for the weekend and headed into the city. all the buildings are so beautiful here. you can smell the ocean all over the city! from the ocean you can see the mountains in the distance. it's so pretty. it was definitely a fiesta. there were people everywhere. there were so many little stands set up in the parks serving tapas, wine, and beer. it wasn't a fiesta that was out of control, but a very nice get together. all the kids were playing in the park, they had a carousel and trampolines set up. we walked the streets for awhile checking out all the different buildings and searching for somewhere to eat dinner. we're guessing that people in santander eat dinner at a "normal time" between 6-8. it was after 10:30 before we found a place we wanted to eat and wasn't too expensive. most places will post their menus in the window so you can see what they have and look at the prices. it's amazing how much prices vary throughout the city. i had spaghetti for dinner.

steet performer in santander pretending to be a baby.

 

 

while we were walking around we found a free concert that was being held outside city hall. there were so many people there. there was also another group of people playing in a small band. by the time dinner was finished it was pretty late so we had to take a taxi back. the trains stop running around 11.

ocean and port building in santander

 

 

once we got home we relaxed and watched some spanish tv! 1 of the girls is really sick so she didn't go out with us. it doesn't sound like she is feeling any better today. and her roommate is getting sick as well. it almost sounds like they may have the flu. i really hope i don't get it. i literally don't have time to be sick!

**my heart goes out to the families and friends of those involved in the colorado shooting. there are no words to express what you are going through, but know that people all over the world are thinking about you.*

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