Week 3 in Spain

I can't believe we've already been here for three weeks! It's crazy how fast it's gone. The weeks go by so fast here because we only have classes Monday through Thursday and then it's the weekend already!

I'm getting more settled into the daily and weekly routines by now, which is a good feeling knowing what to expect. Our classes here don't have very much outside homework so it feels like I'm in school so much less time than at home, which means we have a lot of free time here. It's pretty awesome because we have plenty of time to explore and get to know the city. I'm really enjoying how here you walk everywhere. No wonder the Spanish are so in shape! One thing I really love about Valencia are the bikes here! They have this system of public bikes, that you can pay for and use them whenever you want. Today me and Holly took them for the first time to the beach, which is just 20 minutes on bike, and explored some of the pier.

Here in Spain they love to go have a coffee and leisurely chat with their friends. Me and Holly went out one afternoon before our afternoon class to just walk around and we ran into Rosa, our host mom, who was sitting outside at a cafe waiting for her friend. She invited us to sit with them as they were enjoying the wonderful sunlight. The friend Rosa was waiting for was Begonia, who is actually the host mom of our friend Bri. It's so much fun because both of our moms love it when we call each others houses and hang out together. Last Sunday when Rosa and her family were out of town Begonia called and invited me and Holly to come over for lunch with her family. It was so cool to have a nice lunch with them and hang out.

The night life here in Valencia is very big. Because we live in the university area of the city all the students go out at night on the weekends. Usually around 11-1 they go out and hang out with their friends somewhere and  drink something and by 3 everyone fills up the clubs to go dancing. I was told that the girls like to dance and the guys like to drink. I've definitely experienced things I never would have at home!

I'm really excited because in a couple weeks our group from ORU is planning a weekend trip to Barcelona. Everyone says it's an awesome city and I can't wait to visit it! I love how living here you can just go travel somewhere if you want to! It's so much cheaper to travel within Europe than in the states, I love it!

For the most part I'm doing really well here, but sometimes it's pretty hard not having my best friends to talk to all the time or when I'm having a hard time. Sometimes I just feel out of place and kind of uncomfortable, so pray that I'll be able to feel at home and speak up when I need to. Also, pray that I'll be able to speak in Spanish more, because it's been pretty hard for me. If there's anything you're interested in hearing about just comment on here and let me know!