let's flamenco!

Okay, so allow me to paint a picture for you. 18 somewhat uncoordinated Davidson students sporting an array of footwear definitely not made for flamenco dancing (rainbows don't have very good traction for spinning, in case you were wondering) and attempting to copy the complicated steps our expert instructor was demonstrating. However, two hours, several stepped on toes and a few bruises later our group had "mastered" parte uno of the Sevillana flamenco dance. Props to MundoLengua for setting up amazing excursions for us. I also now know what I want my Spanish souvenir to be: a flamenco skirt just like our teacher's. For the entire class I found myself wishing I had a big, swishing pink skirt to mask my terrible dancing skills. We'll be going back next week for salsa lessons, which should be quite interesting. (Heads up, we're planning on founding a flamenco club when we get back to Davidson if anyone's interested. There will be T-shirts.)

I also went to the beach for the first time yesterday afternoon! There are three beaches here in Cádiz and each has its own distinct reputation. Playa de la Victoria is the farthest away but apparently is favored by the "domingeros" aka people who only visit the playa on Sundays. So we've been advised to go there only during the week unless we want to encounter wall to wall sunbathers... some of which prefer to take the less is more route in regards to beach wear. A little disturbing. Not going to lie. Oh Spain. Then there is Playa de Santamaria which is where you go if you want to face plant straight into a rock while you're boogie boarding. Pass. I'd like to keep my face intact while on this Spanish adventure. And then there is Playa de Caleta which is within walking distance of the university and our house, so as of right now it is our beach of choice. (Although I do really want to check out Victoria because when I was running there the other day I noticed they have a HUGE kiddy park with an elephant blow up slide. Wish I was more embarrassed to admit how much I want to go there...)

The beach is beautiful, although very different from what I am used to. (Learned a new fun fact today: Castillo de Santa Catalina, the fortress at Playa de Caleta, is the southernmost point in Spain and the last part of the country to see the sun each day. Apparently it can be dark at Playa Victoria and still sunny at Playa Caleta and you can see some of the most beautiful puertas del sol (sunsets) from this spot.) After the guys and I jumped in the water (the boys complained WAY more than I, the only girl, did about the water temperature for the record) and swam to the buoys and back a few times (swimming laps Cádiz style!) we were FREEZING getting out of the water since it's so windy here! And since we have to ask Pepa to switch on the shower's hot water at our house, that particular bathing experience was quite chilly seeing that she was not home. After 10 minutes of scampering around the kitchen in my bathing suit searching for however she turns the hot water on, I finally took a deep breath and braved the frigid shower. Refreshing! Sort of.

It is actually pretty cool here, especially at night and I am getting a lot of use out of the one sweater that I brought with me, thinking it was going to be 100 degrees 24/7. Not the case. We THINK/hope that Pepa is going to do laundry tomorrow... this jacket is getting a little sucio (dirty) and we are running out of clothes. Do you think bathing suits are acceptable attire in La Universidad de Cádiz? We may find out soon. I'll consult Pepa. :) Tonight's dinner conversation was hilarious. After Pepa discovered that I am unable to roll my r's, she and Amy spent a full ten minutes trying to teach me, but mostly just laughing at me. I try to avoid the words carro and perro (car and dog) since I always end up saying caro and pero (expensive and but). Not exactly corectamente. Then she asked us to translate the English song that was on the radio and we happily obliged. I love Pepa. And I LOVE her cooking! Tonight we dined on some delicious homemade Spanish tortilla and gazpacho and then put away an entire bag of cherries among the three of us. For lunch we had a fish native to Andalucia simmered in wine, onions, garlic, tomatoes and lemon along with handmade croquettes that are a family recipe. I'm in comida heaven.

We're all really excited for our first fin de semana (weekend) in Cádiz. We may try to travel to Faro, Portugal or take wind surfing lessons next weekend but we've decided to just stay in Cádiz this weekend. We're planning on visiting Medussa music bar (the Cádiz version of a discoteca we've heard) tomorrow and dancing the night away. :) For now we're about to leave our little café (third night in a row) to head back and crash. Maybe I'll join in on the siesta tradition this weekend... it still hasn't happened. Soon though. ¡Buenas noches!