One of the first things I did after moving in to my room at the residencia was make a “Bucket List” to put on my bulletin board. Since I’ve been here in Salamanca almost a month (on September 23rd I was in Madrid), it would be fun to show you what I’ve done on the list so far.
My "Bucket List" is up on my bulletin board to remind me what I want to do here!
1. Visit Portugal: I went to Lisbon with ISA a few weeks ago, read more about that in this post.
Andie and me at the castle
2. Go to at least one cultural exhibit/museum in Salamanca
3. Get a library card and read a book in Spanish: I’ve obtained the library card, but am still working on the book part.
My library card!
4. Do some sort of volunteering/community work: this has been much more difficult than I anticipated; I think it has something to do with the bureaucracy and paperwork system in Spain. However, I’m working with the staff at ISA right now and will possibly start volunteering at the Red Cross soon.
5. Find the yarn store: I saw an awesome yarn store one day, but couldn’t find it again. Riley did one day though, and I’m seriously considering taking up knitting again. However, the yarn store only sells yarn, not needles. Where’s a good Hobby Lobby when you need one?
6. Visit Amsterdam
7. Take a tour of Salamanca
8. Eat seafood paella
9. Try a food that sounds/looks disgusting: since I eat whatever the residencia is serving, and that sometimes includes things like squid or pig ribs, I think I can consider this one crossed off. However, I am trying to be much more adventurous with food here.
10. Buy souvenirs: let me know if you want something!
11. Go to the National Park (or hiking elsewhere): I haven’t quite worked out transportation there. Sometimes I definitely miss having a car.
12. Go dancing/take a dance lesson
13. Take at least 2 or 3 day trips: We were going to go to La Alberca one Sunday, but missed the bus. So instead… I went paddle boating with a bunch of friends. It was a ton of fun, and we definitely can’t wait to do it again.
Bianca and I were on a boat together
Andie, Josh and Riley were on the "slow boat" (we beat them in several paddle boat races)
14. Watch an entire soccer game
15. Follow the Spanish Elections: there will be elections for the new President of Spain on November 20th, I’m super excited to be here while it happens. Believe it or not, they haven’t started campaigning yet (and everyone is already pretty sure who will win) – so different from the US! If you have any interest, this website has a good summary of the politics of the election.
16. Do something fun with the Residencia people
17. Have a successful intercambio meeting
18. Stay out as late as the Spainairds do: that would be 6 or 7am
19. Update blog at least every week: this whole blog thing is a lot harder than I thought it would be, but I’m doing my best guys!
20. Visit the Reina Sofia
21. Go to a movie in Spanish
22. Go to the Lion King with people
23. Speak only Spanish for one whole day
24. Read the entire newspaper
There are newspaper stands like this one all over Salamanca that I buy the newspaper from sometimes
25. Visit a walled town in each country I go to: So far I’ve been to walled towns in Italy, Germany, and Portugual – that leaves Spain and France!
26. Go to Cortes Ingles: The Spanish version of Macy’s, it is one of only department type stores here in Spain.
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