The day when I decided how much I love Spain

I got up this morning (OK maybe it was 2 in the afternoon) and my host sister started saying how weird it is that we Americans tend to only go out in the old part of the city. I had to consider what she said for a minute before realizing that she was proposing there was somewhere way cooler to go— apparently a barrio right outside the city walls called Santa Theresa. I decided to give myself a rest from running today and walked down to the area they showed me on Google maps (yes, they did. And they also looked up my Summerlake house too and we talked for a long time about how spaced out America is and how we depend so much on gasoline, etc. I think we are going to get along just fine, politically speaking.) 

Walking down I realized Natalia certainly was telling the truth. I discovered an adorable little area lined with restaurants and bars advertising tapas y copas galore. When I was walking back into the old part of the city, in the gorgeous 50+ degree weather and the ancient Toledo skyline against a perfect azure sky, I realized, when I saw that red and yellow flag blowing effortlessly in the gentle breeze, that I love this country just for its simple beauty and, after being here and meeting the people I have, for its citizens. I feel so lucky to have another semester in this place.

We met a bunch of the ND kids in the plaza today before heading out along the Ruta de Don Quixote to a little clearing with picnic tables outside the city, where we intended to enjoy some wine and cheese and watch the sunset. Unfortunately it had clouded over a little by the time we got there, but the view was still incredible and it was an afternoon well spent with lots of hill walking. I hope all these steep hills will be evidenced in the derriére by the end of this year. This group is really cool because they always wanting to try something new and different, no matter if you risk some kind of failure like clouds. This will be a great semester, but I reeeaally miss the fall kids here.