day... 16?

(October 7)

Okay so now that I am in a routine, it isn't so interesting to talk about my daily life. Instead, I would love to reflect upon things that I'm slowly discovering about life in Valladolid. I think Dr. H inspired this, since at the beginning of each Culture in Spain class, one person has to ask "Why do Spaniards do _____ this way?"

So the other day, while I was studying for one of my Cal Poly classes with my friend Rachel at the Facultad de Derecho (the UVa law school), a law student at the university approached us about what we were studying (I had a Spain map in my hand). We were explaining that we were studying the culture of Spain in Valladolid, as well as the language. So many people in Castilla y Leon have told us that this is the best place to learn Spanish, whether that is from ride or truth, I haven't determined, but it was interesting that this student, a guy my age, also said that this is the best place to learn Spanish. When we told him that people in our group are visiting places like Malaga and Barcelona, he continuously insisted that the Spanish they speak is "crap." Granted, he was born and raised in Valladolid - but my Mama was not, and she feels the same way. They have so much respect and pride in their country and province - it's refreshing and exciting to know that I am living in a place that is so valued by all of its inhabitants.