Corfouzo!

I’m finally getting to Greece and Easter weekend weeks later.  Mom and I are on a train to Rome to catch our flight to Nice, France, and I just haven’t had time to get another blog in with finals, saying good-bye to Florence, and traveling.  But Greece was an unforgettable weekend and definitely deserves a blog post. 

Thursday morning we hopped on a five hour bus to Ancona, Italy with Bus2Alps.  Ancona is on the east coast and from there we could take the cruise to Greece…. a 14 hour cruise.  We perused the ship for food once we boarded around four and set up camp in one of the airplane seating cabins before heading to the deck to enjoy the sunset.  We met literally the entire campus of Washington State Univ.  Okay, not really but at least ten more on top of the six of our good friends.  We started the party at the discoteca on the ship at ohhh 10:30, and we were all passed out on the floor between the airplane seats by one.  

We woke up at 7 to get off the cruise and back onto another 1.5 hour ferry to take us to Corfu and the magical Pink Palace.  First things first, we headed down to the beach with a detour to eat cheap gyros and continued on to bask in the Greek sun and argue about exactly which sea we were swimming in. 

Happy hour before the yummy dinner that came with the price of the hostel turned my tongue blue.  

Dinner consisted of a delicious salad, chicken, rice, and soup, and we ate while watching the sunset.  We went for some ouzo, a black licorice Greek liquor, and made our way to the discoteca to dance the night away and watch some authentic Greek dancing.

The next morning we were up early to have breakfast and sign up for the notorious booze cruise.  You can only imagine what shenanigans took place.  It was an unforgettable four hours of cruising the ocean and watching people fail at cliff jumping (which the captain tried to get people to do naked with the incentive of free drinks).  When we got back, we had gyros for lunch and napped on the beach to rest up for...  Pink toga party!

Everyone wore a pink toga for the night and it was just ridiculous.  After another yummy dinner we headed to a friend’s terrace for ouzo and pictures.  After helping our friend who had an allergic reaction to peach juice, Carly and I made it to the discoteca just in time for more authentic Greek dancing and plate smashing.  Plates were coming down on everyone’s heads and we all rushed the dance floor regardless of the clay shards completely covering the floor.  The lights were turned on a song later and we all parted so they could be swept up.  After dancing for three hours straight, I looked up and realized I only knew a few people left on the dance floor and it was time to head to bed.  

Happy Easter!  The next morning most people slept in and we relaxed on the beach until it was time to clean up and check out to begin the long journey back to Florence starting with the ferry back to the cruise ship.  We got on the cruise ship and celebrated Matt’s 21^st birthday.  We were so ready to be of f the cruise and back in Italy but no one was looking forward to the 6 hour bus ride back.  We finally made it back to our apartment around 7 Monday night.  Although the amount of traveling was ridiculous, Greece was incredible and exhausting and I enjoyed every bit.  

Last week :/

One week left in Florence.  I can’t believe this semester has past so quickly!  I remember when I had only been here a week.  I walked around Florence with Courtney today soaking up the hot sunshine and reminiscing about that miserable, cold, rainy walking tour of Florence that we went on the first week when we barely knew each other.

I’ve been embracing my last few weeks by eating delicious authentic Italian meals, spending the days exploring, finally doing the things that I said I could do later, and enjoying the nightlife.  And, of course, eating gelato every day.  Okay, maybe twice a day. 

One thing both Casey and I wanted to do before we left was attend Italian mass in the Duomo on a Sunday morning.  Since Catholic services are so structured, I actually could understand most of the service.  My favorite part was the Apostle’s Creed in Italian and giving peace.

I went out to eat with the roomies to Dante’s the other night and my lasagna was absolutely delicious!  When Taylor was in town, Casey and I took her to Il Francescanas, a super nice restaurant with bomb food.  I got the gnudi which is kind of like huge gnocchi dumplings.  Katie and I found a hole in the wall restaurant called Trattoria Anita that was amazing.  We had 2 courses and a side.  I got pasta alla Medici which had a white sauce, ham, and peas, and my second plate was chicken, beef, and…. Tongue!  It had a weird texture but it was actually pretty good as long as you told yourself that you weren’t eating tongue.  The waiter was shocked an American ordered such a dish and was so interested in what I thought about it.  Tonight, Casey, Taylor, Liz, and I went to Acqua al Due and got the blueberry steak and a pasta sampler!  Last week, I also tried my hand at making my own white sauce for some gnocchi.  I used gruyere, gorgonzola, and parmesan cheese and it was a success.

Continuing my food rant, I signed up for a tasting Tuscany class and a gelato making class through my school.  The good we made in tasting Tuscany was so delicious I never wanted to stop eating.  We made Ribollita (a famous Tuscan soup), chicken liver, focaccia with salami and pecorino cheese, deep fried cucumber flowers filled with mozzarella and basil, and biscotti.  Yum!  The gelato making class was really interesting as well.  We visited one of my favorite gelatorias and made our own chocolate gelato! 

After all of this food, thank goodness Casey showed me and new running route!  The center of Florence has become extra touristy and it’s impossible to take the straight shot to the Arno.  I’ve found a new bike trail where I don’t have to dodge anyone that spits me out farther down the river, and I have been able to get quite a few good runs in on it.

The Italian TRL awards took place in Florence in Piazza Santa Croce.  All of the streets leading up to the piazza were packed, and there were empty bottles and cans everywhere.  It was an interesting night to say the least, and we enjoyed rocking out to some Italian songs for once instead of the American music I hear everywhere in Europe.  Oh, and to lower the American reputation even more, Jersey Shore will be in Florence on Monday.

Another huge festival that took place in Florence recently is Notte Bianca- white night.  It’s a cultural and artistic event and pretty much every street had an exhibition or musical performance, but it literally took an hour to walk down a street because there were so many Italians out.  The party lasts til 6 am and everything stays open until then.  Apparently the meaning of the event is hard to translate into English words, but it is something about a celebration of day light savings time-ish and longer days.  I think… something like that at least.   

Forza Fiorentina!  That’s about the only calcio (aka futball aka soccer) cheer that I know for Florence.  Our program took us to their game against Udinese, and it was crazyyyyyy.  Fiorentina isn’t exactly having a good season, but they showed off a little for us and won 5-2.  Every time we scored Katy Perry’s Firework played which we thought was hilarious.  The Udinese fans were confined in stands that were surround by plastic walls, and you can only imagine the banging and yelling that went on.  Both teams were yelling profanities back and forth.  It was just wild. 

Greece post soon andddd momma comes in five days!!!

Ciaooo

Elba and Lucca

A few weekends ago Casey and I met up with my friend Allison from one of my classes to take a day trip to the island of Elba.  We got an early start andddd ran up to the 7:28 train right as it was pulling away.  Tragic.  The next one was twenty minutes later and took three hours and forty minutes.  (We obviously shouldn’t have made it a day trip).  We took a bus to the port, and then hopped on a ferry for a beautiful hour long cruise to finally arrive at Elba! 

Elba is known for hosting the exiled Napoleon.  We wandered around the city for awhile before buying a bottle of wine and planting ourselves on the rocky beach.  We played games and enjoyed each other’s company watching the peaceful ocean.  We were the only ones around, and I loved the feeling of isolation for once (especially since Florence recently has been bustling with tourists). 

After watching a gorgeous sunset over the water, Casey and I headed back on the ferry.  I fell asleep and apparently my piccell fell out of my purse.  I didn’t even realize until the next day, and of course, I couldn’t understand the Italian ferry boat worker that had my little phone.  Getting home was quite the process.  The train station was completely dead so we grabbed a piece of pizza in the piazza and tried to find someone that spoke English (we had stepped out of the touristy English speaking cities).  We talked to some sixteen year old girls and boys in broken Italian and English, and they helped us get on a bus to get to a train station in a nearby city.  One of them actually complemented my Italian- shocker!  It may or may not have made my night.  We finally made it on a train and then a bus from Pisa to make it back to Florence at 3 am.  Whewww longest day ever, but the serenity of the island was so worth it.

Lucca was a much nicer day trip!  Yesterday, our program took us to the quiet town surrounded by massive walls.  Lucca was a rich city and was one of the only cities in Tuscany not conquered by Florence.  The walls were built around Lucca just in case, but no cannons have ever been fired against the peaceful city.  However, it seems as if Lucca as been forgotten by tourists as it is one of Tuscany’s best-kept secrets.  We went on a tour of the city and had the best tour guide I have ever had!  He was a great host, and he was even friends with Rick Steves who he showed around the city just a few days ago. 

We were taken to get phenomenal focaccia bread, to see a mummified saint, and to gaze upon the Torre Guinigi and wonder how seven trees had grown on top of the tower, their roots sunk into the room below.  We had a delicious lunch and then headed to Fattoria il Poggio for olive oil tasting.  We were shown the machines used to make the olive oil and how only one press classifies the olive oil as virgin.  Our guide was a hoot and there was obviously some controversy between the people of Lucca and the “dirty, stinky, nasty people of Pisa.”  We ended the day with delicious Tuscan appetizers.  Bread, olive oil, and yummy balsamic, two types of sausage, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and vin santo with biscotti.     
    

Casey and I warming the olive oil before tasting.

Primavera a Firenze

Three weeks behind yet again.  I swear I don’t know where the time is going.  I think about all the places in Europe that I still want to see and things that I still want to do and I only have four weeks left.  And then I think about how much longer I still have until I’m able to see my family and friends and James which makes four weeks seem pretty long.  I’m going to do my best to take advantage of my last two weeks in Florence though!  Mom comes in less than two weeks now.  Can you believe it?!?

In the past 2.5 weeks I’ve done quite a bit of traveling, and Casey and I have hosted quite a few friends who traveled to visit us.  I’ve received a cute letter and bookmark from mom in the mail and three beautiful red roses from James.  I’ve written two long papers and had one presentation. I’ve attended a gelato making class and a tasting Tuscany class though my school.  And I’ve hung out with some pretty cool people.  

Our first visitors were Annalise, Cece, Emily, Megan and her friend Andi from Argentina, and Leah.  We went for apertivo twice at Moyo and Kitsch, and they were both extremely delicious.  Apertivo is an Italian ritual originating from ancient times pretty much for an excuse to socialize.  It became popular again beginning in Milan and has spread through the country.  You just buy a drink and a buffet of appetizers and pastas are complimentary.  Best deal ever huh?  I had a delicious Bailey’s and Kahlua cocktail the first night at Moyo which had a Latin themed buffet and a raspberry beer at Kitsch.  Having visitors gives us an excuse to go out and try new places.  But we of course took them to our favorites that we frequent as well.  This week we have Casey’s friends Elayna, Taylor, and Amanda visiting.

I visited the Pitti Palace three times in the past few weeks.  The first time was with my class and we went through the Palatine Gallery.  I really enjoyed it because my professor pointed out specific works of art and told us stories about the paintings.  Knowing little art history, I usually just peruse through the galleries a little quicker than I should and admire purely the aesthetics of the art so it was nice to have a tour guide.  A few days later, Casey and I ventured back there because I wanted to see the Costume Gallery which was really cool.  The Pitti Palace is a hugeee building made for the Pitti family who wanted to have a bigger palace than the Medici’s.  Unfortunately, they ran out of money and had to sell the palace ironically to Eleonora de Toledo who was married to the Grand Duke Cosimo de’Medici.  She bought the palace with her own money because she didn’t want to raise her children in Palazzo Vecchio.   The third time was for a paper for my History of Florence class.  It’s on a specific path through the Oltrarno that took me down the Ponte Vecchio, past Pitti Palace, through the beautiful Boboli Gardens, into Santo Spirito, and finishing at the Porta Romana (the gate of the city separating Florence from the road to Siena and Rome).

project for the facade of Santo Spirito that was never finished

Santo Spirito became my new favorite place to go in Florence.  Not only does it have the best pizza place everrrrrr, Gustapizza, but it has an amazing organic market on Sunday mornings, a beautiful church, a bomb secret souvenir shop, and a really local atmosphere.  When Allison and I went to check it out for our papers, we sat down at a caffe, ordered a cappuccino, and talked to the baristas who spoke very little English.  They were fun to talk to and very interesting.  I don’t think I understood half of the things they said.  One tried to tell me the United States was splitting into 5 states?  Maybe he meant the south, northeast, west, etc.  I’m not really sure… Today, I took some friends to the piazza to find some souvenir shop.  It’s not advertised at all.  You literally have to ring someone’s doorbell and you’re taken into they’re cute little shop.  They hand make things with Florentine designs out of metal, and it was so cool!  We gave them a euro and they flattened it and pressed the fleur de lis, Florence’s symbol, into the silver part of the euro and then he attaches a chain to make a bracelet.  It may or may not be one of my favorite purchases since I’ve been in Europe.    

One of my favorite nights was a Thursday night three weeks ago.  Casey and I met up with Hannah who we met at our hostel in Valencia and her friend from home.  We made our way to Kikuya, one of my favorite bars, and ordered a dragoon, an extremely dangerous beer of 10%.  We caught a table by the front door and were soon joined by two Italians whose English wasn’t great.  One was a philosopher and was completely ridiculous.  We couldn’t handle his philosophies.  While the other one was professing his love for me and telling me he wanted to “stay” with me again.  I said whoaaa buddy I think you mean see me again.  A few minutes later, Hannah “accidently” spilt her drink conveniently in their laps and they stomped off.  Literally two seconds later, these German boys asked if they could sit down.  They were so fun to talk to, and we enjoyed saying yaaaaa instead of si for once.  One of their names was Ansgar.   We showed them the secret bakery and found ourselves heading home at four am not knowing where the time went.  To continue my obsession with Germans, I hung out with Courtney’s friends that had studied abroad at her University in the states and came to visit.  We made a great night out of playing cards with Manoo and Jakob.

I think that’s enough for now… more stories soon and blogs on Elba and Greece!

eat, drink, and love strong

I’m finally almost caught up with my blog again!  Although it’s only a matter of time before I’m behind again… Friday, my friend Katie and I made trip to a little beach town called Viareggio!  We met up with Allison from my history of Florence class and some of her friends and we were so lost in the warm sun, the sound of the waves crashing, and the chilly ocean water we barely remembered where we were.  Oh, until we saw the beautiful mountains behind us.  We got wayyy too much sun, but it was a great relaxing retreat from Florence. 

Saturday, we made our way to Siena where we found the best cappuccinos in the cutest coffee shop!  We ate Siena’s specialty, pici senesi, which is really thick spaghetti noodles.  There isn’t too much touristy “must see” places in our Tuscany excursion this weekend, so we had plenty of free time to relax and really take in the Italian way of life which moves veryyyyy slooowwwlllyyy.  It was a nice change though because if you know me, you know I have to be forced to do anything slowly.  We headed to Piazza del Campo after lunch to bask in the warm sun in the huge piazza that was full of locals and tourists.  

This is where the famous horse races are held in Siena.  Before we left, we made a quick trip to Nannini, Siena’s oldest and most famous pastry shop.  Siena is known for its cakes and cookies and from the ricciarelli (a soft almond cookie with powdered vanilla on top) I can see why.

We left Siena and drove through the beautiful Tuscan hills to Fonteverde Spa where we enjoyed the warm thermal baths.  It was so relaxing, and I perched myself under the waterfall that massaged your back.

Dinner was provided to us at our hotel in Chianciano Terme.  It was a decent five course meal that took a full two and a half hours.  Told you Italians moved slowly.  I slept like a rock even though Italy’s primavera brought me unwanted allergies. 

The next morning, we headed for Perugia where we ate a long lunch and relaxed while enjoying the Italian atmosphere.  We did a little shopping and I bought sunglasses that actually block the sun, because my Chinatown Ray-Bans definitely do not. 

Then, we were off to my favorite part of the weekend: wine tasting in Chianti.  We went to a vineyard called Castello da Verazzano and I would recommend it to anyone.  The owner of the vineyard was so entertaining and funny.  He actually inspired me to change the name of my blog.  Let’s get real, I am never going to be able to live the “dolce far niente” lifestyle, and it is definitely not how I have spent my four months abroad.  He told us to eat, drink, and love strong and never fear the end.  And then he proceeded to teach us Italian prepositions with their hand motions because “an Italian with his hands in his pockets is speechless.”  We toured the cellar and spelled the delicious prosciutto that they make from their own wild boars and their homemade balsamic vinegar which, don’t worry, is only 45 euros.  Then, we sat down outside on a beautiful covered deck and feasted on special pasta they made for us and their table wine.  Following that was the beans, bruscetta, pecorino cheese, prosciutto, and salami with Chianti Classico- my favorite.  Then the Chianti Classico Riserva which undergoes fermentation for 24 months instead of 12.  Last we had Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine, with biscotti.  Our tummies left extremely satisfied as we drove through the Chianti region during the sunset.      

            

under the tuscan sun

Half marathon in a foreign country?  Check!  Despite serious lack of training, sleep, and hydration, Casey and I dragged ourselves out of bed Sunday morning to meet at Santa Croce for the VIVICITTA: La Mezza Maratona di Firenze.  At least the start was at 9:30 instead of 7 am like races in America!  We started out slow thanks to the tiny Italian streets packed with very stinky Italians.  Once we came to the Arno it spread out quite a bit and we were able to pick it up.  Casey ran with Erin (a girl in our program) and I for half of the race before we broke off.  It was Erin’s first half and I loved having a running partner!  The race went way smoother than I was expecting even though the course was two boring 10k loops.  After I finished, I fought my way through to the water station (it was notttt organized very well!). 

I headed home to take a much needed shower and then we were off again to explore Florence on such a beautiful day!  I ate a delicious burrito at Eby’s and then headed to Billa because I had literally no food.  When I got back to the apartment I retreated to our terrace and enjoyed the rest of the warm sunshine.

Monday, after classes, Casey and I headed to the Carraia Bridge to have some gelato then peruse the leather markets around San Lorenzo.  I bought a bracelet for three euros.  Then, we found the store that sells wine on tap for really cheap!  You buy a plain bottle and then you can fill it with good wines for 2ish euros.  

That evening we hung out on the terrace again before I went to a cheese tasting offered through my school.  We tried Mozzarella, Taleggio (which I had never had before- super yummy!), Pecorino (my favorite), and Gorgonzola.  We paired the pecorino with fava beans which was new to me but delicious of course.  And we had Chianti Classico!  When I got home I started working on the research for the 2,500 word paper due in a week for my Mafia class.  Yes, I do actually have to do some work while I’m here.

Tuesday, Casey and I ventured out to Cascine Park to go to the market.  I bought a brown clutch for 2 euros and a little make up bag for 1 euro.  We got some gelato and then walked around the Santo Spirito area before meeting Tay for lunch at Antico Noe.  Best sandwiches I have ever had!!  I got one with pork sausage, eggplant, pecorino cheese, and spinach and it was so good!  We found a cute little shop with random Tuscany soaps and decorations.  After stopping at the leather school by Santa Croce, I headed off to my history of Florence class.  We toured Santa Maria Novella and I completely forgot that we were visiting a church and was not in dress code.  Quite a few of us had to wear gowns that went down to our ankles.   We looked pretty ridiculous.  I made dinner and then we got ready and finally made it out to Astor and Twice with the roomies.

Wednesday was a great day!  My wine tasting class went to a vineyard called Villa le Piazzole.  It was beautiful! We toured the cellar, and then drank two of their special wines and a dessert wine with bruscetta, chicken liver, pecorino, parmesan, prosciutto, and salami.  Emily, Katie, and I made sure to get our money’s worth of the vino and all of the delicious appetizers.  

Emily came back to my apartment after the wine tasting to lay on my terrace and drink some more wine and strawberries.  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to lay out very long because I had to go to my lit class at 6.  I met back up with Emily later that night and we sat in Piazza della Rupubblica for a little bit listening to the piano bar.  Then, we went to Slowly, a ritzy bar that I had never been to before.  I got the yummiest (and most expensive) chocolate martini.

She convinced me to stay out for the clubs and we went to Fullup where we danced and danced until we were ready to get some fresh air.  Outside I met six Italian girls and two Spanish guys and had the funniest broken Italian, Spanish, English conversation.  I loved it, and it was an experience that I had expected to be exposed to when abroad.

Thursday, I slept in and woke up to the realization that I really needed to start my mafia paper.  While lying out on the terrace, I finished four/fifths of the paper and stopped for the day.  Casey’s mom was in town so we all drank wine and chitchatted.  I met up with our friends downstairs and we headed to Bigallo for drinks.  I tried my hand at speaking Italian again to a group of locals who were celebrating their friend’s graduation from University.  They were very patient and probably found me very humorous because every other word was “come se dice” (how do you say).

It was a beautiful week and one of my favorites since I have been here.  However, it was exhausting and I was in need of the relaxing weekend that was to come.  Posts from our “Under the Tuscan Sun” excursion in Siena, Perugia, and Chianti soon!                

London!

I came back from beautiful warm Spain to ugly, rainy Italy.  Get it together Florence!! It poured Monday while I was walking to class but it cleared up in the afternoon thank goodness and has been nothing but gorgeous and 70+ degrees all week.  That’s what I’m talking about!  I bought a dress from H&M after class and then bought some groceries at the central market to hold me off until I came back from London.  I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went on a short run that afternoon.  We went to the Lion’s Fountain and then headed to Yab which was interesting… There was a fight and pushing and confusion and chaos so Casey and I just decided to go home.

In my wine tasting class Tuesday night, I tasted seven wines again including a 16% dessert wine that I just did not enjoy.  Wednesday morning, I went for a nice run and made a stop at the API center to sign up for excursions and a stop at the train station to see what train I needed to take to get to the airport on time. 

My flight was a late one, but two girls that were studying in Florence were on it as well and we talked the entire way.  

Kathryn was waiting for me after I got off the bus, and I was so happy!!! It was really nice to spend a few days again with someone that knows you really well, especially after James had just left.  We talked until five in the morning catching up on life.  

While Kathryn was at her internship, I took a bike tour to all of the touristy spots in London which was really nice.  I saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, three of London's beautiful parks, and Trafalgar Square.  

My tour ended around 3 and Kathryn got done early so it was perfect!  I was really lucky weather wise too because it was beautiful both of the days I was there even though rain is always in the forecast.  Kathryn and I walked around and I ate fish and chips of course.  We drank some wine and watched a movie that took us probably six hours instead of two to watch because we were constantly pausing it to talk.  

I slept in the next morning, frantically finished my nursing scholarship application that was, surprise, due that day, and waited for Kathryn to get back.  We headed out to see platform nine and three quarters, which my mom mistakenly called nine and three fourths. Wowwww.  

And then we went to the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the London Bridge (the song makes it sound wayyyy cooler than it really is), an outdoor market, and the best cookie store everrr!  I had bankers and mash for dinner, and we had full intentions of going out after butttt we realized we still had more catching up to do so we stayed up talking until my 3 am bus to the airport.

Getting home was another story.  I was supposed to get home by 11 so I could catch up on some sleep, lay in the warm sun etc.  However, I spent four hours in Genova airport because our pilot was ten minutes from Pisa but turned around because of fog.  Instead of waiting for the fog to clear out and fly us back to Pisa, someone decided we should take a two hour bus.  But we couldn’t take a bus from Genova… we had to wait for a bus to drive two hours from Pisa,  Then I sat on a two hour bus ride to Pisa, and thennnn, catch my one hour train back to Florence.  I was home at 6 pm instead of 11 am, and it sucked butttt what can you do?  At least I was lucky enough to have to company of a Dad and his daughter who were from Newcastle.  I enjoyed listening to Bethan call everything “lush.”     

Palma Mallorca and Valencia

Palma Mallorca is a summer island so we visited it a little off season.  However, Casey and I enjoyed the active atmosphere.  It was an older crowd, but I saw hundreds of road bikers, runners, and rollerbladers out and about.  Casey and I spent the day at the cuevas del drach- the caves of the dragon!  It was really cool and hosts one of the largest underground lakes.  

The peacocks running around outside were really pretty as well!  In the middle of the tour, we stopped and watched a classical music concert on the lake.  When we got back we sat outside another little restaurant and drank sangria.  We walked around the beach and on the rocks while the sun set and bartered at the shops for Messi Barcelona jerseys.  The city also has quite a bit of German influence, which we found interesting while trying to find a place to eat dinner.  

The next day we hopped on the bandwagon and rented bikes.  We found an awesome bike trail that ran along the ocean.  We saw so many colorful sail boats and after about an hour we made it to the beautiful cathedral. 

On the way back, we had a slight incident: Casey’s chain came off.  Luckily three foreign bikers stopped to help us.  We had no idea what they were saying, but they were hilarious joking around with each other and fixed it in no time.  We spent the rest of the afternoon laying by the water until it was time to head off to flight number 5.

We arrived in Valencia that evening and found our cool backpackers hostel and our 16 bunk room.  We talked to our English roommates and then headed off to find something for dinner.  We settled on ham and cheese crepes and ate them outside while a concert was going on in one of the squares.  We met some girls in our hostel and went to get a drink with them.  

On the way back, one of the girls ran into a Polish girl, German guy, and an English guy that she had met earlier.  Apparently, they missed their pub crawl so they wanted Hannah to be their new leader.  Casey and I were in and we all walked down the crazy, main street to find a pub.  They were all so interesting to talk to and it ended successfully.  

Hannah came with Casey and I to the beach the next day where the cutest puppy came and put his little head on my knee! 

Finally, after boarding our 6^th and final flight, touring five cities, laying on Spain’s beaches, drinking countless pitchers of sangria, meeting many new people, and visiting with old friends, our Spring Break was over.  Butttt not really… I was off to London three days later! Posts from that soon!!