Palma, la tercera setmana

Hola a tots! 
How is it going in the states? I cannot believe that I have been in Palma for 3 weeks, and in Spain for almost 4. It has gone by so fast, but simultaneously it already feels like home. The city is perfect to walk through, and it shouldn't be long before I know all the streets! This past week at school was a lot of fun, we sang a couple songs and talked about ocean animals. Wednesday was a Spanish national holiday and no one had school or work, so a group of us went out for tapas near Plaça Mayor on Tuesday night. So much fun! The small stoned streets were swarming with people, 2euro could buy 1 pincho (tapa) and 1 vino or caña, which is a small glass of beer. Later in the night we walked down to Parque del Mar in front of the cathedral and the fountain there, it was beautiful. The next day, a bunch of us auxiliares went to Platja Es Trenc, a miraculous beach on the south of the island. The water was unbelievably clear, the sand was soft and white, and the sky was as blue as ever. Es Trenc is known for having extreme nudity on the very ends of the beach...which we definitely walked through. All I have to say is that I would definitely not be disappointed if I never passed through that part of the beach again.

pinchos

la Cathedral durante la noche 

After several failed attempts the week prior, on Friday I finally obtained my NIE (foreign residency card), bank account, and targeta intermodal (bus card). I also got a new bike seat for free from a young woman who fixes up used bikes to sell (mine was stolen last week). Although it is not as spic and span as my previous bike seat, it is there and functional, just what I need. Friday night was a blast, a bunch of us went out dancing till 5:15am again. It is so easy to stay out that long when sooo many people are still out and about... Spaniards laugh when they hear that bars or clubs close before 3am in America, that is still considered early here. 


On Saturday I went to Mercat d'Olivar and bought some freshly caught salmon to make orange salmon ceviche for the raw dinner Ellen and I would prepare for our other auxiliary friends, Becca and Lindsay. BEFORE dinner though we went to the castilleros (human castles) performance in plaça del cort and got to talk with some people who have been doing it for awhile. It was nothing short of amazing to watch. I'm actually really interested in doing it...here are some photos that explain what it is if you don't already know:

climbing down to make a pillar

These are called towers, when it is a one person column.

The ceviche was delicious; I also made some amazing bean free raw hummus with zucchini and homemade raw tahini and served it with cut up vegetables. We had raw ice cream for dessert (frozen bananas pureed, half with vanilla bean and cinnamon, half with raw cocoa, a date, and a touch of stevia...AMAZING). just a few photos from mercat d'olivar:

jo <3 la mercat

the mangos are huuge and so sweet!

Today Ellen ran in the half marathon and got fourth over all! (well, possibly third because of a malfunctioning chip, vamos a ver)  Those 5k/10k runners are crazy :)
Here are some random pictures from the week, there aren't as many as last week, but enjoy!

from the marathon

side of my apartment building!

Well, I think that's all for now. Hope everything is well with all of you...
Con mucho amor,

Bianca


PS - I don't think i posted my actually address on here, so here it is:
c\ Alfredo Bonet 9, 05B
07003 Palma de Mallorca, España

Palma, La Segonda Setmana!

Hola a tots de Mallorca!
Mucho ha pasado esta semana (a lot has happened this week). I am loving this island and all the people in it. I still kind of cannot believe that I will be living here until June, it is so beautiful! The weather has been very warm, although yesterday and today were a bit chillier (70s :) ) Last Monday was the Ministry of Education of Spain's orientation for the auxiliars in las Illes Balears. It was interesting to see most of us there and chat, and also wonderful to actually get information about what we should expect and what is expected of us, etc. It made me even more excited to start the next day!! So I actually am in two schools, una escuela primaria en Palma y una escuela secundaria en Santañy. I love them both, I was kind of surprised at the behavior of the 12-14 year olds, actually, they behaved worse then I would have thought! They are not problematic for me, but I feel bad for the teachers sometimes. But a prof will yell and then everything is just fine, very different than America jaja. I'll be working three days a week, then I will start advertising this week for private lessons! Anyways, what else did I do last week...popped my bike tire then got a new one, walked a loottt just around with people, and starting to seriously study for the LSAT. This summer was a nice break but I gotta get my discipline back, which has not been difficult! For those who don't know, I'm flying to Madrid in December to take it (yes, in English...).  Friday night my apartment made some sangria with mango and peach! Then we went dancing (only until 3 this time)...soo much fun! But it was pouring for half the night, so we walked back in the rain. I love the feeling of getting dry again after the rain...we were so soaked. But very well worth it! Here are some pictures of architecture and other things from the past week

Lime tree

Plaza de España

Sant Miquel

The cities in Mallorca

Santanyí

the oldest olive tree in the world!!

Yesterday a group of us were supposed to go to Soller, a little town northwest of Palma, on the famous wooden train. Buuttt some people were too sleepy in the morning, so Ellen and I went hiking in Alaró. After walking a TON we hiked up a mountain, 800m high, to the ruins of Castille d'Alaró. There were a lot of "cutbacks" I think they are called, where the path winds back and forth. But it was amazing. The pictures I am posting do not do it justice what so ever. But maybe if you google it you will be able to find some decent ones. First hike every and it was breath taking. Also on the walk we saw hundreds of trees that grew apples, olives, almonds, limes, lemons, oranges, peaches, persimmons, figs (!!!), pears, and also some tomatoes, wild turkeys, sheep, a pony, goats, roosters, a BIIG pig... I think those were all the animals. I can't wait to take more hiking trips, especially along the coast! Here are some pictures...

Evil fruit that stabbed me when I picked up a more ripe one

Olive trees!

Gates to a beautiful house on a farm

parte del castillo

Ellen y yo!

arbol de higo (fig tree!!)

sheep

trail!

las montañas

Isn't it beautiful? I'm skyping with Liz right now, so great to talk to her. Anyways, that is all for now. It's another beautiful day here in Mallorca, school tomorrow. I'm going out for a run along the Mediterranean :)

Con muchísimo amor,

Bianca