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