Toros

I try to coordinate posts with pictures, so check out FB after you read this!
Miercoles- We had class from 10-3, then lunch and Mark Kelley and I met up at 5:30 to work on our "prueba" for our class. We had to ask for directions and take down any common phrases, body movements that occurred. Basically, they give you the directions by saying getting there is very easy and showing you all the turns with their hands. :) After we went to the Mueso de Taurino, a bullfighting museum, in order to prepare ourselves for the bullfight we went to on Thursday. It was really interesting, with some bull heads on the wall, and awesome art depictions of bullfighting (paintings, sculpture, pictures..). Then our group went out for coffee together, then Mark and I went out to dinner. :) 
Jueves- We had class, and Mark Kelley and I gave our "presentation" basically just a discussion with the class on what happened when we asked directions, it went great. Went home for lunch, had a small siesta, then met up with Mark and Ann in the park and walked to the Plaza de Torros. Once we were there, we were able to see La Vuelta, a bike race through Spain, enter Salamanca, so that was really neat, and an added bonus. :) So, the bullfight. La Glorieta, Salamanca's bullfighting ring was completed in 1893, and can seat up to 10,000 people. Our group sat on the second level of the ring, in the shade. There were tons of people around us, and all of them were smoking. I think the 4 guys who sat in front of me, smoked the entire 2 and a half hours, needless to say my throat was burning after. There were 3 matadores(nicknames) Morante de la Puebla, El Julí, El Fandi and a total of 6 bulls.  Here's how a bullfight works: Each matador has 6 assistants. The 6 assistants include two picadores ("lancers") mounted on horseback, three bandilleros ("flagmen")  and a mozo de espada ("sword page"). Collectively they comprise a cuadrilla ("entourage"). There are 3 stages of the bullfight each beginning with the trumpet.  First, the whole group enters the arena, then the bull is let out and the matador and  bandilleros test the strength of the bull with the capes. This is the part I enjoyed the most, because it was the bull running at the cape or capote, and the matador would try to impress the crowd.  After this the picadores enter the ring on horse back with the a lance and strikes the bull in the neck. After this the bandilleros enter with two bandrillas (very sharp sticks) each striking the bull in the shoulder area. At the end of this stage, there is 6 bandrillas in the bull shoulders, if all are done correctly and stay in the bull.  If you check out Marks pictures he has a neat picture of this.  In the third stage, the matador  re-enters the ring with a red muelta (cape) and a sword.  The matador uses the muelta to wear the bull down and after a series of passes will position the bull in a way so he the sword will through his heart. If it is done well the people will wave white handkerchiefs so the matador will be rewarded an ear. So, thats how it works. Each of the matadors went, and both El Julí and El Fandi were given an ear of the bull they killed. It was definitely an intense experience, and Im glad I was able to have the opportunity to see something that has been a part of the Spanish culture. 
Viernes- This was the last day of our class with Carmen, she gave us her email and told us if we needed help with anything to let her know, traveling, school or anything else, so it's great to have the connection. At 6 we met and went to an old mill that has been turned into a casino and hotel. It was neat how they utilized the space with the mill and they are also were having a reception of some sort there, and had some really cute center pieces. :) Then we went to another park outside the city, so we got to see another view of the wall around Salamanca, which was neat. Then we all went and had coffee. That night we met up with Lauren, Shannon, Elyse, Ben and Ellen and went to Italianos and had gofres and just talked. It was super yummy and pretty chill. 
Hoy- Didn't wake up until 11:15, which was sooooo nice :) Mark and I met up with Kelley and Courtney at an athletic store close to our house then walked to the Corte Ingles. Then Mark and I went to Las Torres for lunch, because my madre is getting her house painted and I didn't want to have to eat alone in my room. We got to skype with Marks family which was awesome and then we went and got Universidad de Salamanca sweatshirts because there super cute and really inexpensive. Plus, its going to be cooler in the north so it will be a sweatshirt to take :) 
Our excursion to the north is Monday through Friday. We are going to Palencia, Santander, Burgos and Valladolid. Im not sure what the wifi situation will be so I may not be able to update my blog until I get back. If that's the case it's going to be one long blog entry. haha After our excursion to the north we start classes on Monday. Im excited and nervous for them :) 
Tomorrow we're going to Rastro, its like market sort of thing, super cheap. They told us to keep an eye on our stuff and to keep our valuables in our pockets, so that will be interesting. :) 
Missing everyone!