Palomas de maíz, por favor

It's beautiful, annoying, frustrating, and funny how language can be confused and lost in translation. My friends went to watch a Spanish movie for their class. One girl, meaning to say popcorn, which are palomitas de maíz, accidentally said palomas de maíz, thus asking for doves of corn. We couldn't stop laughing at the story as we shook our heads and sighed. We, americanos.

It's getting a bit easier to understand the language without having to concentrate so much. Classes have officially started, and it can be a pain trying to listen to professors talking a thousand words a minute, but I feel myself improving. HAHA. At least, I like to think that I am. Which brings me to Prof. Sergio's theater class. This class has become one of my favorite classes here. We learn the weirdest things ever, but they turn out to be pretty useful. For example, I learned how to jump properly without putting stress on my back. Since we're always using our bodies and moving, I've started learning the Spanish vocabulary for all the parts of the body. For today's class, we practiced breathing properly for an hour and had to act out various elements like water, oil, and rock with our bodies. Sergio as a theater professor is crazy and amazing.

Roof of the cathedral

Last week, the program took us on a trip to Toledo, a city about an hour away from Madrid. It is a beautiful, beautiful city. Guided by Professor Alvaro, we went around to see religious monuments like the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, which was one of the largest cathedrals I have ever seen. We were amazed by the monuments and the incredible view from the hilly city for only a short time before we were distracted by delicious sweets. Toledo is famous for its mazapán, a sugary dessert made from almonds. I brought a small box back home for my host mother, and when I tasted one with her, I immediately regretted not buying more. It was riquísimo and my friends and I are planning on making a separate trip back to the city for more. 

Group shot with Madrid and Alcalá students

 [I discovered another delicious almond dessert, thanks to an intercambio friend. These polvorones are less sweeter than marzipan, and more crumbly and delicate. Its name actually comes from the Spanish word for dust, polvo. These, I definitely recommend.]