Local time: 9:18 PM
Today's high: 63 degrees F and mostly sunny
High point: Played ping pong in Campo San Francisco.
Low points: Got cat calls from teenagers drinking out of flasks at the park and smell like smoke.
Lesson learned: If speaking English in public, don't shout it out, but talk in normal tones. Someone might stare at you if you're shouting in English.
Story #1: Chinese stores carry everything!
So today I went to play ping pong with peeps from our group in Campo San Francisco. I was wondering where I would find ping pong paddles and balls, thinking there would be a place where I could rent/buy them near the tables (which by the way are concrete and tattooed with graffiti). No such luck. But, it turned out that Tim, one of the three boys on the trip, went to the Chinatown store near the school and found two paddles, three balls, and a net for about € 2.50 (about $3.60). Not only are there ping pong sets, but also there are school supplies, baskets, shampoo, pet food, wall paint, costumes for Carnival, leggings and tights, jewelry boxes, and kids' toys! It's literally a very small, two-story (basement and main floor) Walmart! Probably the two things you couldn't get there are food/drinks and actual pets, unless I missed it.
Story #2: I can watch my shows on the internet!
I was told after I came here that I wouldn't be able to watch my shows on their regular websites because I am out of the USA. It was a bummer until Sam, a girl who's been here a while, told us of a website we could watch full episodes on for free. When I got caught up on a couple of episodes, I was very happy. But, I promise you, Mom and Dad, that this site won't make me fall behind in my studies ;-) .
Story #3: Spanish
I think I'm getting better at listening and understanding Spanish. With my padres and some teachers, I can sit and listen to what they are saying without even translating in my head because I already know what they're saying. Is this a sign of becoming fluent? I don't know. At other times, I feel the least competent person in my class, always asking what I'm supposed to be doing for homework or something else like it. Thankfully, though, many of my classmates in Hispanoamerica are just as lost as I am. Ah well, that's why I'm here: to learn Spanish.
All for now! Hasta la vista!
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Great stories, Leslie. Love the story about the Chinese stores. What is Campo San Francisco? Sounds like the ping pong game was fun. Enjoy the "cat calls" and don't take them to seriously....someday you will be my age and look forward to them.....:)
ReplyDeleteCampo San Francisco is a huge park in the center of Oviedo. Eeeewww with the cat calls!
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