Level 2 State of Emergency

Snowman as seen on El Pais News

Let it snow!

Sarah and me

School Courtyard

Streets before snow

We were Level 1 yesterday. Today it snowed about 6ish inches and the state of emergency level was raised to 2. Highways are closed. Buses stopped running. Train stations are packed. People have fled to the streets throwing snowballs at friends, family, strangers - like when a mom threw a snowball at me and shouted "Got you!" Chaos has erupted. It's frickin awesome.

It took the bus, normally a 10-15 minute ride, an hour to reach our stop. We went to class for an hour and a half and the afternoon was called off. Only one professor of Alcalingua was able to make it into the city before the roads shut down. Everyone was going wild with excitement, because it rarely snows here. Apparently, this is the most snow they've had in decades. People were taking pictures and videos everywhere. The news alerted the city, "We are not blaming anyone, but will make sure those who made the mistake of not knowing the graveness of the situation take responsibility."

So we went to a cafe and then to the train station to get back home. Pretty nuts. It's the most beautiful site I've ever seen. The snowflakes are as big as quarters.

Yesterday was a full day of adventures. We had our first day of class, which was cool. Then we went to one mall, ate tapas, and then to another, but we weren't exactly sure how to get there by bus. It ended up taking a long time, but we found it, bought some hangers and a nose ring, and peaced. On the bus ride home a handsome fellow was sitting across the aisle and I started talking to him. He's from Portugal and is studying abroad for the '08-'09 school year. His name is Goncalo and he got my number and came out with us later.

Going out was awesome. We went to two bars - Cabana and Can-Can. We had a ton of fun, and got an early, (3a.m. is super early for Spain), taxi home. The Australians we've met are really cool or "mad", too. Harry and I have the same birthday.

Will the Americans be able to adjust to the enduring Spanish night life?
Will Spain be able to recuperate from its white blur of chaos?
Will Goncalo be the love of my life?

I also found a panaderia with the best bread I've ever had. Stay tuned.