La vida te da sorpresas, sorpresas te da la vida...

It is quite interesting the different reasons people learn a new language. The majority of our class revealed that they would like to use it in their future careers, or at least use it to attain said future careers as Spanish-speakers are always highly-solicited in the job market. Others want to live in a Spanish-speaking country. The Italian girl is studying for the sole purpose that it is the second most-spoken language in the world. One of the American students is already fluent in Spanish as a native Panamanian. Why study it then? It was the easiest degree she could get before pursuing her dream of going to culinary school. I didn't really know how to answer this question. I do not know if I will use Spanish in my future career, and I don't really care about the diploma. When it came my turn to answer I simply said that I have always wanted to learn, but I could not think back to why this was. I suppose part of the reason is to learn another culture and society that has become so much a part of our own, especially along the West coast and South, but I know it goes beyond that. Also, I think I just like learning language. My favorite answer, however, came from the English fellow Joel, who is learning to be able to speak to the parents of his Spanish girlfriend. Que preciosa!

Today was a beautiful day in Oviedo... one of our rare sunny days, although I really haven't minded the clouds. I took the opportunity to go for a run along a new path that had a great view of the city. You know Terwilliger Road in Portland? It was kind of like that. I think the main way I have come to bond with this region is by immersing myself in its nature. My favorite times here have been exploring new trails and villages on our excursions, walking along the beach, and finding a freaking castle! It is so much like the Pacific Northwest that in a beautiful and melancholy way, it reminds me of home. I did not expect to find that feeling here (I expected to find it in England), so it has been a very comforting and easy place to pass my August. :)

Oh, and kayaking! I should probably tell you about that. It was not CLASS FIVE RAPIDS kind of kayaking so much as a nice leisurely 15 kilometer float down a beautiful river. We ran into an Irish family on the river who said "It's like the Oregon Trail, no?" and it really was. This is apparently a really popular activity because the river was absolutely PACKED, creating a bumper boat-like experience. At one of the faster, narrower sections of the river all the kayakers were trying to get through at once, which created chaos. The current caused our kayak to push another kayak into a fallen tree, causing them to capsize. To keep from capsizing ourselves, we had to paddle really fast, which I am sure looked like a frantic fleeing of the scene of the crime. I felt bad, but what are you going to do? Another one of the narrow sections was covered in jagged rocks, and without doing anything to stop ourselves, Casey and I became stuck in them. I was laughing hysterically as we scooted ourselves forward to get over the rocks, but quickly shut up as the kayak tipped forward and I looked down into white water. I was freaking out, but Casey (who was in the back) kept scooting us forward until we made it safely over the rocks. All the kayakers below clapped when we made it through this mildly treacherous part of the river.

That was the day of the Spain-U.S. basketball game, which was a big deal for everyone here but me... So I am sorry I don't have more information on that front. Everyone who found out we were American had a host of questions to ask... Luckily, others in our party were more informed.