The big event of the week was "Carnaval" this past weekend - a massive fiesta that lasts for more than two weeks each year in the coastal city of Cádiz, Spain. It began in the 17th century, and features singing competitions, parades, and witty shows in addition to thousands of people in costumes participating in the unofficially official "botellón" that crowds the streets. As a testament to the power of the party, it was the only one in Spain that Franco (the dictator) couldn't put a stop to during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
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| Entrance to Carnaval! |
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| Beautiful sunset in Cádiz |
On a totally unrelated but funny note, a friend of mine here, who is also staying with a host family, came down with a bit of the sniffles last week. Her Señora (host mom) came to the conclusion that the cold was obviously a direct result of eating her cereal with cold milk every morning. Now my friend eats cereal with warm milk. Gotta love home remedies.
Yesterday I went to the Iglesia de San Antón for mass, and it was packed! However, it takes me by surprise every weekend when about half of the congregation does not receive communion. I think it's somewhat of a cultural difference; I have read that this is actually common in Europe, whereas in the United States the majority of people receive communion. My understanding of the mass is improving little by little, and I'm able to participate much more now!
Between classes (yes, I am actually here to study), going on trips, planning for trips (stay tuned!), volunteering at the soup kitchen, keeping tabs on things at home and at school, and exploring, I am rarely bored. There is so much to do and see here!
I think Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 offers the profound wisdom in that there is a time for everything, but sometimes it seems like there just isn't time to do it all!
