Farewell, Salamanca

 ¡Hola!

 After a hot but enjoyable summer in Salamanca, the time to return to Manchester was approaching. I had completed two Spanish language courses as well as units in Spanish art, history, literature, economy and society. I received a "sobresaliente" - the highest mark - in every one, which was wonderful. I felt I had learnt a lot and made good friends from all over the world.

 I now knew Salamanca very well and had visited Madrid, Toledo, Ávila, Segovia, La Granja Palace, León and Zamora.

 I had seen terrapins snoozing in a train station and storks nesting in towers; a huge blue moon and the alleged Holy Grail.

 I had eaten some amazing things and amassed a collection of recipes to bring home with me. I had done a lot of art and had two big sketchpads to somehow fit in my case.

 On our penultimate night I went with some of my coursemates to karaoke in an Irish bar. It was quite good fun but got very rowdy and I escaped shortly before midnight, leaving the rest going strong. As I walked through Salamanca, bright with lanterns and floodlit buildings, I reflected happily on my Spanish summer.

 The next day passed quickly and soon it was the final evening. I packed as much as I could and had one last meal with the crew from my residence. I got an early night and awoke to my final morning in Salamanca. 

 At school we were presented with our certificates. Lessons were fairly laid-back; in our literature class we all chilled on the steps of the school, which is in the Plaza Anaya, next to the Cathedral. We watched tourists stroll past as we chatted and took group photos. It was lovely to be outside on such a hot morning.

 After class I had a couple of hours before I had to catch the long-distance bus to Madrid for my flight. I wandered down the Rua Mayor and bought some last-minute presents and souvenirs. I had a scrappy lunch as I didn't want to eat a lot before travelling.

 Finally I returned to my room and packed - it was a struggle making everything fit between my trunk and backpack but I managed it in the end. Then I met up with Caitlin, a friend from the residence who would be on my flight, and we handed in our keys and hopped into the taxi that the ladies at the residence had called. 

 We whizzed to the bus station - it really wasn't far, but carrying all our bags there would have been impossible. So far, so good. Then things got more complicated as the signs on the bus bays were not clear at all and we weren't totally sure which one was ours - it really didn't help that there were two buses next to each other both destined for Madrid. 

 We ended up trying to get on the wrong bus and luckily the driver told us to get the one at the next bay. It was so confusing! They really need to sort out their signage. Once we were on the bus we could sink back into the comfy leather seats and enjoy the golden fields and green forests and grey mountains flashing by us.

 We arrived at the airport and Caitlin and I navigated our way to the check-in and through security. On the other side we met an Irish friend of Caitlin's and relaxed for a bit in a café. Caitlin and I then found our terminal, boarded our plane and soared off towards Liverpool. Like the plane journey out, the plane journey home was uneventful. I had finished all my books so just read the in-flight magazine and listened to music. 

 I remembered waiting nervously outside Madrid Barajas Airport when I first arrived, unsure what was to happen as I hadn't been able to take the bus I had wanted to. Of course, it all turned out fine and I had an amazing few months in Salamanca.

 At Liverpool Airport I said goodbye to Caitlin, was reunited with my family and was soon on my way home. I'm now back at Uni and definitely benefitting from all I learnt in Salamanca. I can feel the improvement in my spoken Spanish, and my increased knowledge of Hispanic art and literature has already come in very handy.

 I've joined a Spanish reading group and am helping out at a primary school Spanish club. I'm determined to keep Spanish culture in my life. I may even begin writing a book set in Salamanca, the way I have for Montpellier, Manchester and Perpignan.

 I hope you've enjoyed following my year abroad adventures. This isn't the end of this blog: I still have bits and pieces from France to post; some food photos and more film reviews. So, watch this space! And make sure you check out my articles on Third Year Abroad!

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

 PS Just seen that this is my 100th post on this blog! Wow! What a journey it's been, in every possible way! I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it, taking photos and film and spreading the French and Spanish love.

 Here's to many more blog posts and much more globetrotting!

The second photo rally

 Hello!

 In my last post I told you about the first photography rally organised by my course at the University of Salamanca; how I took part but then found out it was cancelled. However, it was still a good experience. Several weeks later the second and final rally of the summer was announced and this time a crowd of students assembled at the language school to receive our instructions. 

 We were given a list of themes and specific things to photograph. There were specific things - Miguel de Cervantes's medallion in the Plaza Mayor and the Astronaut in the stonework on the Cathedral - and a list of wider themes to fulfil. These were "Sport in Salamanca", "European style", "Spanish language" and "What does Salamanca mean to you?"

 I set out into the city on my photographic quest. It was a lovely sunny evening and I knew that, regardless of whether my photos did well, I would remember this walk.

 I returned to my residence by twilight, feeling that I had done okay. I selected and submitted my set of photos and they were put up on Facebook by the school so people could vote. I was overwhelmed by the number of votes I got... and by the fact that I won! It was a wonderful feeling. Thank you so much to everyone who voted.

 Here are my photos - see if you can guess which were taken for which category. Not all of them have a category, there are some I just thought were quirky or interesting. At the end of the post are the final six photos that I chose as my set and which won. I hope you enjoy taking a virtual tour through Salamanca with me!

Fray Luis de León in front of the University Door

I can't decide whether this is a dog or a pig...

The elegant Casa Lis

 And... here are my winning photos!

What Salamanca means to me

The Astronaut on the Cathedral

Spanish language

Migual de Cervantes' medallion in the Plaza Mayor

Sport in Salamanca

European style

 I hope you like them. It was amazing to win and to have the chance to represent in images the city that had become my home.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x