Hogueras has definitely started in Alicante! There were parades going on at 8 am this morning, and I wouldn't be surprised if those people had not slept yet.
This city is going crazy. There are food stands and vendors EVERYwhere.. and the strangest collection of people.. All kinds of roads are blocked off for the statues and the vendors, it looks like a completely different place. It's pretty cool.
Since we have less than a week left in Spain, our mission is basically just to cram as much beach time/fiesta time in as possible. This week we only have three days of class, one of which is the exam day. Yes we have to take exams, which assumes that we have to study for them in the middle of this massive party that Alicante is right now. It should be interesting.
It's so weird to think that this trip is almost over. It's kind of bittersweet. On the one hand I am kind of ready to be back in my element, and i miss everyone a lot. But on the other hand, this whole lifestyle is going to be so hard to leave, and it's going to suck not being able to just make a phone call and have at least 5 people meet you in 30 minutes to go hang out. But the good news is that everyone is from UT, so this trip will definitely not be the last of our fun.
I built this trip up for so long and it has been so amazing and kind of surreal, so it is going to be so strange when it is behind me. Kind of like a "did that really just happen?" kind of thing. Definitely the coolest thing i have ever done.
Today I am going to church in the barrio, which i am really excited about. I haven't been to church here yet and i know it is going to be so interesting. Later today i'm sure there will be more fiestas. I think right now is still kind of tame compared to what monday, tuesday, and wednesday are going to be. It's going to be crazy.
I don't know how many more posts I will be able to get up while I am here. I feel like these next 6 days are going to fly by in a blur of parades and burning statues and food and fiestas and music and beaches and trying to pack and pretending to do school stuff and maybe sleeping if i can squeeze it in. we shall see!