France Trip

Hellooooooo

I went to Bayonne and Biarritz, France this weekend with two friends from Arkansas! It was nice to get out of Pamplona for a few days. It was very inexpensive to get there, only 13 euros. I did not realize how far the basque country extends over the French border. The two official languages in Bayonne and Biarritz are French and Basque. We spent one day and night in Bayonne, it is a very pretty town with a river that runs through it. There is also a Notre Dame look-alike cathedral in the older part. Bayonne also has great shopping, the Galeries Lafayette is just as dangerous as the one in Paris haha. I got to eat a delicious nutella crepe and french fries(not together ha).

We took a bus to Biarritz this morning and got to walk around and then go to the beach. It was so beautiful! I am posting some cool pictures...

I am offically back in love with France. I got to use a little of my French, which was rusty obviously but now I get to practice with my new roommate, Kevin. He is from Paris. He won't let me take a picture of him to put on this blog, but he looks like Chris Martin from Coldplay. He cleans alot so I think I can live with his strange french rap music.

Pamplona is going great. Clothing is very different here. Most spanish women wear dresses, tights with flats or boots and a scarf. I am trying reallll hard not to look like a tourist, but it is honestly tiring sometimes! Next weekend is our halloween party. My costume idea has changed ha I think I want to be a firewoman, we will see.

Also, thank you to everyone who has sent me a care package! I have american candy running out my ears, what a feeling! :)

Tomorrow I am going to the beach at Bilbao, Spain with my intl student friends unless the time change messes my schedule up.

I bought my ticket home this week. I will arrive in memphis december 19th and be home until january 4th. I can't wait!!

Un beso! Until the next time I have something interesting to report,

Shelby

Pamplona Pictures

This is the Bull Stadium. It is the 3rd largest in the world, but is only used once a year for San Fermin.
This is my favorite Plaza! Plaza del castillo... we meet several nights a week on the bench to the right in the picture :)

This is the plaza de viana, about 10 minutes walk from my apartment.
Countdown to San Fermin!
Pamplona City Hall
Hemingway's Cafe
I think this is the Navarra State Building but I am not completely sure :)

These girls are international students from the US, Portugal and Germany. I am going to Leon, France with Crista, the girl on the far left November 8-9. We are also going to London November 20-23.

Just call me Denice...

They say daughters become their mothers when they grow up. I didn't think it happened at 20. Nobody here can pronounce Shelby, I have actually been told my name is strange by a couple of people. So to make things easier I officially have an alter ego, Denice the international student. The girl in the top picture is Anica, from Germany

The picture of a bottle is my new boyfriend, Delinut. It is chocolate and hazelnut cream mixed together and it has taken over my life.

Classes are going well, I really like my communism class and my faith class as well. I hate my literature class, but I hate literature in every language I think haha. I like my roommates, I am including a picture of Natalia.

I am including a picture of my room, it is looking more homey now!

The international students are planning a Halloween costume party! It might be at my apartment, but we might have to find a bigger place(there are about 100 intl students at my university). I am going to look for my costume this week. We are also planning to have a thanksgiving celebration! I suggested everybody dressing up as either a pilgrim or an indian haha. We'll see if people are into that or not.
I love you all!

bienvenidos

Hey everyone! I am in my new apartment here in pamplona with 2 friends from the international student group. I made my schedule this afternoon and I am starting class tomorrow. I am trying to get a group to go to San Sebastian this weekend. This town is one hour away from Pamplona by bus and is right on the beach, it is beautiful(except for the beached whales aka large naked old men on the beach).
My new apartment has internet and I am so excited so now I will be able to update my blog and show you pictures.
I do not like the food here at all so far, but since I am now cooking for myself I will be able to make american food when I get sick of spanish food(only fish and bread, just like jesus...).
The university is taking all the international students to Leon, France on the 11th of october. We will go by bus and I think we are spending saturday and sunday there. I have never been there, so I'm excited about going.