Spain

The plane from Dallas-Fort Worth to Madrid

Update number three! I am writing this from my dorm room in Salamanca, Spain. My classes start this Monday, in three days. I am finishing up my second full day in Spain and so far it has already been a wonderful experience. A little stressful at times and definitely a transition but Salamanca is a truly beautiful place. My Spanish is still warming up but I'm sure it will soon get into gear.

 

Cranes overlooking Salamanca

Starlings in the sky in Salamanca

There is a lot of beautiful architecture around and the center of town is very European with winding pedestrian streets and the few motor streets primarily driven by small cars many of who's logos aren't immediately recognizable to the average American. The University of Salamanca itself is approaching its 800 year anniversary and it is visible in many of the building façades looking out onto cobblestone alleys and courtyards. Although I have not yet really taken my camera out with me, the main plaza is gorgeous, as are many of the other plazas and historic buildings sprawled across town. There is, however, a fair amount of restoration going on and some buildings are shrouded in netting and scaffolding. My first full day here was comprised primarily, after taking care of some university arrangements, of wandering the enchanting streets and hidden alcoves and plazas as a few snow flakes fluttered down through the sky between the patches of blue.

  

The view from my window in Salamanca

As a bird nerd I've been enjoying seeing some "exotic" species. There is a nesting colony of white storks on the roof of a historic building in town and I have seen various locally common birds from black redstarts to a European robin and various others.

So far I cannot complain. Beautiful weather, lovely people and an enchanting city have made my future prospects look promising.

Thanks for reading!

-Tully