Sorpresas, Sorpresas

On Saturday, I finally got to go with Betty to her second house (a condominium) in Llevaneras, a little town about 30 minutes outside of the city. I didn't really know what to expect, since Betty is a bit of a packrat and has so much stuff all over the house. So I didn't really know how she could possibly have enough things to fill another house! But, lo and behold, she did. However, there is artwork and sculptures and everything is put away neatly (surprise, surprise!). Such a drastic difference compared to her apartment in the city! Right outside her door is a private pool and tennis courts and path that leads straight to the beach. It's pretty much heaven and I'm probably going to go with her every weekend possible- I can't wait to lie on the beach when it gets hot outside.

So I just went on Saturday afternoon and took the train back to the city at night because my good friend Maddie, from home, came to visit this weekend from Ireland! So I met up with my friend Jacquelyn (who just got here on a different program) and we met Maddie and a few of her friends for tapas and drinks. I'd say it was a pretty successful day.

On Sunday when Betty returned, she began preparing tonight's dinner: fresh sardines. And when I say fresh, I mean just caught from the Mediterranean that morning. So Betty's washing the sardines and she calls me over to admire the shine and beauty of the fresh sardines. Then, SNAP! She breaks one in half and blood starts squirting out. She rips out the spine, rinses it off, puts it on a plate and says "voila!" She's just going to fry them in some olive oil and they're ready to go. So that's tonight's dinner. I'll be sure to report on how that goes... Man, I am being so adventurous.