Three more days of classes, but I don't leave until Friday morning. I'm already starting to think about the things I will miss, but the good news is that the most important part of this trip--the people and what I've learned--isn't going anywhere (mostly thanks to Mark Zuckerberg). And let's face it. This pale skin is probably not meant to live in the direct sunlight, and going through two bottles of sunscreen in four weeks can get expensive. But enough musing. It sure isn't over yet.
This past week started off with a bit of a challenge. Our second session professor, while extremely knowledgeable and experienced, succeeded in quashing our class morale and the great sense of community we'd built up during first session. Her class is far more rigorous, far less discussion-based, and her expectations are far more confusing. We've had a paper or presentation (usually both) due every single day, so thank goodness we took advantage of our free time during the first class because we were all in the computer labs or in our hotel rooms this past week acting like real students. But, I think we're all learning a lot, so there's the upside. Friday afternoon was such a welcome feeling after a long work week.
Yesterday, we had a "class trip" to some of the beaches on the east coast of the island, which aren't easily accessible by public transportation. They were beautiful, and the water was the best shade of candy-blue. Unfortunately, for about half the trip, the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in, and there were even a few big rain drops which is awfully ironic because it hasn't rained a single drop since we arrived here almost four weeks ago. But on the one day we do a big beach trip, the clouds roll in. We still had a great afternoon, and after much-needed showers and naps, several of us headed into the city for tapas. And ate SO much food. Yum.
The Mallorcan flag against a Mediterranean sky
Incredible beach at Cala Mandraga wildlife park
We walked along the coast until we got to the sand
We swam out to edge there and jumped off the rocks
Word on the street is that the king is either on his way to, or has already arrived in Mallorca. Apparently, local officials knocked on the doors of all the residences surrounding the castle (which is directly across the street from the school, surrounded by a very high wall so don't ask me what it looks like) and asked what their business was, where they were from, and demanded to see their passports. I know this because some of my classmates live over there. So we've been told not to be surprised if we have to go through some kind of checkpoint to get into school tomorrow. We shall see.
Want to hear a poignant observation? I had been listening to this song, called King of Spain by Kristian Matsson, on endless repeat before I left the states. It kept getting in my head all the time in anticipation of this upcoming trip. I even found a Youtube video of the singer doing a live performance of the song in Mallorca, which was cool enough to begin with. But then, guess what? Kristian was in front of me in the line to get tickets at the international terminal in Newark airport. I went through security with him, his wife, and his bandmates. At the time, I was only 85% sure it was him, mostly because it seemed so unreal that I was just listening to that song and there he was in front of me. But I was able to confirm it later thanks to the modern technology of the internet. And then I freaked out. And now, I'm taking classes across from the King of Spain's summer palace. And this week, he is going to arrive! I wonder if there will be a sighting! At this point, after all that's happened since I went through my front door in New Providence almost a month ago, anything can happen.
