Yesterday, after class, we went and toured the sports facilities at the University. A few of the students from Caceres took us around and informed us of hours, policies and what each area was designated for, as well as for whom. Although the facilities are decent, I think I can speak for all of us in the program when I say that the U.S.A. puts much more of a percentage of tuition into athletics. We actually were told that to get into a private institution here, it's about $6,000 a year. We tried explaining to faculty that $6,000 would be a normal figure for room and board at a public university.

**In other financial news, the Euro went down to 1.23!

After the tour, we got on the bus to go back into the city, seeing as the university is on the edge of town. When the bus got downtown, Kathryn and I stayed on, hoping to find out if the bus would take us closer to home or not. We never did find out because we were immediately pulled off the bus with the rest of our friends by some of the students from Spain. They wanted us to go for a drink and "tapas" and told us we HAD to come with. Very reluctantly, we did. ;)

So Kathryn and I talked futbol (soccer) and politics with "the guys" for about the next hour. Everyone is very interested in Obama, as well as our opinion, so it makes for an interesting conversation when you continue to switch between English and Spanish. For 2 Euros we each had two "tapas" with a beer. Not too shabby I'd say. The "tapas" were really good; the beer, not so much. After a few sips I asked the guys if they wanted it. They hesitated for about .2 seconds before finishing it for me in about the same time.

Kathryn and I then went home to be productive until we met up with some friends in the city for the evening. We went to a bar/cafe we had gone to the other night and put down 5 Euros for a liter of beer. Each table had its own tap and keg, so we were each able to have a beer, while workng on our mad bartending skills.

After having a beer, we met up with everyone at an apartment (one of the students from Caceres had a friend who was brave enough to invite over 15 Americans) and hung out there before heading to the discos. I have always known that dancing isn't among my talents, but it's so much fun here! We mentioned taking some flamenco lessons while we're here, so I hope we do!