STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING

My alarm didn't go off this morning, but, luckily, I woke up on my own by 8:10 am. During our first class, we continued to work on the present subjunctive. We talked more about when it is used and practiced with some games. In our second class, we each wrote a recipe down, in Spanish, that we like. The idea was to create an international cookbook. Makaela and I translated the brownie recipe from home that I love. However, all of the measurements are in cups, tablespoons, etc., so they will have to be converted to the European measurement system.

Having our quick turn around after school again today, we hurried to the paddle boarding shop, taking the fast way this time. We arrived at 2:30 pm on the dot. It was cloudy though and drizzling rain, not ideal for a day in the water. The instructor offered Makaela and I wetsuits, but we thought we would be okay. As soon as we were grabbing our boards though, we started rethinking that decision. Too late, we walked the boards down to the water. The instructor's Spanish was a little difficult to understand, but we managed. He helped us over the waves on the way out, but we paddled from there. The wind was strong back toward the beach, so we had to be equally strong in our paddling. We went out toward the boats and paddled around. The instructor tried to advance us by switching our stances to one similar to a surfer's, which is needed to ride the waves in. Makaela went for it and fell in. Not wanting to get wet and then stand in the wind, I kept it simple. So far, I hadn't fallen. However, the instructor kept falling in while playing around with more advanced moves. Paddling back toward the beach, Makaela and I spotted Faye, who had come down to take pictures while we paddle boarded. The much dreaded wave ride-in approached. We got down on our knees and started paddling. I rode it for maybe a second or two before falling in. The guide, however, rode one in easy. It was impressive to watch. Maybe one day I'll make it.

After rinsing off and changing, Makaela and I stepped back out in the rain. We headed toward the market once again for empanadas. They even had the vegan one this time. I hadn't seen it again since that first day. Immediately eating the empanadas, we made our way toward old town, stopping in shops along the way. We bought some anklets and bracelets that we had been keeping an eye out for. Then, we asked a couple shop owners to point us in the direction of a crepe place that was recommended to us, Québec. Winding through that part of town, we found it fairly easily. It was small but very cute. I had a maple syrup and strawberry crepe, and Makaela had a nutella and strawberry crepe. It was a nice way to spend the rainy afternoon.

Not wanting to take on the drizzling rain, we took the bus back to our host families' apartments. I went over to Makaela's today to see her family's apartment. She is on the top floor of the building. We relaxed and looked at photos for a little while. I then returned to my family's apartment for dinner. I had chicken with baguette and a pasta salad that, I think, had some sort of fish in it.

Time is starting to speed up. It is crazy to think that we are over half way done with this part of the trip.

Stand up paddle boarding

Stand up paddle boarding

Las olas

Las olas

Empanada

Crepes!