Spaining It Up, Day 11!

Today was a busy day! Once again, I woke up by myself at ten, but this time I made sure the steel blinds were already open so I could see the light of day. After getting ready and eating breakfast, we piled in the car for a day trip to the coast. We drove for about an hour, but once again, it was worth it! I can´t get over how beautiful and blue the sea is here. I took pictures along the rocky coastline and watched the seagulls swoop down and around the coast. I remember feeling so so jealous as I watchd those birds, because they have the most freedom out of all of us. They were able to be part of the beauty, while I just had to stand and watch. We went to another city afterwards that had a harbor filled with boats. We also had lunch at a restaurant here. I was so sick of eating steak, so surprisingly I was willing enough to have them choose something for me. Not doing that again! The first plate comes out and the waiter puts it in front of me-- a big leg of some unknown meat. Apparently I ordered lamb. I had no idea how to cut it so Marta´s mother did it for me. I honestly have to say that seeing that bone shake back and forth as she cut it gave me a little gag reflex. I did eat it, and of course I did pretend to like it. The truth was, however, I did not like anything about the slimy textured leg of a once living animal on my plate. As full as I always am here, I kept telling myself throughout the meal that I deserved to have dessert. I´m so glad I did becuase the dessert was to die for! It was a glass plate with a pile of cut up strawberries next to a huge pile of whipped cream. I am in love with strawberries now. Next we made our way back to Oviedo and I fell asleep in the car. I woke up to Marta´s mother saying (in spanish) "Look, Allison! Look!" and then her father responding "Shh! She´s sleeping, she´ll see when we get there". I found this funny, and I also felt grateful that they thought I was still asleep because I was too tired to look. We reached the top of a mountain and got out to look over the entire city of Oviedo. It was an amazing view! Next to this lookout area, we drove a little further to a giant stone statue of Jesus with his arms opened out and a heart on his chest. It really did take my breath away, just realizing the symbolism of how giant he was, standing on top of the mountain, overlooking the entire city. We also went to two ninth century churches nearby, similar to the others I´ve visited while being here. When we returned home, I received a demo from Marta´s mother on baking bizcocho. Later, Marta´s brother Hugo and his girlfriend Paula came to visit. Marta´s aunt Begoña came soon after and stayed for dinner. We had chicken tortellini and I had a kiwi afterwards. Marta´s parents and I then made a CD of photos from their memory card of my stay here. I´m so glad they took pictures to share with me. Well, it´s already past eleven here and I have to get up early tomorrow to go to Gijón!