This week is the final week of lab for research in Spain. With the approaching deadline, things are beginning to get hectic and more and more projects are pushed in the already long days. This week, my lab is conducting bioassays on two previously purified molecules -- xiloidone and lapachol. Since we know the exact structures from these molecules (from extensive study of carbon and hydrogen NMR) we were able to make concentrations of various molar concentrations of the molecule. After 24 hours, the bioassay is complete and results can be measured (thats what we are doing tomorrow).

On another note, the eight of us as well as Joanne and Micheal went on our last trip with the University of Cadiz. We got picked up by a minibus early on Sunday morning and spent the day in Ronda. The city was beautiful and we got to wander around and explore on our own.

Like most cities in this part of Spain, Ronda has a new and old section. The separation between the two cities is marked with a huge bridge spanning a gorge. In the middle of the bridge is an old prison, which was used when Francisco Franco was dictator of Spain. According to the tours, Franco would throw prisoners off the bridge to kill them. This becomes even more terrifying when you look down from the top of the bridge to the rivers and rocks hundreds of feet below.

In Ronda, we split up into smaller groups depending on what we wanted to see. I walked around with Rachel and Erin and the first thing we did was hike to the bottom of the gorge (before it got too hot ... meaning the temperature was below 100 ... in the shade). It was one of the most fun things I have done here. There are Roman ruins on the way down into the valley and you can just stumble around and find cool places. We found a room that looked like it was right out of the Darma Initiative on the TV show LOST.

Aside from a couple bruises and scrapes we made it back up in one piece. Which is a little surprising considering how closely we had to cling to the rocks at some places to keep from falling.

We also toured the huge bull ring (which is still used!) in Ronda and got to see Moorish Baths.

After the heat and walking around this weekend, returning to lab was a nice break. My lab is air conditioned very well due to the sensitive instruments. Since it is the last week, we are working quite a bit on our oral presentations and the posters that we will present at Bucknell. Oral presentations are next Thursday -- in front of all the mentors and the heads of this program. It's a daunting idea, but I feel like I know a lot of background on my summer research. Part of that is due to the Chemical Ecology class we now take on Tuesdays and Fridays after Spanish.

Speaking of Spanish ... tomorrow is our final exam! Which means I should probably be studying ... there are just too many tenses to remember.