Yesterday I had at least two people mistake me for a native. However, this was before I opened my mouth, but whatever. I chalk it up to wearing a nice skirt. Depending on what kind of day I´m having, I can dress myself to assimilate, it´s pretty easy for me with the brown hair. But oh, how I miss my sweatpants.
We had the fiesta at school last night and got to meet some of the other intercambios, conversation partners. Mine and Janelle´s are good friends, so another stroke of luck for us here in Spain. I think next week they want to go to the Alcazar, Giralda, and Catedral. My intercambio´s name is Juan, he just turned 18 and he´s studying archeology and history at the Universidad de Sevilla. He wants to go to the States, especially, get this - Syracuse. Yes, Syracuse, one of the old, decrepit, forgotten cities of upstate New York. Apparently his sister and his aunt lived there for some time and they said it was really beautiful. Anywho, him and Sam, Janelle´s intercambio, seem really nice. My roommate Danielle´s intercambio is 34, so I guess it could be worse.
I have my first written assignment for my composition class due tomorrow. It´s only 200 words max. Sigh. So difficult...but in all seriousness, it kind of was a little hard, because it´s creative writing, which I have a hard time with in English, so looking for adjectives in Spanish is doubly difficult. I have a film analysis due next week, which I´m not really looking forward to writing. Ok maybe a little. Professors here are really chill about life, they put off the due dates for some readings and assignments until after Carnaval this weekend. But boo for Friday classes, I have class until 9 (we have four make up days on Friday throughout the whole semester so we can meet the necessary amount of weeks). Plus classes are an hour and a half here and sometimes (read all the time) it can be tedious.
Time for me to scoot off to my one class today.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
¡Feliz Día de San Valentín!
To all who are reading, no matter how well I know you, wherever on God´s green Earth you may be reading this, I hope that today and days to come are filled with love and happiness!
It´s hard for me to be away from home and friends, I´ve never been this far away (my roommmate pointed out that I decided to go out of the country for the first time - no, Canada does not count - on a semester´s long trip) and even though I have access to a computer I just can´t flip open my phone and dial away. So though I´m thoroughly enjoying life here, there´s still a big piece of my heart that wishes I could be with all of those people who I now find myself miles away from.
On a less sappy note, our school is hosting a fiesta tonight so we can mix and mingle with our intercambios. It should be reminscient of that awkward first dance in middle school, only this time I hear there is free booze. Can´t wait to see what unfolds.
It´s hard for me to be away from home and friends, I´ve never been this far away (my roommmate pointed out that I decided to go out of the country for the first time - no, Canada does not count - on a semester´s long trip) and even though I have access to a computer I just can´t flip open my phone and dial away. So though I´m thoroughly enjoying life here, there´s still a big piece of my heart that wishes I could be with all of those people who I now find myself miles away from.
On a less sappy note, our school is hosting a fiesta tonight so we can mix and mingle with our intercambios. It should be reminscient of that awkward first dance in middle school, only this time I hear there is free booze. Can´t wait to see what unfolds.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
It´s hard to have a good hair day in Spain
So I´ve been a little remiss with the updatings lately. First, it is really hard to have a good hair day in Spain with rain, humidity, and my very ineffective blowdryer. Add this to the fact that the Spainards are so well-coiffed it makes it very difficult to assimiliate.
I´ve tripped at least once every time I have left my house or school. I really think it´s my new shoes on the cobblestone roads. And in case anyone was wondering, Spainards don´t trip. They would never be reduced to such a pedestrian act. So every time I do, it´s another glaring sign that I´m a fish out of water.
As for this past weekend, Janelle and I along with our new pal Rachel took the bus to Cordoba, a city about two hours to the northeast of here. So pretty, with lots of religious significance (when this area, Andalucia, was ruled by the Muslims, Al-Andalus, the seat of power was in Cordoba, and the Medinat Alzahara was the official palace and seat of government). There is also one of the THREE synagogues in Spain in Cordoba, it was kind of hilarious because we were all excited to go, and then it turns out it was only three rooms. Three tiny rooms that us and a bunch of other tourists descended upon when it opened back up after siesta.
Classes are good, they are easy to understand. I dropped a history class, good riddance. We don´t have too much homework, which makes life easy. One day I actually look forward to now is Sunday. At school, Sunday is a day of dread, the Oh crap moment of the week. Here, Sunday is peaceful, we walk around, sleep, eat, and basically any thing else anyone could ever hope for in a Sunday. This past Sunday Rachel took us out with some of her sevillano friends, and it was great because they understood us, we understood them, and we talked about Grey´s Anatomy. Such a relief!
We´re looking ahead to going to Madrid, and we booked one of our two big trips already - right before my birthday, we´re going to Morrocco! And we´re camping out in the Sahara. How crazy is that. A year ago I could have never imagined where I would be, and now I´ll be camping and actually looking forward to it.
Every day is better than the last, and everything is starting to settle into its place. We´re learning more and more about Conchi every day. And yes, Carlos is in fact her grandson. It only took me a week to figure that out. Danielle, my roommate, got the scoop on the family situation. Nancy is Carlos´s mother and she takes classes at the Universidad de Sevilla. Shelly, Conchi´s daughter in the States, and her husband Alex have three kids I believe, all boys. Anyway, Conchi and Alex watch ninja movies together, that´s Conchi´s favorite kind of movie. Now Conchi is about five feet tall, very petite, and enjoys Arrayan, Canal Sur´s telenovela, and Menuda Noche. I cannot picture her getting into ninja movies. Although perhaps it is her other identity...the other day she received a package for Maria Merchant. ¨That´s my name in the States,¨she told us. Hm.
A lot of people have been asking me about the food. Aside from different mealtimes, it´s pretty much the same. For breakfast, I have toast on steriods, strawberry marmelade, and hot chocolate. Lunch is a bigger meal, sometimes pasta, other times pork fillets, other times lentil soup. Dinner can be empanadas and a vegetable side, or these curious hot pocket like potato-cheese things, I´m not really sure. If I don´t know what it is, I don´t ask. I´d rather eat and enjoy then have it spoiled. But I have been eating shrimp....which is a HUGE step for me. I won´t get into it, but when I was 6 there was an incident involving my new kid sized pull out couch, my Jasmine Barbie doll, New Year´s Eve, and some shrimp. I haven´t eaten it since. But I´m actually enjoying it here. Although what I wouldn´t give for a hot dog or a Diet Coke. For some reason, everyone I know has been talking about stupid hot dogs, and now I want one and there are none to be had.
I´ve tripped at least once every time I have left my house or school. I really think it´s my new shoes on the cobblestone roads. And in case anyone was wondering, Spainards don´t trip. They would never be reduced to such a pedestrian act. So every time I do, it´s another glaring sign that I´m a fish out of water.
As for this past weekend, Janelle and I along with our new pal Rachel took the bus to Cordoba, a city about two hours to the northeast of here. So pretty, with lots of religious significance (when this area, Andalucia, was ruled by the Muslims, Al-Andalus, the seat of power was in Cordoba, and the Medinat Alzahara was the official palace and seat of government). There is also one of the THREE synagogues in Spain in Cordoba, it was kind of hilarious because we were all excited to go, and then it turns out it was only three rooms. Three tiny rooms that us and a bunch of other tourists descended upon when it opened back up after siesta.
Classes are good, they are easy to understand. I dropped a history class, good riddance. We don´t have too much homework, which makes life easy. One day I actually look forward to now is Sunday. At school, Sunday is a day of dread, the Oh crap moment of the week. Here, Sunday is peaceful, we walk around, sleep, eat, and basically any thing else anyone could ever hope for in a Sunday. This past Sunday Rachel took us out with some of her sevillano friends, and it was great because they understood us, we understood them, and we talked about Grey´s Anatomy. Such a relief!
We´re looking ahead to going to Madrid, and we booked one of our two big trips already - right before my birthday, we´re going to Morrocco! And we´re camping out in the Sahara. How crazy is that. A year ago I could have never imagined where I would be, and now I´ll be camping and actually looking forward to it.
Every day is better than the last, and everything is starting to settle into its place. We´re learning more and more about Conchi every day. And yes, Carlos is in fact her grandson. It only took me a week to figure that out. Danielle, my roommate, got the scoop on the family situation. Nancy is Carlos´s mother and she takes classes at the Universidad de Sevilla. Shelly, Conchi´s daughter in the States, and her husband Alex have three kids I believe, all boys. Anyway, Conchi and Alex watch ninja movies together, that´s Conchi´s favorite kind of movie. Now Conchi is about five feet tall, very petite, and enjoys Arrayan, Canal Sur´s telenovela, and Menuda Noche. I cannot picture her getting into ninja movies. Although perhaps it is her other identity...the other day she received a package for Maria Merchant. ¨That´s my name in the States,¨she told us. Hm.
A lot of people have been asking me about the food. Aside from different mealtimes, it´s pretty much the same. For breakfast, I have toast on steriods, strawberry marmelade, and hot chocolate. Lunch is a bigger meal, sometimes pasta, other times pork fillets, other times lentil soup. Dinner can be empanadas and a vegetable side, or these curious hot pocket like potato-cheese things, I´m not really sure. If I don´t know what it is, I don´t ask. I´d rather eat and enjoy then have it spoiled. But I have been eating shrimp....which is a HUGE step for me. I won´t get into it, but when I was 6 there was an incident involving my new kid sized pull out couch, my Jasmine Barbie doll, New Year´s Eve, and some shrimp. I haven´t eaten it since. But I´m actually enjoying it here. Although what I wouldn´t give for a hot dog or a Diet Coke. For some reason, everyone I know has been talking about stupid hot dogs, and now I want one and there are none to be had.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
"Today, two Spanish girls made eye contact with me"
That title courtesy of one of the middle aged Texans that sat down at the same tapas bar we were at last night. Actually tapas bar is a misnomer because it was less bar-ish and more restaurant. And we had some communication issues and wound up getting a lot of food and a hefty bill. But at least the sangria was good.
It's supposed to rain again this weekend which is a major buzzkill with my shoes. I'm running out of options, finally today I caved and wore my running shoes. They feel so good on my feet. I clearly stuck out like an American with my backpack and sneakers; if I was wearing my North Face and brought my Vera Bradley I would have made the outfit complete.
Not much to report, except I'm having less breakdowns. My two politics classes are kind of hard, at least the reading is. And for my film class, we're reading scripts in Spanish. It's hard to understand the stage directions.
In other news, Drew is coming in a couple of weeks. And possibly some London kids, who knows. We are going to the Roman ruins tomorrow and a day trip to Cordoba on Saturday. Tonight is LeAnn's birthday so we're planning on going out, hopefully we can find somewhere good to go.
I really need to do this homework.
It's supposed to rain again this weekend which is a major buzzkill with my shoes. I'm running out of options, finally today I caved and wore my running shoes. They feel so good on my feet. I clearly stuck out like an American with my backpack and sneakers; if I was wearing my North Face and brought my Vera Bradley I would have made the outfit complete.
Not much to report, except I'm having less breakdowns. My two politics classes are kind of hard, at least the reading is. And for my film class, we're reading scripts in Spanish. It's hard to understand the stage directions.
In other news, Drew is coming in a couple of weeks. And possibly some London kids, who knows. We are going to the Roman ruins tomorrow and a day trip to Cordoba on Saturday. Tonight is LeAnn's birthday so we're planning on going out, hopefully we can find somewhere good to go.
I really need to do this homework.
Part 2
Here's one from a few days ago::
February 5, 2007
I really enjoyed my classes yesterday. First up, Spanish Cinema. When I signed up for the class a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a dry history of cinema in Spain. Apparently, that was the past…they got a new professor who’s really funny, speaks kind of quickly, but all in all seems like a great guy. Anyway, I think he teaches over at the Universidad de Sevilla en la facultad de comunicaciones. So it could turn out to be pretty intense…and on the suggested reading list was three film theory books. It might not be as hard/long as Film A&A, but we definitely discussed pans, close ups, long shots, etc. The only catch is that it is in Spanish. Extra intensity.
I think I might have angered my host mother when I came home between classes and ate lunch by myself, but no one was home and I did not know when anyone was going to appear. I knew I should have taken a nap. Apparently I cannot just eat a meal on my own, I guess I misinterpreted a snack to be a meal? But seriously, the lack of snackage is killing me. Today I’m going to go to the Corte Ingles to fortify myself. For breakfast, we have two pieces of toast and some chocolate milk which is good. Then at 2/3 pm we have lunch. Dinner is at 9. There isn’t really a lot of food at these shindigs. Or I guess enough but because there are such long stretches between meals it is difficult.
Anyway, I had to walk back to school. On the way I got lost again. It’s so frustrating because I feel like the streets are continually shifting everywhere. And they are tiny and winding and I put myself at risk of getting run over all the time whenever I step out. I had a dance class in the afternoon. It was a lot of fun, and there are actually six boys in the class. Which has to be almost half of the entire male population in the Center. Then I had my poli-sci class. The professor is a sweet guy, he was asking us all about Hillary Clinton. My host mother asked us about her the other day too. What is it with Hillary? Generating international buzz already. Oh Evan Byah, where are you? And apparently John Edwards is back in the race, but taking a more aggressive stance this time around. Seriously, it’s going to be some dark horse that pulls out either party’s nomination.
In other news, I got an email from Danielle today talking about censorship in Singapore and the restrictions on the free flow of information. It made me think a little bit about the media aspect of life here. Except….when I watch the news it is very hard for me to understand because unless there are politicians speaking (they speak slowly and with measure - bless their souls) the anchors speak quickly. I have always taken advantage of the ability to communicate. Here, it is more difficult to understand and be understood because I’m at a very low reading and speaking level, although reading is improving leaps and bounds. I don’t think twice at home about flipping on the TV to watch the news; here, so desperately I want to be able to understand and all I can do is watch the b-roll (oh News I). Also, now that I don’t have regular access to a TV or hard copy of a paper, when I can use the internet to check headlines I’m out of control.
One last note for tonight. The plaza near the Catedral where the dreaded bird poop incidence took place is quickly becoming my favorite spot, despite said incident. I always wind up back there when I’m walking around aimlessly and I’m lucky enough to get to pass it every day on my way to school. It’s very open and wide and is the intersection for the Giralda, Catedral, Museo Bellas Artes and the Alcazar. And the street that leads out to Menedez is really beautiful as well. But anyway, I just love the Catedral. I’m very fascinated by it, and when we went to Church there Sunday it was the first time in three days that I felt at home and at peace.
February 5, 2007
I really enjoyed my classes yesterday. First up, Spanish Cinema. When I signed up for the class a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a dry history of cinema in Spain. Apparently, that was the past…they got a new professor who’s really funny, speaks kind of quickly, but all in all seems like a great guy. Anyway, I think he teaches over at the Universidad de Sevilla en la facultad de comunicaciones. So it could turn out to be pretty intense…and on the suggested reading list was three film theory books. It might not be as hard/long as Film A&A, but we definitely discussed pans, close ups, long shots, etc. The only catch is that it is in Spanish. Extra intensity.
I think I might have angered my host mother when I came home between classes and ate lunch by myself, but no one was home and I did not know when anyone was going to appear. I knew I should have taken a nap. Apparently I cannot just eat a meal on my own, I guess I misinterpreted a snack to be a meal? But seriously, the lack of snackage is killing me. Today I’m going to go to the Corte Ingles to fortify myself. For breakfast, we have two pieces of toast and some chocolate milk which is good. Then at 2/3 pm we have lunch. Dinner is at 9. There isn’t really a lot of food at these shindigs. Or I guess enough but because there are such long stretches between meals it is difficult.
Anyway, I had to walk back to school. On the way I got lost again. It’s so frustrating because I feel like the streets are continually shifting everywhere. And they are tiny and winding and I put myself at risk of getting run over all the time whenever I step out. I had a dance class in the afternoon. It was a lot of fun, and there are actually six boys in the class. Which has to be almost half of the entire male population in the Center. Then I had my poli-sci class. The professor is a sweet guy, he was asking us all about Hillary Clinton. My host mother asked us about her the other day too. What is it with Hillary? Generating international buzz already. Oh Evan Byah, where are you? And apparently John Edwards is back in the race, but taking a more aggressive stance this time around. Seriously, it’s going to be some dark horse that pulls out either party’s nomination.
In other news, I got an email from Danielle today talking about censorship in Singapore and the restrictions on the free flow of information. It made me think a little bit about the media aspect of life here. Except….when I watch the news it is very hard for me to understand because unless there are politicians speaking (they speak slowly and with measure - bless their souls) the anchors speak quickly. I have always taken advantage of the ability to communicate. Here, it is more difficult to understand and be understood because I’m at a very low reading and speaking level, although reading is improving leaps and bounds. I don’t think twice at home about flipping on the TV to watch the news; here, so desperately I want to be able to understand and all I can do is watch the b-roll (oh News I). Also, now that I don’t have regular access to a TV or hard copy of a paper, when I can use the internet to check headlines I’m out of control.
One last note for tonight. The plaza near the Catedral where the dreaded bird poop incidence took place is quickly becoming my favorite spot, despite said incident. I always wind up back there when I’m walking around aimlessly and I’m lucky enough to get to pass it every day on my way to school. It’s very open and wide and is the intersection for the Giralda, Catedral, Museo Bellas Artes and the Alcazar. And the street that leads out to Menedez is really beautiful as well. But anyway, I just love the Catedral. I’m very fascinated by it, and when we went to Church there Sunday it was the first time in three days that I felt at home and at peace.
Anniversary
On this, the anniversary of my first day in Spain, here's the post that I never got around to adding:
February 1, 2007. Day one. Over. Actually, more like two days with the time change and our arrival time. There was some horrible turbulence. I really thought I had met my match at one point, especially during dinner. Choking down the chicken was hard enough without sea-sickness. At one point, the tray of drinks fell over onto a passenger. Pandemoniom erupted for a few minutes. It was kind of disconcerting to see the flight attendants get so upset.
After dinner, the lights went off for the in-flight movie, and I couldn’t get sound or lights overheard because our console was not working. So I tried to sleep. But this did not work, despite my best attempts. Approximately three hours after they served dinner they threw the lights on and breakfast was served. So at midnight, approximately 6am local time, I was eating a muffin. It was weird to say the least
When we got to Madrid it was about 7:30 in the morning but it was still dark. Also disconcerting. However, this fact was soon overlooked upon disembarking from the aircraft (related sidenote, the airline was working this whole bilingual thing for a while, and as we got closer and closer to Spain it kind of tapered off, which was hard to try to predict which language they were going to come at you with next). The airport in Madrid is a monument to modern, minimalist architechture. Also, the gates are very close to the ground, which necessitates an elaborate labrinyth of ramps and stairways. So we get off the aircraft, no one knows where we are supposed to go. We go through customs, down three sets of escalators, to a train station. Somewhere along this journey, some of us realize that we need to be at gate M, which the way to said gate is on the opposite side of the glass partition. But we can’t get there, so we are forced to board the train.
The train takes us to another station, where we must ascend more levels of escalators, only to walk around and descend more to another station. We board another train. This train, kid you not, takes us right back to where we needed to be, which if you recall was the other side of the glass partition at the starting point. No joke, this took a half-hour schlepping all of my bags in my coat. Plus I had basically pulled an all-nighter.
Anyway, we make it to M, but there is no posting for what gate number at terminal M we are supposed to be at. So some of us plopped down at the closet one, and turns out that was our gate! We had a great view, although the airplanes were blocking it, of a mountain range in the distance and some buildings off to the other side. With the sun coming up and reflecting off the mountains, it was gorgeous. As an aside, I would be really curious to see the layout of this airport. It was absolutely the most annoying way to travel, except they did really control the flow of traffic by sending you on circuitous routes.
Anyway, the flight to Seville was cramped and was mostly students from our program. Needless to say, we all slept. We got to Seville and were met by some staffers, who loaded us onto the bus and carted us off to the hotel. It was very disorienting to step off the plane and Spanish being thrown everywhere. It’s also been rough adjusting to it, because I’m tired and I can’t focus as much as I want to. Plus it catches me off guard – I’ve never had a need to use Spanish outside of the classroom so I’m afraid to use it. Couple that with the fact that I’m probably one of a handful of students who is not a Spanish major and minor here, and let me tell you, London was looking really good at about 4pm. But I realized that I just have to have confidence and I can’t let other people intimidate me, as much as I want to allow them to. I can speak this language, I wouldn’t have come here knowing I couldn’t. So I just have to do it and not be afraid to make a mistake.
The hotel they put us up at is pretty swanky, meals have been a fun time, and I might have found some kindred spirits with regard to my pacing of meals. Nice spreads all around, although I’m starting to feel like lard. Maybe tomorrow I can work some Pilates in. We’re getting up to take a placement exam, then moving into our home. My house is right near the Alcazar, Universidad de Sevilla, and the bus station. I’m pretty excited about this, and I think it could be within walking distance from school if I had a nice day.
I’ve met some nice people thus far, and met up with the Ithaca crew. It’s been good to have them here. The only downers so far have been the fact that my face wash leaked in my bag (I can hear my mother groaning 3000mi away) and the intense homesickness I felt when I was first left to my own devices. All I wanted to do was be back in Ithaca. However, I’m here, tomorrow is a big day, we’re hoping to hit the town this weekend, so things should pick up. I’m just hoping my maniac-depressive mood swings can hold off long enough for me to get through it.
February 1, 2007. Day one. Over. Actually, more like two days with the time change and our arrival time. There was some horrible turbulence. I really thought I had met my match at one point, especially during dinner. Choking down the chicken was hard enough without sea-sickness. At one point, the tray of drinks fell over onto a passenger. Pandemoniom erupted for a few minutes. It was kind of disconcerting to see the flight attendants get so upset.
After dinner, the lights went off for the in-flight movie, and I couldn’t get sound or lights overheard because our console was not working. So I tried to sleep. But this did not work, despite my best attempts. Approximately three hours after they served dinner they threw the lights on and breakfast was served. So at midnight, approximately 6am local time, I was eating a muffin. It was weird to say the least
When we got to Madrid it was about 7:30 in the morning but it was still dark. Also disconcerting. However, this fact was soon overlooked upon disembarking from the aircraft (related sidenote, the airline was working this whole bilingual thing for a while, and as we got closer and closer to Spain it kind of tapered off, which was hard to try to predict which language they were going to come at you with next). The airport in Madrid is a monument to modern, minimalist architechture. Also, the gates are very close to the ground, which necessitates an elaborate labrinyth of ramps and stairways. So we get off the aircraft, no one knows where we are supposed to go. We go through customs, down three sets of escalators, to a train station. Somewhere along this journey, some of us realize that we need to be at gate M, which the way to said gate is on the opposite side of the glass partition. But we can’t get there, so we are forced to board the train.
The train takes us to another station, where we must ascend more levels of escalators, only to walk around and descend more to another station. We board another train. This train, kid you not, takes us right back to where we needed to be, which if you recall was the other side of the glass partition at the starting point. No joke, this took a half-hour schlepping all of my bags in my coat. Plus I had basically pulled an all-nighter.
Anyway, we make it to M, but there is no posting for what gate number at terminal M we are supposed to be at. So some of us plopped down at the closet one, and turns out that was our gate! We had a great view, although the airplanes were blocking it, of a mountain range in the distance and some buildings off to the other side. With the sun coming up and reflecting off the mountains, it was gorgeous. As an aside, I would be really curious to see the layout of this airport. It was absolutely the most annoying way to travel, except they did really control the flow of traffic by sending you on circuitous routes.
Anyway, the flight to Seville was cramped and was mostly students from our program. Needless to say, we all slept. We got to Seville and were met by some staffers, who loaded us onto the bus and carted us off to the hotel. It was very disorienting to step off the plane and Spanish being thrown everywhere. It’s also been rough adjusting to it, because I’m tired and I can’t focus as much as I want to. Plus it catches me off guard – I’ve never had a need to use Spanish outside of the classroom so I’m afraid to use it. Couple that with the fact that I’m probably one of a handful of students who is not a Spanish major and minor here, and let me tell you, London was looking really good at about 4pm. But I realized that I just have to have confidence and I can’t let other people intimidate me, as much as I want to allow them to. I can speak this language, I wouldn’t have come here knowing I couldn’t. So I just have to do it and not be afraid to make a mistake.
The hotel they put us up at is pretty swanky, meals have been a fun time, and I might have found some kindred spirits with regard to my pacing of meals. Nice spreads all around, although I’m starting to feel like lard. Maybe tomorrow I can work some Pilates in. We’re getting up to take a placement exam, then moving into our home. My house is right near the Alcazar, Universidad de Sevilla, and the bus station. I’m pretty excited about this, and I think it could be within walking distance from school if I had a nice day.
I’ve met some nice people thus far, and met up with the Ithaca crew. It’s been good to have them here. The only downers so far have been the fact that my face wash leaked in my bag (I can hear my mother groaning 3000mi away) and the intense homesickness I felt when I was first left to my own devices. All I wanted to do was be back in Ithaca. However, I’m here, tomorrow is a big day, we’re hoping to hit the town this weekend, so things should pick up. I’m just hoping my maniac-depressive mood swings can hold off long enough for me to get through it.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Ruminations
Here´s a list of some interesting obvservations about Spain thus far, in no particular order.
1. I have come to realize that Spainards do not believe in any extraneous paper products. There are tissues no where to be found. Also, they lack paper towels.
2. At first I thought that this was something only my host mom, Conchi, did, but apparently it is not exclusive to our household. We have a large coffee table, it´s about waist high on me. Underneath, there is a heater. So when we watch TV, we stick our feet underneath there and use the tablecloth as a blanket. This is considered perfectly normal.
3. Everyone is always dressed up. I mean I knew this coming here, but the sevillanos trek all across the city. And the women do it in heels. Also, everyone in Spain smells really good. I´m always walking into a cloud of perfume or cologne, but it´s not overpowering.
4. First of many embarrassing moments yet to come - Janelle and I did a lot of walking this weekend and somehow we always wind up back at the Catedral, one of the largest Churches in Christendom. We were sitting underneath a tree in the Plaza outside of the church looking at a map trying to find somewhere else to walk before meeting up with some of our friends. I looked over and there, on my one month old coat, was pigeon poop. First, I should say that theyse things are everywhere, pigeons that is, and they make sounds like owls. So we were laughing at the bird poop and Janelle was going to take a picture to document this experience. Well, we got our due, because then a bird pooped on Janelle´s hand, and it took her by surprise and she let out a yelp. Could not have identified ourselves as more American in that instant, as Janelle´s high pitched scream is echoing off the buildings, sending pigeons scattering and children crying. We booked it out of there like no other and ran around the block to Starbucks because we knew they had a bathroom. Only our progress in removing said poop was impeded by lack of paper towels, bringing us back to point 1.
5. Speaking of church, it´s very different here. At least when we went in the Catedral. No singing, no cushions on the kneelers. It´s intense. Also, when we went to go receive Communion, there was no line. It was a free-for-all. And I know this is going to sound sacriligious but I got elbowed out by an old lady. I mean, I think there is enough for everyone. If God can turn seven loaves and some fish into a feast for thousands, I think He can manage communion wafers for 100.
6. Never underestimate the power of a siesta. I fell asleep watching Contra Cien, which is 1 v. 100, the game show, Spanish style. And then I couldn´t fall right asleep an hour later. But got to love the amount of sleep. Although to go to bed, I wear fleece pajamas, a sweatshirt, two pairs of socks, on top of all of my blankets plus that sleeping bag I managed to get in my suitcase. Hands down, that fleece sleeping bag was the best 10 dollars I ever spent.
7. There´s an appreciation for the good things in life here - wine, food, company, etc etc.
8. My class schedule is great. On Mondays and Wednesdays I don´t begin until 11 10, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I start at 12 45. Add in siesta, and I´m basically sleeping through the weekdays. Hopefully I won´t have too much homework, we´ll have to see.
9. They really dig Sting here.
10. There is no rhyme or reason to the streets. They just pop up out of nowhere. And they are small, and there is always a risk of getting hit by a car or scooter.
11. I´m not really worried about crime or any other calamitous events as much as being una peatona (pedestrian). Walking sometimes is like a death wish. Janelle almost got hit by the side of a bus, while in the crosswalk and walking with the light. The motocicletas, buses and taxis will pull right up to you in the street while you are crossing and wait. Plus the motorcyclists are extra crazy, out of control. But they do look kind of fun to ride.
This weekend there has been talk of an overnight to Madrid. We will see what winds up happening. Lots to figure out this week, including planning our trips out, buying books, etc. I will have regular Internet access Monday through Thursday, but on the weekends it will be up to me if I want to go to an Internet cafe. So just a warning, if you send me an email or something after Thursday, I might not get it until Monday.
1. I have come to realize that Spainards do not believe in any extraneous paper products. There are tissues no where to be found. Also, they lack paper towels.
2. At first I thought that this was something only my host mom, Conchi, did, but apparently it is not exclusive to our household. We have a large coffee table, it´s about waist high on me. Underneath, there is a heater. So when we watch TV, we stick our feet underneath there and use the tablecloth as a blanket. This is considered perfectly normal.
3. Everyone is always dressed up. I mean I knew this coming here, but the sevillanos trek all across the city. And the women do it in heels. Also, everyone in Spain smells really good. I´m always walking into a cloud of perfume or cologne, but it´s not overpowering.
4. First of many embarrassing moments yet to come - Janelle and I did a lot of walking this weekend and somehow we always wind up back at the Catedral, one of the largest Churches in Christendom. We were sitting underneath a tree in the Plaza outside of the church looking at a map trying to find somewhere else to walk before meeting up with some of our friends. I looked over and there, on my one month old coat, was pigeon poop. First, I should say that theyse things are everywhere, pigeons that is, and they make sounds like owls. So we were laughing at the bird poop and Janelle was going to take a picture to document this experience. Well, we got our due, because then a bird pooped on Janelle´s hand, and it took her by surprise and she let out a yelp. Could not have identified ourselves as more American in that instant, as Janelle´s high pitched scream is echoing off the buildings, sending pigeons scattering and children crying. We booked it out of there like no other and ran around the block to Starbucks because we knew they had a bathroom. Only our progress in removing said poop was impeded by lack of paper towels, bringing us back to point 1.
5. Speaking of church, it´s very different here. At least when we went in the Catedral. No singing, no cushions on the kneelers. It´s intense. Also, when we went to go receive Communion, there was no line. It was a free-for-all. And I know this is going to sound sacriligious but I got elbowed out by an old lady. I mean, I think there is enough for everyone. If God can turn seven loaves and some fish into a feast for thousands, I think He can manage communion wafers for 100.
6. Never underestimate the power of a siesta. I fell asleep watching Contra Cien, which is 1 v. 100, the game show, Spanish style. And then I couldn´t fall right asleep an hour later. But got to love the amount of sleep. Although to go to bed, I wear fleece pajamas, a sweatshirt, two pairs of socks, on top of all of my blankets plus that sleeping bag I managed to get in my suitcase. Hands down, that fleece sleeping bag was the best 10 dollars I ever spent.
7. There´s an appreciation for the good things in life here - wine, food, company, etc etc.
8. My class schedule is great. On Mondays and Wednesdays I don´t begin until 11 10, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I start at 12 45. Add in siesta, and I´m basically sleeping through the weekdays. Hopefully I won´t have too much homework, we´ll have to see.
9. They really dig Sting here.
10. There is no rhyme or reason to the streets. They just pop up out of nowhere. And they are small, and there is always a risk of getting hit by a car or scooter.
11. I´m not really worried about crime or any other calamitous events as much as being una peatona (pedestrian). Walking sometimes is like a death wish. Janelle almost got hit by the side of a bus, while in the crosswalk and walking with the light. The motocicletas, buses and taxis will pull right up to you in the street while you are crossing and wait. Plus the motorcyclists are extra crazy, out of control. But they do look kind of fun to ride.
This weekend there has been talk of an overnight to Madrid. We will see what winds up happening. Lots to figure out this week, including planning our trips out, buying books, etc. I will have regular Internet access Monday through Thursday, but on the weekends it will be up to me if I want to go to an Internet cafe. So just a warning, if you send me an email or something after Thursday, I might not get it until Monday.
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