Vacciones Empieza!

This entry was written on October 8, 2010. I typed it on my friend's computer and only now had WIFI to post it.

Hola Todos (Hi everyone)

Spain is definitely growing on me! I’m so exciting to finally say that I love it here! Perhaps my change of heart is due to meeting some Spanards and some other students that study in Barcelona that speak Spanish with me all the time or maybe it is because I’m keeping myself busy with choir practice, the beach, exploring what Valencia has to offer on the outskirts, and of course studying. I think my biggest challenge was to adapt to a developed city life when all of the other countries I’ve visited have underdeveloped, seemingly undiscovered little town. I prepared myself to be living in a Spanish-speaking country, not in a city. Nevertheless, I’m learning how to adapt to the city life: 30-40 minutes to walk anywhere (if father away, the busy is a nice alternative), discover what little greenery there is in the city and stay there for an hour, spend the weekends in less populated areas such as the manmade lake or the nudist beach I found!

Some of you have asked about pictures, my Spanish family, etc. Here is my response. I will be posting my pictures to my google account. This link will take you to my first round of downloaded photos http://picasaweb.google.com/112376838831918393615/SpainSept2010# I don’t think you need a google account to see them, but if you can’t access them, just create an account (you do not need to create an email to create an account).

I absolutely LOVE my Spanish family! They were very patient and loving during my rocky first weeks. I have a madre. Her name is Blanca. She is Swedish. She moved to Spain with her family when she was very young—I don’t remember why. She owns a Tobaco shop 2 blocks away from our house. She has 4 kids. Her dream is to save enough money to move out of the city and buy a house with a garden in Morida. She often sings classical music in the kitchen. She is opinionated, caring, and has a great deal of insight about people and life! We often have talks for hours in the living room after lunch or dinner. The other day she and I rode bikes for a couple of kilometers until we got to the beach, where I read and she walked for 2 hours—She is in her 70s, and she still bikes and hikes! I love it! I want to be that active when I’m her age.

I have a Spanish brother who lives in the house. He is about 40 years old. He is super nice! He often accompanies me through the city showing me the sights and taking pictures for me. He speaks a little bit of English. It’s strange because he knows soooo much, but his pronunciation is off because he only knows English through reading (he is probably a better speller than me. Lol). He does not have a girlfriend, but would really like one. He is very sweet, but tends to date girls who take advantage of him…I hope he finds someone!

The food in Spain is nothing special—I know! What a disappointment! Then again, I only know my madre’s cooking, which tend to be quite bland. Her favorite ingredient in the kitchen is olive oil, sometimes she will use salt. I asked her the other day if she had black pepper, her response: “I have no idea.” She checked in the cabinet and found some!!! Now I eat an egg with pepper for breakfast. Breakfast!!! I miss American breakfasts! The typical Spainish breakfast is coffee, maybe accompanied by toast or some cookies. Thank goodness I have an AWESOME MADRE. She lets me make my own breakfast. Some days I’ll have cereal with a banana and juice, other days it will be an egg with toast and juice. Yogurt and granola is sometimes on my menu too! Paella is my favorite food I’ve had so far. It’s a rice dish with some spices, veggies, and usually chicken or seafood.

Change of subject. I am on a coach bus right now traveling to Barcelona. It is 8 am. I’ve been up since 5 am. I am on my fall break: Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome! I am traveling with a very nice girl named Purvi. She is from Virginia. I’m soooo excited for this trip! I hope to get another stamp in my passport when I’m in Italy. I already bought tickets to the Vatican! I love traveling. It makes me happy, excited and relaxed. I think seeing new places and meeting new people is what I’m supposed to be doing while I’m here (well, and studying). I am resolved to travel throughout the U.S. sometime soon. I really want to experience what my country has to offer, so that I can enhance all of my other travel experience.

I wish you all could share this moment with me. I’m on a highway that passes through bush-covered mountains. To my left, everything is green. There is an early fog that is lifting. The sun is peaking through the clouds. I look to the right and I can see a city and the Mediterranean Sea. I am in Spain!

I am equipped with an Italian phrase book, my friend, a good attitude, and the desire to learn as much as possible—I’m ready to embark on this journey!