First Impressions

It has almost been two weeks since I first arrived in Spain, which is crazy to believe. On the one hand, it feels as though I just arrived. And on the other, I feel like I've been here for months. Sometimes I think about how much I have learned in the past two weeks and it boggles my mind. What a huge learning curve! As much as Spain is not that different from the U.S. in some respects, it is very different in others. For example, there's no central heating. It is fairly cold everyday in the house even though the temperature outside is in the 50s or so. I definitely took for granted being warm once I got out of the shower back home! There is also no such thing as unlimited phone plans in Spain, which means everyone goes out to see each other. You don't often visit someone at their house, you meet them at a bar or cafe. Much of the culture of going out to see people is a combination of the fact that no one wants to spend hours talking on the phone to someone because it's expensive, and also because the houses are cold. It's wonderful! So many people are out all the time. Especially at night. Spaniards eat late, like 9 or 10pm so around this time is when everyone is out and about: getting tapas, having sangria, a coffee. It's so nice to go and see someone and be with people out in the streets instead of calling or texting them. I have very rarely used my phone here, and if I do, it's to "dar un toque" which is when you call someone and hang up after one ring. This is to let the person know that you have arrived at the meeting point without getting charged for a call. Brilliant!

My first week here was all orientation. The program I am in, CIEE Liberal Arts, has over 200 students... it's BIG. But my orientation group was made up of about 10 students and we had a guide who is a student at the University of Sevilla and works for CIEE. He was absolutely fantastic. It's always fun experiencing a new place with someone who loves where they live and is excited to tell you about it. He is probably the most animated individual I have ever met in my life, and my group loved having him as our orientation leader. He showed us where to go if we are sick, need groceries, need to buy "saldo," or minutes, for our phones, where the best tapas are, the best clubs and bars, how to use the public bike system, basically anything we would need to know!

Unfortunately, orientation eventually has to end and classes must start! Right now all the students are required to take an intensive course that's two weeks long before the regular session of classes starts. As exciting as it sounds to take intensive grammar for two weeks, I'm ready to start our regular session classes after one week. However it has been extremely helpful in improving my Spanish and the best part about it is when I leave the classroom and actually getting to practice what I've learned!

Here are some of my favorite points in the city that I pass on my 30 minute walk to and from class everyday:

This is one of my favorite areas. On the left where all the people are standing is a bar where people come at all hours of the day to have drinks and stand and talk outside. It's exciting at night!

The narrow passage to CIEE! That doorway to the left of the car is the entrance to the center where I have my classes.

The bridge I cross that separates el centro (the center of the city) and the barrio (neighborhood) where I live, Triana.

I love passing this on my runs! And who knew palm trees existed in Spain??

My favorite part thus far about being here is learning something new all the time. And I don't just mean learning how to get somewhere or what the name of a building is. My mind is constantly stimulated. Things are too easy in the States. I take for granted being able to have a conversation with someone in which both parties completely understand the other. I am constantly trying to figure out how to do something. If I can't contact my friend because she's out of saldo, how will I know if she's still meeting me at the plaza or if she's arrived? How do I say "softcover book" in Spanish because I don't want a hardcover one? How will I get to that market if I only know the general area it's located in and don't have a map or any other way to figure out how to get there? It's a constant adventure and as much as it can be frustrating, I love it. I love constantly having new challenges to face and knowing that once I get out of them, it's a funny story for later. After all, I have some sort of misunderstanding at least once a day, gotta learn to laugh about it! 

That's all for now! Until next time, hasta luego!