Los Viajes

View from top of Torre de Hércules

The past few weeks have been really busy between traveling the past two weekends, going to class, taking siestas, going out for tapas, fulfilling our weekly cultural requirements, and just getting to know Madrid. Two weekends ago, we went to Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain. It had some of the most amazing views I have ever seen and really good seafood. When someone ordered fish, they brought out the whole fish with the skin and sometimes the head. My favorite part of the trip was the visit to the “Torre de Hércules.” It is the oldest Roman lighthouse still in use. After climbing to the top, we could look out over the ocean and the city of Galicia. We also saw the Cathedral of Santiago which is the burial-place of St. James.

Last weekend, we traveled to Asturias which is on the northern coast. We saw more awesome views and drank their traditional cider. The waiter poured the cider by holding the bottle up high and the glass down low. This supposedly aerates the cider, and then you have to drink it quickly. My favorite part of Asturias was our visit to two pre-romanesque churches. They were built sometime around the 700s. The architecture was really cool, and it was neat to put into context some of the things I have been learning about in class. I feel blessed to be able to travel so much. The most stressful thing so far (besides the fiasco at the beginning with the flight and the luggage) has been trying to decide where I want to travel on my free weekends. We have about four, and I have already made plans to go to London this coming weekend!

Each week we have to attend a cultural event so this week I decided to go to a Spanish movie, "La Piel que Habito." The least I can say is that it was interesting. When I went to buy my ticket, the guy asked me a question. I had no idea what he said, so I just replied "Si." This seemed to be the right response because he gave me the ticket for the movie I wanted. Things that were different: bars in the movie theatre, assigned seats, graphic scenes, and really weird, complex plot. The good thing is it was only a 10 minute walk from my house, so I’m sure I’ll be back to watch more movies. One thing I didn’t know is that a lot of the TV here is American shows with Spanish voices recorded over. My Señora loves to watch CSI and Friends. Yes, Friends just got funnier.

This week, I also went to my first discoteca (club). It was super packed but lots of fun. People go out here so late. I’m still confused about how they do it. I didn’t leave until after the metro had closed so I got to take another taxi ride home. I guess I’m still getting used to some things, but looking forward to some English accents this weekend!

muscles

pouring the cider

La Escuela

This week we started school. The university is about a 30 minute metro ride and 15 minute walk from our apartment. Since we have to be there at 8:30, we have to get up pretty early. On Tuesday, I decided not to get up when my alarm went off and instead, was woken up by Lauren telling me I had about 20 minutes to get ready. So we were already running late when we got on the metro going the wrong direction. After finally getting off of the metro, it was about 8:26. The best 3 euros I have spent so far is for the taxi that took me and Lauren to the university where we arrived right on time. Now, I make sure to read the signs in the metro very carefully, because I want to stop this trend of being the person who arrives late to everything on this trip.

School so far has been pretty easy. All of my classes are in Spanish and with only Furman students. The teachers speak slowly though and are easy to understand. My four classes are: language, Spanish theatre, contemporary Spanish society, and art and civilization. It is strange not to have a health class since that is my major, but I hope to do my research project on health and nutrition in Spain. Juan is our teacher for two classes, and he is great. He gives high fives to whoever participates in class, and about every 10 minutes asks if anyone has "preguntas, comentarios, or chistes (questions, comments, or jokes)." Every day, we have bread or croissants, mandarin juice, and coffee for breakfast. Señora gives us an apple to bring to school, and by the time we get home around 2:00, I am always more than ready for lunch which is usually huge.

Tomorrow we leave for Galicia, which is in Northwestern Spain. We are spending the weekend there and then go back to school on Monday. Although Madrid is great, it will be nice to see a completely different part of Spain!

La Pena de la Piña

Today, our Señora made us paella which is a very traditional Spanish dish. It is rice with various other ingredients. This one that she made had calamari and bell peppers. At lunch, Señora was telling us some of the customs of Spain. When eating rice (like the paella) Madrileños start from the outside and work their way towards the middle so that it stays warm. They also eat their lettuce (which is topped with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper) before the meal. And she told us not to drink water during the meal if it is rice or pasta, because then we will get full very fast. I have also learned that Spaniards eat with both hands on the table. After we ate the paella, Señora said that she would get us some fruit. She comes back with pineapple. I love food and will eat almost anything (I even ate pig's blood last night). But pineapple is one of the few foods that I hate. I tried to cut it into little pieces, but I only could eat a few. I told her I was full and couldn't eat anymore, and thankfully she told me not to worry.

One thing that is very different for me is wearing shoes in the house. Here, it is rude to walk barefoot inside. It is hard for me to remember because I am so used to taking my shoes off as soon as I walk inside. Also, I keep forgetting that most stores close in the afternoon from 2 to 5. Yesterday, Lauren and I went for a walk in the afternoon around our neighborhood looking for stores. We completely forgot that this was the time when most people go back to their houses to rest and only a few stores were open. Everything will take some getting used to. For now, I am still trying to get over this jet lag and understand what my Señora is saying. Señora said that in 15 days everything will be much easier, so we will see!

How do you say "delayed?"

Well, it has been quite a crazy start to my trip. Wednesday was one crazy day. I was scheduled to fly from Nashville, to Atlanta, to Charlotte, to Madrid. However, my first flight was delayed an hour causing me to miss my next flight. After many tears, phone calls, and prayers, I decided the best option was to get on the next flight to Charlotte which would arrive 5 minutes before my flight to Madrid was scheduled to leave. The flight attendants said the chances of me making the flight to Madrid were very slim, and the next available flight out was in five days! I was stressed, but it was worth a shot. Thankfully, my flight was 20 minutes early! As soon as I got off the plane, I ran as fast as I could with my luggage for what seemed like forever. But, I made it (with probably about 30 seconds to spare)! My professor and my classmates were very patient and helped me out so much. They said that they tried to walk really slowly onto the plane to save as much time as possible. It was such a relief to see them on the plane.

When we got to Madrid, we met with our host families. I am living with a Senora and another student, Lauren, from Furman. My Senora only speaks Spanish, and I am not really sure what she is saying most of the time. But she loves to cook and is very helpful. She talks so much. The first night, I kept zoning out and really just wanted to go to bed, but she kept talking and talking. It takes so much effort to listen closely to her Spanish. But, she is so sweet!

I am really enjoying Madrid. The people are really nice, and the weather is great. Now, I am going to go unpack, because my luggage just arrived earlier today and I want to wear something other than t-shirts and the only pair of sandals that I brought in my carry-on bag!