The Real Spanish Life

Now that I've been here a little over a month and have had time to get settled, I decided it's time to really start going above and beyond immersing myself in the Spanish culture. Of course, it's been inevitable that I've already been doing this, living with a Spanish family and all, but I wanted to interact with Spaniards in ways that consisted of more than them making fun of my American accent at a bar, or telling me how much I owe for the food I just bought. There were three highlights of this week that all consisted of me really getting the chance to interact with Spaniards:

1) volunteering. Last Monday I began volunteering at a Spanish school in a class of 3-5 year olds. I will be doing this every week. I decided to do this for a few reasons: 1) it's a good way to practice my Spanish (although it is pretty embarrassing that these small children speak much better Spanish than I do, and sometimes just give me funny looks when I speak, but more motivation for me to improve!!) 2) As I've mentioned before, the kids here (niños) are ADORABLE, and I really really wanted an excuse to play with them and 3) this didn't play much of a factor, but it will look damn good on my resume that I volunteered in a Spanish school (I'm going to be applying to both jobs and grad schools soon, and I need all the help I can get).
Anyway, every Monday me and a few other people from my program go into this school and assist these kids with arts and crafts. Again, I must mention, they are the cutest. However, they are LOCO (crazy in Spanish). I now understand why Americans are known for medicating their hyperactive children...I have no idea how the teachers of this class make it through the day, I was exhausted after an hour. But, of course, it was completely worth it.


...adorable, right?

2) attending a Spaniard's party. I chose to do part of my program called "Intercambio," where they set you up with a Spanish person, usually around your age, who you can meet with once a week or so. The point is for them to be able to practice their English with you while you practice your Spanish. My intercambio, who I met last week, recently graduated from the University of Seville, and lives here and is working as an engineer (because I don't know know enough engineers already...). Anyway, a few days ago he told me he was having a day party at his house for his friends birthday, and that I should come and bring some friends. So, my friends and I, although very intimidated about really being forced to use our Spanish, decided to go. It was an excellent decision. His friends were extremely welcoming of us, and some really enjoyed practicing their English with us, while simultaneously helping us improve our Spanish.

3) Carnaval - this doesn't have too much to do with Spanish life, but it is a giant Spanish event and also has to be mentioned. Last night I attended Carnaval in the Spanish city, Cadiz. Carnaval is basically a week long party in the streets held in many cities, it's comparable to Mardi Gras. Cadiz is ranked as the third city with the biggest carnaval. The bus departed Seville at 8 pm, and left Cadiz at 530 am. Personally, I was ready to go at 3, but this could be because I thought it would be a great idea to play soccer in the street with some Spaniards (I always think I'm better at this sport than I am, especially against Europeans whose lives revolve around it), and fell flat on the ground. Skinned my knee, bit of difficulty walking the next few hours, but hey all's good now. A few battle wounds never hurt anyone, they make a good story.
Basically, this experience was unreal and something I will never see, or really have any desire to do again. Everyone is dressed in costumes. all out costumes with face paint and everything. I went as a princess. People were just running around the streets drinking and eating. There were basically no rules. Even small kids were out with their parents. There was music playing, and a few performances, however, I think the majority of performances occur during the day. This experience was literally indescribable. It was the definition of insanity.





Well, I didn't climb into bed until 8:30 am, as soon as I returned from Carnaval. I will never be able to fully adjust to the Spanish nocturnal lifestyle, which is why I must end this post now and go to bed. Buenas noches!

Quick note

Some of you probably noticed how often I wrote about food. No, I am not a food obsessed fat ass (although I do have a sweet tooth and I'm not exactly getting skinnier..) but food is a huge part of the culture here, in spain and other parts of Europe, so it's an important part of my experience.
Meal time is when families gather. I know it's similar in the US, but it's even more structured and important here. People come home from work to have lunch with their families then go back. Food is a key element to the Spanish culture, which is why I mention it so much (and because I jut want to make you all jealous of the Unbelievable things I consume each day). Also, walking down the street, no matter what time of day, you will see people sitting outside the pastry shops and cafes eating a quick bite with their friends or loved ones. So, just wanted to clear up the reason I discuss it so much (mainly because my dad commented on it and I figured he couldn't be the only one thinking it).


That's all, just wanted to clear up any question of why food has been a huge part of this blog when it was not meant to be a food blog (although maybe I should start one of those) and that it had to do with more than my sweet tooth.
Adios!

Excuse my french but I'm in France

So I just got back from Paris, I don't really even know where to begin. The trip worked out really well, I met up with my camp friend there and hung out with her and her friends for the weekend. We met up at the Eiffel Tower, of course. Found each other easily. Let me tell you, the Eiffel Tower is HUGE. I did not expect it to be that big, that's not how any of the movies or pictures I've seen have portrayed it, so I was shocked.
The first thing I realized in Paris was that Seville has really been spoiling me with the weather. Paris was FREEZING. It was in the 20s. I consider it cold in Seville when it's 45. I was even forced to buy a hat in Paris, and most of you probably know I NEVER wear hats. It did, however, make me feel very French.
I must say, it was a very weird experience being in a country that I didn't know the language. I felt useless. My friend and I got off the plane and went to a station to ask about the shuttle to the city, and we literally just stood there with blank stares because we didn't know what language to speak. My first instinct was to speak Spanish, but I realized I wasn't in Spain. Not knowing what people were saying to me made me feel much more comfortable with my Spanish when I got back.
Anyway, back to the touristy things. After the Eiffel tower, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe, which honestly looks exactly like you'd expect. Then we walked down Champs d'Elysses, basically the 5th avenue of Paris. For dinner, we found a cute crepe place, where we had both dinner and dessert crepes (oops), both good, however, I had more crepes (what the French are known for) the next day that were significantly better. We then went to a few bars in the area, but were tired and wanted to get started early the next day, so went back to bed pretty early.
Saturday we went to the Louvre. I'll be honest, I know NOTHING about art. It was very cool to see the original Mona Lisa, (it's much smaller than I expected) but that was really the only artwork I recognized. I felt dumb taking pictures of all this other art work when I had no idea what it was. Note to self: be more culturally educated.
After the Louvre, we went to Notre Dame, which was very cool. It was HUGE. We then went to the Luxembourg gardens, which were pretty and if it was warm I could have stayed there all day, but it was freezing. On the walk back, we stopped in a place called La Croissanterie, where Anna and I split a chocolate short bread and an eclair. These 2 pastries were actually the two most delicious things I've ever eaten, and I am not exaggerating. Better than Mike's Pastry. Better than my Bat Mitzvah cake. Better than ice cream. Just pure heaven. I'm not kidding when I say I was close to tears when I finished eating them. I also almost turned around and went back for more (I was over a mile away).
For dinner, we wanted to go to a place that the hotel desk man recommended, the Chartier. The night before we tried, but the man working said they weren't seating anymore people. Last night, we stood in a line out the door, and the woman told us there was a chance we could get in, but we may not. We waited and waited, and luckily, were the last people they let in!! This restaurant must be famous or something due to the huge crowd. We soon learned why it was so crowded- the food was delicious. I had a steak and fries. And an ice cream sundae for dessert (of course). A great meal. After dinner, Anna and I went to an area of Paris with a bunch of bars and just bar hopped for a bit. It was a very cool area, a great way to end the trip before I left early the next morning.

Returning to Seville felt much better than I expected it to. People always said when you're abroad the traveling is great but it's an excellent feeling returning home. They were right. Maybe it was the warmer weather, maybe it was the ability to speak Spanish, or maybe it really is true that after a month of being here, Seville has started to really feel like home. Landing on the Seville runway gave me the same relieved feeling that landing on the Boston runway when I come home from DC gives me. While I will continue traveling around Europe, I am also going to definitely continue taking advantage of the amazing city I have chosen to live in for the next few months.

La Catedral

So my biggest highlight of this past week was visiting Seville's Cathedral. One of the biggest in the world. The view from the top was BEAUTIFUL. You could literally see the whole city. It took 34 flights of ramps (yes, ramps, not stairs because the kings way back in the day needed to be pushed up in a little cart to go up there), which were exhausting, but it was completely worth it for the view.





The only other real highlights of the week are all food related (of course). My host mom made cheeseburgers the other day...delicious, and perfect because I was having an American craving. She made them from scratch, so they were a bit different than the frozen ones my dad just throws on the grill, but they were delicious. My host family has quickl learned my love for chocolate. They know that even when I say I'm full after a meal, I will still eat chocolate. They keep a constant supply for me in the house (which is more than my real mother does...hint hint).
I've also continued taste testing the pastries and gelatos around the city too trying to find my favorite. So far, they are all great, and after I sample more I will let you know my favorite. I have, however, found my favorite frozen yogurt place - Llao Llao. The only froyo I've ever had that even comes close is Pinkberry. This puts Sweetgreen and GW gym froyo to shame.

...my froyo. How delicious does that look? my favorite part is the chocolate, it's the kind that hardens. and they even put some on the spoon so I literally get some with every bite. My mouth is watering.

Oh I almost forgot, the lowlight of my week: seeing my Patriots lose the superbowl:( Although, despite the loss, I had a cool experience. Watching America's most important event of the year from Spain was probably something I'll never do again. It felt like I was in America, the bar was all Americans, the tv was in English, and the food was American. It was nice, it felt like home. Only downside (Besides the loss...still bitter) was missing all the American commercials.

I'm jetsetting to Paris tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have more to update after that.

Adios!