¡Hola! ¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to my blog!
I cannot believe it has only been ten days since we landed in Spain. It feels like so much longer, but then again it has been almost too easy to adjust to the quaint culture, delicious menús, charming streets. Needless to say, it is about time that I started this thing up.
We have been to the extensive Roman ruins in Mérida. We have explored the large medieval town completely seperate from modern life in Cáceres. We have gotten lost among the winding roads of the Albaicín in Granada. We have explored cathedrals and raised swords in Toledo. We have been blown away by the art and metropolis culture of Madrid. We have toured a picturesque castle, complete with a dungeon and a moat, in Segovia. And as exciting as all of that was, so much more happening now. Mostly this first post will just be a short update on my situation, and hopefully at a later point in time I will do a post about all the adventures of traveling.
So, here we are now in Oveido, our permanent location for the next 4 months. My host mama name is Mila. She is nice, a single woman in her early sixties. The first day was a little rough as she discovered I really know very little Spanish. Things got a little more interesting when I gained a new roommate Sunday evening, a girl name Estefania who also is taking classes at the University, though a native Spaniard. She speaks a little bit of English, but even more than this, Mila’s son and his girlfriend live in the flat downstairs and speak much more English. It is difficult to not use this as a crutch, but sometimes there are things that just need to be gotten across.
It is interesting to try and find my place in this living situation. I am given much more independence than a lot of other Calvin students, many of whose mama’s came to drop them off at the park the first morning. My mama handed me the keys and said “¡hasta luego!” At this point in time, it seems more like I am a boarder in a house, free to do what I want and to go my own way. It is different than what I was expecting and at first I was hesitant about it, but I think it will turn out to be good.
As for communication, well, I guess it is just strange. My mama came home a little bit ago and now is running around like a chicken with her head cut off. She asked me if I had eaten dinner yet, I said no and communicated that I would be willing to wait for a bit, thinking that was why she was hurrying. Even so, she continued to run around all over the apartment. It is in times like these I want to communicate so badly that it hurts. I want to be able to ask her how her day was, what did she do this afternoon while she was gone, what is stressing her out now, if I can help with anything at all. But I can’t. I sit here is my Americano stupor, just waiting. Waiting for the day two and a half weeks away when I can start my actual Spanish lessons so that I can stick other words with my nouns and use verbs in forms other than the infinitive.
Still, it gets easier every day. For about two minutes this afternoon, I was able to talk with Mila, understanding her inquiries and the information she was giving me about her family. It was more than her usual “¿Que tal?” and my response “bien.” The little moments like this are such a blessing and keep me going toward my goal. Onward!
It is so good to get some background of where you are!! Sounds a little comical at times. Good to hear the positive tone in the transitions of life and the learning curve you are facing. Have fun and know you are being thought across the pond!
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