This will have been my third attempt to write this post, as something about the blog-format does not mesh well with the wifi (pronounced WEE-FEE) that exists here. I’ve tried my homestay, my school, the weefee cafe down the street, none of it works well.
But I digress.
Things I’ve successfully mastered after two-and-a-half weeks in Sevilla:
1. Ordering coffee (Un cafe sin leche para llevar, por favor). Yes, I know the Spanish don’t order cafe “para llevar” and yes, I realize I look like an American when I walk around with a coffee cup. But this brings me to number 2;
2. Being okay with being obviously American. I could master the accent, wear the right clothes, and not laugh loudly the entire time that I’m hanging out at a Tapas bar with my American friends and the natives here STILL wouldn’t be fooled. I’m both taller and paler than the average spaniard, I walk faster than the average spaniard, and I refuse to nap. Also, I apparently eat less than the average spaniard…
3. Being okay with being yelled at by my host family for not eating enough. Look, I’m sorry, I don’t know what stereotypes you hold about Americans, but most of us do NOT eat three sandwiches for every meal. I simply can’t stomach a soup AND a salad AND an entree AND seven pieces of bread. It’s not happening. Every time I take what I think is a normal portion size, I get some lecture about how my plate is too empty, and what would my mother think. My se�ora has even started getting sneaky–last night we had hamburgesas, and she handed me one because she “knew I wouldn’t eat more than that anyways” and I looked inside and it had three layers. It was a triple layered burger. “Muy Americano, no?” No. Well, maybe. But not in the way that I like to think of myself as American.
4. Layering. Because a tank top and a t-shirt and a sweater and a cardigan and a peacoat and a scarf (or two) isn’t only trendy, but necessary, when the day starts at 30 degrees and reaches 70 by the time I’m walking home from class. I know, I know, life is a constant struggle.
5. NOT getting lost every time I leave the house. Okay maybe this is one of those skills, like my spanish level, that’s more of a work-in-progress than anything else. But, I no longer get lost on my morning runs or on my way to class and back, and I’ve decided to count that as I point in my favor.
Things I may never adjust to:
1. Breakfast for dinner. For every dinner. Tortillas, in Espa�a, are basically potato omelets. Okay, maybe that’s a little derivative, but really it’s very similar and really we eat them all of the time. And when I tried to explain why this is different than in the states to one of my spanish professors, the response I got seemed a liiiiiittle bit over-dramatic. “Eggs for breakfast???” Like I had just admitted that when I’m home, every morning I fry up a puppy and eat it out of the skillet. And when I told my orientation Guia that I was going to get churros con chocolate at three in the afternoon, she told me that it was a breakfast food and only a breakfast food and nothing more. If I’m eating eggs for dinner, I think I should be allowed to have the spanish-equivilant of a donut for an afternoon snack. Since I’m apparently not eating enough, anyways.
2. The being yelled at by randoms on the street. “Que guapa, chica, ven aqui ven aqui…” Things I don’t need to hear from every man boy and child when I’m trying to get in a run at 9 in the morning. Or ever. Like you’ve never seen a girl wear shorts before. Not that that makes a difference, I’ve seen it happen to older women wearing parkas too. �Que extra�o�
3. Napping. As I mentioned before, that’s never going to happen for me.
4. Living in someone else’s house. The people I am living with are absolutely wonderful, and they could not be more hospitable or kind or amazing. But I’ve still transplanted my big-ten college dorm life into their family home, and it’s a very strange concept. I don’t know the first thing about living with a thirty-something married couple, let alone a thirty-something couple expecting a child in May. I’m still so glad I chose a home stay, though, because it has helped my language comprehension an insane amount, and because the food is wonderful (even if I don’t eat enough of it), and it’s really helpful having someone who knows the city living under the same roof as me every time I have a question or need advice or directions anywhere.
5. Staying out until 6am every weekend. Much like the napping issue, it’s just not going to happen.
I’ve also begun planning my travels. Even though Sevilla is a little expensive to travel out of, I’m still excited to see everything and everyone and experience as much as I possibly can.
So far, I’ve booked Rome for the weekend of my birthday, Brussels Bruges and Amsterdam for my first spring break, Morocco for the end of February, Madrid for early April, Barcelona and Paris for spring break numero dos, and Portugal for the beginning of May. That’s not counting the school-sponsored trips to Cadiz, Italica, Granada, Cordoba, and los Castillos. I’m hoping to get to Mallorca and Valencia at some point, but I don’t know if I’m going to have time (estudiantes para extranjeros problemas). It doesn’t look like I’m going to get to see St. Petersburg, Moscow, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, or Turkey, either. I’ve made some tough choices all around. I’m also incredibly excited to be going to a number of places (England and Wales, possibly?) with my mother after my program is over. There is no possible way that I could be more lucky than I am in this moment. I love that I have this opportunity, and I just hope that I am able to make the most of it in every way possible for as long as I am here! I will never be as young, as excited, and as optimistic as I am right now, and I intend to capitalize on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hopefully adding some pictures and comments on my travels as they occur. Until next time.
�Buena suerte, y hasta luego!
Location: Seville, Spain
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Hey Emma!
I am having fun getting caught up with your blog. I can TOTALLY understand the wifi frustration because it is the exact same with me, you are not alone. I think it is really great you have sorted out what you do and do not feel you can ever adjust to. That is a quality and realization that a lot of people will not admit to, and I am glad this experience has been beneficial for you in that aspect. Your last paragraph of overall journeys sound awesome! I am jealous and I hope you had a fabulous time in Portugal! Can’t wait to hear about it. – Stephanie
I am glad to hear you will be coming to Amsterdam during your spring break! It is amazing here and I’m sure you will love it. Most people speak English here too so it will give you a little break from language barriers, although Dutch, to me, sounds beautifully whimsical. I hope to plan my travels soon as well, and Bruges, Barcelona, and Paris are on my list to visit as well! I hope you are still doing well and good luck!