Hello everyone!
I am sorry I haven't been able to post. December was a very rough month. But now I would like to tell you about my biggest trip: London and Dublin.
So we had a 6 days break for some unknown Spanish holidays. We didn't mind. We left thursday morning to go to London. There were about 7 of us. We flights were easy like always but we did not arrive in london until 2 am. we found our hostel and boy was that interesting. We were in a 12 person mixed dorm. 3 bed high bunk beds that I felt were on the verge of collapsing. We had some strange man in one of our beds who made a big deal and was just mean. we spent 4 night there and the only good night was when 6 irish folk moved in. They were hilarious. Whatever the case London was fantastic. So big and beautiful. We really enjoyed it because of the christmas spirit. Spain doesn't really give off the christmas cheer so had been missing it. Plus we got to enjoy some cold weather. The food was amazing and we ate like queens. We visited all the big things, rode the eye, did the hop on hop off bus tour and enjoyed some spirits at a pub. Cider beer became our new drink of choice. Delicious. Camden market was really cool. Tons of little shops all lit up and different food stands. London was fantastic. we did have many troubles with transportation however. The metro was very expensive, the buses kept going out of service right when we wanted them to pick us up and taxis are just hopeless. We described london as "the puppy you want to love and hold but he just doesn't want to be held"
Next we ventured off to Dublin. Obviously my favorite place. Our hostel out shined the last one and we were grateful. Dublin is just a happy place. People just want to be together and have a great time. we went to a pub on a sunday night and it was packed. since we didn't have much time we just decided to enjoy the atmosphere. We did venture to the famous Jail (gaol) there and then the Guinness factory. Very fun. We enjoyed another great night on the town and then return back to Spain.
The following week was Finals. Worst time of the year. I was very stressed out and had a lot of work. But I got through it. It got to a point where everyone was sick of Spanish and just wanted to get home for the holidays. I quote my friend as saying "I retire. I'll take my F and leave that grammar class with both fingers in the air" Well said. haha. Anyway we had a great last dinner together and now everyone is heading back to the States! I however am different. My parents and brother are arrive today and wednesday to meet me for the Holidays. I decided to switch apartments. I moved out of my home-stay two days ago and it was very sad. My senora said she would miss me and told me to come back whenever! I cried. It was a sight too. For some reason it was a rainy day in spain, so here I am crying and walking down the street soaked. It is okay however, I am warm and comfy just resting from finals week and waiting for the Family to arrive.
I hope everyone has a merry christmas and wonderful holiday season!!!!!! =)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
a BIG catchup!
HI everyone. So sorry for the delay. I have just been super busy with the spanish life. In the past month I have enjoyed two weekends in sevilla, one in Granada, and one in barcelona! All have been very fun.
Granada:
Granada is a very nice place. It has a ton of Muslim influence. I almost felt like i was walking through Morocco again. Anyhow the Alhambra is situated here. It is a very big palace. Very beautiful and around for many centuries. It has some killer gardens and what not. I went with my program group. I think our favorite part was the buffet at the hotel. That was delicious. We also got to see King Fernando and Queen Isabella's tombs. It was somewhat eerie to see their caskets and think I was 5 feet from 2 of Spain's most influential leaders. A handful of us decided to try out the nightlife of course. In granada is it customary to give a free tapa with a beer or drink. So we drank and dined well until 4am.
Midterms:
The next week was midterms. Probably one of the most stressful weeks of my college career. 2 exams, a couple papers, and a presentation. All in Spanish. The thing about studying here is not that its harder its just it takes longer. and for me, more brain power. I have to mentally ready myself for class so i can translate everything they're saying, and still I miss some important things. And when it comes to writing papers the usual page paper takes double the effort and time. I am doing fairly well. I realized that my reading and writing have increased tremendously. It is the Listening and talking that is still difficult. I know that is it going to take me a lot more practice to be fluent in this language but I am determined.
Sevilla weekend 1:
This was weekend was very relaxing. About 6 of us stayed in town and we just caught up from sleep after the terrible week. We decided to get a wine tasting in! We took a train down to Jerez and went to the famous bodega Tio Pepe. They make Sherry wines. It was really cool. We learned all about the processes and the differences between dry sherry and sweet sherry. And of course we were tried some in the end! It was fun and cheap. A great thing to do!
Barcelona:
Barcelona is one of my top 3 favorite places of my time in Europe. I went with boo and meghan and we just had a lot of fun. It is very very different from sevilla. It is just like a smaller city. It has a huge outdoor market. Rows and rows of fresh fruit or candies. It was crazy. They also had things like a twittering bird market..? My high light of the trip was going to see Gaudi's park and church. Gaudi is just this crazy architect who designed with zero straight lines. His park was like walking through something of Dr Suess. Except Gaudi came long before Suess did. We spent our time exploring the park and then had a nice picnic in it. We then went to see his famous church. this church design drove him mad. He locked himself up in his house for 20 years designing it all the way up to his death. It started constructed 100 years ago and is still not complete. I did not go inside, but I plan to with the parents! Our nightlife was also fun. We met up with a friend from barrington. His spanish was great, so we met his spanish friends and hung around with them. The 2nd night we went to the outskirts of barcelona to a country club castle like party. It was fun!
See Facebook for pictures..
Sevilla Weekend 2:
This weekend was very nice. Thursday was our thanksgiving dinner. It was fantastic. kinda. ha It was a nice dinner held by our program. It started off with an open bar, so we couldn't be upset. It was then time for dinner and we were all expecting some american foods! But of course we should not have because we did not get it. I am not really sure what we ate. Hence the picture below. But it brought a lot of laughs with friends....And then we started a new tradition of Bar hopping after. I guess someone saw my grammar teacher out. So really, it wasn't weird at all. Friday I went and saw New moon. The twilight saga sensation. Loved it. Yes there is a movie here with english movies. It is a nice break for us all. And last night was great! We took a metro out to the edge of sevilla and met with an Intercambio named Jose. He took us to a Sevillan house party. Parties in spain are very different than parties in the US. Mainly because they have snacks and food and tons of different drinks to share. It was a fun atmosphere and we all stayed up talking Spanish with these locals until 6 am. They said our Spanish was really good, and that made me feel confident.
Internet to slow to download pictures so see Facebook album
Now I had a 2 day week and then I leave for my last big trip of the semester! London and Dublin! It is 7 girls going and we are very excited! It will be a nice 6 day break. Then we return to review week and finals! Everything is flying by now, and I am starting to become sad. But I am enjoying everyday to its fullest! =) now it is time for homework!
Happy Holiday Season everyone!
Granada:
Granada is a very nice place. It has a ton of Muslim influence. I almost felt like i was walking through Morocco again. Anyhow the Alhambra is situated here. It is a very big palace. Very beautiful and around for many centuries. It has some killer gardens and what not. I went with my program group. I think our favorite part was the buffet at the hotel. That was delicious. We also got to see King Fernando and Queen Isabella's tombs. It was somewhat eerie to see their caskets and think I was 5 feet from 2 of Spain's most influential leaders. A handful of us decided to try out the nightlife of course. In granada is it customary to give a free tapa with a beer or drink. So we drank and dined well until 4am.
Midterms:
The next week was midterms. Probably one of the most stressful weeks of my college career. 2 exams, a couple papers, and a presentation. All in Spanish. The thing about studying here is not that its harder its just it takes longer. and for me, more brain power. I have to mentally ready myself for class so i can translate everything they're saying, and still I miss some important things. And when it comes to writing papers the usual page paper takes double the effort and time. I am doing fairly well. I realized that my reading and writing have increased tremendously. It is the Listening and talking that is still difficult. I know that is it going to take me a lot more practice to be fluent in this language but I am determined.
Sevilla weekend 1:
This was weekend was very relaxing. About 6 of us stayed in town and we just caught up from sleep after the terrible week. We decided to get a wine tasting in! We took a train down to Jerez and went to the famous bodega Tio Pepe. They make Sherry wines. It was really cool. We learned all about the processes and the differences between dry sherry and sweet sherry. And of course we were tried some in the end! It was fun and cheap. A great thing to do!
Barcelona:
Barcelona is one of my top 3 favorite places of my time in Europe. I went with boo and meghan and we just had a lot of fun. It is very very different from sevilla. It is just like a smaller city. It has a huge outdoor market. Rows and rows of fresh fruit or candies. It was crazy. They also had things like a twittering bird market..? My high light of the trip was going to see Gaudi's park and church. Gaudi is just this crazy architect who designed with zero straight lines. His park was like walking through something of Dr Suess. Except Gaudi came long before Suess did. We spent our time exploring the park and then had a nice picnic in it. We then went to see his famous church. this church design drove him mad. He locked himself up in his house for 20 years designing it all the way up to his death. It started constructed 100 years ago and is still not complete. I did not go inside, but I plan to with the parents! Our nightlife was also fun. We met up with a friend from barrington. His spanish was great, so we met his spanish friends and hung around with them. The 2nd night we went to the outskirts of barcelona to a country club castle like party. It was fun!
See Facebook for pictures..
Sevilla Weekend 2:
This weekend was very nice. Thursday was our thanksgiving dinner. It was fantastic. kinda. ha It was a nice dinner held by our program. It started off with an open bar, so we couldn't be upset. It was then time for dinner and we were all expecting some american foods! But of course we should not have because we did not get it. I am not really sure what we ate. Hence the picture below. But it brought a lot of laughs with friends....And then we started a new tradition of Bar hopping after. I guess someone saw my grammar teacher out. So really, it wasn't weird at all. Friday I went and saw New moon. The twilight saga sensation. Loved it. Yes there is a movie here with english movies. It is a nice break for us all. And last night was great! We took a metro out to the edge of sevilla and met with an Intercambio named Jose. He took us to a Sevillan house party. Parties in spain are very different than parties in the US. Mainly because they have snacks and food and tons of different drinks to share. It was a fun atmosphere and we all stayed up talking Spanish with these locals until 6 am. They said our Spanish was really good, and that made me feel confident.
Internet to slow to download pictures so see Facebook album
Now I had a 2 day week and then I leave for my last big trip of the semester! London and Dublin! It is 7 girls going and we are very excited! It will be a nice 6 day break. Then we return to review week and finals! Everything is flying by now, and I am starting to become sad. But I am enjoying everyday to its fullest! =) now it is time for homework!
Happy Holiday Season everyone!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Italy
OKAY sorry for the late post I have been super busy. BUT this past weekend I had a 5 day break so my girl friend Dana and I decided to venture to Italy. We couldn´t chose just one place to go so we chose 4. Pisa, Florence, Rome, and Milan.
Thursday afternoon we boarded our ryanair flight to Pisa. Ryanair is a very inexpensive airline in europe. You can find flights for 10 euro one way or even down to 5. After you´ve checked in its free for all. You board the plan from front of back and hope you get a window seat. The flight went well except for the landing, I´m pretty sure the pilot juust went straight down and hit the tarmack with full force. We were awake after that one! We then found our hostel easily and then went and had some dinner. MY first meal in italy....spaghetti. It was the only thing offered at the resturant! But it was delicious and so was the bottle of wine. After that we ventured to see the leaning tower of Pisa. It was awesome. Just to actually see it was amazing. AT night there were zero tourists and it was all gloomy and lit up. Its the bell tower of this huge cathedral. We just wondered around these buildings for a while then went backt to the hostel and went to bed.
The next morning we woke up in order to catch our bus to florence. We were running a bit late...but luck was on our side. NO one else had signed up for the bus so basically the bus left once we got there. It was a quick 45 minute drive. We got to florence and then bought some sandwich supplies. Checked into our hostel, ate some lunch and then we were off. He hit the duomo first. A very pretty church. We hiked to the top, and yes that was very tiring but worth it. After that we went to the arno and tried to find some pretty gardens. We couldn´t so we just rested in a plaza. Then we headed to Michaelangelos piazza. A beauitful view. I feel like we did something else but I cannot remember. For dinner we had a delicious meal of ravioli and pizza. then went to bed.
We were up bright and early the next morning and off to rome. We caught our train at 645 and arrived at 11. We checked in and were off. we visited the vatican museum first. SO cool. I had no idea how old that place was. The art in there is really something. To see the sistine chapel in person was neat too. Then we booked it to the colosseum but not until after we enjoyed some very delicious paninis. We made it to the coloseeum 1 minute before it closed for the day. IT WAS FANTASTIC. haha I want to watch gladiator now. We then ended our day with the trevi fountain and some gelato. Mmmmm. Later we enjoyed a very delicious italian meal. I had pasta in a white cream sauce with gorgonzola and walnuts. We then went out with our hostel and had a great halloween. It got a bit rowdy.
840 the next morning we took a 6 hour train right to Milan. We had to because thats where we had to fly out of. This is the only place that gave us the most problems. It took us an hour to find the hostel. and then a while to find food. But we ended up eating very GOOD pizza and then I was out by 730pm. We were up again at 3am to cactch our plane. We planend to take the metro to the train station..but it was closed. IT took us 20 minutes to find an ATM. then we taxied it to the train station and just made the shuttle to the airport. We boarded our plane and got back to sevilla at 10 am. I slept until 3pm.
IT was a great trip. I fell in love with italy and almost wished I had studied italian instead. I want to go back very soon! PIctures are up on my facebook for those interested.
This weekend I have Granada!!!!
bye EVERYONE. TAKE CARE.
Thursday afternoon we boarded our ryanair flight to Pisa. Ryanair is a very inexpensive airline in europe. You can find flights for 10 euro one way or even down to 5. After you´ve checked in its free for all. You board the plan from front of back and hope you get a window seat. The flight went well except for the landing, I´m pretty sure the pilot juust went straight down and hit the tarmack with full force. We were awake after that one! We then found our hostel easily and then went and had some dinner. MY first meal in italy....spaghetti. It was the only thing offered at the resturant! But it was delicious and so was the bottle of wine. After that we ventured to see the leaning tower of Pisa. It was awesome. Just to actually see it was amazing. AT night there were zero tourists and it was all gloomy and lit up. Its the bell tower of this huge cathedral. We just wondered around these buildings for a while then went backt to the hostel and went to bed.
The next morning we woke up in order to catch our bus to florence. We were running a bit late...but luck was on our side. NO one else had signed up for the bus so basically the bus left once we got there. It was a quick 45 minute drive. We got to florence and then bought some sandwich supplies. Checked into our hostel, ate some lunch and then we were off. He hit the duomo first. A very pretty church. We hiked to the top, and yes that was very tiring but worth it. After that we went to the arno and tried to find some pretty gardens. We couldn´t so we just rested in a plaza. Then we headed to Michaelangelos piazza. A beauitful view. I feel like we did something else but I cannot remember. For dinner we had a delicious meal of ravioli and pizza. then went to bed.
We were up bright and early the next morning and off to rome. We caught our train at 645 and arrived at 11. We checked in and were off. we visited the vatican museum first. SO cool. I had no idea how old that place was. The art in there is really something. To see the sistine chapel in person was neat too. Then we booked it to the colosseum but not until after we enjoyed some very delicious paninis. We made it to the coloseeum 1 minute before it closed for the day. IT WAS FANTASTIC. haha I want to watch gladiator now. We then ended our day with the trevi fountain and some gelato. Mmmmm. Later we enjoyed a very delicious italian meal. I had pasta in a white cream sauce with gorgonzola and walnuts. We then went out with our hostel and had a great halloween. It got a bit rowdy.
840 the next morning we took a 6 hour train right to Milan. We had to because thats where we had to fly out of. This is the only place that gave us the most problems. It took us an hour to find the hostel. and then a while to find food. But we ended up eating very GOOD pizza and then I was out by 730pm. We were up again at 3am to cactch our plane. We planend to take the metro to the train station..but it was closed. IT took us 20 minutes to find an ATM. then we taxied it to the train station and just made the shuttle to the airport. We boarded our plane and got back to sevilla at 10 am. I slept until 3pm.
IT was a great trip. I fell in love with italy and almost wished I had studied italian instead. I want to go back very soon! PIctures are up on my facebook for those interested.
This weekend I have Granada!!!!
bye EVERYONE. TAKE CARE.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
MOROCCO
So i went to Morocco this past weekend. We visited 3 different cities. They were all very different....
I woke up at 6 am to catch the bus. The way getting there takes a while. First it was a bus ride, then a ferry ride, then customs, then another bus ride. As soon as we got there we immediately left for the city. We went to some music concert. I sat down and was feeling a bit tired...and then I was handed an outline of what I was about to learn...and felt myself grow a bit more tired...and then i heard the bongo and knew that was it for me. The presentation was an hour and I think i was napping in and out for 45 of it. Opps. I asked why no one nudged me and they were like it was funny watching you! ha I have some good friends here. Then we roamed the city for a good 15 minutes...and then I felt uncomfortable and went and sat on a wall...where i was basically a skeptical for all the men drinking at the bar across the street. THAT was a good time. Then we had to go to am intercambio thing at the school in morocco. .
We got back around 10 and I was out like a light.
saturday i was up at 8, ate some breakfast which i kid you not consisted of 7 different kinds of breads. I cannot wait to have some scrambled eggs, hold the toast.
We went into the market square. Its literally just this maze of streets that people sell all their goods on. But in a way it made most of us sick to stomachs. Eggs and cheese just sitting out wtih flys on it. Live chickens, then dead chickens sitting next to them. Talk about fresh. Ha and then outside of the market these guys would be selling random things. Obviously all stolen. but it was like....ohhh that sucks for whoever lost that. So being me I´m trying to understand this tour guide but not really understanding what he´s talking about. and then we walk into this animal stall and I´m like awww look and then we leave there and walk into this other place with all these pits and I´m like whats this? then i look down into the pits and see a bunch of skins. Yeah it was the place they make leather. It was pretty gruesome.
After that we had lunch. and theeeen went to another town. it was pretty and on the ocean. we were able to haggle for some items here and there. We were home by 10 ate dinner and then I was out again by 11. On sunday we woke up, ate breakfast and went to one more town. This one was up in the mountains. It was quaint. All the buildings were painted white, purple, or blue. They engineered the mountain water to run straight through the city. It was all just a natural way of life. After this we traveled 6 hours to get home. It was a good trip, veryyyy interesting. It made me appreciate my way of life. And never want to buy leather. but Ill eat chicken bc I cant wait for a wendys #6.
I posted pictures on my facebook. So go look at them all there. I had about 90!
I go to italy today with my friend dana. We are hitting Pisa, Florence, Rome, And Milan. Its my biggest trip of the semester and I cannot believe its finally here!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!
I woke up at 6 am to catch the bus. The way getting there takes a while. First it was a bus ride, then a ferry ride, then customs, then another bus ride. As soon as we got there we immediately left for the city. We went to some music concert. I sat down and was feeling a bit tired...and then I was handed an outline of what I was about to learn...and felt myself grow a bit more tired...and then i heard the bongo and knew that was it for me. The presentation was an hour and I think i was napping in and out for 45 of it. Opps. I asked why no one nudged me and they were like it was funny watching you! ha I have some good friends here. Then we roamed the city for a good 15 minutes...and then I felt uncomfortable and went and sat on a wall...where i was basically a skeptical for all the men drinking at the bar across the street. THAT was a good time. Then we had to go to am intercambio thing at the school in morocco. .
We got back around 10 and I was out like a light.
saturday i was up at 8, ate some breakfast which i kid you not consisted of 7 different kinds of breads. I cannot wait to have some scrambled eggs, hold the toast.
We went into the market square. Its literally just this maze of streets that people sell all their goods on. But in a way it made most of us sick to stomachs. Eggs and cheese just sitting out wtih flys on it. Live chickens, then dead chickens sitting next to them. Talk about fresh. Ha and then outside of the market these guys would be selling random things. Obviously all stolen. but it was like....ohhh that sucks for whoever lost that. So being me I´m trying to understand this tour guide but not really understanding what he´s talking about. and then we walk into this animal stall and I´m like awww look and then we leave there and walk into this other place with all these pits and I´m like whats this? then i look down into the pits and see a bunch of skins. Yeah it was the place they make leather. It was pretty gruesome.
After that we had lunch. and theeeen went to another town. it was pretty and on the ocean. we were able to haggle for some items here and there. We were home by 10 ate dinner and then I was out again by 11. On sunday we woke up, ate breakfast and went to one more town. This one was up in the mountains. It was quaint. All the buildings were painted white, purple, or blue. They engineered the mountain water to run straight through the city. It was all just a natural way of life. After this we traveled 6 hours to get home. It was a good trip, veryyyy interesting. It made me appreciate my way of life. And never want to buy leather. but Ill eat chicken bc I cant wait for a wendys #6.
I posted pictures on my facebook. So go look at them all there. I had about 90!
I go to italy today with my friend dana. We are hitting Pisa, Florence, Rome, And Milan. Its my biggest trip of the semester and I cannot believe its finally here!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
ARACENA
OKAYYY.
So this last week was good. Flew by quick since it was just 3 days of class. I have gotten a cold so I have just been staying in and loaded up on nyquil. Saturday I did venture to ARACENA. Its a beautiful town. All white buildings with red spanish roofing. Its what I'd imagine if I had never been to spain. There we went on a tour of a mine. It was only okay though because none of us could really understand the tour guide. I did get some nice pictures. Then we had free time in the town. I had a delicious tapa that was just a fried chicken filet and a fresh tomato. I tried beef cheeks too....Today at lunch in my home I then realized I have been eating beefcheeks since I got here. Oh what a nice surprise. After i viewed the town we went through a cave. It was very pretty. I was home by 730, went out with some friends then came home and went to bed. Today it is 75 degrees. Only in Spain is there a low of 55 and a high of 85. I was actually cold last night when sleeping. It was refreshing. Today I am still getting over my cold. So I am just resting. This week at school just entails more class and assignments nothing too too major. I leave for Morocco on friday. I am very excited..yet nervous. I'll have to keep a tight grasp on my belongings that for sure. I hope I get to ride a camel. Time is starting to fly by, its almost November! Of course I hope everyone is doing well. Now for some pictures!...ok they're not loading right now so hang on tight
So this last week was good. Flew by quick since it was just 3 days of class. I have gotten a cold so I have just been staying in and loaded up on nyquil. Saturday I did venture to ARACENA. Its a beautiful town. All white buildings with red spanish roofing. Its what I'd imagine if I had never been to spain. There we went on a tour of a mine. It was only okay though because none of us could really understand the tour guide. I did get some nice pictures. Then we had free time in the town. I had a delicious tapa that was just a fried chicken filet and a fresh tomato. I tried beef cheeks too....Today at lunch in my home I then realized I have been eating beefcheeks since I got here. Oh what a nice surprise. After i viewed the town we went through a cave. It was very pretty. I was home by 730, went out with some friends then came home and went to bed. Today it is 75 degrees. Only in Spain is there a low of 55 and a high of 85. I was actually cold last night when sleeping. It was refreshing. Today I am still getting over my cold. So I am just resting. This week at school just entails more class and assignments nothing too too major. I leave for Morocco on friday. I am very excited..yet nervous. I'll have to keep a tight grasp on my belongings that for sure. I hope I get to ride a camel. Time is starting to fly by, its almost November! Of course I hope everyone is doing well. Now for some pictures!...ok they're not loading right now so hang on tight
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Last weekend and so on...
Heyyy Everyone sorry for the a late blog post.
Okay so last weekend 4 of us went to Malaga Spain. It was pretty, but nothing special in my opinion. We're all in agreement that Portugal spoiled us. This trip made me realize just how expensive everything is over here and how cheap the US dollar is. Not Fair. I spent a good amount solely on transportation. Everything was just inconvenient so the trip didn't go as planned. We did enjoy a nice beach day however. We also went to a picasso museum because he was born in Malaga. We came back to Sevilla on Sunday, and had Monday off so i spent the day lounging. I got a new roommate. She is from Italy. Talk about language barriers from every direction. Its good for me however bc it forces me to speak Spanish with her. It comes as no surprise that her spanish is much better than mine and shes only 18. Im jealous.
Things are starting to pick up on on learning the language. I'm grasping the grammar better than I have ever before. Really I've come to believe it is all about vocab. I know how to put a sentence together but what good is that when I don't know the words to use? So basically I've just started reading my English-Spanish Dictionary and hoping for the best. Homework and tests are starting to pick up but nothing I can't handle.
The weather is still 85 and sunny. Someone said they kept track of how many times its rained here....2. I was asleep for both times so really never. I am missing american food like crazy but have become accustomed to my diet plan...the diet plan thats comes with 5 mile runs everyday. sheesh. I watched as my roommate tried to tell my senora no fruit for me tonight I'm very full...she said it 3 times...and then my senora said...ok ok you'll just have a plum those are small. hahah It was hilarious.
Its already october 14! Times flying. Next weekend I am just taking it easy. Probably going to Arcena on Saturday and then a hike on sunday...mainly because they are free. The following weekend I go to morocco and then finish the month with italy.
HEY mom email me back.
Until next time! <3
Okay so last weekend 4 of us went to Malaga Spain. It was pretty, but nothing special in my opinion. We're all in agreement that Portugal spoiled us. This trip made me realize just how expensive everything is over here and how cheap the US dollar is. Not Fair. I spent a good amount solely on transportation. Everything was just inconvenient so the trip didn't go as planned. We did enjoy a nice beach day however. We also went to a picasso museum because he was born in Malaga. We came back to Sevilla on Sunday, and had Monday off so i spent the day lounging. I got a new roommate. She is from Italy. Talk about language barriers from every direction. Its good for me however bc it forces me to speak Spanish with her. It comes as no surprise that her spanish is much better than mine and shes only 18. Im jealous.
Things are starting to pick up on on learning the language. I'm grasping the grammar better than I have ever before. Really I've come to believe it is all about vocab. I know how to put a sentence together but what good is that when I don't know the words to use? So basically I've just started reading my English-Spanish Dictionary and hoping for the best. Homework and tests are starting to pick up but nothing I can't handle.
The weather is still 85 and sunny. Someone said they kept track of how many times its rained here....2. I was asleep for both times so really never. I am missing american food like crazy but have become accustomed to my diet plan...the diet plan thats comes with 5 mile runs everyday. sheesh. I watched as my roommate tried to tell my senora no fruit for me tonight I'm very full...she said it 3 times...and then my senora said...ok ok you'll just have a plum those are small. hahah It was hilarious.
Its already october 14! Times flying. Next weekend I am just taking it easy. Probably going to Arcena on Saturday and then a hike on sunday...mainly because they are free. The following weekend I go to morocco and then finish the month with italy.
HEY mom email me back.
Until next time! <3
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
PORTUGAL
Hello ALL.
Well this weekend was fun! My group and I took a trip to lagos Portugal. We all wanted to get in a beach weekend, and a beach weekend we did. We all took a bus at 730 am on friday and arrived around 1pm. We checked into our hostel. The hostel was so much fun. It was run by a man from Massachusetts. It was just a big house of young people traveling from everywhere. 10 of us stayed in the same room. we shared bunk beds. Up stairs was a very big common area were everyone gathered and hung out at night preparing to go out. In the morning the Mom of the house...and yes we called her mama made crepes. You just went to the little kitchen upstairs and sat down at an open stool and she'd feed you crepes until your hearts content. People were staying there from everywhere! Mainly australia, but some were from austria and london. Anyway, the rest of the day we spent at the beach. It was absolutely beautiful. Such clear water but COLD. The weather was perfect all weekend. 79 and sunny. That night we ate at a restaurant called the NahNah Bah. it was run by people from New zealand. It was delicious. We then attempted to go out but the night ended early. The next day we woke up and ate some crepes. Then a few of us decided to go the little market next door and buy some stuff to make sandwiches. We packed up a lunch and headed to the beach. we probably spent 6 hours on the beach. There were these huge rocks and we'd climb up and jump off. There were also a lot of little caves so we'd explore those. Overall it was a great day. Later, Dana and I went into the city to eat. We asked a local and he told us to go to a little hole in the wall restaurant. it was delicious. Sate Kabobs with peanut sauce, potatoes with an amazing sauce. and a fresh salad! mmm. we Got back to the hotel and started to enjoy some Sangria. Everyone headed out to the bars around 1. It was a lot of fun. WE went literally straight from the bars to our bus at 630am. I've been home resting ever since. It was a fantastic weekend! Now its off to another week of classes and then hopefully another trip. Can't wait!!! Hope everyone is doing well! =)
PS/ pictures aren't loading right now...So check tomorrow!!!
Well this weekend was fun! My group and I took a trip to lagos Portugal. We all wanted to get in a beach weekend, and a beach weekend we did. We all took a bus at 730 am on friday and arrived around 1pm. We checked into our hostel. The hostel was so much fun. It was run by a man from Massachusetts. It was just a big house of young people traveling from everywhere. 10 of us stayed in the same room. we shared bunk beds. Up stairs was a very big common area were everyone gathered and hung out at night preparing to go out. In the morning the Mom of the house...and yes we called her mama made crepes. You just went to the little kitchen upstairs and sat down at an open stool and she'd feed you crepes until your hearts content. People were staying there from everywhere! Mainly australia, but some were from austria and london. Anyway, the rest of the day we spent at the beach. It was absolutely beautiful. Such clear water but COLD. The weather was perfect all weekend. 79 and sunny. That night we ate at a restaurant called the NahNah Bah. it was run by people from New zealand. It was delicious. We then attempted to go out but the night ended early. The next day we woke up and ate some crepes. Then a few of us decided to go the little market next door and buy some stuff to make sandwiches. We packed up a lunch and headed to the beach. we probably spent 6 hours on the beach. There were these huge rocks and we'd climb up and jump off. There were also a lot of little caves so we'd explore those. Overall it was a great day. Later, Dana and I went into the city to eat. We asked a local and he told us to go to a little hole in the wall restaurant. it was delicious. Sate Kabobs with peanut sauce, potatoes with an amazing sauce. and a fresh salad! mmm. we Got back to the hotel and started to enjoy some Sangria. Everyone headed out to the bars around 1. It was a lot of fun. WE went literally straight from the bars to our bus at 630am. I've been home resting ever since. It was a fantastic weekend! Now its off to another week of classes and then hopefully another trip. Can't wait!!! Hope everyone is doing well! =)
PS/ pictures aren't loading right now...So check tomorrow!!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
It gets better everyday..
Hellloooooooo everyone.
So I've just decided to start updating every Sunday. Nothing happens during the week except class...and thats all boring and in Spanish.
Let's see, I finished my 2 week intensive course. I learned about 7 grammar techniques that I have repeatedly learned before and just never understood. I'm happy to say in two weeks I understand them all now. Well for the most part. We are all getting use to Sevilla and Sevilla is getting use to us. Twice now people have come up and asked us for directions. Granted I had to tell them I don't know where that is. But its nice to look like you belong there. I am understanding my senora a bit more each day. The guy who was fluent in english and spanish just went home on saturday, So now its just she and i. Its a little difficult but we are making it work. What do I miss the most besides family and friends...definitely the food. One girl in my program put it perfectly saying..
"I just want to sit down for lunch one day and not be surprised by what I'm eating...or have to guess what it is"
and another said...
"Its sunday and I want a big stack of pancakes with syrup..but i guess i'll just settle for an apple."
One big difference here than in the US and their salads. They don't use dressing. They don't even like it. All they put on it is oil, vinegar, and salt. Ya know making the salad actually good for them. I think thats a tip americans should take. and they have a piece of fruit with each meal. however they love mayonnaise here. Its really odd. And I don't mean as a condiment. Its like a sauce. I guess my friend dana's host mom makes her own mayo and dana just knows its gonna be on top of whatever shes eating that night. mmm yummy. Luckily my senoras on a diet.
Last night a bunch of us made a pact to do the Spanish thing and stay out till 7am. I don't know HOW they do it. We only made it to 6am and I was dead beat tired. And when I left the club people were still going strong. We hopped around all night though. It was fun. The last club we ended at was called Buddha. It was a 3 floor nightclub and you have to be well dressed to get in. It was really cool.
I start the rest of my classes this week. I have 2 everyday. I am taking a spanish film class, Spain artistic movements class, A spanish writing class, and a spanish speaking class. All of them will be taught in...what else...Spanish. I'm somewhat nervous but I know someone In each of my classes so its all ok.
Next week we planned a trip to lagos portugal. Its coming down to the last of the beach weather here so we're going! Portugal is suppose to be beautiful. Can't wait.
MOM, I want you to know the shopping here is killer. I have been very good don't worry. But when you come you'll just have to see it. Designer stores everywhere. All stores here are very Fashion forward. I'm learning a lot in that department.
I've also learned that Sevilla is the capital of ice cream shops, shoes, and wedding dresses. I don't know if thats true but I swear i've never seen so many of the same stores in one city.
Okay thats my update of the week. Hope everyone is doing well!!
So I've just decided to start updating every Sunday. Nothing happens during the week except class...and thats all boring and in Spanish.
Let's see, I finished my 2 week intensive course. I learned about 7 grammar techniques that I have repeatedly learned before and just never understood. I'm happy to say in two weeks I understand them all now. Well for the most part. We are all getting use to Sevilla and Sevilla is getting use to us. Twice now people have come up and asked us for directions. Granted I had to tell them I don't know where that is. But its nice to look like you belong there. I am understanding my senora a bit more each day. The guy who was fluent in english and spanish just went home on saturday, So now its just she and i. Its a little difficult but we are making it work. What do I miss the most besides family and friends...definitely the food. One girl in my program put it perfectly saying..
"I just want to sit down for lunch one day and not be surprised by what I'm eating...or have to guess what it is"
and another said...
"Its sunday and I want a big stack of pancakes with syrup..but i guess i'll just settle for an apple."
One big difference here than in the US and their salads. They don't use dressing. They don't even like it. All they put on it is oil, vinegar, and salt. Ya know making the salad actually good for them. I think thats a tip americans should take. and they have a piece of fruit with each meal. however they love mayonnaise here. Its really odd. And I don't mean as a condiment. Its like a sauce. I guess my friend dana's host mom makes her own mayo and dana just knows its gonna be on top of whatever shes eating that night. mmm yummy. Luckily my senoras on a diet.
Last night a bunch of us made a pact to do the Spanish thing and stay out till 7am. I don't know HOW they do it. We only made it to 6am and I was dead beat tired. And when I left the club people were still going strong. We hopped around all night though. It was fun. The last club we ended at was called Buddha. It was a 3 floor nightclub and you have to be well dressed to get in. It was really cool.
I start the rest of my classes this week. I have 2 everyday. I am taking a spanish film class, Spain artistic movements class, A spanish writing class, and a spanish speaking class. All of them will be taught in...what else...Spanish. I'm somewhat nervous but I know someone In each of my classes so its all ok.
Next week we planned a trip to lagos portugal. Its coming down to the last of the beach weather here so we're going! Portugal is suppose to be beautiful. Can't wait.
MOM, I want you to know the shopping here is killer. I have been very good don't worry. But when you come you'll just have to see it. Designer stores everywhere. All stores here are very Fashion forward. I'm learning a lot in that department.
I've also learned that Sevilla is the capital of ice cream shops, shoes, and wedding dresses. I don't know if thats true but I swear i've never seen so many of the same stores in one city.
Okay thats my update of the week. Hope everyone is doing well!!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
FUN weekend
So this weekend was fun.
Friday we all took our exam and then went shopping in town. All of us decided to attend a white party. Before we went to that however we had to go meet our inter cambio. That is just someone who wants to learn english. They talk english to us and we talk spanish to them..and then correct each other. The meeting place was at a bar called capote. I never met mine. But the atmosphere was fun.
Afterwards 9 us hopped in a limo and rode to the party. At first it was kind of slow but then it really picked up and we all had a great time. The night ended with all of us in a skate park around 6am. Saturday morning I had to wake up at 8 and go to Cordoba. That was a hard bus to make. If i wasn't so tired The trip would have been better. But Cordoba was very pretty. Saturday night i just came home, ate dinner, and went to bed. I slept till noon today. Wrote a paper. Im about to eat dinner. then its sleepy time again!
Then Ill be well rested for the week. =)
Friday we all took our exam and then went shopping in town. All of us decided to attend a white party. Before we went to that however we had to go meet our inter cambio. That is just someone who wants to learn english. They talk english to us and we talk spanish to them..and then correct each other. The meeting place was at a bar called capote. I never met mine. But the atmosphere was fun.
Afterwards 9 us hopped in a limo and rode to the party. At first it was kind of slow but then it really picked up and we all had a great time. The night ended with all of us in a skate park around 6am. Saturday morning I had to wake up at 8 and go to Cordoba. That was a hard bus to make. If i wasn't so tired The trip would have been better. But Cordoba was very pretty. Saturday night i just came home, ate dinner, and went to bed. I slept till noon today. Wrote a paper. Im about to eat dinner. then its sleepy time again!
Then Ill be well rested for the week. =)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Before the weekend update.
Okay,
I really don't have much to say. BUT my mom keeps emailing me about posting in my blog. So i'll do what I can. Lets seeeee..
This week has just been relaxed. I have stayed in the majority of the nights just trying to catch up on sleep etc. but then my friend megan told me that if you don't go out between the hours of 10-1, your host families will think you have no friends. Hmm isn't that funny. American parents tell you to stay in on school nights, Spanish parents get worried you're socially inept. So I went out last night. The problem in going out in Spain is there's no such thing as "oh Ill make it an early night" because really you don't make it to the tapas bar until 1045 and then you don't get your food and drinks till 1230 so you don't make it to the bar (just to have a drink with friends bc you need to be social) until 2. Overall I didn't go to bed till 4. I had to get up at 730. it was terrible. BUT my senora was very excited to ask me how my night went last night. So mission accomplished there.
Hmm what else... Oh i know. I'd very much like to emphasize the amount of food I'm eating. Yesterday, i had a bowl of pasta big enough for 2. 2 pork chops with tomatoes. and an Orange. And that was LUNCH. Im too scared to tell her to make me smaller portions. I think her goal is to make me gain wait. Everyone else's host moms are doing the same to them. I really have no idea how people are so small in europe. It does not make sense. Something else is going on here i think.
My first week of my intensive spanish course is over. I have an exam tomorrow. I hope I do well because the paper I had to write in spanish made me feel like a third grader who forgot her alphabet. I swear I wrote the sentence...The building is very big...at one point.
My weekend plans are as follows:
Tomorrow night my group and I are going to a student language exchange party. ha We were partner up with a student from the university with students trying to learn english. They will talk to us in english, and we will talk to them in Spanish. Then correct each other. After that party all of us are going to a huge white party. There should be 1000 people there all dressed in white. We are excited. Then we will all wake up an hour after we go to bed (probably) and day trip it to Cordoba. Sunday may be a beach day, but Im thinking itll probably be a sleep day instead! Hope everyone has a great weekend.
ps. My computer will not upload my photos. It doesn't make sense. So hang in there.
I really don't have much to say. BUT my mom keeps emailing me about posting in my blog. So i'll do what I can. Lets seeeee..
This week has just been relaxed. I have stayed in the majority of the nights just trying to catch up on sleep etc. but then my friend megan told me that if you don't go out between the hours of 10-1, your host families will think you have no friends. Hmm isn't that funny. American parents tell you to stay in on school nights, Spanish parents get worried you're socially inept. So I went out last night. The problem in going out in Spain is there's no such thing as "oh Ill make it an early night" because really you don't make it to the tapas bar until 1045 and then you don't get your food and drinks till 1230 so you don't make it to the bar (just to have a drink with friends bc you need to be social) until 2. Overall I didn't go to bed till 4. I had to get up at 730. it was terrible. BUT my senora was very excited to ask me how my night went last night. So mission accomplished there.
Hmm what else... Oh i know. I'd very much like to emphasize the amount of food I'm eating. Yesterday, i had a bowl of pasta big enough for 2. 2 pork chops with tomatoes. and an Orange. And that was LUNCH. Im too scared to tell her to make me smaller portions. I think her goal is to make me gain wait. Everyone else's host moms are doing the same to them. I really have no idea how people are so small in europe. It does not make sense. Something else is going on here i think.
My first week of my intensive spanish course is over. I have an exam tomorrow. I hope I do well because the paper I had to write in spanish made me feel like a third grader who forgot her alphabet. I swear I wrote the sentence...The building is very big...at one point.
My weekend plans are as follows:
Tomorrow night my group and I are going to a student language exchange party. ha We were partner up with a student from the university with students trying to learn english. They will talk to us in english, and we will talk to them in Spanish. Then correct each other. After that party all of us are going to a huge white party. There should be 1000 people there all dressed in white. We are excited. Then we will all wake up an hour after we go to bed (probably) and day trip it to Cordoba. Sunday may be a beach day, but Im thinking itll probably be a sleep day instead! Hope everyone has a great weekend.
ps. My computer will not upload my photos. It doesn't make sense. So hang in there.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
I can't get my pictures up, so here are other peoples.
My group at our orientation dinner. Theres 23 of us. And one waiter. But we had fun.
I found DANA!
Molly, ME, And jess hanging in the park next to a fountain. ^
The river. This is the edge of el centro.
Just one of the streets in sevilla. Very Narrow. Theres a million of them. Its a maze.
This is just a random plaza. there are many of these hidden within the narrow streets.
This will be my school in 2 weeks. This is the entrance.
This Is Sevilla from the top of the Cathedral
Monday, September 14, 2009
A very long post for all of you.
Hey everyone!
So I am finally in Sevilla and I love it. The city is so cute and authentic. I didn't receive my luggage until Saturday night. It was terrible. But I finally got it so all is well. I have 23 other people in my program... but all the CIEE programs makeup about 150 students. THEN there are at least 3 other programs in sevilla. SO if i want to find an american, no problem. I moved into my homestay. My Senora is very nice. I have no idea what she is saying 95% of the time. Sevillian spanish is very different from that of Barcelona or Madrid. They cut off the ends of their words and basically run them all together. If there is an s in the word...they skip it. They call is Andalu. If I can master spanish here, then everywhere else should be easy. Luckily a boy is also living with me. He is from utah and is fluent in spanish. He just came to spain to basically master andalu. He helps me converse with my Senora. He leaves soon though so uh oh. I live in a 3 bedroom apartment. Its quaint. Theres no air conditioning...but we've had amazing weather so theres no complaint. I started my intensive spanish class today. It goes for 2 weeks, 3 hours a day. My teacher is awesome. His name is Luis. I'll probably learn more in 2 weeks than I have in 6 years. I've been getting frustrated because 30% of the spanish I've been taught in the US is no longer correct, Certain words have changed to updated meanings. Basically, I look stupid. Also, in the US they stopped teaching the verb form vosotros..bc they said no one uses it anymore. That was a lie. Besides that... my spanish is coming along. At the end of the day I am mentally tired. Everyone says in about 3 weeks, everything will just click. I hope so. Lets see...
The food is good. Me and a pal have gone into restaurants and ordered anything that is common in spain but we have never heard of. The best part about spain is tapas. Which is just like tasting of a certain dish. Most cost under 2 euros. So she and I will order around 6. I have probably tried around 20 different dishes so far. Things get deceiving however. Once I thought i order scallops...and ended up with veal. Opps. My homestay is different. My menu goes like this:
Breakfast(8am): Toast and tea
Lunch(2pm): 3 different courses. Ex: salad, bean stew with sausage, watermelon.
Dinner(930 pm): 3 courses but smaller than lunch.
My senora puts so much food out and then yells at me to keep eating bc if I don't I'll get sick. Hopefully the amount of walking I do will burn off the pounds of food i consume.
The nightlife is great. After dinner (11pm) you go to a local cervesaria and order a few rounds of beer, wine, sangria, or a local favorite (redwine, club soda, and lemon). The tables are on the street and there is a cervesaria located probably every other store. So the streets just fill up. You either stay there or jump around but by 3 am all the young people head to the discotecas. I have yet to stay up till 7 am... but its the norm. This city is just relaxed. Its not uncommon to see 4 old men sitting in a park at 4 pm drinking 40's. Everyone really just enjoys the day. Shops close at 2pm for lunch and siesta ( naptime) then they come and reopen their stores at 6. I'm getting pretty used to it.
I am still trying to figure out how to put pictures up. They download very slow. I'll get some up soon. Hope everyone is doing well! I will post again soon.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A very Rocky Start
So..
If anyone had the flying day from hell it was me. First, my plane from boston to new york was delayed an hour and half. I do not know why. Then, I barely made my plane from New york to Madrid. I got to it with 6 minutes to spare. The plane pulled out...and then sat on the runway for 45 minutes. The flight went well, i just slept. I arrive to Madrid, pass through customs in 10 minutes, go to get my luggage and Oh, it's not there. It stayed in New York. After I cried in the bathroom for a good 5 minutes I sorted it out. It won't get to me until Saturday. Fantastic. Looks like deltas buying me a new wardrobe. I am now just waiting for my flight to sevilla. I am surviving in the Madrid McDonald's. ha. Girls keep coming up to me asking me questions in Spanish for a school project.. after a good pause I reply...No comprende. I actually do know what they are asking...But really don't feel like spanishing it up right now. I wish this travel process was over, but I've still got one more plane to catch. Please let nothing else go wrong.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Last night in the USA
This is my Blog for all my family (and friends) who want to follow along. Hope you all enjoy.
My flight leaves Boston around 230 pm. From there I fly to JKF, switch flights, and fly on to Madrid. Once again I will catch yet another flight and head to Sevilla. I will meet with my study abroad program and head to my hotel where a 4 day orientation starts. I will meet the other 19 members in my group. After that we head to our home stays and start school!! I bought myself a digital camera today just for this trip. I will update again soon!!!
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