Asignaturas = Classes

Today is a lazy day. I mean I guess it can’t count as the first, as there have been a couple occasions when I practically slept all day, waking up to eat basically. However, I’m not sleeping (at least not yet), and I don’t feel like doing anything. My host mom, Gloria, watches a lot of TV, and today is the first day I actually feel like loafing on the couch and watching it with her. Of course I’m not doing that, because I’m writing this J

I had no class today. Ok, technically I did, but I didn’t go. This week was orientation week – I know, another orientation week. Feels like real life is never going to start! The first two weeks of class took place at an international school called, K2. Don’t ask me why. That was the class picture I put up in an older posting, and there we basically reviewed Spanish grammar. I think it was a warm-up for everyone to get in Spanish mode.

This week we actually had classes at the university. These classes are especially put together for our program though - still taught by the Spanish professors, but only offered to the UW students. I think these classes have more structure than typical Spanish classes, probably for a couple reasons. One, because we’re getting UW credits, so they want the workload to be comparable. And Two, because apparently it is very American of us to freak out about our grades, and everyone wants to know exactly what they’re going to get: hw, tests, projects, grading scales and rubrics. I’m telling you, people need to lighten up and go with the flow like Hispanics J

So this week, all of us had go to all the classes, even though we’re only going to pick several of them. That was the orientation. And I was supposed to finish the week and go to a geography class today, but I already know I’m not taking Geo, so I didn’t go  0:)

I’m actually very excited about my classes. I’m taking Civilizacion, which is kind of like a current events class on Spain with a little history, politics, and geography to give us the context. I’m also taking Spain and the European Union, which is kind of self-explanatory. History of, creation of, function of, countries in it, current politics, etc.

 I’m already super interested, and a little put to shame because I’m so clueless. I need to do some research about the whole Euro deal. I understand that some countries, well Britain, didn’t want to join because the lb is worth more than the Euro, but I don’t understand HOW exactly it works for countries to just switch currency. Or HOW a country, like Greece, can be bankrupt ( or almost, idk) and still be functioning. How does a country get to that point? And why exactly that brings down the value of the Euro… I need to find out. So many questions. The concept of money is so confusing to me. I definitely couldn’t be a business major. I don’t understand who decides how much a certain currency is worth. And it’s worth what? Gold, right? So why doesn’t the whole world just operate on the same currency? Ugh.

Anyway, if anyone can even remotely enlighten me, please leave me a comment!

I’m also taking Literatura y Cine (lit. and film). Nothing too special. We’ll be reading lit. and analyzing films. Done.

When the normal classes start up at the UCA (U of Cadiz), I’ll be taking a Cervantes class and either a History of Andalucía of a Spanish dialects class. Both of those will be with the regular Spanish students, not the program. Not everyone takes 5 classes, and not everyone takes UCA classes. Only the smartest of peeps do ;)

 Most of the people in our UW program group this Fall.

 My host mom and I on the boat party.

The beach on a day when there was an air show. It was packed! When I was in the water looking back at the beach, I literally could not see sand. 

Learning Experiences

You know those phrases everyone tells you about growing up that never make any sense until you experience it? Like that college is a time when you figure out who you are, finding your identity, etc… and every time you hear it you think, “I know who I am; I’m me!” or  “how do you not know who you are?” or plane and simple, “what the heck does that mean? How the heck do you ‘find yourself’?”

Yeah, well studying abroad is one of those things. Everyone said I would learn so much about myself during this time, and here I am, two weeks in, learning about myself. They also said that I would change… haven’t gotten there yet…

This is what I’ve learned:

1.     I AM NOT A FOLLOWER. I definitely do my own thing. And I’m not afraid to do it, much less to do it alone. In fact, I sometimes prefer, and sometimes need to do it alone. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a social butterfly (or peacock to some J ) and would be miserable without the interaction; but after a while people start to annoy me. I like being an independent woman. I want to see what I want to see, without being run by a group or tied down. I like my time to reflect, to contemplate, to listen to music, to nothing, to whatever – to have the occasional experience all to myself.

2.     I AM NOT TYPE A. I don’t know if it is the latina in me, or just me, or what, but I don’t like planning too much. I find myself giving people very vague answers and not wanting to commit too much to anything. Many students are planning trips around Europe and buying tickets in groups, and I’m thinking “geeze, already? No, I’ll wait till the week of, maybe a few days before to jump in.” I’m barely on time for most things, I like having a general idea of what I’m going to do when I’m traveling (mostly for back up), but if something else comes up I’m willing to go with the flow. I don’t like being rushed. I just got to Cadiz, and I want to get situated with class and the place before running around. Hostels? Eh, I can figure it out when I get there… day before… ok maybe I should look. Buget? Eh, whatever. Two weeks later… ok maybe I should outline SOMETHING. Sites? Eh, we’ll see (no pun intended, hehe). Now… ok, maybe I should pick my tops and base my budget off that if I want to not spend ALL my financial aid here. Classes? I’m sure I’ll know what I’m taking by the time school starts.

3.     IN OTHER WORDS, I’M A PROCRASTINATOR – BUT A RESPONSIBLE ONE J I’m good at it ;)

Today was the last day of orientation and this is a picture of our class with our beloved teacher, Carlos. He was a lot of fun J

Time seems to go by so fast here. I don’t just mean that I can’t believe I’ve already been here two weeks, but the days in general. I wake up, go to school, come home for lunch, siesta, and then I only have a couple hours to go to the beach. By 9 I’m heading home for dinner, and either andar de marcha or to bed. I guess it would help if I didn’t take a 3 hour nap. But that’s what happens when you stay out until 4, 5 in the morning!

It’s crazy how easy it is to disconnect from the world when you’re away… if I’m not communicating with anyone from back home, I can almost completely forget anything that has been happening. It’s almost like being a different person. I can see where this “what happens here stays here” mentality comes from, and I think you learn a lot about what a person is really like while traveling  - just a little side note for anyone who hasn’t experienced it themselves.

So more about my life in Cadiz - Yesterday I had my first meeting with Carmen, who is the home coordinator, to check in on how the living situations are doing. We also got our class schedules. Next week I will be going to every single class offered (to the UW students) once, and by the end of the week I will have my classes picked out.

I will be taking two different types of classes: program classes, and UCA classes (University of Cadiz). They all take place in the University, and are taught by Spanish Profs, but the Program classes are only for our UW kids, and I will be with them. These are more structured and similar to UW classes. The UCA classes are with any other student here in Cadiz or foreigner that is also enrolled there. The program has little influence on the class structure. I’ll be taking two UCA, maybe 3, and 2 or 3 program classes. I’ll be taking things like Dialects, civilization, history of Europe and the EU, Span. Lit and cine (film), etc.

Tomorrow we have an end – of – orientation celebration with the program, and we will likely go out for a night on the town afterward. Saturday night there is a commencement celebration on a boat with the program and everyone’s host family. Should be fun J

I wanted to go to the movies tonight, but my mom said that Wednesday’s are half price. So maybe next week I’ll go watch a Spanish movie J

My feet are killing me from walking so much. It’s about an hr, maybe 45 min to walk to school. And I walked to and from twice yesterday to save my bus passes – in flip flops, thanks to the beach. Ugh!

I live in la parte nueva de Cadiz – the new part. The school is in el casco antiguo – the old part. There is a bridge called puerta de la tierra that divides the two parts. The new part is… well newer, obviously, but its more open and spread out, its close to the best beach around, and it feels a little more like our big cities with the layout. The old part is good for being close to all the night life and easy access to other things like the post office. It has that classic feel to it with the narrow streets and close together tall buildings with balconies everywhere.

Everyone in the program is going gang busters with traveling. They’re already having little meetings to plan trips to Portugal, Paris, London, talk of Prague, Barcelona, and who knows where else. I’m not opposed to in the slightest bit, of course, but I’m just enjoying settling in and getting comfortable with my home and figuring out classes. I have fourth months to travel, and honestly I’d rather travel mostly within Spain to really see the different regions. How often do people get to do that? And how often do people tour Europe in a matter of days? Sure, millions see the Eiffel tower – even I’ve already done that – but I want to leave Spain feeling like I really lived here and checked it off my list.

Oh!! And!! Yesterday I checked out a guitar :D so I will be starting my lessons soon. Probably once I get my surf on J… and get a class schedule, but who needs details, right?

Well, I need to do my HW :P …. Sooo hasta la proxima en the vida mia!

 This fountain is right outside the academy where orientation is, Plaza Mentidero.

 This is a little market I found on my way home from school and absolutely love when the flower shops fill the plaza with their plants. I bought a pair of shoes there for 5 e - Plaza de las Flores

 Brittnay lives on that street of building next to the beach.

<3 Chelsea

Week 1 in Cadiz, and Ronda

As I write this, I'm struggling to stay awake. It's about midnight, which is actually early for a Spanish night.  Story of my life it seems so far- but I actually did well this week! Stayed out enjoying the Spanish life quite late for about 5 nights in a row, and finally got to sleep in today and semi-recover.

I still need to do my homework, which is kind of related to my blog, I suppose. The past week of class has been review, for the student to practice and brush up on their Spanish – not too needed in my case, but I’ve learned some Spain lingo, and other things. Apart from that I really enjoy my professor. My assignment is to write a mere 150 words on cultural differences I’ve noticed. So here they are:

1.      Topless women are common on the beach.

2.     Everyone here has rhythm. If there is no guitar to play flamenco, they use their fingers and clap, and stop, and sing. It’s great.

3.     Goes without saying that a typical night goes to 7 am.

4.     Breakfast is typically light- cereal or coffee and a bread of some sort. Followed by the “descanzo” or rest/break, another mini breakfast, fruit or juice. Lunch is at 2-3, snack is around 5-6, usually something sweet, and dinner at 9-10

5.     Meals are usually in courses. Fruit is considered a dessert.

6.     People are more concerned about their health here. You rarely see an overweight person.

7.     Most houses are like apartments.

8.     Everyone is super friendly, but most smoke. 

My travel buddy is Brittany, who lives in a house a block away from me- right on the beach. We have been spending a large amount of time there. Its absolutely beautiful. There we met our first group of locals this past week. That turned into quite the adventure.

Yesterday we went to Ronda, a town a couple of hours away. It was very pretty, and there was a bullfight, but unfortunately we had to catch our bus home before. I think it was sold out anyway. I did, however, manage to get a picture of the ring and a picture with the most famous bullfighter, Francisco Rivera.  

Madrid in Detail

So, I guess I’ll start from the beginning (probably a good point). It’s a good thing I took pictures of everything, because these two days went so fast and were so full of things it all became a blur. Of course, it would help if I wasn’t so tired. I’ve never experienced jet-lag like this before. I must be aging. I can’t sleep on planes the way I used to.

After I checked in at the hostel, I went to get a bite to eat. It was quite interesting. I was actually kind of nervous – and I speak the language. Those poor people learning it. This place I think is called Museo del Jamon (the ham museum). They eat lots of ham here, and theres pork legs hanging from the ceiling everywhere you go. This place is like what I think they call a tapas bar. Tapas are snack-sized meals, sort of like appetizers except that’s all you eat, several to get full. When its crowded you have to push your way through to order at the bar; and I learned that you just yell at the bar tenders to get their attention. It will take forever if you wait for them to ask you for your order – not like I learned from experience or anything though. The tapas or bocadillos are really cheap, only a euro or two at this place.

Once I was full, I went back to take my siesta, which ended up being 6 hrs almost. And it was a good thing I did sleep, because Spaniards don’t sleep at night. They have the craziest night scene! After the bar “closes” at 2 or whatever, they go to the after hrs bars until about 6, or even 10 am! One guy told me that his instructor came straight to work one morning after having gone out during the world cup with dirt covered, black feet up to her shins, same clothes and everything. There’s no way I pulled that though. I stayed out until 4 (possibly, I don’t really know what time it was. I need to fix my watch! I can never tell what time it is!)

Spain is so beautiful! I walked all over Madrid. I was so sore yesterday, you would have thought I ran like 10 miles. I went through Plaza del Sol on Friday night and saw a bunch of different performers. There were mariachis and it looked like the girl that was singing was just a pedestrian who jumped in on the show. She was pretty good. And there are these people who cover themselves in make-up and get into a position and stay there for hours. At first I thought it was a statue, and after taking the picture of this woman, I realized she was alive! This one had a sign saying “To all the women who have silently built history” – “A todas las mujeres que silenciosamente han construido la historia”. I took a picture of another guy too, and I think he gave me the finger… There were acrobats, illusions, and a belly dancer, too.

The second day I went on a walking tour provided by the hostel. I saw the oldest restaurant in the world. They had the certificate from the Guinness world records in the window. I also saw the art academy where the world’s greatest artists studied. Most donated their best piece of work to the museum when they graduated, so the museum is supposed to be pretty impressive (on my list of things to see when I go back). I went on a tapas tour for 10 euros in the afternoon. That took me to three different tapas bars, one or two tapas, and a drink at each. The sangria here is amazing! I still don’t know how I feel about drinking that early though. It seems Spaniards drink all the time.

After lunch, I went back to the hostel and actually took a shower, because I woke up late – almost missed the walk. It was the hardest thing ever not to take a siesta! But I managed and went to see the Prado museum, the Botanical gardens (where I tested out my tripod) , and the Reina Sofia museum. Picasso’s Guernica was at the Reina Sofia museum.

Ok deep breath, oh my goodness. I probably won’t blog this much on a regular basis, but I’m waiting for my flight to Jerez. I meet my family today. I’m excited J and for the beach too! The reality that I’m going to be living here for near 4 months, is just starting to set it. It still feels like a vacation, and money still seems kind of fake. That reality is definitely starting to set in too, though. I’m starting to see where I can save, and NEED to save. The people have been surprisingly nice. I thought Spaniards would be more arrogant, but everyone so far has been pleasantly helpful. The taxi driver even gave me his number in case I needed any help when I got here, haha ;)

I have no wifi, so it will likely be tomorrow by the time I post this entry.

Much love y muchos abrazos!

Chelsea 

Madrid Day 1: Alive = success!

ok, so the title is a litte melodramatic. It has been a very easy trip - other than a 3 hr delay at the airport due to weather in D.C.

Taxi driver was very nice, didn't over charge me. I'm at equity point hostel, took a six hr nap and am finally starting to feel like I'm getting over jet-lag. I had a lovely evening about the area, and was going to post pictures (because I took a million already) and tell you all about it, but I just found out from one of the hosts (or something) at the hostel that they are all going out in about 45 min. SO I need to get changed!!! Its 15 eu to go to three bars and a club. One shot/drink at each place included and cover fees. YAY! Fun :)


So I'll talk to you all later, and update you then.

peace!

<3 Chelsea

Test

Hello!

Just opened my new blog account so I can keep all you lovely people in the loop while I'm gone.

That's all.

Bye!