Portugal

Hi all. Well, Jennifer and I went to Faro, Portugal, this past weekend with two other friends, Shelley and Brooke. It was nice to sleep in a quiet hotel and to be on our own schedules rather than our host parents’ for a few days. I wish I could say Faro was absolutely fabulous, but that would be a lie. It was actually a pretty boring town with a pretty regular beach. Google images lied to us! Fortunately, I am the kind of person you can guarantee will be content if given some sand, water, and sun- and I had that. It was overall, a weekend of rest and relaxation. The hands down, best part about the weekend was a little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant where we ate Saturday night. It was there that we ate not only our best meal in Portugal, but we all agreed that it was the best food we had eaten since we’ve been in Europe. A Mexican restaurant in Portugal- who would have thought?? To top it off, the margaritas were great as well and our waiter kept bringing us free shots of different kinds of tequila. And when I say kept, I mean KEPT. By the end of the night we had 3 bottles of tequila on our table, sombreros on our heads, and salt everywhere else. Our motto was this, “When in Portugal, do as the Mexicans do”. There was live music most of the evening via a cute little Mexican man walking around playing guitar and singing until the place turned into a karaoke bar later. There was a karaoke contest where the winner would take home a fifth of tequila. It may shock you to learn that no, I did not sing in this competition. As much as it pained me, all of the songs were in Spanish and I clearly didn’t know any of them. Granted, I could have read the words on the tv screen and just sung my own made-up melody, but anyone who is a singer knows that we, as singers, have too much pride to get up and do what we do best off key. So, sadly enough but with my pride in tact, I had to watch a pretty Portuguese girl walk away with the coveted prize. Thus was the gist of our weekend in Portugal.

Hola todos! How this week has flown! Another week of school is under my belt and I still feel like I’m struggling immensely to understand the Spanish that's flowing at rabbit-speed out of each of my teachers’ mouths. I’m sure my Spanish is getting better and I just don’t realize it- at least it better be! I think I can understand it more than I can speak it. I did have to pull a “No hablo Espanol” move a few days ago though. I was waiting for the bus to go home after having met a friend for coffee downtown when a dirty, crazy-eyed, cracked-out woman came up to me and asked me in Spanish if I would give her money for the bus. At first I just said no and turned away, but she started tapping on my arm and poking out her bottom lip saying “por favor”. A few people around me were looking at me shaking their heads no so that I wouldn’t cave to this persistent pest of a woman. Upon realizing that she wasn’t going away, I told her I didn’t have any money, which was the truth- I only had my bus pass that you scan when you get on the bus (I didn’t tell her that though). So of course when I said I didn’t have any money, she asked me if I had a card and if so, would I scan it for the both of us. This is when I started to act like I didn’t understand what she was saying by responding in a very American accent, “No hablo Espanol”. She wasn’t fooled. She started trying to make a scene by telling everyone around us that I understood her but was pretending not to. It became a game. Everyone caught on to the notion that I actually did understand everything that was going on, but they were all playing for team Callie. A few people were trying to get her to leave me alone, telling her that I was foreign and didn’t understand Spanish. After a couple minutes of this, I think she was finally convinced because she picked a used cigarette up off the ground, lit it, and walked away to find someone else to bother. And then I had a conversation in Spanish with the people still standing there, thanking them for helping me out.

On a much different note, I made a friend from Nashville this week in one of my classes. Coincidentally enough, we both went to Belmont the same year, both transferred away, and knew some of the same people there. We decided that must mean we're meant to be friends. It’s hard to believe I have been here for 3 weeks already and that September is coming to an end soon. The time seems to be flying! I’m sure the 3-day weekends have something to do with that. I’m heading to Faro, Portugal this weekend with Jennifer and some other people in my program to soak up some last minute sun and beach time before fall really sets in. Hopefully people in Portugal speak either English or Spanish because I most definitely don’t speak Portuguese. Maybe I’ll get by with a little “Spanglish”.

Wow I have been slacking in my blog lately! I apologize to you, my 11 faithful followers! I guess it just means that I have been busier so that’s a good thing. I just finished my first full week of classes and it went pretty smoothly for the most part. All four of my classes are conducted in Spanish so more often than not my brain is very tired from trying to comprehend the lesson and the Spanish simultaneously. Hopefully I’ll be able to stay afloat in all of my classes. Sometimes I feel like I’m in over my head but I think everyone else is more or less in the same boat. I don’t have class on Friday, which I’m very ecstatic about since this gives me 3-day weekends to travel. The school assigned each of us exchange students with what is called an intercambio. It’s basically just a native Spaniard that wants to better his or her English while also helping his/her assigned partner better his Spanish skills. My intercambio’s name is Pablo and we met up for coffee on Wednesday after my classes. He was very nice and down to earth and has studied English in England for a while. His English is about as good as my Spanish so we decided that he would speak in English and I would speak in Spanish and that we would correct each other when necessary. We decided to try to meet at least once a week to just chat and learn. I’m trying to submerge myself in any way that I can.

As for this weekend, Jennifer and I decided not to travel anywhere so that we could explore and get to know our city better. On Thursday, we managed to find the best shopping area in the city, which could be a very good or very bad thing depending on how you look at it. I’m going to choose to look at it as a good thing for now while my bank account is still in its upper digits. There’s nothing like a little retail therapy every now and then!

Yesterday we walked around the cathedral grounds and stood out as tourists as we took our numerous pictures. We also visited the Real Alcazar, which is the old palace of the Spanish Royalty. The royal family used to live in Sevilla years ago and this was their home. It originally served as a Moorish fort so it was very interesting to see the combination of the Spanish and Moorish architecture. A little fact for fun is that Marie Antoinette was born there. The palace itself wasn’t even as amazing as the grounds were. There was garden after garden and fountain after fountain. As beautiful as it was, I wish I could visit in the spring-time when all the flowers are in bloom. It really blows my mind how people back then put so much time detail into these huge, magnificent palaces and cathedrals, and that they’ve managed to stand for all these years- and they didn’t even have cranes and big trucks to build them!!! We spent at least 2 hours just walking around the grounds being mesmerized by everything. The weather has cooled down quite a bit so it was actually very pleasant yesterday. Hopefully it will stay this way because I’m not sure I can keep sweating it out day after day. I’m going to take a walk on the wild side and say that I think fall is finally here! Until next time, Adios! Xoxo.

On Saturday, Jennifer and I ventured off to a beach called Matalascañas with some friends and just enjoyed soaking up the sun. The weather was perfect- warm but with a nice breeze. There is a huge rock formation right in the middle of the beach and we later found out that it is the ruins of an old watchtower that had been broken off by rising tides. Pretty cool. We’ve decided that while it’s still hot, we may go explore the beaches of Marbella this coming weekend!

Hi everyone! I haven’t written in quite a while because I have actually been busy and not en casa as much! Last Friday, I finally got to meet my other host brother, Diego, his wife Raquel and their 2 little boys. They all came over for a big family lunch and we had the best time chatting and getting to know each other. Raquel is so fun and basically thinks I’m a famous singer in the U.S. (my host mom made me show everyone my myspace music since I wouldn’t sing in person). Diego was super nice as well, and after lunch he actually drove Jennifer and I to the bus station to buy our tickets to the beach for Saturday. After helping us buy our tickets, Diego gave us a little mini-tour of Sevilla and we got to see parts of the city that we hadn’t yet seen by way of bus or taxi. There are so many narrow little cobblestone streets that I can’t wait to go back and explore in my own time. After our tour, the whole family went to the swimming pool and Javi’s apartment. Jennifer and I swam around with our little “nephews” who are just so precious. They seemed to take to us very fast- probably because of our funny accents and foreign appeal! The 8 year old, Diego, actually spent the night at his grandparents Friday night just so he could hang out with us more. He tried telling us numerous jokes in Spanish but I think it was quite obvious that we just were not getting them, so we switched over to playing racecars with him instead! It’s funny to think that a little 8 year old is helping me better my Spanish. I’m so fortunate to have been placed in such a fun-loving family! They love to laugh and I love that about them! I'm excited for more family fiestas to come!

Well all that worrying over my placement test for nothing! I got into two of the classes I needed and two more 300 level classes that are too advanced for me! I’ve been scrambling around campus the last couple of days trying to get into two other classes that might be a little more my speed. Hopefully by Monday I’ll have my schedule all worked out. Yesterday was the first day of class and my teachers seem pretty awesome thus far. All four of my classes are conducted in Spanish so I’m going to be submerged!

I think my favorite class is going to be Spanish Culture and Civilization. Today we talked about culture shock, customs that are original to Spain, and why certain things here are the way they are. I think this class is really going to help me better understand the people around me. The professor said something that rang very true today. “To really learn a culture, you must live it.” While some of you might be saying, “Well duh, Callie, that’s so obvious”, it made me realize that I am in the perfect set-up to really learn everything there is to learn about this Spanish culture. I have been complaining about not having air conditioning, about living in the poor side of town, and about the food being strange, but this is the way the majority of Spaniards live. When he said that today it made me realize that as hard as things may be right now, I am getting an authentic Spanish experience I didn’t get when I lived in the air-conditioned dorms of Barcelona with 80 other Americans. I am living the culture. I am in a place where so many people would kill to be and I’m complaining about being hot and hungry???? Hold up. Attitude adjustment!! I am so thankful that those simple words of wisdom came so early in my trip. I cannot wait to get to know this city inside and out and the passionate, energetic, fun-loving people who make it tick!

Mi Familia

I haven’t fully filled you all in on my Spanish family so here’s a bit of information on them for future reference. I’ve talked mostly about my host parents, Mari Paz and Jose Luis, because I live with them, but I haven’t mentioned the rest of my family. I have two “brothers”, Javier (Javi) and Diego. They are both in their 30s and married with children. Javi has a precious 1-year old little girl named Sara and Diego has 2 boys, Diego and Alexis (I know… It’s a girl’s name in English). I have only met Javi and little Sara, who is here often while her parents are at work. She is so precious and such a happy little baby. Hopefully I’ll get to meet my “sisters-in-law”, my other “brother” Diego, and my “nephews” very soon!

My cozy little room!

Hola! Well I haven’t written in a couple of days because honestly not much has happened other than my trying to get situated with my classes and new city. I adore my roommate, Jennifer! She hails from Chicago and this is her first time is Spain. We seem to have a lot in common and I have a feeling we’re going to have a great semester together. Thank goodness she’s not a weirdo! I love my host parents as well. They don’t speak any English and their accents are pretty hard to understand, but somehow we are managing to communicate and get to know each other. Our mom, Mari Paz, is so sweet and is a bit on the sassy side (in a good way)! She’s very “with it”. She is very much the mother hen. She walks with us to the bus stop and takes us everywhere we need to go. The first day I was here, she asked what kind of foods I liked and I told her I just didn’t want to get fat. She agreed and said I would basically just eat the same things she eats, “Porque este es perfecto, no?” –Because this is perfect, no? She said this while motioning to her body and then let out a good laugh! I have since realized that Mari Paz must be one of those fortunate people (that we all hate) who can eat anything she wants and not gain an ounce, because at every single meal thus far, there has been nothing but starches on my plate and at least one thing that has been cooked in the deep fryer. Jennifer and I are currently creating a workout plan and trying to think of a way to tell our “mother” that sadly, we are not as fortunate as she.

Yesterday was the day of our placement test for our Spanish classes and considering the fact that I haven’t taken a Spanish class since last fall, I’m a bit worried that I won’t get placed in the 300 level classes I need to graduate! I find out my results and get my class schedule tonight at orientation so stay tuned! Last night was my first night out in Sevilla. Four of us girls went and ate authentic Spanish tapas, drank some sangria, and got to see a little of the city- so beautiful! Our neighborhood is definitely not the most scenic area of the city so it was nice to get out and about downtown.

In a very condensed nutshell, this is all I have to report for now! Time to get ready for orientation! Adios amigos! Besos!

Hola todos! Well I made it to Sevilla in one piece with both of my 47 pound bags! I can't believe I am actually here at my family's house, sitting on my bed! All went surprisingly well with my travels. No delays, no lost luggage, etc. Can you believe it?? I connected in Barcelona yesterday, and as we flew over, I felt a huge wave of nostalgia wash over me. Nostalgia for the Spain I was comfortable with, for the friends I made that were no longer there, and just because that place in general had become a comfort zone for me, and I was headed somewhere totally new- Sevilla.
Sevilla is going to be where I call home for the next three and a half months. It's the place where my new memories of Spain will be made, not better memories, just different ones. I was greeted with open arms and double cheek kisses last night from my host parents, Mari Paz and Jose Luis. They live in a small 3 bedroom 1 bath apartment in Sevilla. Yes, I said 1 bathroom. It is as hot as hell here, as it is at home, but they only have 1 air conditioning unit for the whole house and needless to say, it is not in my bedroom. This shall be quite the humbling experience! Neither of them speak a lick of English, so I am going to be quite the Spanish speaking machine when I come home. I have already met their son, Javier, and his little baby girl, Sara, who turned 1 today- so precious! As of tonight, I will finally meet my roommate, Jennifer, so I'm excited for that and also to speak a little English for the first time since I've been here! Between my sleeping, unpacking, and trying to converse with my host parents, I haven't seen any of Sevilla yet, so I don't have much to report. I think tomorrow maybe Jennifer and I will set out on an exploration! I'm thinking I'm going to need a parter for this. That's all I know for now, so until next time, Adios!!