Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Confessions
Guys, I think I have an unhealthy obsession with the aforementioned VIPS. I have been to this delightful establishment no less than three times in the past two days. Yesterday I went with friends to the SAME ONE twice and we had the SAME WAITRESS both times. That's a little embarrassing. But, you know what, sorry not sorry. As my boyfriend so kindly reminded me, they have pancakes and milkshakes. If that isn't justification I don't know what is. But seriously VIPS is actually the best. There's one on basically every street and they're open allllll the tiiiime. And some have books and groceries and school supplies and doodads! Basically, what's bad about VIPS. Answer: nothing.
Other fun fact: This Portuguese song called Ai Se Eu Te Pego is really popular here, and I love it. One of the best parts about it is that there's choreography to go along with the chorus. And in the discotecas, everyone knows the moves. A secret about me: I love pop songs with choreography. So I'm including the song for your listening pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcm55lU9knw
Other fun fact: This Portuguese song called Ai Se Eu Te Pego is really popular here, and I love it. One of the best parts about it is that there's choreography to go along with the chorus. And in the discotecas, everyone knows the moves. A secret about me: I love pop songs with choreography. So I'm including the song for your listening pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcm55lU9knw
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Madre
I would like to devote a little bit of time to discussing my relationship with my host mom--and at this point I mean "mom" in a much more literal sense. It's uncanny that, like my real mother (I LOVE YOU MOM!), she knows exactly when I return to the house at night, and cannot rest easily until then.
The bottom line is that I LOVE my host mom. She is a very funny and genuinely caring person. She calls me "Cariña" and hugs me and is invested in my well-being. On the first day that I had to take the metro to school, she called the school to make sure I had arrived safely!
That being said, due to culture differences, language barriers, and probably my own obliviousness at times, we have had some hilarious incidences. I am all the time--unintentionally--giving my host mom heart palpitations for one reason or another. Probably my favorite example of this is what I like to call The Toilet Tragedy. (Maybe it's indelicate to talk about this on my blog, but really it's too good to pass up.) So, one day, one week into my stay here, my host mom (let's call her "P") comes to me and starts to explain that I need to be very gentle when I go to flush the toilet. If I use too much force, she tells me, it will break. I understand this, and henceforth try to be very conscientious about flushing the toilet. But, perhaps on one of these occasions, I did not use ENOUGH force, because the next day P confronts me again. She says, "I don't think you understand much of what I say." I protest that I do. She says, "Well, I don't think you understood about the toilet--I think you thought I said you shouldn't flush the toilet at all!" I become very embarrassed, and try to tell her that yes I absolutely had understood her instructions. I go to explain that maybe I hadn't put enough muscle into it, but I find myself at a loss for the vocabulary to remedy this situation, so I just let her think that I hadn't understood, but I understand PERFECTLY now. Luckily there have been no toilet issues since.
Other more minor occurrences include me not turning my clothes right-side-out before I put them in the laundry basket, or me not folding my towel the right way. There was also a situation in which I told P that I would like to try a mushroom dish she was going to make, even though I don't particularly enjoy mushrooms, because I was trying to be open-minded about my food intake. I received, then, a HEAPING plate of mushrooms, which I truly tried to consume, but just couldn't physically finish. P: "You don't like mushrooms." Me: "I will eat them! They're just not my favorite." P: "Why didn't you tell me? Then I wouldn't have spent all the time making this only to have to throw it out!" At which point I felt very bad and apologized profusely.
In short, one phrase that I hear pretty regularly (in the most loving manner possible) is, "¡Voy a matarte!" or, "I'm going to kill you!" I think that means we're bonding. :)
The bottom line is that I LOVE my host mom. She is a very funny and genuinely caring person. She calls me "Cariña" and hugs me and is invested in my well-being. On the first day that I had to take the metro to school, she called the school to make sure I had arrived safely!
That being said, due to culture differences, language barriers, and probably my own obliviousness at times, we have had some hilarious incidences. I am all the time--unintentionally--giving my host mom heart palpitations for one reason or another. Probably my favorite example of this is what I like to call The Toilet Tragedy. (Maybe it's indelicate to talk about this on my blog, but really it's too good to pass up.) So, one day, one week into my stay here, my host mom (let's call her "P") comes to me and starts to explain that I need to be very gentle when I go to flush the toilet. If I use too much force, she tells me, it will break. I understand this, and henceforth try to be very conscientious about flushing the toilet. But, perhaps on one of these occasions, I did not use ENOUGH force, because the next day P confronts me again. She says, "I don't think you understand much of what I say." I protest that I do. She says, "Well, I don't think you understood about the toilet--I think you thought I said you shouldn't flush the toilet at all!" I become very embarrassed, and try to tell her that yes I absolutely had understood her instructions. I go to explain that maybe I hadn't put enough muscle into it, but I find myself at a loss for the vocabulary to remedy this situation, so I just let her think that I hadn't understood, but I understand PERFECTLY now. Luckily there have been no toilet issues since.
Other more minor occurrences include me not turning my clothes right-side-out before I put them in the laundry basket, or me not folding my towel the right way. There was also a situation in which I told P that I would like to try a mushroom dish she was going to make, even though I don't particularly enjoy mushrooms, because I was trying to be open-minded about my food intake. I received, then, a HEAPING plate of mushrooms, which I truly tried to consume, but just couldn't physically finish. P: "You don't like mushrooms." Me: "I will eat them! They're just not my favorite." P: "Why didn't you tell me? Then I wouldn't have spent all the time making this only to have to throw it out!" At which point I felt very bad and apologized profusely.
In short, one phrase that I hear pretty regularly (in the most loving manner possible) is, "¡Voy a matarte!" or, "I'm going to kill you!" I think that means we're bonding. :)
Friday, January 27, 2012
Some Highlights! (Because my mom told me to) :D
Thought this would be an appropriate beginning (rest assured, this series of photos does not end in a disastrous ice berg incident). This is the bell tower of the cathedral in Sevilla!
La Costa del Sol
Also the bell tower of the above cathedral--from the outside.
La Plaza de España, Sevilla
AHHHH Antequerra!! Just LOOK at that
CABRA (GOAT)
This is actually back in Madrid, in my beloved Parque Retiro
Strolls through the park on Sunday afternoons=Popular (Also popular: roller blading. LOL.)
It's a big park...
This is just casually 2 seconds away from where I live...unREAL
Oh and there's a little lake
WITH BOATS.
Sorry, kind of obsessed with this park.
So, basically, what I can't get over is that these are REAL LIVE PLACES and not postcards that I purchased in the airport.
what.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Bueno, pues, TODO.
Ay ay ayyyyyy I have SOmuch to tell you guys. Thing is, I've been adventuring in Andalucia this past week, with very limited internet access, so I couldn't keep you posted on what was going on. Here's what was going on:
1. We took the train to Sevilla. Even the train station is nice here, with a garden and pond and TURTLES in the middle of it. Plus, cool train. There were seats facing each other with a table in the middle, so it was clearly a dream come true. I jammed out to TSwift.
2. We arrive in Sevilla, which is just the greatest little city. We went to a lot of sites that I've actually been fortunate enough to visit already, in high school, like La Plaza de España, the palace, and the big cathedral with the bell tower that you can climb. All wondrous experiences. Also, the Muslim/Moorish architectural influences are very evident and very beautiful. And very hilarious. At the palace, there's this design on the wall that to the Spanish king would have simply looked cool, but actually says something like, "God is the highest authority." Aka jokes on you, Rey de España.
3. We went to the Royal Equestrian school!! How cool. It's super exclusive (they only admit 6 students a year), but some seriously classy premises. And horses. Also we decided, based on the people there, that good looks must be a requirement for admission.
4. Jerez. The one and only location of the production of sherry. Which, as it turns out, is kind of gross. But, fun fact, they mix older "years" of sherry with newer ones! I thought that was a faux pas in the wine world, but apparently not in Jerez.
5. LA PLAYA. We saw the ocean in Cadiz. How beautiful. Also, there were cats.
6. MY FAVE THING: Hiking through the rocky hills of Antequera. Literally magical. Pictures to come. Also, there were goats.
7. Granadaaaa! Including La Alhambra/Generalife, a cathedral in the city, and a flamenco "espectaculo" in a gypsy cave on the "Sacred Mountain." (Tambien, the first discoteka of the trip.) ALL WONDERFUL. Fun fact: M.C. Escher studied the architecture of La Alhambra for his own artwork! He was inspired by it's geometry! #MATH. Other fun fact: Washington Irving (author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) also studied at and wrote about La Alhambra. Also, there were cats.
8. Olive oil factory. Really all I have to say about this is that Spanish olive oil is delish and the Spaniards know it. Also they want the world to be clear on the fact that while the Italians sell the most olive oil of anyone, Spain PRODUCES the most olive oil.
9. La Mezquita in Cordoba--magnificent. Also super famous--I recognized it from my high school history books! Minor hilarious story here: Some rando tried to join our tour, and refused to leave when our beloved and knowledgeable tour guide Joaquin told him we were a private group. So Joaquin casually slipped his tour into English, instead of Spanish, so the man could not understand. SASSY.
Look out for MANY more additions to the food column, brilliant Spanish phrases I've adopted, and how my host mom still thinks I'm really dumb.
1. We took the train to Sevilla. Even the train station is nice here, with a garden and pond and TURTLES in the middle of it. Plus, cool train. There were seats facing each other with a table in the middle, so it was clearly a dream come true. I jammed out to TSwift.
2. We arrive in Sevilla, which is just the greatest little city. We went to a lot of sites that I've actually been fortunate enough to visit already, in high school, like La Plaza de España, the palace, and the big cathedral with the bell tower that you can climb. All wondrous experiences. Also, the Muslim/Moorish architectural influences are very evident and very beautiful. And very hilarious. At the palace, there's this design on the wall that to the Spanish king would have simply looked cool, but actually says something like, "God is the highest authority." Aka jokes on you, Rey de España.
3. We went to the Royal Equestrian school!! How cool. It's super exclusive (they only admit 6 students a year), but some seriously classy premises. And horses. Also we decided, based on the people there, that good looks must be a requirement for admission.
4. Jerez. The one and only location of the production of sherry. Which, as it turns out, is kind of gross. But, fun fact, they mix older "years" of sherry with newer ones! I thought that was a faux pas in the wine world, but apparently not in Jerez.
5. LA PLAYA. We saw the ocean in Cadiz. How beautiful. Also, there were cats.
6. MY FAVE THING: Hiking through the rocky hills of Antequera. Literally magical. Pictures to come. Also, there were goats.
7. Granadaaaa! Including La Alhambra/Generalife, a cathedral in the city, and a flamenco "espectaculo" in a gypsy cave on the "Sacred Mountain." (Tambien, the first discoteka of the trip.) ALL WONDERFUL. Fun fact: M.C. Escher studied the architecture of La Alhambra for his own artwork! He was inspired by it's geometry! #MATH. Other fun fact: Washington Irving (author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) also studied at and wrote about La Alhambra. Also, there were cats.
8. Olive oil factory. Really all I have to say about this is that Spanish olive oil is delish and the Spaniards know it. Also they want the world to be clear on the fact that while the Italians sell the most olive oil of anyone, Spain PRODUCES the most olive oil.
9. La Mezquita in Cordoba--magnificent. Also super famous--I recognized it from my high school history books! Minor hilarious story here: Some rando tried to join our tour, and refused to leave when our beloved and knowledgeable tour guide Joaquin told him we were a private group. So Joaquin casually slipped his tour into English, instead of Spanish, so the man could not understand. SASSY.
Look out for MANY more additions to the food column, brilliant Spanish phrases I've adopted, and how my host mom still thinks I'm really dumb.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Regarding El Metro, Paella, and Why I'm Obsessed With VIPS
Ok. There is so much to say, and I still need to siesta a little today!! But this is important.
THE METRO. First of all, props to Madrid. The subway system is SUPER clean and modern and on-time and easy to use. All of which is great. My first day going to school, I arrived without a glitch and was so proud of myself. However, let me just say, I have never climbed so many stairs in my life as I will this semester. The metro is CHOCK FULL o' stairs. There are escalators, too, which leads me to kind of an embarrassing story. Scene: Day 1 of me figuring out the metro. I see my first escalator, and literally EVERYONE is clumped, waiting to load onto the escalator. I'm like (in my head), "Silly Madridians! How lazy of you!" and proceed to march myself right up the stairs. Well. What I did not realize was that not only was this particular flight of stairs quite long, but that it would be followed by approximately five more. I will never get cocky about my stair-climbing abilities again.
Wonderful things I have eaten. AHH just remembered I made a little side bar (right over there -->) for this express purpose! I will update it asap.
We have been orientating ourselves in Madrid with the help of some Spanish students, which has been a lot of fun. They show us famous sites, great shopping areas, discotecas, and places to eat. But so far my favorite has been this chain of little cafes called VIPS (pronounced "Beeps!" in Spanish, which makes it way better). I haven't actually been inside one yet, but they're open pretty much 24/7 and sell snacks and coffee and books, and they seem to be kind of a hang out spot for people my age. I might be going to one later today, in which case I will take serious notes.
Stay tuned for: Me Learning Flamenco and How It's Hard to Discuss Math in Spanish
THE METRO. First of all, props to Madrid. The subway system is SUPER clean and modern and on-time and easy to use. All of which is great. My first day going to school, I arrived without a glitch and was so proud of myself. However, let me just say, I have never climbed so many stairs in my life as I will this semester. The metro is CHOCK FULL o' stairs. There are escalators, too, which leads me to kind of an embarrassing story. Scene: Day 1 of me figuring out the metro. I see my first escalator, and literally EVERYONE is clumped, waiting to load onto the escalator. I'm like (in my head), "Silly Madridians! How lazy of you!" and proceed to march myself right up the stairs. Well. What I did not realize was that not only was this particular flight of stairs quite long, but that it would be followed by approximately five more. I will never get cocky about my stair-climbing abilities again.
Wonderful things I have eaten. AHH just remembered I made a little side bar (right over there -->) for this express purpose! I will update it asap.
We have been orientating ourselves in Madrid with the help of some Spanish students, which has been a lot of fun. They show us famous sites, great shopping areas, discotecas, and places to eat. But so far my favorite has been this chain of little cafes called VIPS (pronounced "Beeps!" in Spanish, which makes it way better). I haven't actually been inside one yet, but they're open pretty much 24/7 and sell snacks and coffee and books, and they seem to be kind of a hang out spot for people my age. I might be going to one later today, in which case I will take serious notes.
Stay tuned for: Me Learning Flamenco and How It's Hard to Discuss Math in Spanish
Friday, January 13, 2012
Conquering the Metro: Day 2
More on me using Madridian public transport later. For now, this is my room (and the view from my little balcony)!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
This is weird / Este es raro
Ok to summarize what has been a bizarre (and really cool. but bizarre.) transition to my life in SPAIN AHH, I'm going to list some of my favorite things that happened today. (Did I just go Sound of Music on you? #can'tstopwon'tstop)
1. The plane from Newark turns out to be a "Fiesta Flight" as my dear friend Rachel put it. Aka so many amigos going to Spain. Aka the successive taxi situation is so much more bearable and turns out to actually be a complete non-issue.
2. There's an elevator in my apartment. Aka I didn't have to whip out the already very sore guns. AND a kind woman who knew I was coming showed me how to use it.
3. My host mom is, from what I gather from beyond the (still gaping) language gap, wonderful. She helped me buy metro tickets and showed me around Madrid, all while linking arms with me. She also made me a delicious meal of meatballs, even though she was not eating, and showed me how to make my own coffee in her kitchen. (Convo we had in Spanish: Pilar: "How much sugar do you take?" Me: "One spoonful is fine." Pilar: "One?? No. That's too bitter (as she plops two more spoonfuls in for me)." Word to that, Pilar.) We also watched some trashy tv together, which as any Pretty Little Liars fan can attest, is a serious bonding experience.
4. After a minor issue, the internet seems to be functioning normally (albeit, with an ethernet cable). Blog on.
All in all, confusion and jetlag aside, a good day. The only real casualty was my slapwatch, which refuses to set to Spain time and may no longer even function normally ANY time. A tragic situation, but at the moment I'm choosing to ignore it. Oh LAST THING: I don't have a host brother and I'm a little upset about it. Pero está bien.
More soon, including pictures of my room, which I am obsessed with.
1. The plane from Newark turns out to be a "Fiesta Flight" as my dear friend Rachel put it. Aka so many amigos going to Spain. Aka the successive taxi situation is so much more bearable and turns out to actually be a complete non-issue.
2. There's an elevator in my apartment. Aka I didn't have to whip out the already very sore guns. AND a kind woman who knew I was coming showed me how to use it.
3. My host mom is, from what I gather from beyond the (still gaping) language gap, wonderful. She helped me buy metro tickets and showed me around Madrid, all while linking arms with me. She also made me a delicious meal of meatballs, even though she was not eating, and showed me how to make my own coffee in her kitchen. (Convo we had in Spanish: Pilar: "How much sugar do you take?" Me: "One spoonful is fine." Pilar: "One?? No. That's too bitter (as she plops two more spoonfuls in for me)." Word to that, Pilar.) We also watched some trashy tv together, which as any Pretty Little Liars fan can attest, is a serious bonding experience.
4. After a minor issue, the internet seems to be functioning normally (albeit, with an ethernet cable). Blog on.
All in all, confusion and jetlag aside, a good day. The only real casualty was my slapwatch, which refuses to set to Spain time and may no longer even function normally ANY time. A tragic situation, but at the moment I'm choosing to ignore it. Oh LAST THING: I don't have a host brother and I'm a little upset about it. Pero está bien.
More soon, including pictures of my room, which I am obsessed with.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Last thing, I swear
Words of encouragement that I have recently received:
"You're the ROCKIEST rock star." (One of my best friends)
"Chow belle Bekah, my little burrito. Have a chimichanga of a time in Espana. We will miss you like calliente churros!" (My uncle, via text message)
NOW I'm ready to go.
"You're the ROCKIEST rock star." (One of my best friends)
"Chow belle Bekah, my little burrito. Have a chimichanga of a time in Espana. We will miss you like calliente churros!" (My uncle, via text message)
NOW I'm ready to go.
Oh, word, real life?
Off to the airport today. Jittery, but I'mmmm packed? The rest of this blog will explain why this is a huge surprise to everyone involved. How exciting that soon I will have REAL things to post about! Anyways, just praying that no one connected to my transportation today goes on strike (apparently this is a possibility, not just me being neurotic). I'll keep ya posted.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
That Moment When You Realize, Crap, You're GOING TO SPAIN.
I am currently engaging in the Mental Preparation stage of my pre-departure schedule. Part One of this involved actually reading the extensive and informative packet that my study-abroad program provided me with. While the packing lists and international cell phone details are sure to come in handy, the information that I was most pleased to be provided with regards my social integration in Madrid--something I have due cause to be concerned about (For example, does my sense of humor translate into Spanish? This remains to be seen).
There are a few key phrases from the packet that I have really honed in on. Specifically, the packet kindly reminds me to "be (discreetly) aggressive" in my social life, and to "be valiant" about making friends. I'm not 100% confident that I understand what this means, but I am prepared to attempt behavior so (discreetly) aggressive it's not even funny.
Luckily, I was also provided with a Pre-Departure Orientation DVD to watch, which also gives social advice. To quote the DVD directly, "You cannot put a relationship in a microwave and have it done in 10 seconds." Touche.
I'm hoping all of this information will help me to gracefully befriend Madridians, most particularly my homestay "Mom," who seems like she will be lovely, as well as her 33 year old son, let's call him "Manu." Speaking as someone who has awkward interactions in English, I am going to need all the help I can get to appear normal and sociable when I'm interacting in Español.
To this end, I have also started reminding myself of Spanish phrases that will allow me to be friendly, i.e., "¿Puedo ayudar con los platos?" (Can I help with the dishes?) and "¡La comida está deliciosa!" (The food is delicious!).
In my Justin Bieber Preparatory notebook, these genial phrases are neatly recorded for future use, followed by one that perhaps falls into the "aggressive" category more than the "discrete" one. It reads: "Estoy segura que el viaje cuesta cuarenta euros. ¡Solamente tengo cuarenta euros!" (I am sure that the trip costs forty euros. I only have forty euros!) This one's for the taxi driver, whose services I will require immediately upon landing in Madrid, and who I'm told I need to take NO nonsense from. I cannot wait.
Monday, January 2, 2012
LOL Blogs
Hahahahaha like I need one more Internet distraction. But, fact of the matter is, I'm going to Europe in a week and what better method of avoiding actual packing and preparation than creating a TRAVEL BLOG? Just try and tell me a better way. Luckily for you (and unfortunately for me), I tend to cause scenes, so me+foreign country where I sort of speak the language+blog will at the very least = mild amusement.
Coming Attractions: Why Bekah and Taxis won't get along, The "M" Situation, and The "Como se dice" Game
Coming Attractions: Why Bekah and Taxis won't get along, The "M" Situation, and The "Como se dice" Game
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