It's a Small Tortilla Eating, Mahou Drinking, Disco Going World After All
After being in Madrid for about a week now, I think it's time that I provided some kind of documentation to prove that I'm actually here and let everyone know what's been going on so far. I surprised myself by being a little bit homesick at first, though the adjustment period was much easier than I thought it would be, after all. The jet lag was minimal; after getting lost a few times, I think that I have found my way around again and I've fallen into somewhat of a routine with Fulbright friends and of course, with Alf. In a way, it feels like home here already, and I don't find myself yearning for the setting of being home, but rather the people. It's strange being in a city again and having access to all different parts whenever I want, but not being able to go to Happy Hour or Brooklyn or WaHi to see all of my favorite faces. And then, there's also the weirdness of not starting school in the fall this year...but that is alleviated slightly because the weather still feels like summer so far, though I'm sure it will change quickly.
One of the things that I've realized since being here is that my Spanish is eons past where it was when I was here two years ago to study abroad. I couldn't even comfortably order a carton of milk back then, and now I find myself understanding nearly everything and being able to express myself fairly clearly, though I'm sure everyone knows from just looking at me that I'm an extranjera.
This past week was spent at the Residencia undergoing a "rigorous" Fulbright orientation schedule, which consisted of meeting after meeting with an hour long coffee break in between and three hours of lunch. I must admit, however, after learning more of the Spanish work ethic/ schedule from a predominant university professor/ economist, I have a lot more respect. Did you know that the Spanish have the longest work hours in all of Europe? Neither did I...and thinking more carefully about it, I'm understanding that they're actually working the same amount as we do in the states or maybe even more, just punctuated by more breaks for cafe and cigs.
The people here are....amazing, let's just make that clear. Everyone comes from such diverse backgrounds: I've gotten to know the Student Body President from Yale as well as a 40 going on 20 year old eternal bachelor/ man of mystery Ph.D. candidate in Forestry from UF. And they're both just as interesting. Everyone has a story, and there are more connections than you can count. It's a small world....or as my Monica, new friend and summer email pal would say, "it's a small socioeconomic bracket." It's a little weird getting adjusted to not being the only one who speaks Spanish among all of my comrades. I'm used to pacing back and fourth on the phone with Alf with people squinting at me in disbelief, trying to understand what the hell I'm saying. Well, no longer....I better be more careful with the expletives, that's for sure.
And then, there's the work, but not really, because I think that I'm already in love with my job. I went to visit my school, CEIP San Sebastion in El Boalo the other day and got to meet all of the teachers and administrators. Let's just say they all go surfing together once per month, that's how awesome they are. Everyone was in disbelief when I described the American school schedule, saying "But, they don't have any breaks before lunch? The children must be exhausted!!" Haha, this is true, and let's not forget that school is the least of American children's commitments with the advent of organized sports and Chinese classes (ahem......Cate) designed to get them into the best middle school/ high school/ college. Oh yes, these Spaniards would have no idea what hit them after being introduced to the American rat race.
There have been a few going out nights with the group in which I didn't feel as much like a conspicuous American tourist as I did when abroad. In fact, I passed by a huge group of estudiantes Americanos the other night, and found myself smirking as they loudly proclaimed that they were lost "DO-ND-E E-STA-MOS??? Where are we, y'all??? Where's the DeE-Esco!??" It's nice to be a little bit past that on the totem pole.
Oh, yeah, and I'm obsessed with this song:
"Morenamia", Miguel Bose
Bien, bien, bien, bien!
One of the things that I've realized since being here is that my Spanish is eons past where it was when I was here two years ago to study abroad. I couldn't even comfortably order a carton of milk back then, and now I find myself understanding nearly everything and being able to express myself fairly clearly, though I'm sure everyone knows from just looking at me that I'm an extranjera.
This past week was spent at the Residencia undergoing a "rigorous" Fulbright orientation schedule, which consisted of meeting after meeting with an hour long coffee break in between and three hours of lunch. I must admit, however, after learning more of the Spanish work ethic/ schedule from a predominant university professor/ economist, I have a lot more respect. Did you know that the Spanish have the longest work hours in all of Europe? Neither did I...and thinking more carefully about it, I'm understanding that they're actually working the same amount as we do in the states or maybe even more, just punctuated by more breaks for cafe and cigs.
The people here are....amazing, let's just make that clear. Everyone comes from such diverse backgrounds: I've gotten to know the Student Body President from Yale as well as a 40 going on 20 year old eternal bachelor/ man of mystery Ph.D. candidate in Forestry from UF. And they're both just as interesting. Everyone has a story, and there are more connections than you can count. It's a small world....or as my Monica, new friend and summer email pal would say, "it's a small socioeconomic bracket." It's a little weird getting adjusted to not being the only one who speaks Spanish among all of my comrades. I'm used to pacing back and fourth on the phone with Alf with people squinting at me in disbelief, trying to understand what the hell I'm saying. Well, no longer....I better be more careful with the expletives, that's for sure.
And then, there's the work, but not really, because I think that I'm already in love with my job. I went to visit my school, CEIP San Sebastion in El Boalo the other day and got to meet all of the teachers and administrators. Let's just say they all go surfing together once per month, that's how awesome they are. Everyone was in disbelief when I described the American school schedule, saying "But, they don't have any breaks before lunch? The children must be exhausted!!" Haha, this is true, and let's not forget that school is the least of American children's commitments with the advent of organized sports and Chinese classes (ahem......Cate) designed to get them into the best middle school/ high school/ college. Oh yes, these Spaniards would have no idea what hit them after being introduced to the American rat race.
There have been a few going out nights with the group in which I didn't feel as much like a conspicuous American tourist as I did when abroad. In fact, I passed by a huge group of estudiantes Americanos the other night, and found myself smirking as they loudly proclaimed that they were lost "DO-ND-E E-STA-MOS??? Where are we, y'all??? Where's the DeE-Esco!??" It's nice to be a little bit past that on the totem pole.
Oh, yeah, and I'm obsessed with this song:
"Morenamia", Miguel Bose
Bien, bien, bien, bien!