English Lessons

All semester here in Spain I have been working with two little girls at the Convento de Santa Isabel giving English lessons. The first day this was a nightmare, I was given ten minutes notice before having go out the door, and no instruction on what to do with them. Rocio (7yrs) was my student the first hour and she was sweet and made my job fairly simple. She was eager to tell me the English I knew and especially loved songs. Tania (8yrs), my second hour student, was the opposite. Though I don't know her particular background the majority of the children at the convent have very rough backgrounds with parents either passed-on, missing, unable, or unwilling to care for them. Tania was wary of new people and did her best to let me know I wasn't welcome. I just ignored her insults and did my best to make her excited about taking with me- English, Spanish, or whatever! Once she figured out she wasn't getting rid of me, she started to soften. By the end of my time I think she looked forward to our meetings. Yesterday, my final class with them, she asked if I was coming back next semester! For me that was huge progress. I was so frustrated with her at first my was screaming, "I'm here because I care about you, I just want to show you love, just accept it! Accept my help! I'm not leaving just because you act nasty to me!" When reflecting on this situation, and writing out some of my frustrations I realized, I am the same. I reject the Father's love, help, forgiveness, and compassion continually. I try to "be good enough" for him, worried that if I am "too nasty" he will leave, or his love will lessen. So I put up my guard, I get sulky and mean.  And despite myself, He loves me.


Not only get I get a huge spiritual lesson out of my time there I also learned a lot of great practical information when it comes to TESOL (which is my minor). The girls learned so quickly when I used songs and pictures a la Mrs. Betty style. I learned to use games to help reinforce the new vocab after a period of study and quizzing over the new information. And I learned that the girls love playing with play-dough! They were willing to learn any words as long as play-dough was involved. It was really a wonderful experience for me and I believe for them as well.

Winter Set!

Today I finished my two brother's Christmas gifts! Since they don't frequent my blog I feel safe with publishing the product of all my labor here.

In the beginning of my of my time here in Spain I bought some blue and gray yarn. Amber, yes that would be Amber of  Amber's Lace Scarf, and I are living in the same apartment here in Sevilla. She is the knitting goddess of life and when you are around her you cannot help but knit. She brought a book of patterns called "Knitting for Him" in which I found some hobo gloves with the bird's-eye pattern that I could not resist! After the first glove I got bored and decided to make a hat. After the hat was done I went back and finished the other glove. They were really good for learning a new patter and for learning to do color work.  They are beautiful and warm and best of all- finished! Now I am left craving more yarn and dreaming up projects.

A Holiday in England (Part 3: London)

We arrived in London a bit late a took a while figuring out where the hotel was. Finally we found it thanks to the help of several kind Englishmen and were greeted by a kind Indian man with a thick accent. We had a cup of tea and went to bed so we could get up early the next day to see London. We managed the transportation system much better in the morning. It took a bus, train, and the underground to get to downtown London. Making our way down Regent Street we were greeted with all the festivities of a Saturday before Christmas (yes all the shops were already decorated for Christmas!) Part of the street was blocked off for an old car show. The owners and their families were dressed up in turn of the century costumes and sat in their "horseless carriages." Some even had babies or dogs with them who were dressed up as well. You could see the excitement of the old men talking about and showing their prized cars. I kept hoping to meet Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! But instead I met one car from Wisconsin and on from Illinois in addition to all the English cars. We continued walking the streets all morning and by mid-day were in the Covet Garden's Market. It felt like a holiday with kids and their parents, red balloons on their wrists, and music playing. There was a street performer riding an eight foot unicycle and live statues. We found a small restaurant and bought hot pies for lunch. I a chicken and bacon pie and Lizzy a steak and ale pie. We sat at the food of a pillar and ate our pies while listening to a man playing music on the street and watching the people hurry by.

After lunch we walked to look at the famous parts of the city, the giant lions, Big Ben, parliament, Buckingham palace, St. Peter's Park, and finally Westminster Abbey. We made it just in time to attend the evensong service. The service was wonderful. We sat in the cross section between the choir and the head of the abbey. it was such a worshipful experience to join in the words of the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed, to listen and meditate upon the psalms the choir sand and listen to the Word of God being read in a way that thousands of Christians had done before me. I was worshiping God in a place where he had been revered for ages ("God of the ages past our hope for years to come...")

After the service we went back to the hotel to get dressed up for . . . . . LES MESERABLES in the Queen's Theatre!!! I was bursting with excitement as we made our way to the theater and took our seats in is. I will not even attempt to tell you of the pleasure in hearing it live- if you've been you know- if you have hard the music you can understand-and if you have had the terrible fortune of never having hear the music I cannot possible describe it to you. I relished every not and let my tears fall freely at the end--"to love another person is to see the face of God!" It was a perfect last night in London and in England.

A Holiday in England (Part 2: Chester)

Tuesday morning we took a walk in search of some lunch for our bus rides. The stores were closed so we ended up walked all the way to the next town along the River Avon. It was beautiful fall weather and our brisk walk was perfectly accompanied by the crisp breeze.

A slow drizzle greeted us as we exited the coach but no Gabi or Mrs. Dickinson. A few minutes later we discovered we hadn't talked about where to meet up! After standing in the rain for over an hour and deliberating we decided to get a taxi. We got a taxi and it pulled into a group of houses and then the taxi driver said "wait a minute I don't think this is the correct address but I don't know where the correct house is." I decided to get out and try house #9 just to check- sure enough it wasn't the Dickinson's. Getting back into the cab I, out of ideas, said we should just go to a hotel. Then the cab driver decided he might know where it was. Finally we found the house!

Mrs. Dickinson ran down the stairs to greet us and we entered the warm home. She immediately sat us down and put cups of hot tea in our hands and offered us cake. It was the quintessential English home. She heated us some chive and potato soup for dinner and we settled in at once. I was able to put my feet up on the sofa wearing only socks and relax- such a refreshment after Spain!

Mrs. Dickinson went to bed fairly soon, but not before offering us hot water bottles. The old fashioned rubber kind that hold hot water and heat your toes! I exclaimed that I had only seen them in Peter Pan and she showed us how to used them. I stayed up until 1:15 talking with Gabi and Lizzy about Uganda. My bedroom was at the top of a windy staircase and was warm and cozy.

Wednesday I awoke early with the light of the morning and pulled back the curtains to see the word I had entered in darkness. My face must have lit up with a smile because all the confusion of the night slipped away as I took in the English countryside painted with the colors of fall. We were on a wharf and the water was shimmery in the sunlight. There was a constant flow of tea our entire stay at the Dickinson's. After we were all ready for the day we loaded up in the car to a barn filled with books. Gabi was feeling a bit car-sick so we stopped and took a stroll down the lane. So beautiful, I cannot capture natures beauty and really there is no need since the poets have already done it. Sufficient to say that my spirit was refreshed and my soul nourished.

The book barn was stuffed to the gill with books. Top to bottom far and wide used books of every topic. We spent a good amount of time looking at all the books and laughing at our love for all the children's books we saw. We stopped in a craft store just for a peaking before heading home.

We had cheese on toast for lunch. This was Mrs. Dickinson's response to my request for a "typical English lunch." I was so happy and comfortable sitting at the kitchen table sipping tea and talking with her as she prepared lunch. After lunch Lizzy worked on a project she had to finish for school so I sat and chatted with Mrs. Dickinson. Knowing our love for books she pulled out some old books she said she was saving for her children. Around 4:00 Lizzy and I decided to go for a walk on the footpath along the wharf. It got dark around 5:00 there so we set out hoping for enough daylight. Our "tramp" as Lizzy called it was lovely. It was muddy and a bit breezy but refreshing. We walked and talked and enjoyed the nature. We came to and old bridge and climbed upon it before turning around to head back. We came in quite dirty and rosy cheeked.

Mrs. Dickinson made jacket potatoes (baked potatoes) with tuna and salad for dinner. It wasn't an extraordinary dinner but the ordinary-ness of it made it special. We talked and lingered, enjoying tea and cake afterwards. Sadly I don't remember what we did after dinner but I do remember that before bed Mrs. Dickinson gave me a hug, a kiss on the cheek and wished me, "Goodnight and God bless." I went to sleep full. 

Thursday, our final day in Chester, Gabi took Lizzy and I into the town of Chester since they live out of town in Waverton. She took us for our first Marks & Spencer experience where we bought Turkish Delight and hot-crossed buns for our afternoon tea. We walked around Chester visiting the stories and trying on pretty things. For dinner that night we had fish and chips! Upon request Mrs. Dickinson's gave us a detailed description of what makes the best fish and chips. Ask me about it; I'll be happy to share!

That day I was wearing my hair in a French braid and Mrs. Dickinson asked me to show her how to make one. So after dinner we had a plait party! (Plait being the British word for braid.) She was a fast learner- after two tries she was better than I, making a completely successful crown braid on my head. I told her how Jennifer used to give me crown plaits for Easter and put baby's breath in it. Oh happy memories! 

The following morning we had to leave but not before stopping to thank God for our time together and praying for one another. Lizzy and I were both terribly sad to be leaving Chester, and the generosity and kindness of the Dickinson's.

A Holiday in England (Part 1: Bath)

Bath, England

Monday, November 1,2010

I took the 23:00 bus from Sevilla and arrived in Madrid at 4:30 where I took a Ryanair flight to London-Gatwick. From London-Gatwick I took a train to London Victoria Railway Station. I was finally relaxed and uplifted by nature's beauty on the bus ride. It is fall, I did not miss it after all! The trees branches are impregnated with vivid yellows, oranges, and reds, the grass is green, the air crisp, and the houses cozy. I had barely sat down in Victoria Coach Sation when I hear my name being called “Caroline Belle!” by my dear friend Elisabeth Wagner. We took a coach to Bath and found the YMCA without too much trouble where we had pastrami sandwiches and clementines thanks to Isabel (my señora).  

 

We woke up at 8:30 and looked out our window to see a beautiful view of the Bath's rooftops. Pointed red topped roofs and the cathedral's spire were the sites my eyes feasted upon. We set forth, I as the map-holder/direction giver and her as the beauty exclaimer. 

 

We wound our way to the Royal Victoria Park with our biggest obstacles being walking on the correct side of the road and looking the correct direction when crossing the street. We happened upon the Royal Crescent and I do mean “happened upon.” I had always assumed it was in the middle of the city, big and bustling (an assumption from the movies) but it isn't— it is facing the park with a large green lawn. It is massive but not busy, other than some parked cars you have almost no reminders that you are in the 21^st and not the 18^th century. We found a bench to sit on that was inscribed “Ruby and George Shearn First Met Here— the dawn of their love and life together.” It was a perfect spot nestled under a yellow tree to sit and observe the mother's walking by with their children and the men playing with their dogs. Finally we forced ourselves up from the spot to go observe more closely the Royal Crescent buildings which were completely beautiful and wonderful.

We continued on in search of the Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms. On our way we decided to go down a side street to see some of the shops. I was overtaken by the window display of a little book shop and as I was oohing and aahing over the vintage children's books an older British lady said to Lizzy and I “you must go in its a treasure trove” and walked on. So we did. We walked in and were greeted by a middle aged man. He was very kind and offered to help, pull anything out of the cases, etc., etc. I was in heaven old books of every sort, children's, history, poetry, religion. I found a 4^th edition copy of Little Lord Fauntleroy from 1888! I decided to buy it for 12 pounds and give it to Laura since it was the first story we every cried at. I had to pry myself from the store because I could have bought every book in the place. The lady could not have been more accurate when describing the store as a treasure trove. It was a most delightful detour.

The Assembly Rooms and Fashion Museum were very close by. We first walked through the Assembly Rooms which were beautiful, I wanted to dance the 18^th century dances and drink tea while wearing a long gown with gloves. The decoration was beautiful and intricate and the chandeliers gigantic. Next the Fashion Museum. Modern dress was first from 2005-1970's which wasn't that fascinating but soon came the 18^th century dress which was wonderful. Lizzy and I both tried on corsets with hoops skirts. We agreed that they made us feel instantly three inches taller, hough I didn't care for the incredibly accentuated bust and difficulty in breathing. Continuing on to all the dresses we marveled at the hand made dresses with embroidery, ruffles, and lace. There were receipts with prices for undergarments and gloves, shoes, capes, hats, on and on. It was beautiful and exhausting to think of dressing during those times. We were also able to see a collection of Princess Diana's dresses.

After the Fashion Museum it was time to go to back to the hostel to grab a few things for lunch. With the rest of the bread and meat in hand we headed off to the Guildhall Market to buy things for a proper picnic. After taking in all the sights, smells, and signs we decided to buy figs and satsumas. I asked the lady at the produce stand for help with the figs as I had never bought them before. She was so obliging, she showed me the proper color and texture and then had me try to find some myself, as any excellent teacher would do! Then I asked for an explanation of a satsuma, having never heard of one before. She lost herself in describing the minutia of their special fruit not as tart as a tangerine but not as juicy sweet as a clementine. When she was through she said, “listen to me making much of muchness.” Ah! The expression pulled right from Lewis Carrol and said with such ease. In addition the the fruits (packed in brown bags) we bought a small wedge of smoked cheddar cheese and French Brie from “Nibbles Cheeses.”

The perfect picnic spot was found as we stood on Pulteney Bridge and beheld the beauties of the English hills during fall. Along the River Avon there were picnic tables and waking paths where we had our lunch. Our food couldn't have been better. The smoked cheddar was strong but not harsh, the flavor intense but the texture smooth and thick. It coated your through and left its richness lingering on your taste-buds. The fruit seller's description of the satsumas was spot on and they were wonderful. Our desert of figs and Brie- heaven. Why had I always eaten Brie baked? Its texture is so much better fresh. It is light but creamy and fresh. The figs, which I had never tried fresh before won me over in seconds. They taste of warmth, as if you can taste the life it took from the tree, the sap that nourish it and made it plump. Can all this be contained in a mere fruit? Oh it can.

Our bellies full and senses teeming we pulled ourselves from the riverside and continued on to the Roman Baths. Everyone we talked to impressed upon us the necessity of allowing sufficient time for the Baths but I couldn't imagine what could take so long. They were right, we spent every last moment up until closing admiring and learning about the baths. So much history! For once in my life I was thankful for and loving the audio guides.

Dinner was on the docket after the baths since it was 17:30 and we decided upon a Thai restaurant. Lizzy ordered Tom Ka soup- so deliciously warm and complex with coconut milk and a bit of heat. I order Vietnamese rolls with roasted duck, carrot, cucumber, basil, coriander, etc. wrapped in rice sheets with a spicy dipping sauce. Oh how happy was my mouth and stomach after eating such delights! Thankfully Lizzy reminded me of tipping which I had quite forgotten about after being in Spain.

I was sad to only have one day in Bath but we did have tickets to go to Chester the next morning so off we must go. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

One evening as I was walking home with my roommates we had a chocolate chip cookie craving. I to bake and they to eat. We decided to make some so we stopped by Más (the grocery store around the corner) and bought a Milka chocolate bar to use as the chocolate chips.  As we walked in the door to ask Isabel if we could use the kitchen we hear the grandkids playing. In the living room I found not only Ana and Juanito were over but both their parents as well. I decided to wait to ask Isabel and instead looked up the recipe to convert into Metric measurements/Celsius temperature.  This task completed I proceeded to the kitchen to see if Isabel had all the ingredients. She had everything except

1. Baking Soda: She only had baking powder and said that is all there is here in Spain, so I just put 2x as much in and its seemed to be okay.
2. Brown Sugar: Guate had prepared me for this one. Instead of b.sugar there is a strange dark sugar I can't even describe. I settled for this as well.
3. Vanilla: Much to my dismay there is no liquid vanilla extract as we know it here in Spain. They use a powdered or sugared vanilla made with artificial vanilla flavor! Yes, I ran to several stores to double check and called someone from the school to triple check. 'Tis the sad, sad truth.  

I feel compelled to take this moment to tell you about the different ideas about food going bad here. Meat is left out on counters, fruit eaten mushy and brown, mold simply "cut out" of things such as cheese, butter, or jelly and still used! "What you don't know can't hurt you" has gained a whole new meaning for me!
But back to the cookies. The family left for the park so I began to mix up the batter without any measuring cups or spoons (Julia Child would not approve) and with Isabel at my side watching and fussing. She wanted me to bake them in the little convection oven and turned it on herself. After the first batch was in for about 3 minutes I smelt burning cookies. I ran to the oven only to see she had set the cookies at the top of the confection oven set to 200 degrees C and only heating from the top!
By this time the family had returned and we were all crammed in the tiny kitchen. The oldest son was laughing saying we needed to call the bomberos, firefighters, to which the daughter replied with the "universal firefighter sound." Finally things were calmed down, I adjusted the oven to my liking when no one was looking and made the rest of the batter into blondies.
My roommates were extremely kind assuring me they tasted wonderful and, considering the long journey and many hardships they face, really they weren't all that bad. Chocolate chip cookies- not as easy as 1-2-3 in Spain!

Last Bit of Summer

This week was my most “Spanish” week thus far. I feel I am finally getting a handle on the city, the customs, and the language- hooray! My week started off with tapas and ended with tapas. On the bus back from Lagos two weekends ago my friend Katie and I met a Quebecois who was coming to Sevilla for a few days. We met up with him on Tuesday for Tapas. We had a great time walking around the Barrio Santa Cruz looking for a restaurant and finally choosing one with a nice patio. Sevilla is so beautiful at night with everything lit up and street musicians playing. Although we were originally looking for a tapas place we ended up eating at a restaurant, which was nice anyways.
Friday was a friend's birthday so Margo, Amber and I decided to take her out for tapas! Sara, the student ministries coordinator here, recommended we go to Taverna Coloniales and she was spot-on! We got there around 9:20 (early for dinner Sevillana time) and it was already packed. I was elected the one to squeeze my way up to the bar to put our name on the list for a table. We ended up only having to wait about thirty minutes before being seated. We sat on the third floor of this beautiful tapas bar. The tables were all marble (a cheap material here!) and the walls were warm yellows and oranges. Our waiter was a friendly young Spaniard who told us all the specials and looked shocked when we all ordered water instead of wine or sangria. We decided to order 2 tapas each and then share them all and we picked an excellent assortment! A shrimp tortilla (which is not like the American tortialla at all), fried cuttle fish, almond chicken, potatoes with marinara, sirloin with Roquefort sauce, spinach croquets, and a tostada (which in Spain is a large piece of fried bread with a sauce and cold meat on it.) I love tapas, it is the best way to get to taste a lot of different foods for a great price. For all our food we only paid 26 euros! We had a trendy American dessert at a place nearby called “Yogurtlandia.” Ha! Love it!
After tapas we decided to go look for a bar /museum which we heard has free flamenco. After much wandering we found “the red door” ! The building was stone and piano music was playing as we entered. There were photographs on the walls, wooden benches for sitting, and a lot of people. In a side room people were packed in around a little stage where one man played the guitar, one sang, and the lady danced. It was beautiful to she her graceful arms and precise wrist movements. She stomped her feet and swirled her skirt to the melancholy tune. The audience clapped and moved along to the music, enveloped by the sounds. On our way out we bought hand made silk flowers for our hair so the next time we can go we can be Spanish :)
Saturday the school took us to Huelva which is the old city where Christopher Columbus set sail for the America's in 1492. We visited the monastery where he waited for seven years to hear back from the King and Queen. Afterwards we got to see the life size replica's of the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria (remember that from 1st grade with Mrs. Madden?) We were like kids climbing the ropes, dashing below deck, and causing general chaos. But how many times do you get to play on boats like that? They were much smaller than I would have thought, let me tell you I would not cross the Atlantic in a boat that size! The afternoon was spent relaxing on the beach, enjoying the last drop of summer air.

A Weekend in Lagos

Thursday was a big day of tests, my first two test here in Spain. I was pretty worried, but it ended up great. My hand was pretty dead after writing pages in Spanish for history and paragraphs for grammar but it was so satisfying to be able to do it! I have passed the three week mark here in Spain and “they say” after that everything starts to fall into place with language learning—I guess we'll see!
Friday I headed off to Lagos, Portugal with six of my friends. The bus left at 7:30am (still dark here in Spain) and was five hours. Needless to saw we were ready to be there. But it was so worth it, Lagos is preciosa, absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous blue water with giant rock formations jutting out from the land, palm trees, and lovely breezes. We spent about forty minutes wandering the cobble stone streets looking for our hotel getting very different directions from every person we asked. It was exciting that people in Lagos speak more English than Spanish so we had a mini-break from language learning as well. And thankfully Portuguese is close enough to Spanish that we could read most the signs!
Saturday we took a boat to take us out around the cliffs and caves. Our tour guide, Luis, was wonderful. He was pointing out all sorts of rock formations to make us laugh like elephants, camels, and even Michael Jackson's face! We spent about an hour an a half admiring the beauty! The water was magnificent blues and turquoise. We were even able to swim! I was the first to dive off the boat and find out just how cold the water was! A few of us swam to the rocks to climb up into one of the caves where we saw crabs, sea urchins etc. The water was so clear we could see our toes and a probably about 3 meters down. Luis jumped in too after taking pictures for us. It was wonderful.
I would like to say that we explored a lot of the town but really we were so captivated with the beach that most the time was spent there. Swimming, reading in the sand, looking for purple and orange shells, or just staring at the beautiful creation before us. If you get the chance go to Lagos.

Ill in Spain

I have come down with a terrible sore throat accompanied by a general achiness and strong headache. And though I feel pretty miserable this too has been a very interesting cultural lesson! Yesterday I told Isabel how I was feeling (I figured sitting on the couch for more than four hours needed an explanation) and she immediately began to tell me I needed to take some of her medicine. I told her I had taken ibuprofen to which she responded that she wanted to see the bottle. I show her and she told me those were way too weak and next time I needed to take hers. That night at dinner she said Amber (who by now was feeling sick as well) and I could not have ice since our throats hurt and could not drink cold water. We obeyed and only had lukewarm water. She also decided that we got sick because the previous weekend at the beach we had gone from the hot sand to the cool water too many times.
Before bed she opened my window to let the fresh air in but told me to leave my fan off because that also makes your throat worse. I took her stronger ibuprofen and fell into bed. In the middle of the night I woke up to Isabel standing over me telling me to “toma, toma!” I began to drink from the cup she held to my mouth. The hot sweet liquid burned. It was lemon juice and honey. She kept telling me to drink, drink, so I chugged the liquid and fell back asleep. In the morning she told me I was okay and didn't have a fever because she had checked on me twice during the night to make sure I didn't get one. I thanked her and took my shower. I really wanted milk so I went to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of milk to go with my magdelenas for breakfast. Isabel came in and said, “oh no! You cannot drink milk, you need to drink another lemon drink!” I gave her my cup of milk and sat down like a good girl and waited for another cup of the lemon juice and honey. This cup, drank while awake and more slowly, actually felt really good on my throat.
On the way to school Amber and I laughed sharing our stories about Isabel coming in during the night to make us drink the potion and feeling our necks for fever.
Isabel is so kind to us, caring for us as if we were her own daughters—even if it is a bit excessive!

Càdiz

Saturday I took a day trip to Càdiz, the oldest city on the Iberian Peninsula—over 3,000 years!  It is about 2 hours outside of Sevilla by train on the very southwest bit on the Atlantic. Some classmates and I took a historic walk around the city through its tiny cobbled streets. We took pictures in giant magnolia trees and finally walked along the sea wall to Victoria beach. It was a perfect day on the beach, sunny and with a light breeze. Apparently the wind can get very strong in Càdiz and cause the sand to fly everywhere, but we were blessed with a calm day. The sand was soft and warm and we were there during low tide so we had plenty of gentle water for swimming. After spending most of the day at the beach we went to the Torre Tavira which is the highest point in the city. In it we climbed many steps to the top where we saw a demonstration of the camera oscura. It was very fascinating to see the city through this picture.

 Yesterday, Sunday I made it to a church here in Sevilla called Prosperidad. It was so refreshing. I knew almost all the songs we sang (from going to church in Guate) and as I joined with the other believers in song my body shook with emotion and tears of thanksgiving filled my eyes. I had forgotten the joy and peace that come when as one body we lift our voices to worship our Lord. All the cultural differences, language barriers, and frustrations of a new country melt away when as one body we join in worship together. I think I am finally come to understand that my home is with the Lord and in His presence not in any earthly place.

We had girls night the other night and took paddle boats out onto the river. It was so beautiful to paddle down the river and see all the old buildings in the background and all the young people congregated along the edges of the river. The sun set as we were out on the water creating the perfect background for our evening. I feel so blessed to be in this beautiful place where I am daily amazed at God's creativity in His creation!

Walking home one day with my room mates we noticed a lot of locks on edges of the bridge over the river. We were confused wondering why there were so many locks. I noticed they were written on, two names actually. I asked Isabel at home what they were. She explained to me that novios, couples, will buy a lock together, write their names on it, lock it together, then throw the key into the river signifying their eternal love. I had to smile.

One Week in Sevilla

I have officially been in Sevilla one week! I can hardly believe that statement is true, so much has happened. This weekend included much needed rest, learning, and fun. Friday my room mates and I decided to go for a walk and do some shopping. Being the eager Americans we are we left right after siesta at 5:00 p.m. on the dot. Of course none of the shops had opened yet so which gave us plenty of time to find our way and we ended up stopping in a little bar/cafe called "Java Cafe." It wasn't very busy as we entered though it quickly became so. It is funny how something as simple as ordering a coke can be intimidating in a new country. We weren't sure if we should just sit down and someone would come to our table for our orders or if we should go order then sit. We sat. Someone came to take our order but we found out (through the wonderful teacher observation) that one person normally places the order at the bar while the others choose the table.

Afterwards we went went shopping and found some cute stores. It is wonderful living in a city where you can walk everywhere! I am not usually a person who enjoys shopping, but here in Spain it has been a lot of fun. My room mates and I have passed quite a few afternoons browsing through the stores on San Jaciento. We found one store we really liked which is ran by a chino. She was so sweet to us recognizing we were students, telling us about apartments in the area, and helping us figure out our European shoe size. We also found a cute jewelry/purse shop where everything was only 2 euros. I made my first purchase there- a cute yellow hand bag!

Saturday morning I went shopping with Isabel. First we went to the supermarcado. On the way we ran into a friend she knew so we of course stopped to talk for 20 minutes. Isabel introduces me as one of her niñas. I feel like a little girl with her grandmother as I waited while she talked to her friend from elementary school, then her cousin. In Sevilla almost everyone has lived here all their lives like there parents and grandparents before them. They have the same friends since pre-school and have probably married someone they grew up with. I love this community where people come first and time is a secondary factor.
Isabel and I ended up going to the supermarcado, the fish store, the butcher, the perfumería, and the bread store. She pointed out everything one the way and described why she went to each store. Everyone, I am told, knows her butcher is the best butcher in town because every day he sells out of meat and gets fresh for the next day. She told me you have to go before noon (2:00 p.m.) or there will be none left. Needless to say I learned a lot, not only about the neighborhood but about her.

I went with my room-mates, Margo and Amber, yesterday to buy train tickets. We decided to take the bus since is was about a 30 min. walk. So glad we did. Not only did we learn how to buy bus tickets, but we saw more of the city! We made it to the train station and bought our tickets for Cadiz quite successfully. It is exciting to be learning all these new things and managing them all in Spanish!

Spain!

So I am finally here in Spain. I have been long anticipating my semester abroad and am so excited it is finally upon me! I will update as frequently as I can but I'm not promising anything- too much to see and do!
These are some notes I have taken so far. *Disclaimer- I am an ignorant American trying to learn about a new culture- please forgive me for any comments which you know to be wrong. Let me know and I will change what I can!
Tuesday Aug 31
I am here safe. I have spent my first night in Sevilla. It is 5:00 here (still early afternoon here.) My travels all went well smooth connections, etc. I got a bit lost on my way to the actual apartment but found it in the end. My señora is great- very very kind. I am still very tired with the time change etc. but I am adjusting. The food is really good "y muy sano," very healthy, as my señora  says. The other two girls from my school have arrived to the house so that is fun. Orientation starts tomorrow morning and is the next morning as well. I am excited to get started. The accent is hard to catch on to- I have been practicing "graTHias" instead of "graCias" all day! Its very hot here, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I hope I get used to the lay out of the city soon, I don't like feeling lost- but it's all part of the adventure right!?

Other observations:
Though the language here is Spanish it is such a different world from Guatemala and central America (duh!). I can see is a lot of Arabic influence in Spain, I can hear traces of Arabic in the Spanish accent, taste it in the food, and see it in the architecture. Of course the European influence can be seen too, hair, dress, physical appearance. I am excited to get to wander around on the streets some and observe things, once I get over jet-lag that is!
 I am extremely pleased with my señora. In the past I have heard that students have had problems getting used to their señora, but not so with mine! She is a widow and though a small woman in stature is very full of life and energetic. I walked with her to get bread, watched as she prepared dinner, and she showed me the photos of her children's weddings. She loves to talk and tell me things, about culture, her political views, anything really. She walked Amber, Margo, and I to the school to make sure we din't get lost, and showed me very carefully (including practice time) how to lock and unlock the doors.
I was a little worried about the food, but so far it has been great! Yummy salads, chicken, etc. She does eat a lot of seafood, white fish and shrimp, so I am going to do my best to adjust to that. She said I can tell her if I don't like something, but I want to give everything a try. Yesterday for lunch she gave me a tasty red drink, I late found out was wine mixed with club soda! Since then I have suck with "agua por favor." haha!
Since I was so tired yesterday we just mostly watched tv. It was good  listening to Spanish, getting more familiar with the accent.
Okay, I think that's all for now.

Wednesday Sept 1

Well yesterday Margo, Amber, and I walked around a little bit- but we hope to do so more today. We sat by the river and the plaza de oro (which apparently Columbus stored his gold from the "new world.") It is really pleasant outside when there is a breeze. I didn't sleep well at all last night but I think my body is still just getting used to everything. We had orientation this morning, talking about safety, living with our senora etc. It was okay but just a lot of information (a lot of which anyone who had traveled knew, but a good reminder I guess) Tomorrow we sign up for classes!
Dinner was wonderful tonight. Isabel, my señora, told us about her family history and about life as a Sevillian.

I'm sure most these notes are incoherent. I hope I will return to normal soon and my posts will be more interesting!

Books!

I feel guilty that my sister has started blogging and I haven't updated mine in forever! So here it is:

Yesterday Jen and Matt took me to experience the most dangerous store ever. A free book store!

No it's not a gimmick.
Yes it's exactly as it sounds.
Yes it's every bit as wonderful.


So yesterday morning we went. Its a pretty rustic building, nothing to fancy just lots of shelves made from plain wood and stuffed with books. It was exciting and overwhelming. The moment you walk in the door the race is on, everyone is competition, because, of course, everyone is looking for the same book you are. The air is hot from climbing sun and the smell of books (maybe the best smell in the world) is thick. Which section to start at? Spanish/Latin/Italian(!), Classics(!!), Cooking(!!!), Mystery(!.....)  I quickly picked a section and started scanning, sweeping in and out of the other shoppers. My first find was delightful- a 1950 hardback copy of Jane Eyre, turquoise colored with beautiful lettering- I knew it would be a good day. I continued moving through adding to my stack rapidly, Huck Finn for Lydia or Katie, The Bell Jar for Nibs, Dostoevsky, Balzac. I reached a more quiet corner of the store and looked at the stack of books that was, by now, killing my arm. Something must be done. Too many books. (ah! did I just say that?) College student + tons of heavy books to cart all over creation = not a good deal.
So I did a second review over the stack, Balzac goes Dostoevsky stays, etc. etc. I walked out with 6 books (but 2 not for me!).  My satisfaction was full when I realized I was one book under Jen's number of gathered books.
Free Books- excellent!

Moral of the story: Free book store are the best. When in Baltimore, go there.

Dahlias

Here is a quick snap-shot of the Dahlias I am knitting from some wonderful yarn Jen gave to me. I hope to knit more and possibly put them on a quilt. It could be a bit tricky though since the "caution" color of the yarn could very easily turn into a nasty 60's yellow if its not paired with the right colors...
I feel so extravagant with all my knitting and yet so simplistic at the same time. Having written a research paper on knitting not to long ago the topic has been on my mind. Knitting was once the most basic of house chores, present in every woman's life. But with the industrial revolution and the modern world it has become a luxury and a hobby. The joy that comes from brightly died yarns being looped into exciting objects is just marvelous. Quite a luxury.
"Oh its the posh posh knitting life, the knitting life for me....p.o.s.h. posh!"

I feel like I can finally say I have learned to knit. I have finished my first beautiful project that I am really proud of-- an Amber's Lace Scarf for my sister Crissie. This scarf has my favorite elements of knitting thus far: white yarn, silk yarn blend, and lace! What more could you ask for? Really? The yarn was introduce to me by my first knitting inspiration Mrs. Black who gave me the most wonderful Christmas present of circular needles and Louisa Harding yarn. Mrs. Black I don't ever want to knit with anything other than Grace Yarn again!

Anyways while visitng Jen we did lots of knitting and I complete the scarf. So she took pictures for me. Here it is in all its glory. Sorry you can't really see the lace detail- I didn't know about blocking yet- now I do! The scarf is circular and sooo incredibly soft. Seriously plushy.