After receiving an email from my grandpa in which I was asked to confirm whether I was alive or dead, I realized that I should probably use this blog for its intended purpose and keep my loved ones aware of my existence.
I am indeed alive and kicking. The kicking comes into play at night when I crawl into my freezing sheets and try to warm them up via body movement. Our first sun-filled week tricked us. It is cold here.
I love Spain. I love speaking Spanish. I love the adorable little boys who run around in cardigans and button up shirts and shorts with tights under them to keep their legs warm. Little kids who speak Spanish are one of my favorite things. I love siesta time and take advantage of it somewhat frequently. I love embracing the frizz and never doing my hair because it takes three times as long with these low-voltage hair tools. I love our host mom Blanca, even though communication is often difficult and we are sometimes nervous she won't like us anymore if we're not able to finish all of our food or keep our rooms as clean as she'd like. Trying to live up to her cleaning standards has been good for me, because for once in my life I am getting in the habit of making my bed before I leave the house and hanging my clothes back up after I try them on. Such an odd concept, but surprisingly helpful in making our tiny space not feel so tiny.
My cute cold little bed.
Where I am currently seated. I have the solo room and Alyssa and Shayna are right next to me.
I love living with Shayna and Alyssa. We got so lucky that they let us all live together. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a little bit of my home life here with me. Every time I turn around they are dancing in the middle of some large plaza and Spaniards are staring at them as they walk by. I have fun friends. Though I still have yet to see their dancing talent rub off on me in any way. We have also made some really good new friends since we've been here. Our group is great. I am glad.
Shay and myself on our first day. In front of the original façade of Universidad de Alcalá de Henares. We take classes at Alcaligua, the foreign exchange part of the university.
Hariboooooo. We've since laid off the candy shops for the betterment of our stomachs.
Me and my cute little rubias.
Aforementioned street dancing in Plaza Mayor.
Alyssa danced three full songs with this lady and the mariachi band that was playing in Puerta del Sol. The people loved her.
New amigas out for a stroll in Parque del Retiro.
World class posers.
I love traveling. I love hopping on the train after lunch and heading into Madrid to stop by a museum or do some shopping. I love Häagen Dazs Midnight Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream. I love walking to school every morning and trying not to get hit by cars. I love trying to catch the right bus to get around town. I love where we live in Alcalá. Our apartment, though not in the prettiest part of town, is a seven minute walk to school and a five minute walk to the train station. There is a lovely little park a half mile away that I have run to a few times. I love the little old men playing bocce ball on one of the fields when I do my laps. I love our weekend getaways to see the beautiful, historical, and freezing cold parts of Spain. I love living in sensory overload and seeing the architecture and art I've always loved learning about in real life. It's incredible.
Beautiful first day exploring Madrid. Palacio Real in the back there.
Street men are Alyssa's biggest thrill.
We fantasize about living in this neighborhood.
Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Always a pleasure.
This is what we look like on a train.
Strolling about Madrid back when it was warm.
Alleyway chocolaterias are the real deal.
Shayna's future husband taking a nap.
Occasionally we stalk futbolistas.
And Kip pretends he's going to take flight.
Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid. The view of the city through the center at this time of day is absolutely gorgeous.
Gorgeous at night as well.
Häagen Dazs heaven. We couldn't actually sit there because you have to pay extra at most places if you get your food to stay, but the cajera was kind enough to take our picture before she kicked us to the street.
We've been to the Museo del Prado twice already. I'm in love with it. Usually you can get in free after 5, but his time we bought tickets to the Renoir exhibit that ends at the end of the month. I was so thrilled that we didn't miss it. It was so so worth it.
Me and Abby at the theater where we saw a Flamenco ballet. It was impressive, but I don't think I really appreciated it until the next night when I got dragged to a beginner Flamenco class at our school. Hardest thing of my life. I have zero rhythm.
I am learning to love the food. We've found a few yummy restaurants in Madrid and around town, but most days we eat our meals at home. I love the never ending supply of delicious fruit in our kitchen, and how we eat at least six clementines a day. Blanca is very much a fan of "la comida típica de España" and that is not always what we are used to. Luckily I am an absurdly un-picky eater, so for the most part everything I've tried I've thought was pretty good. However, I could easily round up some of my friends who would argue otherwise. It's just different. Different is ok, it just takes getting used to. Blanca really is an excellent cook, and she's been so good about learning what our favorites are and what we don't particularly love. Plus we always have wonderful lunch time conversations with her in which she relays the latest celebrity gossip or talks about her life or Spain or what's going on in the news. She told us the only English she knows is "Thank you," but one day she told her adorable granddaughter to tell us "bye-bye," so I sometimes wonder what other gems she's holding out on.
Place in Alcalá where we got yummy bruschetta-esque snacks. The name of the cafe translates to "The Moustaches of Quijote." As in Don. They love him here.
At the previously shown chocolateria. Churros con chocolate. So delicious.
We found the only Mexican restaurant in town and were craving it bad. So we got overpriced average burritos and ridiculously overpriced delicious guacamole. Then we realized that was stupid. Now we make our own guacamole when we're desperate for it.
These are our favorite. Blanca doesn't approve because it's not typical Spanish food, but we're madly in love with our 3 euro kebabs. We've been twice and the waitress is practically our new best friend.
Also we go to school sometimes. I am really liking that part a lot actually. It's so much easier to speak up in an International Business class when you're surrounded by ten people you know well instead of a hundred people who scare you a little bit. And after enduring two semesters of BYU's intense foreign language classes, I'm loving how my Spanish class is so laid back. I'm learning a ton and having rules thrown at me that I never knew existed, but using them in real life is so much more helpful than endless workbooks and quizzes and tests.
There are 300 more details that I am forgetting. But this is already long, and I am tired, so I'm sure you will forgive me. I will show you pictures from our weekend travels another time. Every day is an adventure here. I feel like I've been here for months. These first three weeks have been some of the longest of my life. But I'm so grateful for the chance I have to be here long enough to really soak things up and try to understand Spanish culture.
I promise I'm not trying to be obnoxious by saying how much I love everything. I miss my people at home, that's for sure. And sometimes I would kill for a little dose of my normal, low-key Provo life. But I really am enjoying everything and doing my very best every day to find things to love while I'm here. I am also perpetually grateful for skype and email. Life is good.
