My back is starting to feel better, remind me not to go sledding again!
So since I left off a bunch of things have happened... On Sunday we went to the Rastro, which is like a giant flea market. Pretty cool if you ask me. I bought Oliver and Company! EN ESPANOL! :) You can feel free to laugh now, everyone else has been laughing at me. I am laughing at myself. In any case, and get this, in the metro on the way home there was literally a lineup of people giving out free hugs! It brought me back home for a sec, walking down the hallway hugging all these strangers. Nothing makes you feel the way a simple hug does. And lord knows I don't get enough of those here in Madrid.
Monday is it's own story entirely. Last night we went to see el Intercambio (or the Exchange as it is known in America) and smoked shisha/wandered the city.
Today was the second time this week that I was told I was beautiful by a stranger. The expression is echar piropos, and it is definitely a cultural thing---not something I am used to by any means. Sabine told me it was a huge compliment to have someone holler "guapa" from down the street or whisper "preciosa" in my ear, but I can't help feeling withdrawn and lost. Little by little I must become accustomed to the life I have entered.
I miss people a lot today. The friends I have here are nowhere near the same as the ones back home, and I don't know what to do about that. Except break down and feel lonely. I knew it wasn't possible to bring the people I loved here but why am I thrown into an environment like this? Hard to explain... just trust me.
Well, I guess that covers it.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Off to See the World
This country never ceases to amaze me.
Today we went on a day trip to Segovia, and saw the castle... and cathedral... and the aquaducts---one of the seven wonders of the world! I cannot believe the experiences I am having and they still feel unreal. I pray each night that I don't forget how special this all is. I cannot take this for granted. Seeing the things I have seen has been an amazing thing. Did you know the romans built those aquaducts stone by stone without using a drop of cement? To me, it is hard to believe. The legends say the devil himself was the power behind the structure. And what's more, the castle we wandered through is the one Walt Disney used to base his movie Sleeping Beauty on. Do you know what that means? I actually literally lived a fairy tale! Segovia is a must see if you ever make it to Spain, which you should!
One of the famous dishes of Segovia is called cuchinillos, which are baby pigs cooked up and made to order. People were giving me shit for not eating them but sitting there, looking at the leg stretching off of Alejandro's meat, toes curled up, and tail intact, it was as far from possible as I could see it. Dave ate the tail. I held in my vomit ;)
Anyway, now I am back in my room exhausted and looking forward to a night in for once! Spain has far much more energy than this chica!
Last night we went to a bar called El Basha to smoke some genuine european shisha... Amazing experience, sitting on padded pillows on the ground in a dark, red room. Inhaling some fine apple tobacco and just chilling. Imagine that 70's show set in the mediterranean. Wonderful! It was the first taste of home I have had since Sabine cooked us mashed potatoes on Monday night! That's another wonderful moment on it's own! As for me, tonight, taking a break will be well deserved. Tomorrow we're off to the Rastro so maybe I'll find some good treasures!
What have you been up to?
Today we went on a day trip to Segovia, and saw the castle... and cathedral... and the aquaducts---one of the seven wonders of the world! I cannot believe the experiences I am having and they still feel unreal. I pray each night that I don't forget how special this all is. I cannot take this for granted. Seeing the things I have seen has been an amazing thing. Did you know the romans built those aquaducts stone by stone without using a drop of cement? To me, it is hard to believe. The legends say the devil himself was the power behind the structure. And what's more, the castle we wandered through is the one Walt Disney used to base his movie Sleeping Beauty on. Do you know what that means? I actually literally lived a fairy tale! Segovia is a must see if you ever make it to Spain, which you should!
One of the famous dishes of Segovia is called cuchinillos, which are baby pigs cooked up and made to order. People were giving me shit for not eating them but sitting there, looking at the leg stretching off of Alejandro's meat, toes curled up, and tail intact, it was as far from possible as I could see it. Dave ate the tail. I held in my vomit ;)
Anyway, now I am back in my room exhausted and looking forward to a night in for once! Spain has far much more energy than this chica!
Last night we went to a bar called El Basha to smoke some genuine european shisha... Amazing experience, sitting on padded pillows on the ground in a dark, red room. Inhaling some fine apple tobacco and just chilling. Imagine that 70's show set in the mediterranean. Wonderful! It was the first taste of home I have had since Sabine cooked us mashed potatoes on Monday night! That's another wonderful moment on it's own! As for me, tonight, taking a break will be well deserved. Tomorrow we're off to the Rastro so maybe I'll find some good treasures!
What have you been up to?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Bienvenidos el presidente :)
Since we last talked Obama rose to power as the 44th president of the United States of America :) Que suerte... I even got a chance to watch it in a hotel with a bunch of other american students. What an amazing event! The papers here are welcoming the change with front page stories.
I have nothing real to update you on. I am having an amazing time, and look forward to the future: This saturday to Segovia, next weekend to Toledo, and then off to Barcelona. I have even booked my flight to London to visit Amanda!
Life in a place like Europe is just that easy :)
As for now, I need my siesta!
Hasta luego,
Kristy
I have nothing real to update you on. I am having an amazing time, and look forward to the future: This saturday to Segovia, next weekend to Toledo, and then off to Barcelona. I have even booked my flight to London to visit Amanda!
Life in a place like Europe is just that easy :)
As for now, I need my siesta!
Hasta luego,
Kristy
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Hudson What?!
Can I just say this is scary? Literally a week ago I was boarding US Airways and then this:
I have a hard time imagining it.
I'm praying hardcore.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Feliz cumpleanos a mi!
I'd have to say my Birthday was a great success. You know those people that get to celebrate with glamour? I felt like one. I bought a dress in the afternoon for a whopping 10 euro (!!!) and then went home to have dinner with my momma Sabine and Elena before getting dolled up. No, not barbie doll. At escondite, which we have claimed as our bar, I got everything I could have needed on my birthday (besides, you know, the things I miss the most---3,000 miles away) and I had a good time. Cake, in that bar, was better than anything I had in my mouth the rest of the night! No, not like that once again. Ha.
I have enjoyed meeting these people. and on my birthday night, Sandra and Sonia from France, Yuduol from Russia, Julia from London... It puts me into a different place, and I wish I could just sit and talk to them forever. That's not possible. I know. You know who else I enjoyed meeting? Those beautiful men in suits :) Mmmm I couldn't care less what they even said. Do you know what that was? They told Jackie that they were married but had a deal--- they go out on Thursdays, their wives go out on Fridays, and on Sundays they get prostitutes ---of course I couldn't hear any of this, through my gawking. I wouldn't have even minded taking one up on his offer to go home via his limo. Allison was definitely the responsible one at that moment. La chica buena. :) I wish you knew.
I would have to say despite my week it came to a close really well.
Last night was the Plaza Mayor. A must see when you come visit Spain. I loved the whole district, felt alive. Although also didn't feel like drinking, unlike some of them. I guess I see this experience as more than one big party. The real spaniards do it differently. Speaking of which today is Elena's birthday and she was going out for it last night... Since the metro closes at 1:30 am we left Sol at about 1 to get home, and walking up our street we saw her and her friends, just going out for the night. The people here live differently, I could never stay out til 5am and wake up at 9 to start my day, nearly every day. Wow.
I don't know what more to say.
This morning I woke up and had lunch with Allison on our patio. In pajamas. In January. In 40-50 degree weather. That is one thing I do not miss about home right now. We took pictures... You'll see! Sabine showed me pictures of Christmas on the patio, in short sleeves and all. Simply perfection. And I had quiche for lunch! Which was also perfection, like the tortilla de patata. Another thing you need to experience in Spain. But make sure if you're gonna be coming and getting excited to eat outside you don't lock yourself out. OOPS. :)
I need to do something with myself. Hasta luego.
I have enjoyed meeting these people. and on my birthday night, Sandra and Sonia from France, Yuduol from Russia, Julia from London... It puts me into a different place, and I wish I could just sit and talk to them forever. That's not possible. I know. You know who else I enjoyed meeting? Those beautiful men in suits :) Mmmm I couldn't care less what they even said. Do you know what that was? They told Jackie that they were married but had a deal--- they go out on Thursdays, their wives go out on Fridays, and on Sundays they get prostitutes ---of course I couldn't hear any of this, through my gawking. I wouldn't have even minded taking one up on his offer to go home via his limo. Allison was definitely the responsible one at that moment. La chica buena. :) I wish you knew.
I would have to say despite my week it came to a close really well.
Last night was the Plaza Mayor. A must see when you come visit Spain. I loved the whole district, felt alive. Although also didn't feel like drinking, unlike some of them. I guess I see this experience as more than one big party. The real spaniards do it differently. Speaking of which today is Elena's birthday and she was going out for it last night... Since the metro closes at 1:30 am we left Sol at about 1 to get home, and walking up our street we saw her and her friends, just going out for the night. The people here live differently, I could never stay out til 5am and wake up at 9 to start my day, nearly every day. Wow.
I don't know what more to say.
This morning I woke up and had lunch with Allison on our patio. In pajamas. In January. In 40-50 degree weather. That is one thing I do not miss about home right now. We took pictures... You'll see! Sabine showed me pictures of Christmas on the patio, in short sleeves and all. Simply perfection. And I had quiche for lunch! Which was also perfection, like the tortilla de patata. Another thing you need to experience in Spain. But make sure if you're gonna be coming and getting excited to eat outside you don't lock yourself out. OOPS. :)
I need to do something with myself. Hasta luego.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Me gusta sangria
Well here I am, sitting on my bed on the internet :) My new host mom is very nice, very friendly and warm, and a great cook! It's good! And she has a daughter, my age. So it's a good situation. I take the metro to school, I feel like a regular Spaniard. Everyone reads in the metro and now I do too, there is a mini library in my room.
All of my classes are amazing! The teachers here are very informal and very fun to be around. And when they correct you, it doesn't feel like an insult, I like it in fact! It halps me speak much better :) It's a great style of teaching, we need to adopt it in los estados unidos.
Last night we went out for a welcome drink, to a bar close to the school. We have now claimed it as our hangout... The bartenders were friendly and fun and after the first drink they gave us plenty of sangria and tequila on the house! It was a good time :) They like Americans here, especially those who are immersed in their culture and speaking their language. My roommate Allison told them that she was una chica buena. She meant to say a good girl, but they heard good in bed! I need to learn all of the insider expressions!!
Tomorrow is my birthday, and so totally does not feel like it. We're going out dancing to celebrate and I hope it is fun, because I am nervous for it!
I am happy to be hearing from so many people :) I feel very loved, and I miss you all a lot. I don't know what else to update you on but I am sure I will have stories later!
All of my classes are amazing! The teachers here are very informal and very fun to be around. And when they correct you, it doesn't feel like an insult, I like it in fact! It halps me speak much better :) It's a great style of teaching, we need to adopt it in los estados unidos.
Last night we went out for a welcome drink, to a bar close to the school. We have now claimed it as our hangout... The bartenders were friendly and fun and after the first drink they gave us plenty of sangria and tequila on the house! It was a good time :) They like Americans here, especially those who are immersed in their culture and speaking their language. My roommate Allison told them that she was una chica buena. She meant to say a good girl, but they heard good in bed! I need to learn all of the insider expressions!!
Tomorrow is my birthday, and so totally does not feel like it. We're going out dancing to celebrate and I hope it is fun, because I am nervous for it!
I am happy to be hearing from so many people :) I feel very loved, and I miss you all a lot. I don't know what else to update you on but I am sure I will have stories later!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Madrid, en unos dias...
Ok I don´t even know where to start. Oh, here´s a place... I flew into Madrid Friday overnight and by the time I got here it was already 10:15! My host mom showed me the apartment and left to go back to her tienda (this will be a growing theme). I slept most of the day away on medications and jet lag and read and sat by myself. Finalmente, preguntó la señora sí tiene el internet. She told me no, and didn´t even know where I could find it besides school. That´s where I am now, talking to just a few of the people that I miss dearly :) It´s always very difficult to type in english because I am already thinking in spanish, can you believe it?
In any case, it was very difficult to get contact with my mom because there was no internet and no working home phone and I have yet to figure out how to use my stupid international pre paid phone card! Que pena. By the time I found a phone and called home I was in tears. I miss everyone so much, and more so this weekend. My roommate didn´t arrive until about 10:30 pm so when we finally saw each other we both broke down. Me, because I had no clue what I was doing and was completely disconnected from todo el mundo and her because she lost her papers and todos de los copies of all of her credit cards and identification, including her passport. She´s still working on that one. We are both just sitting there bawling about how hard it was to make everything work in the first day in Madrid. When does the honeymoon period start?
Well, I have answered that. It starts today. I think that we´re moving to a different host mom, one that can actually be around for more than 3 meals a day to interact with us, one that welcomes us into her house not just a little tiny bedroom in the corner where we can disappear. One with connection to the rest of the world.
In Madrid many people wear fur coats. Half the population smokes. They all seem to own dogs, and they let them do their business virtually anywhere on the sidewalk. Tha kids are so much cuter and actually look happy. There are so many differences, some that they told us before and some that I am just coming across. I can´t wait to tell you everything. And noone speaks english, unlike what people were telling me. I have been getting by, it´s probably even good for me... I have bought a few sweaters and even a teléfono movil prepago. I am capable! :)
Still, I think I will be much more comfortable and emotionally stable when I move to my new home and connect to the internet and begin finding my way around on the metro and learning the ways of my new school.
It snowed on Friday here for the first time in 11 years, so when I got here it really wasn´t THAT much different. Pero ahora, now it is getting warmer and looking like a real european city, without a trace of Minnesota, even los estados unidos... I look forward to the temperature here, being able to walk or ride the metro virtually anywhere without a hat or mittens or being just plain freezing. I think I may spend my last term, one month, in Alicante, enjoying el sol y el mar. I must apologize again for my spanish interjections, I never thought it would come this fast.
Anyway, I´m off to explore a little more. Muchos besos.
In any case, it was very difficult to get contact with my mom because there was no internet and no working home phone and I have yet to figure out how to use my stupid international pre paid phone card! Que pena. By the time I found a phone and called home I was in tears. I miss everyone so much, and more so this weekend. My roommate didn´t arrive until about 10:30 pm so when we finally saw each other we both broke down. Me, because I had no clue what I was doing and was completely disconnected from todo el mundo and her because she lost her papers and todos de los copies of all of her credit cards and identification, including her passport. She´s still working on that one. We are both just sitting there bawling about how hard it was to make everything work in the first day in Madrid. When does the honeymoon period start?
Well, I have answered that. It starts today. I think that we´re moving to a different host mom, one that can actually be around for more than 3 meals a day to interact with us, one that welcomes us into her house not just a little tiny bedroom in the corner where we can disappear. One with connection to the rest of the world.
In Madrid many people wear fur coats. Half the population smokes. They all seem to own dogs, and they let them do their business virtually anywhere on the sidewalk. Tha kids are so much cuter and actually look happy. There are so many differences, some that they told us before and some that I am just coming across. I can´t wait to tell you everything. And noone speaks english, unlike what people were telling me. I have been getting by, it´s probably even good for me... I have bought a few sweaters and even a teléfono movil prepago. I am capable! :)
Still, I think I will be much more comfortable and emotionally stable when I move to my new home and connect to the internet and begin finding my way around on the metro and learning the ways of my new school.
It snowed on Friday here for the first time in 11 years, so when I got here it really wasn´t THAT much different. Pero ahora, now it is getting warmer and looking like a real european city, without a trace of Minnesota, even los estados unidos... I look forward to the temperature here, being able to walk or ride the metro virtually anywhere without a hat or mittens or being just plain freezing. I think I may spend my last term, one month, in Alicante, enjoying el sol y el mar. I must apologize again for my spanish interjections, I never thought it would come this fast.
Anyway, I´m off to explore a little more. Muchos besos.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Mi viaje esta aqui!
Well, it's nearly here! I can't believe it, can you believe it? I bet you can't believe it. I can't... haha. Well, it's been a roller coaster and the week has just begun. I am bugging out between nervous to go, ready to leave, excited to be there, and a million other emotions. Part of me feels bad for taking it out on everyone around me... In any case, only four days left. So that's that.
I'm not sure what to say about it all.
On another note, my car burst into flames last week, that was an interesting and terrifying experience!
Well, keep an eye out, pretty soon I'll have actual adventures to tell you!
I'm not sure what to say about it all.
On another note, my car burst into flames last week, that was an interesting and terrifying experience!
Well, keep an eye out, pretty soon I'll have actual adventures to tell you!
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