So, it has been over a month since a last posted, and I'm not quite sure where to begin. I can't lie and say that I have been way too busy to put aside one hour and write. I have in fact been very busy but those hours without plans, i always try and catch up on sleep, not that i don't sleep much at nights but exhaustion has reached a whole new definition when you spend 24/7 translating every word and put forth great amounts of effort to put together a sentence that will make sense.
I guess you could say its been one wild ride these past two months. Roller coasters aren't only in the theme parks when emotions become this twisted. Some moments I'm sulking and wondering to myself, "What was I thinking leaving everything behind and starting this new life, totally alone" or "I have no friends here, and I don't even speak the language, how is it possible to be positive?" and other moments I'm jumping around with adrenaline fascinated by the fact that I'm learning a whole new language and that I am actually here in Spain right now, just stunned by the whole situation.
Well, school is definitely a challenge- of course during the first few days people were fascinated by the fact that I'm a foreigner and wanted to talk to me and use their little English. Yet, now it's up to me to go out and make a friend or two, although sometimes it's just so hard considering the language and cultural barrier. That being said, my host sister goes to a different school and has a great group of friends, I see them about once a week and I guess i could consider them my friends by now. I sometimes which I went to that school, but hey, I can't have this experience handed to me on a silver platter right?
How could I almost forget to mention the other AFS kids? I have always heard that the other kids you meet while on your exchange become your best friends, but you never really know until you get to know those other kids. I don't think I could survive this transition without them; they are all in the same exact position as me, experiencing the same ups and downs. These are kids from all over the world that came to Spain for the same reason. After days and days of casual Spanish talk (because I'm only conversational) a real deep talk with some other kids is all I need and they are always more than understanding. I feel like I have known them for all my life. These other AFSers are really brave and really smart and like I said earlier, they are the reason I still have my sanity.
School here is very traditional, a place to learn and nothing more. There are no school colors, mascots, and most of all no school spirit what so ever. There are no sports teams and definitely no school gathering, basically there is no school community. The teachers do not know all the names of the students and i definitely don't know the names of the teachers, first names that it, (here they call the teachers by the first name). Also, there is a lack of discussion in class; the teachers teach you for an hour and then it is the next class, that's it. I am not saying that this is wrong, yet it is very different. In Emery, there is a thriving community and everyone knows everyone's name, including the teachers. Also, we are taught to ask questions; I can't remember one day of Judaics, English, History, and even math and science were creative lessons were presented to us and we had really intense yet wonderful discussions. We would often end many classes with debates and arguments about topics ranging anything from the conflict of Hernan Cortez and the Mayans, to defining poetry and art. Also, at school here, if a teacher does not show up, then there is no class (which is a favorable characteristic :) ), For example, about a week ago I went to school to be greeted by 3 out of the 30 kids in my class. Why? It turned out that the two teachers that teach our first three classes hadn't shown up, so everyone in my class went home. The few of us that remained sat and listened music until the recreo (thirty minute break). It is not un-common to go home an hour early at the end of the day if your last period teacher is not there.
MEALS:
Here in Spain at 12 o' clock lunch or a 7 o'clock dinner are unheard of. This is something i actually favor about Spain. In my school, we get out at 2:30 and I eat lunch once I arrive home, about 3 o'clock. The dinner is usually served around 10:30 and afterwards we watch television and then go to sleep at about midnight. That’s another difference. In the States, a 'normal' teenager is only up at midnight if they are finishing homework, not every night. The time table here is great because I go to bed not too long after I eat dinner. In the States, when dinner is around 7, I would eat it and then four or five hours later as i was going to sleep I would take a snack on the way, ending up eating way more than i should.
TRANSPORTATION:
In the States (Or maybe just Houston), until you are 16 and driving, you have no way of getting around town unless someone else drives you around. Going out and meeting your friends is impossible if there is no car around. That's one difference that I love about Madrid. Here, I walk to school every day and can use the metro to get anywhere in the city. If I am alone in the house, it is incredibly easy to hop on the metro or a bus and make my way around Madrid. Also, because of the amazing/ existent system getting lost is only another adventure. The other day I got off at the wrong stop while using a bus, which allowed me to only see more of Madrid and easily make it back to the house by hopping on another bus. As odd as it sounds, getting lost can almost be something to look forward to.
THE TEENAGERS:
I can tell you now, that I really miss the wide variety of personalities in the States, where individuality is so encouraged. There are preppy, sporty, indie, punk, hippy and a million other individualities all around America and I am absolutely sure that it is like that here is Spain as well, just not as obvious. Of course there are exceptions, just the other day a girl spoke to me about the term indie and it turns out her and I like a lot of the same music and hobbies. Yet, for me it seems like I don't have anything in common with most of the kids in my school. I haven’t really found anyone into the things that I like and I feel really 'different' here, like I don't belong. But then again maybe with more time I will find some friends. Yet, what I love here about Spain, is the average person is very open and very friendly. You can almost always find random people that will talk and be nice to you even if they don't know your name.
ENVIRONMENT:
Well, I haven't seen as much litter in my life as I have in the average thirty minute break in school every day. The kids buy their chips and casually through it to the ground. Of course, it's not everyone but its definitely at least half. Also, cigarettes are HUGE here, every day before and after school you see a ton of the kids outside smoking. It is much more accepted here. (By the way, I hate sounding so negative about all that I am writing, but I am only saying what I observe here). On another note, the other day I was at my friend’s house, she lives in a village about 30 minutes from Madrid and her host parents took us for a hike through beautiful mountains and it was amazing. I saw real trees, real natural waters, real nature for the first time in a long time and it was just beautiful. One plus about the environmental movement in Madrid: they have a much much much better recycling/ organic program than in Houston. Every household has a garbage for organics, a garbage for plastic, and a garbage for paper; and a garbage for glass; therefore, making much better use of their waste. Not only is it encouraged, but it is mandartory to have this garbage system, I think we should consider started a system like this aswell.
FOOD:
Spain has some great dishes but there is one problem, NO PEANUT BUTTER! There is no peanut butter anywhere here, and it’s just tragic. Well, besides the catastrophe of no peanut butter, the food is actually quite different. Olive oil is cooked with almost every meal and ham is absolutely everywhere, limiting my choices because I'm kosher. My favorite food here, and probably the most traditional Spanish dish, is the tortilla. Before I left, I thought the only kind of tortilla is the thin Mexican kind. But, the Spanish tortilla is an egg omelet with potatoes and it is just delicious. One thing to keep in mind while at a restaurant, 'Don't down your coke in a minute because there are no free refills' and one coke can be about 2.50 Euros, more than 3 dollars. There’s nothing too foreign here and the food is over all pretty good...but it would be loads better with some peanut butter. :-)
Some other typical Spanish dishes are:
Croquettas - these are like fried nuggets, usually with ham but sometimes with vegetables or chicken as well.
Paella- this is a rice dish thats almost always topped with seafood
Bocaloa- I am almost posostive that I am spelling that wronge. Anyways, that is cod
Jamon Serano-I am probably spelling this wrong also, this is thin ham (Clearly, I have never tried it)
Well now that I've spend enough time catching up on lost details, I will go to sleep earlier tonight (11:10). It seems like I'm coming down with the flu, and it's hurting to breath at this point.
I WILL write soon again, i promise!, Maybe next time with more exciting stories and details, as for now I need to go back to sleep.
Buenas noches amigos.
I guess you could say its been one wild ride these past two months. Roller coasters aren't only in the theme parks when emotions become this twisted. Some moments I'm sulking and wondering to myself, "What was I thinking leaving everything behind and starting this new life, totally alone" or "I have no friends here, and I don't even speak the language, how is it possible to be positive?" and other moments I'm jumping around with adrenaline fascinated by the fact that I'm learning a whole new language and that I am actually here in Spain right now, just stunned by the whole situation.
Well, school is definitely a challenge- of course during the first few days people were fascinated by the fact that I'm a foreigner and wanted to talk to me and use their little English. Yet, now it's up to me to go out and make a friend or two, although sometimes it's just so hard considering the language and cultural barrier. That being said, my host sister goes to a different school and has a great group of friends, I see them about once a week and I guess i could consider them my friends by now. I sometimes which I went to that school, but hey, I can't have this experience handed to me on a silver platter right?
How could I almost forget to mention the other AFS kids? I have always heard that the other kids you meet while on your exchange become your best friends, but you never really know until you get to know those other kids. I don't think I could survive this transition without them; they are all in the same exact position as me, experiencing the same ups and downs. These are kids from all over the world that came to Spain for the same reason. After days and days of casual Spanish talk (because I'm only conversational) a real deep talk with some other kids is all I need and they are always more than understanding. I feel like I have known them for all my life. These other AFSers are really brave and really smart and like I said earlier, they are the reason I still have my sanity.
 |
| Overnight orientation |
After an overnight orientation two weeks ago, we all became much closer and decided to meet more often. I slept over at Caroline's house in a town called Torreleones where I could see the stars and nature for the first time in a while and it was beautiful. For the next day, all the AFS kids decided to meet at the theme park. At the park, we enjoyed a melted icecream cake while using our hands (which was quite a task for me and Caroline to not to devour when bringing itfrom Torreledones, on a thirty minute bus and metro), dangerously attempting and succeeding in making a ten man pyramid, and going on all the rides numerous of times because there were no lines that day. The amount of fun I had that day is undescribable and I know it's only the beginning of amazing frienships.
 |
| Dangerous ten man pyramid |
Well, instead of boring you with an infinite list of details of my last two months, I will instead describe some major differences between the USA and Spain.
1st:
SCHOOLSchool here is very traditional, a place to learn and nothing more. There are no school colors, mascots, and most of all no school spirit what so ever. There are no sports teams and definitely no school gathering, basically there is no school community. The teachers do not know all the names of the students and i definitely don't know the names of the teachers, first names that it, (here they call the teachers by the first name). Also, there is a lack of discussion in class; the teachers teach you for an hour and then it is the next class, that's it. I am not saying that this is wrong, yet it is very different. In Emery, there is a thriving community and everyone knows everyone's name, including the teachers. Also, we are taught to ask questions; I can't remember one day of Judaics, English, History, and even math and science were creative lessons were presented to us and we had really intense yet wonderful discussions. We would often end many classes with debates and arguments about topics ranging anything from the conflict of Hernan Cortez and the Mayans, to defining poetry and art. Also, at school here, if a teacher does not show up, then there is no class (which is a favorable characteristic :) ), For example, about a week ago I went to school to be greeted by 3 out of the 30 kids in my class. Why? It turned out that the two teachers that teach our first three classes hadn't shown up, so everyone in my class went home. The few of us that remained sat and listened music until the recreo (thirty minute break). It is not un-common to go home an hour early at the end of the day if your last period teacher is not there.
MEALS:
Here in Spain at 12 o' clock lunch or a 7 o'clock dinner are unheard of. This is something i actually favor about Spain. In my school, we get out at 2:30 and I eat lunch once I arrive home, about 3 o'clock. The dinner is usually served around 10:30 and afterwards we watch television and then go to sleep at about midnight. That’s another difference. In the States, a 'normal' teenager is only up at midnight if they are finishing homework, not every night. The time table here is great because I go to bed not too long after I eat dinner. In the States, when dinner is around 7, I would eat it and then four or five hours later as i was going to sleep I would take a snack on the way, ending up eating way more than i should.
TRANSPORTATION:
In the States (Or maybe just Houston), until you are 16 and driving, you have no way of getting around town unless someone else drives you around. Going out and meeting your friends is impossible if there is no car around. That's one difference that I love about Madrid. Here, I walk to school every day and can use the metro to get anywhere in the city. If I am alone in the house, it is incredibly easy to hop on the metro or a bus and make my way around Madrid. Also, because of the amazing/ existent system getting lost is only another adventure. The other day I got off at the wrong stop while using a bus, which allowed me to only see more of Madrid and easily make it back to the house by hopping on another bus. As odd as it sounds, getting lost can almost be something to look forward to.
THE TEENAGERS:
I can tell you now, that I really miss the wide variety of personalities in the States, where individuality is so encouraged. There are preppy, sporty, indie, punk, hippy and a million other individualities all around America and I am absolutely sure that it is like that here is Spain as well, just not as obvious. Of course there are exceptions, just the other day a girl spoke to me about the term indie and it turns out her and I like a lot of the same music and hobbies. Yet, for me it seems like I don't have anything in common with most of the kids in my school. I haven’t really found anyone into the things that I like and I feel really 'different' here, like I don't belong. But then again maybe with more time I will find some friends. Yet, what I love here about Spain, is the average person is very open and very friendly. You can almost always find random people that will talk and be nice to you even if they don't know your name.
ENVIRONMENT:
Well, I haven't seen as much litter in my life as I have in the average thirty minute break in school every day. The kids buy their chips and casually through it to the ground. Of course, it's not everyone but its definitely at least half. Also, cigarettes are HUGE here, every day before and after school you see a ton of the kids outside smoking. It is much more accepted here. (By the way, I hate sounding so negative about all that I am writing, but I am only saying what I observe here). On another note, the other day I was at my friend’s house, she lives in a village about 30 minutes from Madrid and her host parents took us for a hike through beautiful mountains and it was amazing. I saw real trees, real natural waters, real nature for the first time in a long time and it was just beautiful. One plus about the environmental movement in Madrid: they have a much much much better recycling/ organic program than in Houston. Every household has a garbage for organics, a garbage for plastic, and a garbage for paper; and a garbage for glass; therefore, making much better use of their waste. Not only is it encouraged, but it is mandartory to have this garbage system, I think we should consider started a system like this aswell.
FOOD:
Spain has some great dishes but there is one problem, NO PEANUT BUTTER! There is no peanut butter anywhere here, and it’s just tragic. Well, besides the catastrophe of no peanut butter, the food is actually quite different. Olive oil is cooked with almost every meal and ham is absolutely everywhere, limiting my choices because I'm kosher. My favorite food here, and probably the most traditional Spanish dish, is the tortilla. Before I left, I thought the only kind of tortilla is the thin Mexican kind. But, the Spanish tortilla is an egg omelet with potatoes and it is just delicious. One thing to keep in mind while at a restaurant, 'Don't down your coke in a minute because there are no free refills' and one coke can be about 2.50 Euros, more than 3 dollars. There’s nothing too foreign here and the food is over all pretty good...but it would be loads better with some peanut butter. :-)
Some other typical Spanish dishes are:
Croquettas - these are like fried nuggets, usually with ham but sometimes with vegetables or chicken as well.
Paella- this is a rice dish thats almost always topped with seafood
Bocaloa- I am almost posostive that I am spelling that wronge. Anyways, that is cod
Jamon Serano-I am probably spelling this wrong also, this is thin ham (Clearly, I have never tried it)
Well now that I've spend enough time catching up on lost details, I will go to sleep earlier tonight (11:10). It seems like I'm coming down with the flu, and it's hurting to breath at this point.
I WILL write soon again, i promise!, Maybe next time with more exciting stories and details, as for now I need to go back to sleep.
Buenas noches amigos.
