Viva la Vida Europa

La Feria y Portugal

2009-05-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

I got back to Sevilla yesterday from Portugal. We left Thursday at 9 am, and I slept pretty much the whole way there since the night before I was out with Nieves and Meagan until like 4am at the feria. So therefore, first, let me recap the feria. Monday night, Meagan and I went to see the opening lights at midnight. There were tons of people waiting to see the entrance light up- Sevillains LOVE the feria. Everybody was dressed up - women in fancy flamenco dresses - and people were talking and flamenco dancing in the street. In fact, the moment after the lights went on and we entered the fair grounds, we got caught in a circle that had formed around a couple who had randomly decided to dance flamenco. The people in the circle cheered them on, and clapped and sang a flamenco beat...Check out the video!

Anyway, when you first enter the fair grounds, there are casettas EVERYWHERE. (Casettas are like tents where people can eat, drink and dance flamenco...most are private, and you need to be on a list to get in. However there are some public ones as well). Then after you walk a while, you enter the amusement park section of the fairgrounds, and there are games, rides, merry-go-rounds, popcorn machines...etc. We didnt go in any casettas, because we couldnt tell which were public, so we came back with Nieves Wednesday night and she took us to her families private casseta. Here are some pictures....

Entrance to fair grounds...

rides and such...

Kirstianna the Sevilliana

Nieves and Meagan inside her casetta

Okay so now Portugal. I think i had a bit of a bipolar relationship with portugal. I absolutely LOVED sintra, Cascais, and Lagos, but Lisbon and I had our disagreements. First of all, we stayed at the worst hostel ever, with repulsive bathrooms and a "breakfast" that i wouldn't give my dog. The coffee was seriously worse than mud. (Not that i have ever drank mud, but you know what i mean). Our rooms werent ready when we arrived, so we had to leave our suitcases in the breakfast room, which i was extremely nervous about. But anyway, then we got back on the bus and went to the Tower of Belem and it was seriously gorgeous. I guess it was built during the Age of Discovery to commerate Vasco de Gamas expedition. I think it would be such a pretty place to get married...you could walk up the aisle on the boardwalk and get married right over the water, at the edge of the continent, facing the direction of the New York city and the "New World"....kind of symbolic in a way.

Anyway, then after the torre de belem, Lisboa y yo empiezamos nollevar bein otra vez. I mean, i knew from my guide book that Lisbon was built on seven hills, but i never realized exactly how hilly it was....our tour bus made its way through the very high, windy, narrow streets, with all of us passengers hanging on for dear life. I think about half the bus got carsick....and the other half got very close. And when, the bus couldnt go up anymore, because the streets didn't permit cars, we put our calves to the test to visitthe barrio alto, the saint george castle, and the Santa Justa Elevator. Lets just when we finally did get back to our hostel in the city, we were much more appreciative of it. But the next day, we went to Sintra and that was great. First the bus dropped us off at another castle, and then after about an hour there, we got to to explore the little town. I loved it! First, Tracy, Laura, Meaghan and I, on Lery's (our guide) recommendation stopped at a cute little pastry shop to get some Portuguese pastries. We all got different ones, but mine was by far the best. I suppose this is because i take after my father in my ability to choose delicious desserts, but my mother in my loyalty and love chocolate. OMG. I have never eaten anything so delicious in my life. It was so rich and moist...Its a good thing i didnt study abroad in Portugal or i would weigh a thousand pounds just from eating them.

Then we explored the town a bit...(such a cute town!) and then headed off for Cacais and the costa de estoril. Cacias was kinda similar to Sintra in that it was quaint and small, but i think i liked it even better because it was right on the water - literally the restaurants and shops were like 30 feet from the beach. It also felt a little more open and summery...vendors were selling seashells and seashell jewelry, and families were enjoying lunch at restaurants on the water. We checked out of our hostel in Lisbon Saturday morning and then headed to Lagos for the more relaxing part of our trip. I really liked Lagos. We had beautiful weather both days. Saturday, Meaghan, Laura, Elina and I went to the beach...though it was too cold to go in so we just layed out in the sun and got some color. Then, around 5:30 I headed back to shower and Meaghan and I met up to walk around the town before heading back to the water to see the sunset. We didnt get back to our hotel until somewhat late, and when we did the supermarket was closed, so we walked to the Chinese resteruant and got food to go. That's okay tho, It felt like I was back at college - watching movies and swapping stories with friends while sharing take-out. I've become quite close with Meaghan (well both Meaghan and Meagan actually) while i've been here, and i'm going to be sad to say goodbye. But i've learned that in this day and age a few states away isnt really far at all. From Chitown to Espana...now thats a hike. Anyway, thats portugal en resumen...Here are some pics...

Cascias

Lisbon

Me at Castello de Sao Jorge

Tracy, Elina, and Laura in the Pastry Shop

Laura acting out the dead bat she saw...

Our Pastries...

Lighthouse at Cabo de Roca

Cute little super market in Lagos

Me in our hotel room in Lagos...

Meaghan jumping...

Meaghan Jumping...

Me trying to jump...

Me trying to jump again (and to think i used to be an ice skater...)

Meaghan and I in front of water at night....

Pic of Lagos beach from cute little snack bar....

buenas noches
- Kirsten

The List.....

2009-04-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

When I arrived in Spain I created a "Things I Want To Do On My Semester Abroad List". I thought I would post it here....Things in bold i have accomplished, and things in regular type i have yet to do....

Go to a soccer (futbol) game
See a movie in Spanish
Get a drink a hotel alfonso XI
See the Museo del Bellas Artes
Go to the Cadiz Carnivales
See a Semana Santa Procession
Go to the library at the university
Order a Telepizza
Have a day COMPLETELY in Spanish (NO ENGLISH)
Go to the Beer Factory
Spanish cooking lessons
Try una Clara (it’s a drink with lemonade and beer)
Go to the Trianna Market
Go to a Language Exchange night at Flaggerty’s
Take a bus and randomly get off it somewhere in Sevilla and explore
Go back to la Carbonhidria
See the Feria
Alcazar
La Catedral
See a Flamenco Show
Go to a Salsa Bar
Get drinks at Fridays
Granada
Toledo
Cordoba
Madrid
Portugal
Paris
Normandy
Go to Pilates classes in Spanish
Go to the arabe baths
Explore santa cruz neighborhood more
Explore La Macerena neighborhood
Go to the prado
Get a Spanish only dictionary
See a bullfight
Try a rubijuto (a typical drink of Feria)
Take the new metro in Sevilla
Go to a discoteca

Well, I'd write more, but i have class tomorrow and need to get home and finish up homework. But look for a post about the feria soon!!!! (I went last night with meagan and am going again tomorrow with my senora!)

Un Viaje a Cordoba y Un Panuelo muy Importante

2009-04-26T03:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I accomplished another task on my “Semester Abroad To Do list” and went to Cordoba. I left Sevilla at 9am in the morning with the intention of arriving in Cordoba, buying a map, walking to the Mezquita, visiting the shops and downtown area by the Plaza de las Tendillas ( I read my guide book before hand…) and grabbing some lunch before heading home. But when I was coming up the escalator from the train platform, I saw four familiar faces waving at me….Kristy, Sandi, Sarah, and Hannah came down from Madrid for the weekend to see Cordoba and Sevilla!!! I mean really it is a small world. Even being in Cordoba the same day is a major coincidence, but they were literally leaving the train station when I was arriving.

Anyway, the four of them, along with some other students from their program, were headed to see the Mezquita as well so we all went together. One of their teachers was with them too, and she was very nice and interesting to talk to. She’s American, but lives in Madrid now with her husband - who she met when she was a student studying in Sevilla! Actually, I think she said she met him at the Feria, which starts this upcoming Monday night! (I guess I should keep my eyes open for potential prospects..?)

Anyway, the Mezquita was awesome.. It is a mosque, originally built by Abd a Rahman but added upon throughout the reigns of other Moorish emperors. When the Christians conquered the moors, they destroyed most Moorish architecture, but they didn’t want to destroy the Mezquita because it was so beautiful. Instead, they decided to use it as their own place of worship and build cathedral inside of the mosque. Therefore, it really should be called the Mexcla-ita (mix) because it is just that; a visual mix of Christianity and Islam. The majority of the architecture is very Moorish- high arches, Arabic writing engraved in the walls, use of the color red – but then there are sculptures and artwork of Christian saints distributed throughout the mosque. And its interesting to note that the the altar and prayer pews of the Christian cathedral part of the mosque are just feet away from the Muslim prayer niche facing Mecca.

Here are some pics from the Mezquita.....

The Ripon Girls outside the Mezquita....

The arches....

The cathedral part of the mosque....

The Muslim prayer niche...

Me in front of the altar....

Saint Antonio...

After the Mezquita, the girls left to head back to Sevilla but my train wasn’t until later so I stayed back and walked around the main area trying to find somewhere to eat. I eventually found a café, but I was somewhat disappointed because I was hoping to find a quaint little hole in the wall type place with great, real, freshly made Andalusian food. But this place only really had boccadillos and I was so hungry by this point I just gave up looking and ate there. Then I walked across the street to a park area where I saw a bunch of tents set up. I assumed it was a market of some sort, but when I got there, I realized it was a science fair. (See picture below).

Some more pics from Cordoba...

Science Fair...

Puente Romano...

Anyway the day was fun, and I was going to go out last night to this salsa bar with Meagan, but my feet hurt and its raining so we just decided to do it another night. Friday night, she and I celebrated the completion of our international business projects with drinks at the Friday’s in the Niervon Mall. Then we saw Shopaholic in Spanish (or rather Confensiones de una compradora compulisva…” . It was really cute, and I was ecstatic that I could understand it!!!! I was also pretty excited because that’s one more thing I accomplished on my “Semester Abroad To Do List” – seeing a movie in Spanish. I mean I saw Gran Torino when Steve was here, but that was at the Plaza de Armas theater so it was in English with Spanish subtitles.

Anyway, this morning we were going to go Triana market but its raining so we didn’t. This afternoon I’m meeting up with Hugo. This might be the last time I get to meet with him since we really can only meet on weekends, and next Sunday I will be in Portugal. I’m so glad he was my intercambio; I really lucked out. He really loves his city and has been a great guide. Plus not every tour guide buys you ice cream.

Well anyway, I have a phone call to make to a Miss Hannah Montana. She apparently came to Spain this past week but didn’t even think to tell me…even after I dedicated a blog post to referencing her songs and show….

¡Dios míos, niños hoy en día!

- Kirsten

21 de Abril

2009-04-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

I dont really know what to write about today. I'm just really stressed - I have so much to do before I leave....its crazy. I have a presentation tonight, a test tomorrow, an 8 page paper due may 5th, finals to study for...not to mention that next week is feria, and i have a trip to cordoba and a trip to portugal coming up. But im just trying to relax, spend as much time as possible with the friends i made here before leaving and get as much done on my "i want to do in spain list" as i can.

The weather is really nice today....its warm and sunny, and I'm at cuestasport just inside the doors so people are right outside playing paddleball.

Saturday, when i last posted, Nieves and I ended up going out for lunch. We went to Fresco, this salad bar/italian buffet place i wanted to try for a while. It was really good - i had pizza for the first time since i left the states. (Its not like they don't have it here, its just, i dunno, i've really just eaten spanish food for the most part).

Tonight, I have my international business presentation. Then, im going to try to get to bed early, so i get enough sleep for my language test. Thats really all I can think of right now....ill try to write something more exciting later in the week.

hasta luego....

Kirsten

My Best Friend Leslie says that I'm Just Being Miley....

2009-04-18T05:36:00.000-07:00

Right now its like quarter to one, and I’m sitting in the living room in my pajamas, doing homework and waiting for nieves to get back at 3 for lunch. I’m not sure where she went, but Carolyn is in Portugal and im excited to relax and have the TV to myself. Currently, I’m watching Hannah Montana in Spanish. I’ve never seen this episode. Its really funny though – it’s the one where (I didn’t see the begging) but Miley/Hannah is trying to get Jackson’s baseball back from some restaurant guy, and he wont give it back, so she makes a deal and promises to bring Hannah Montana to his restaurant for his daughter to meet. But then he like makes her perform with him and they do this really funny version of life’s what you make it, and he’s wearing a gold sweat suit that says “try the veal on the back”. Idk maybe im just super bored.

Im supposed to meet up with Meaghan (and maybe other Meagan too) tonight at six to go out for Tapas. But until lunch I think I’m just going to relax and try to do some of the mountain of homework that has been piling up on my nightstand.

I’m excited, nervous, happy, sad, and overwhelmed about coming home all at the same time. I can’t wait to see Ash, Rina, Maggie and everybody and I really want to just get my summer set up so I can make the most of it – Job, internship, volunteering…etc. But there is so much I’m gonna miss here. For one, im really going to miss my senora. I have learned so much from her, and I don’t know if I’ve met anybody that has had a more fascinating life. She’s been everywhere in the world, she married an astronaut, she met Michael Jackson when he was 5 (and normal)….the list goes on and on. Everybody else here talks about how their senora is either too strict, or doesn’t make them feel like their part of the family. But from the first day Carolyn and I arrived, nieves simply trusted us to be good people, not use too much water, and not do anything stupid. She never made us feel like we were just strangers renting a room in her house. I’m sure it costs more for us to live here than she receives, but she doesn’t ever make us feel like we cant have anything. In fact, she usually asks us what we want for lunch, or if we need anything special. While she always has the table set and lunch made by 3, if we’re not gonna be home, its no big deal, she just leaves it on the stove. We are free to live our lives as we want, but whenever we need something, she is more than willing to help. She calls Carolyn and I hijamia and carinosa (my daughter and my dear) and whenever I have a bad day I know I can talk to her about it without sounding like a brat. She’ll go out of her way to try and fix it too. When I was sleeping she started making me this tea before bed that helps you fall asleep. I never asked her to, but she’s always doing thoughtful things like that. When I asked her why she does so much for us she said, “because I want you all to love me like I love you”. We do. I can assure you that.

I really want to be just like her when I grow up. She had a relatively similar youth to mine, with similar stresses and struggles, and I just want to be able to live a life like hers when I'm old. Tranquil but full. She has many friends – they come and visit often – and she goes out pretty much every weekend with them. She’s healthy, active, and still travels the world. I’ve also never met anybody so non-judgemental. She does things her way, but if you do yours a different way, she is fine with that. I’m sure she has her own beliefs about whats proper and whats not, but she only voices them when asked, and never makes you feel as though if you disagree, your not proper. Its not important to her what others do. She lives her life, lives it to the fullest, and helps others when they need it or voice frustration. After Carolyn and I (oh and the two Australian girls who are living with us now too) leave, I think she said she’s going to Egypt with her sister and her friend.

But anyway, yeah, so I mean, I’m going to miss Nieves a lot, but I will also miss the relaxed breakfasts (instead of a powerbar on the go), tanning on the roof, being able to just walk down Sierpes and “go shopping” (instead of having to drive to a mall, park and all) and really the constant Spanish practice. I mean, it gets frustrating from time to time, but my Spanish has improved sooooo much here – I don’t want to lose it back in the states. I’m going to try to prevent that by using as much Spanish as I can…but still, it wont compare to how much I speak it here. Oh well.

But again….i just cant wait to be harassing dunkin donuts and watching gossip girl with my best friends. I love summer – I’m a summer baby – and all I can think about right now is Soffe shorts and flip flops, Arizonan green tea, walking to the library, lifetimes outdoor pool being open, and driving with the moonroof open. So I guess since I can’t be like miss Hannah Montana and have the best of both worlds, I’ll make the most of the rest of my time here and then take off the Spanish boots for my good old fashioned north shore Uggs.

- Kirsten

Paris: Part 2

2009-04-10T05:32:00.000-07:00

I’m back in Seville now, though getting back to my apartment from the airport amid holy week festivities was no easy task. The taxi’s were blocked from entering anywhere close to the center of the city, so Meagan and I pretty much had to walk about 2 miles, through packs of people, with all of our luggage.

But anyway, back to Paris…where did I leave off? Okay, right so Monday we went to the Louvre, and then the Eiffel tower. The entire area by the Eiffel tower was so pretty. In front, there was a little crepe stand, a little ice cream stand, and a carousel. On the other side of the tower, in front of an official looking building (capitol building maybe?),was a huge park area, and people were sitting on the grass having picnics. It all just seemed like something straight out of a story book. And for there being lots of people, it didn’t seem loud and overbearing like other touristy spots. Rather it seemed very tranquil – people strolling with their ice creams, French families sharing lunch in the park…just the way I imagined Paris to be.

Underneath the tower is where tickets are bought. You can choose to climb the whole way, take the elevator, or climb half the way and take the elevator from the second platform. We decided to take the stairs half way up and take the elevator to the very top. We were all pumped to mail our postcards from the first platform of the tower, and to get drinks at the restaurant there while overlooking the city, but were disappointed to find that both the restaurant and the post office were under construction. So we just decided to have lunch at the café. Some pigeons flew in to join us, and we became good friends by the end of the meal. Then we took some pictures of the view, and continued our climb to the second platform.

On the second platform, we checked out the gift shops, and then took the elevator all the way to the top. The view from the top was even more beautiful, especially the view of the park area right below the tower.

After the Eiffel tower, our legs were killing us, so we took the boat to Notre dame. It was closed though when we got there so we just kind of explored the area around it before heading back to the hotel to shower and such, before going out again.

Before going to Paris, if I may deviate from the time line of events for a moment, I think we were all a little worried about not speaking French – and about how French people saw Americans. But everybody was very friendly – and literally everybody we had contact with spoke English. Even our taxi driver that picked us up from the airport spoke English fluently. He was a very amiable guy too – he talked to us the whole way there, gave us the highlights of what is nearby our hotel, and inquired as to whether, because I am from Chicago, I had a gun on me. He told us about his life – his mom was French and his dad was Chinese – talked a lot about Obama and how popular he is in Paris, and informed us that Obama was in currently in France as we spoke. I always feel a little guilty when people in Europe seem to know more about my government than I do, but I attributed our unawareness of our president’s location to the fact that we had just spent 14 hours on a train and didn’t really have access to the media. I think that’s a pretty good excuse.

Anyway, so Monday night, after we showered, we walked back up towards the Eiffel tower, and had dinner outside this Italian restaurant on some side street. It was really nice, and we could see the Eiffel tower – all lit up - from our table. The waiter wasn’t as friendly as the night before though . (On Sunday night, we went to this elegant little restaurant across from our hotel just to check out the menu, and we said we’d be back later, and when we came back, they guy seriously kissed all of us, welcoming us back. We think he had a thing for Tracy because he kissed her an extra time…). But we can’t get expect to welcomed with kisses everywhere. But the food was good, the wine was great, and the view was spectacular. The tower stayed lit up the whole time, but at one point it did kind of a light show, with the lights moving and blinking…Very cool.

After dinner we walked over to it and took some more pictures. We brought our postcards with because we figured, if we couldn’t mail our postcards from the actual Eiffel tower, at least we could send them from the mail box underneath it. As we were taking pictures though, it started to get very windy, like it was going to rain. We decided to start heading back to the hotel, and then realized we didn’t mail the post cards. We ran back to the tower, and as we were running, it started to downpour. We got to the mail slot, shoved our postcards into the USA slot, and then ran to the boulevard to try to get a taxi. Everybody that had been up by the tower was fleeing as well - the handful of tourists who decided came to get photos of the tower at night, the French couples who had been cuddling in the park, the street market people who sold Eiffel tower key chains and such….we all rushed to the little taxi stand on the boulevard. When Tracy and Meagan of I got in our taxi, we were soaked and covered in sand that the wind had picked up and blown. I f I had been anywhere else I would have probably been frustrated. But I was in Paris, and the entire experience of running through the rain from the Eiffel tower seemed rather cool.

The next day we went back to Notre dame. We waited in line for EVER I feel like, and it was super chilly. But, we made some Spanish friends in the line which was kinda cool and im pretty sure I’m in a group picture on one of the girls’ Facebook. So if you see it, let me know so I can check out how I look.  Once our group was let in, we realized that this was only the line for the tower not the inside of Notre dame. My legs were begging me for mercy as we climbed to the top…they were still in pain from climbing the Eiffel tower and all the walking we had done the day before. But I did it, and I got some sweet pictures of the gargoyles. They didn’t talk and move around like in the Hunchback of Notre dame, but they were still pretty cool. I am just constantly amazed when I think about how old some things are here. I mean, work on Notre Dame started in like the 1100’s. And here I stand at the top with my digital camera and cell phone centuries later. Its just incredible to me.

Some Gargoyles at Notre Dame....

Anyway, we decided we didn’t want to wait in another line to see the inside of the cathedral that day, so we said we’d come back tomorrow and headed off the perfume museum. We figured, we’d already seen the Louvre, and the line to the Museum de orsay was even longer than the one to Notre Dame, we might as well check it out. It was very small, and not all that special, but at least on the way there we got to see the main shopping district. After the museum, we decided to be super cliché and eat at a restaurant called the American dream. It was, I have to say, pretty American. The inside was kind of like a Fridays – only they had anything and everything you could possibly want. I was super excited that they had salads – REAL SALADS – not little plates of lettuce and a few tomatoes. (although, I have to say, the first night, at the restaurant that the waiter kissed us at, I had an amazing French duck salad…so I guess its just Spain that doesn’t understand how to make a satisfying salad…). Tracy and Meghan got burgers and Slushees. We watched American music videos on the tv while we waited – everything from Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” to the Village Peoples “YMCA” to Gwen Stefani’s “Just a Girl”.

Then we had to get tracy off so she didn’t miss her flight back (Meagan and I were leaving the next day). And when we got back to the hotel I was exhausted. I took a nap for a bit, and then Meagan and I decided to go get drinks at this crazy café we passed on the same boulevard as our hotel. It was called “Le Mic Mac” and it just had all these funky chairs that totally did not match. There were leopard ones, zebra ones, pink fuzzy ones, blue ones….and then of course, just to throw you off, normal arm chairs. It was very cute. We ordered our drinks and were talking and when our waiter came to check on us, he told us in English that we should learn French because knowing more then one language is a wonderful thing. We told him we knew Spanish and were studying in Spain and he COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT. He got super excited and started talking to us in Spanish setting down his tray and joining us at our table. He was very funny – he made fun of how difficult it is to understand people from Andalusia because they completely skip letters and syllables and told us stories about his travels through Spain. Then, when it was closing time, he invited us to stay and wait until his friends arrived, and we talked for a while longer (in Spanish!!!) and gave us free drinks at the bar. He even put on the juke box and we jammed along to, get this, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. He apparently loves the song. Though, I don’t think even this memory can replace my original prom memory of the song. Just us girls….the four of us…oh senior year, how I miss you…

Anyway, then his friends showed up and Meagan and I were somewhat resentful of the fact that they were both girls. (I mean, he was CUTE). But it was okay, he still gave us tons of attention. The only issue was, that we don’t speak French, and the girls did, and one spoke English fluently (but not Spanish) but the other was from spain and spoke only Spanish and French. Therefore we didn’t have a language that we all share, so there was a lot of translating going on. But it was fun nonetheless. He invited us to go play pool with them, but we were tired and figured if we wanted to go back to notre dame before our flight the next day, we better get some sleep. He told us to come back before our flight for a coffee and we said we’d try. And when we stopped in the next day, suitcases and all, he freaked out again and said “mis novias!!!” (my girlfriends) which was really funny and flattering as bar was totally full of people. He offered us coffee, but we were in a hurry, so we just stopped in to say goodbye. He told us (in Spanish still) to add him on facebook, and then announced that the girl in front of him at the bar, (who I’m pretty sure only spoke French and maybe English) was his friend on Facebook too. She seem very confused being pointed at and talked about to two random American girls. I just thought he was very funny, and think he should quit bartending and go into acting.

Anyway, that’s pretty much the highlights of my trip to Paris. The flight back was a little weird - mostly the experience at the Orly airport. Our gate wasn’t announced until like 15 minutes before we were supposed to depart, and then when we went to our gate the plane wasn’t there. But apparently, you don’t board your plane from the gate; you take a bus out to the runway and then board it. I feel like that’s what they do in the movies – you know when someone is leaving for a long time….idk. Maybe im just babbling again.

Well I have a huge project for my international business class to finish so I should probably get on that. But expect a post soon about holy week here in Seville. It is quite a scene to see!

- Kirsten

Paris...Part 1

2009-04-08T02:45:00.000-07:00

Currently I'm at an internet cafe in Paris.....I'm leaving today, but I figured since i had to stop here to print out my boarding pass, I might as well make a quick post.

Paris is beautiful!!!! It's just like the movies, so romantic. We are staying at the cutest little hotel, and we are very close to Notre Dame. When Tracy, Meagan and I arrived here on Sunday, after checking in, we had lunch right accross the street from our hotel at this adorable little cafe "Le Metro". I guess its called that beacause there is a Metro stop right accross the street.

Sunday we were pretty exhuasted though. Our train ride from Madrid was about 14 hours, so we didn't do too much except really explore and get aquainted with the city. We tried to go to the Lourve since its free the first Sunday of every month, but it was 3 when we got there, and the line was sooooo long, that we didn't think we'd even get inside before they closed at 5. So instead we just walked around the city a bit, went into the few shops that stay open on sunday, and bought some crepes from a stand outside the eiffel tower.

Monday though, let me tell you, that was an intense day. We woke up early, grabbed breakfast from McDonalds (i know, how american, but it was on the way, fast, and cheap - and much better than mcdonalds breakfast in the states). Then we went to the Lourve where we of course saw the Mona Lisa (which is really small....i thought it would be a lot bigger...) and other works of art as well. Then we headed off to climb the Eiffel Tower.

I will write about that adventure, then our amazing dinner/walk monday night, and about yesterday (which inlcudes notre dame, visiting a perfume museum, and getting hit on by a cute, funny, french bartender who let meagan and i stay after hours and gave us 3 rounds of free drinks), when i get back to sevilla, but i really should go, because my time is about to expire on the computer, and i need to get back to the hotel to check out. So please, stayed POSTED. (get it...) I know, oh crepe, another pun....

- Kirsten

Comprehensive Update of March.....

2009-04-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

So soooo much has happened since I wrote in here last. March was a busy month…. Don’t worry, this post will be a full, comprehensive update.

Lets see, well first, Granada. I went to Granada a few weekends ago with the center, and I think I would have liked it more if I had more time to explore the actual city. It was very hot, and we did A LOT of walking –walking slash/climbing mind you since Granada is in the mountains. I liked Alhambra, and this is going to sound silly, but I like alcazar more. I think Alhambra was just too big. I think alcazar is more tranquil. Also, I kinda re-fell in love with alcazar on this past Sunday when I went with my family. Plus, I do live in Sevilla (contrary to the fact that my link on the Ripon website says I’m studying in Alicante…). So maybe I’m a little biased.

After our guided Alhambra tour, we had some free time before dinner, so I went with Meaghan to the Arab markets. (look up name on Granada sheet). I absolutely love Moroccan influenced things. (Plus, all the stuff is cheap but it looks like it costs a fortune). I bought a beautiful blue shirt with Arabic style designs to wear with leggings, and Meghan bought some jewelry boxes for her friends. A bunch of the shops sold dog beds that looked like they were fit for a king, and I know Barkley would have loved it….but I don’t think I could fit that in my suitcase….

Then we returned to the hotel for dinner. I wish we could have eaten on our own instead of at the hotel. I mean first of all, they STUFFED us there. They brought out lasagna, and we ate it all thinking it was the main course, and then they brought out chicken. And then dessert. I mean we may be American, but there is a limit to the amount of food we can eat in one sitting…Plus, I´m sure, since Granada was the last Moorish city to fall, there are a lot of really good Moroccan or Arabic restaurants. Oh well, ill just have to come back!

Anyway, so then, a few days after I came back from Granada, Steve came to visit me. The first night, I was still sick from Granada, so we stayed in and watched a movie, but the next day, after Steve had his first home-cooked Spanish meal (courtesy of Nieves) we went shopping and explored the town. Then at night we went to go see Gran Camino at the theater that plays movies in English (with Spanish subtitles). The movie itself was fantastic - def in my top 15…I highly recommend it – but as Steve said, it was nice to go to a movie theater without jacked up prices. Our tickets were 3 euros each (so a little over 4 u.s. dollars) and he bought beer and candy for less than 5 euros. (Maybe im just blonde, but do they offer beer at American movie theaters?)

Anyway, then afterwards we went to this Irish bar/pub/restaurant in Trianna for dinner. I had been craving a hamburger like there was no tomorrow, and so I had my first one since I left the us. I really liked the place – we had a really cute waiter from Buenos Aires who talked with us a bit and took our picture and they played American music – but not current American music like all the stores play. It was more stuff from like 8th grade – you know those select songs that just make you kinda relax and appreciate life. They played eagle eye cherry’s one hit wonder, and pre-promiscuous Nelly furtado’s I’m like a bird…things like that. I dunno, I was just very happy.

The next day I’m pretty sure was the day we went to the Arab bathes. We got lost on the way there – due to an incompetent, cruel-intentioned taxi driver, but after asking like 30 people how to get there and going in circles, two nice men walked us all the way there. I’ve had that happen to me quite a few times – people taking the time to go out of their way to walk you to what you are trying to find. Its nice. This aspect reminds me a bit of Wisconsin – how every body is always looking out for each other – but im pretty sure that’s the only comparable thing. (The cheese and beer here is WAY better…sorry guys).

Anyway, so the banos arabes were nice. The building was an old Arabic building, and they had a lounge and restaurant as well. Inside the baths, there was a tea room, where, when you wanted a break from one type of bath, or while waiting for a massage, you could sit and relax and grab a cup of tea. Me and steve tried most of the baths, but I think there were a few we didn’t try. We went in the the hot bath, the normal bath, the super super super hot bath, and the salt bath. When we were in the salt bath the lady came and told us our time was up. So then we changed out of our swimsuits and heading home to relax some more for a bit before heading to dinner.

Dinner that night was AMAZING. Steve took me to the Rio Grande – one of Sevilla’s most expensive restaurants. It’s right on the water and there was a rose on the table and the view was just gorgeous. Its def a place to take a girl if your trying to win her over. It just creates this happy mood – comparable only to my prom night, after the dance, when we all took the limo to the signature room at the John Hancock building and ate dessert overlooking the lit up city. But anyway, I babble…

The next day, the main highlight was the soccer game. I think that was Steve’s favorite part, maybe mine too. It was just such an experience. People get so worked up – its nothing like a basketball came or a basketball game in the US. There’s singing, and people are all wearing the color, and when Sevilla scores – the fans FREAK OUT. The man in front of me kept hugging his neighbor or anyone within his area each time Sevilla scored. (See picture). And when the ref made a bad call – the Sevillanas all broke into a swearing chant – all at the same time. Fue incredible…..However, I think my favorite part was when we were leaving, everybody was in a mad rush, so steve decided to follow suit and be like “the game is over, now we have to bolt out of here” even thought we really didn’t have to be anywhere. I dunno, I have an odd sense of humor.

Steve and I at el partido de futobl (soccer game)

The man in front of us who hugged everybody whenever Sevilla scored....

There is obviously more to the time he was here, but I have soo much stuff to update this blog about, I need to move on to the next thing. Um, hmm, well I guess the next major highlight was my trip to the Cruzcampo factory. Cruzcampo is a Spanish beer made by the same company as Heineken, Guinness, Fosters, and a bunch of others. The tour itself was pretty cool (especially in the refrigerated areas….) but I think everybody’s favorite part was the end. We all went to this bar in a building a few minutes away from the main factory area, and they basically gave us as much beer as we wanted. We could try any of the types they sold and they kept bringing out chips and peanuts for us to much on. I don’t usually really like beer; I mean, I drink it, and I would never turn down a good game of beer pong, but I never really particularly liked the taste. But through trying about 15 types in one sitting, I found a few pretty good ones. The Amstel was really good and so was the Shandy’s. But, I’m assuming the reason why I liked the Shandys’ so much is it was probably more lemonade than beer (would we call that a beer cooler then?) and it would probably take 3 of them to equal the alcohol content in a real beer. But it was good. The bartender let me take back a few extra bottles…

Kelly and Meagan with their free beers courtesy of Cruzcampo....

My family arrived in Sevilla while I was at the Cruzcampo factory. They were exhausted from traveling so they napped for a bit, and they my dad and brother met up with me at my apartment. Nieves was still in Barcelona with her sister so I couldn’t introduce them to each other. We sat at a table outside a restaurant across from the cathedral and had some sangria while we waited for the kitchen to open. (I sound like an alcoholic…first having 18 types of beer before noon, then splitting a jug of sangria with my father only a few hours later). But when we finished our sangria, we decided to have our tapas somewhere else.

On Sunday, Hugo met up with us so that my parents could meet him and also so he could show them Alcazar. I had already seen it, but I realized when we went inside that there was a lot of the place I didn’t see. I definitely didn’t see a labyrinth the first time. And though Hugo said its easy to get out of, I don’t think I really want to try. Getting lost in an old Moorish maze of shrubs is not on my to do list. But I think Kevin liked it. I think he would have even tried to figure it out if it weren’t for all of us refusing to try it.

My favorite thing we did was having lunch outside in the courtyard at Hotel Alfonso XII. Having a drink there was on my to-do list, but when we went there on Saturday and saw how beautiful the hotel was, we decided to come back the next day and have lunch outside. The hotel reminds me of the hotel in some novel where a girl, who was either famous or the daughter of somebody famous, lives there in the hotel, and she has all sorts of adventures…ahhh I can’t figure out what it is. But it reminds me of it because it’s a GORGEOUS place but also has this feeling of hominess to it. Inside, bordering the perimeter of the courtyard, there are elegant couches and arm chairs and guests (and non-guests) can sit there and order a drink or a cup of coffee and read the newspaper. Oustide in the courtyard, there is a fountain and tables set for lunch. It’s very pretty, and the food was of course, top of the line. The service however, wasn’t any better there than anywhere else in Spain….i guess that’s just the culture here. But at least its making me a more patient person. That guy at Cingular will be baffled at the change in my tolerance level when I return…

I have a million things to do before I leave for Madrid and then Paris tomorrow so I have to rap this up…..But I want to say that I also went to my first Flamenco show with my parents Monday night. I was supposed to go with Meghan at the cultural center the Thursday before they got here, but they stopped selling tickets earlier that day. But my family and I went to El Arenal a flamenco bar and restaurant kinda near the bullring. Apart from drinking my sangria way to fast, I really enjoyed the show. All the dancers perform with such force and emotion. Though, it makes me jealous to know that the Spaniards understand the songs completely and can follow the “story” that the singers are singing. I just want to be completely bilingual already!!!!!

Okay well, I mean, once again, obviously there was more to my parents visit, and im really glad they came out to see me, but I really need to finish packing and such. Im soooooooooooooo excited for Paris. I watched a travel dvd (in Spanish) about it and it just looks so beautiful. And both Elina and Steve, two people who know me, said Paris is a city I will fall in love with. I’m taking the train there out of Madrid on Saturday, after meeting up with my family Friday and spending Saturday afternoon with them. There’s only one thing I wish….i wish ash could go with me. I mean, im sure Blair takes Serena with her when she goes to stay at her dad’s house in Cannes. But I mean, im sure one day, well take that trip together, there’s plenty of time. After all, Carolyns grandmother (who’s here visiting) told me this morning she’s traveled lots of places with her best friend - instead of her husband. There is just nothing like a best friend…..and def nobody like mine.

Well, wish me a Bon Voyage!!!!!!

- Kirsten

Escribiendo en el sol afuera de el gimnasio...

2009-03-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

So sorry about the lack of blogging....but I´ve been very busy with school and such. I haven´t even really had time to email my mother (its okay everybody, I did now....)And if i had gone to Gibraltar this weekend as planned, I'd probably never get the chance to update this...

Anyway, Lindsey and Theresa arrived in Sevilla yesterday morning. They´re studying in Alicante. I met them at their hostel and then we all went out for lunch. It was cool, because I haven't eaten out of the house too much, and anytime i have, i've eaten on the main streets, at a restaurant, where there are generally a lot of other foreigners. But we had lunch at a very quaint cafe in the back streets of Santa Cruz that was operated by one woman and didn't accept credit card. I enjoyed defering from our my usual retlivly touristy experience of the city. It was very homey, when the woman wasn't cooking or bringing us our food, she a few tables over and watched the TV.

You could order the menu for 10 euros. The menu includes bread, soup, main course, dessert and drink. There were two options; either chicken or pallea. All of us ordered the chicken menu, except for Theresa. The woman took our orders, and then came back with bread and our drinks. (I had a lovely tinto de verano again...I have yet to have Sangria in Spain, I should probably get on that). A few minutes later, she brought our soup. It was a very relaxing meal; i can see why the menu is a popular option. You have time to talk, and enjoy your food - and she doesnt bring the next course until you are finished. (And though i really really my asian ceaser salad at Stir Crazy, I cannot say I have ever had a relaxing meal there....)

Lindsey and Thereasa and Kyle with thier bread.......

After lunch, we walked around a bit, and then we stopped by my apartment so they could drop off some stuff. Then they went to the arab baths, and i took a miniseiesta before class. I wish i could have gone too, but apparently, we have class now on random Fridays. (LAME)

However, i do really like my night time class. Maybe I am taking after Steve, because i absolutely HATE my morning class and cannot force myself to stay awake. Im so tired throughout the whole thing, that I’ve started taking coffee with me. Maybe i should follow Ashley's lead and start chewing caffeine gum. Though, I think with my gum addiction, that might turn out really really bad. Can you say superhyperfollowedbyintensecrash?

But anyway, my night time class is called "International Business and the European Union". I love it! Yesterday we learned about the history of the Euro (and all the preparatory steps that were taken before the switch) and then we watched a video on China and its recent real "second great leap forward". This class makes me consider changing my concentration from human resources to international business relations. But we will see. It's an intense class to begin with - AND ITS IN SPANISH.

Well, the gym is going to close soon, so i have to wrap this up. Lindsey and Theresa are out on a sightseeing trip, but they are staying with me tonight. Their plane back Alicante leaves tomorrow at one, so maybe we can all sunbathe on the room after breakfast....i want a tan....

Lets get crazy in Cadiz....

2009-02-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

I must say, I am very thankful that Sunday is a day of rest here in Spain. I returned from the carnivales at Cadiz at 5:30 in the morning. The Cadiz carnivales are like Halloween in the US, only much more intense. People come from all over the world to the small port city dressed in crazy costumes. The city is PACKED, think Times Square on new years....

Here's some pics from last night:

Tracy and I before leaving for the bus...

A trio of men/women chillin at burger king

Random Shot of me and some cow next to me..

(all of us..omg I LOVE Josh's costume...haha)

All in all it was a fun trip and I'm glad I went, but I don't think its something I would want to do again. It was super crowded and there was broken glass and trash everywhere. I literally waited in line for the restroom for an hour and a half. People were pushing and shoving, and at some point during the evening, a woman accidently smacked me in the knee cap with a wine bottle.

But it was definitly an expereince, and I don't think I will ever see men so shamelessy dressed up as women again.

I mean check this one out!

(I have no idea who he was but he was a good sport when I asked to get a picture with him!)

I'd write more but the internet cafe is closing...

hasta luego(xoxo)

Una Vida Saludable

2009-02-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

Una Vida Saludable
So now that I am more settled and adjusted to the way of life here, I have to say, going abroad has probably added years back to my life.

Life here is so much healthier. The way of eating here is healthier, people are more active, and really just the lifestyle in general is better. They say that stress takes years off your life, and Spaniards, they don´t do stress. If you´re late, your late. No big deal. Workaholics? No hay. Places aren´t open enough for there to be workaholics. At first, I was frustrated about the fact that the stores don´t open until 10 and then they close for 4 hours in the afternoon, and that NOTHING is open on Sunday. But it has forced me to de-stress, I am essentially forced to relax during that time, and I’ve found myself doing things I´ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the time. Like read about places i want to travel too, or paint my own nails, or write in my diary. Yesterday, I bought a copy of Elle (which was in Spanish of course) and laid out on the roof of our apartment building to read and get some color.

Thats another thing. Except for the first week or so, the sun is always shinning here. People are always outside, getting exercise, and soaking in that Vitamin D. Spaniards are very social and have tons of friends and so they are happy and content with their lives. As Aristotle said, ¨Man is by nature a social animal.¨ Its better for our health to be out with friends on a Sunday instead of slaving away trying to catch up on homework from the past week.

Portions are normal sized and as a result, people enjoy cakes, and pastries, ice cream without becoming overweight or obsessing about being thin. Food is cooked in olive oil, instead of butter, which is so much better for your heart. There is no fake sweetener here, which, since the age of technology has given me the ability to preach to anyone who reads this, IS HORRIBLE FOR YOU. Sure, it doesn’t have calories, but umm it its FULL OF CHEMICALS. Sucrose (splenda) was discovered when trying to create a new pesticide....Do you really want to drink it? It contains chlorine, and oh small traces of arsenic. You know, poison? No lie. Read skinny bitch, or go to splendainfo.com. Plus it slows down your metabolism, and is, like aspartame, linked to may chronic diseases. This is why the leading seller of natural foods with outlets in both North America and Europe refused to carry any sucrose or Splenda products of any kind. Dont believe what you hear - its not safe.

Anyway, so yeah, life here is so much better for you. In fact, the main things that stress me out are things that relate to home or my American perspective -people not walking fast enough in the streets, not being able to call people back home, getting 55 emails about the Ripon library being out of ink, (what else is new?), and things of that nature.

I wanted to write about my adventure with Nieves yesterday, but I really need to study for my test tomorrow. I´m only in Spain for a few months - I have to return to that super stressful, high paced, competitive American life at some point. I want to still have top grades.....

until next time, put down that diet coke.....

Dia de San Valentin....

2009-02-15T12:44:00.001-08:00

I wrote this last night but couldn't get internet so uploading it today.....

So I had a pretty good valentines day….

I woke up, went to the gym, and then came back and showered and such. Apparently Christina slept over in Carolyn’s room and so she had lunch with us. Lunch was the same meal we had the first day we got here (the rice in that really good sauce with the fried bananas) but with two small additions; eggs and hot dogs. I don’t particularly like the way they cook (or should I say don’t cook) eggs here, but the aside from that the meal was just as amazing as our first day.

Afterwards, I met up with my intercambio. He was soooooo nice, I really lucked out. We met up at city hall (el ayuntamiento…vocab word…) and he had a plan all set up as to what sights to show me. It was really cool. First he took me to el Puente Isabella and pointed out all the surrounding sights. Then we walked a while further to go to the Plaza espana. It is absolutely gorgeous. Before the entrance to the plaza, there is a large park where people can walk their dogs or jog or simply go for a stroll. Then, inside the plaza, there is a beautiful water fountain in the center. All around the plaza there are little seating areas – one for each province of Spain. The entire plaza is huge and apparently, according to my intercambio, it’s the largerst building in the world that is made completely out of brick.

Then afterwards we decided to go grab some coffee. We stopped at a café near my apartment and after we sat down, I realized that two of the girls from cc-cs were sitting at a table right by us. We joined them and the four of us all just talked for a long time. Then the cathedral bell decided to randomly go crazy….so we took it as a sign that maybe we should start heading back to our houses to get ready to go out tonight.

Tracy and Laura – the girls from CC-CS walked back with me to my apartment, and I showed them my room and clothes and we did girly stuff like that. Then they left to go get ready to meet up again later to go out for Tapas. Meanwhile, Ashley called me and I talked with her for a bit and while I was on the phone with her, Steve sent me a message saying Happy Valentines Day Love, I’ll call you in a bit.

And omg…it totally made my valentines day. He called me while I was on the bridge waiting for the other girls and it was just so romantic to be talking to him while looking at the beautiful light up city. Couples were everywhere holding hands, making out, looking out at the river together. Women everywhere were holding flowers that their boyfriends or husbands had bought them and, not to be cliché, but love was definitely in the air here in Sevilla. And even thought he was even further away than usual, I still felt like he was right there with me.

Anyway, so enough loveydovey nonsense….So I met up with Laura and Tracy and some other girls and then we took two taxis to some tapas restaurant in (neighborhood). But the place was PACKED and we couldn’t even put our names on the waiting list because there were so many people already on it. So we walked around a bit finally decided to eat at this random hip looking restaurant. I was very happy because they had tinto de verano and it was officially my first glass in Spain. Fue Buenisma!

By the time the food arrived I was already exhausted. It was already midnight and I decided not to go out to the bars with the rest of them and I took a taxi back home. The taxi driver was very friendly and spoke with me in Spanish the whole way back – asking about my hometown, the weather there, what I like to do, what my major is, do I like Spain…..the whole nine yards. He was patient with my broken Spanish and said I speak better than I think. I hope so.

He dropped me off at the Plaza Nueva and so I had to walk a little bit. But that was fine because there were still couples everywhere out enjoying the evening and it was just a happy atmosphere to be in. I stopped by a chocolate store for some ice cream and inside there was a huge line of men waiting to buy chocolate hearts and candies for their sweethearts.

But luckily, my sweetheart knows that I would shoot him if he bought me chocolate. However, apparently, something that is not chocolate is in the mail for me…..

Sigh, well I really should get some sleep. I have a ridiculous amount of homework to do tomorrow…..

Hasta manana…..

So I thought i would escape that stupid Pink song here, but uh no.....

2009-02-12T12:32:00.001-08:00

Europeans apparently LOVE american music. Its really funny, because most people here don´t know what they are saying, but they still sing along. Its also kinda funny cuz in the stores and gyms, they don´t edit the songs, because they don´t know the lyrics are dirrty, and there´s nothing quite like hearing about Ja Rules sexual fantasies while shopping for make up brushes.....

Another cultural note: Apparently it´s extremely rude to strech in front of others in Spain. Nieves was talking to Aushley about it last night. I don´t really understand it but I guess Ill make a mental note of it.

Anyway, tomorrow Nieves is taking Carolyn and I and possibly Kate to go Flamenco dress shopping. She´s gonna take us to the second hand shops so we can buy a dress really cheap. Apparently we need one for our final class of flamenco and also for the feria in April.

K well night. The Spainards might not sleep, but i do.

Let me introduce myself....part 1

2009-02-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

So since i wrote my last entry about socks, i kinda decided i would spice this one up a bit. I realize this is only a travel blog so a lot of entries will be boring, and i shouldnt care so much about represnting who i really am, but i do, so lets see, what is the real Kirsten like?

um well lets see, im completely random, i love frozen yogurt, hate incomptence, and my friends mean the world to me. They go on tons of crazy random adventures with me, add spice to my very quoteable life, and are always there for me when life just gets too tough.

My best friends in the whole world are Ashley, Jenni, Steve, Sam, and Abdel.

But I love all my friends, and really, I only have good ones. I have always been one to prefer a smaller number of true, loyal, selfless, genuine friends that i know i can count on than a large number of friends that are fun to hang out with but are fake, and don´t really have my back.

5 things you might do if you lifed a day in my life:
Wake up to Abdel yelling at you in a sweedish accent.

Get stuck in a revolving door.

Accidently order an omelet with tons of blueberries instead of oatmeal.

Get mugged by 13 yearold girls at the Spice Girls Reunion concert.

Forget basic English. For example, you might forget the word you are looking for is hot, and order a sandwhich by saying ¨the opposite of cold....whats that word....?

25 Things that make me very happy

Mine and Steve´s combined sense of humor (do you mean yes...?)

Egg white omelets.

City life.

New episodes of gossip girl (ugg i can´t get it here...i need a itunes card....donde lo compro)

Escada perfume.

The fact that i know my dad is proud of me and loves me for who i am.

Dancing to obnoxious hannah montannah songs.

The randomness of my life.

My adventures with Ashley and Jenni.

COMPETENT PEOPLE.

Funny tv shows - family guy, icarly, boy meets world, drake and josh, Scrubs...

The friendship cds ashely makes me.

Sleeping in sheets recently washed in Victoria Secret Laundry detergent.

When resteruants have veggie burgers.

When somebody randomly does something really thoughtful for me.

3 Things that would make Me Very Happy

A Loves Yogurt in Ripon

A mac book air laptop (ya know the mac super light ones?)

Chuck Bass.......here. Now.

Las calcentines.....

2009-02-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

This morning we had an exam in my spanish grammar class. I thought it was pretty easy, but maybe that's because I studied alot. Yesterday, one of the boys in the class (there are only two) organized a study session for all of us at the main internet cafe in town.

Then, after our exam, the whole class took a walk to the mercardo in Trianna. It was a beautiful day to do so.....omg everything is so pretty here. We had to walk along the bridge, and the view over there is gorgeous. The market, if i understood right, opens really early in the morning so all the women can go shopping and get food and things for the day. They have fruit, meat, fish, clothes, etc. It was pretty uneventful, except for Christina saying hola to to all the stray animals and pinapples she passed. haha....

Oh, and I bought some of grey socks, as i was in great need of a pair.

Fasinating no?

Tonight, the Sevilla soccer team is playing England and Nieves is throwing a celebration. They play at ten. Ay Ay Ay I have much to do before then.....homework mostly.

Lunes 9 Feb

2009-02-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

So this post, and all posts forward, will actually read the correct date in the archive.

Today has kinda been a slow day, nothing too exciting. I had my spanish expression and grammar class today as usual, and as usual, it was interesting. We reviewed the subjuntive, watched the news (apparently Penelope Cruz won an Oscar) and did some activities with a map of the city. Then I went on the computer for a bit before heading back to the house for lunch.

Yesterday, Nieves had her brother and his wife over for Sunday lunch. She prepared a huge meal - with chicken, ham, Spanish tortillas (a tortilla is kinda like an omelet), bread, garbanzo bean soup, avacado salad, sweet patatos, and I can't even remember what else. So for lunch we had the left overs, and it was delicious. I don't really like ham, especially the way they cook it here, but the left over chicken and soup made an awesome lunch.

After lunch I showered and attempted to organize my room. Then I went to flamenco dancing class, and exhausted from that, I stopped at a cafe afterwards for some coffee. I sat for a while and did some homework and then went home to change so i could go work out. And now im just chillin, about to go home for some soup and bed.

Tomorrow, Veronica and I are going to go to the soccer stadium to buy tickets for a soccer (futbol) game. We wanna look at the schedule to and buy tickets for a game during the time her boyfriend is here. This adventure involves taking a bus so I'll let you know how that goes

Viernes 6 Feb

2009-02-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Today nieves did laundry. Currently they are drying on the roof. Very European no?
I just finished up lunch and im going to the gym. Later, Kate and I are going to a nail salon that Nieves showed me. The manicures are sooooo cheap because it’s a beauty school and the people arent’ professional yet. For a mani, its 3 euro, which is like 5 american dollars. Its hard to find a manicure for less than 13 dollars in Wisconsin or Glenview and here its less than half the price! Estoy emocionada.

Jueves 5 Feb

2009-02-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

Nieves returned tonight. When I had talked to her on the phone earlier, she said very excitedly “I have a surprise for you and Carolyn”. We found out after dinner that the surprise was…drum roll….dunkin donuts. Apparently they have a location in Granada. It was cute, she’s always thinking of us. Well, that’s really all for today. Just wanted to make a quick entry.

Miercoles 4 Feb

2009-02-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

Today is Wednesday and I’m just about to go to bed. Senora Nieves left this morning at 6 am to help her sister in Granada and she’ll be back late tomorrow night. Though I had all three of my classes today, it was a relatively relaxing day. I woke up, showered, (happy to now have a working hairdryer that I bought at the Corte Ingles last night along with this amazing perfume for only 4 euros) and had some cereal and coffee before heading off to class.

I love my Spanish grammar and expression class. The professor is very cool – h’es funny patient and doesn’t give a ton of homework. Plus, the class is exactly what I’ve needed all along – a complete review of everything; nouns, vocabulary, verbs in the present, verbs in the preterite, verbs in the preterite pluscampefecto, verbs in the imperfect, irregular verbs, the subjunctive mode – you name it, he’s reviewing it. The class is 4 hours long but it never feels that way because 1) we have a half hour break at 11 to go get coffee or whatever and 2) the activities he prepares are actually interesting. They are not annoying book exercises like the activities we are all used to. For example, yesterday, he put on the previous nights news and told us to try and grasp what the main headlines were about. Then, afterwards, we discussed the history and significance of each one – in Spanish.

At first I was quite confused because the news kept talking about a zapetero that was calling all these national meetings and I didn’t understand why a random shoemaker would have the authority to such a thing. So of course I asked, and well, apparently Zapatero is the name of the prime minister. I think the professor found it funny though. I like when people view my blonde moments as endearing and not totally moronic. This is who I am. I’m Kirsten, and Kirsten’s very blonde. Besides here, you’re practically treated like royalty for being blonde. It’s exotic, as Antonio said.

Anyway, so I had the first day of my once a week Spanish culture class right after so I couldn’t grab lunch until later than usual. Nieves prepared food for us to have for lunch today last night but I decided I’d try an inexpensive cafe since I hadn’t ate a meal out yet. I ate at a cafeteria relatively close to the center because a) it started raining cats and dogs the moment I stepped outside and b) I had flamenco class back at the center later anyway. I ate at a table inside that faced the Avenida Constitución and even though it was raining it felt very European to be enjoying a bocadillo and coffee in a cafe watching the people outside walk up and down the street.
Afterwards, it stopped raining so I walked to an ice cream shop a few blocks down and ordered some apple tart gelato. Then I did some homework on the computers at the center and emailed my mom and dad.

The rest of the night was very chill. After flamenco, it started to rain again so I waited inside the Starbucks on the corner and did some more homework until it let up. (I know, Starbucks, how un-American of me). When I got home, I talked for a bit with Aushley, the girl from Turkey, who also lives with Nieves, Carolyn, and I. Then I got into my pajamas and started writing. I guess tomorrow Aushley is making us dinner since Nieves wont be back to late and its gonna be a Turkish meal. I’m intrigued.

Well…hasta mañana.

La Semana Primera

2009-02-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my online account of my adventures abroad. Before reading on, please note that these first few posts were written before I had a chance to upload them, so the date they were posted, is not the date they were written.

Today is Wednesday and tomorrow I will have in Spain a week . Let me just give a general recap of the events that have occurred so far and then I will begin making daily entries. (Or at least try to).

Day 1
I left the United States last Wednesday at nine PM, USA Eastern Time and landed in Madrid Thursday morning. I got absolutely no sleep on the plane and I still needed to take a train from Madrid to Sevilla. At the airport, I began my Spanish language immersion, attempting to get directions from the airport to the AVE station. I was told that the metro – an underground train from the airport to various places in the city would take me right there.

However, taking the metro was definitely the worst decision of my trip so far. It wasn’t a direct connection; to get to the AVE station you need to change trains four different times, all the while lugging two huge suitcases and an assortment of bags. This was made especially difficult since a) I wasn’t entirely sure if I was on the right train each time ( I wasn’t twice) b) my brain was still in English mode and everybody spoke Spanish and c) each time I changed trains I had to lug my suitcases up an escalator or a flight of stairs because I couldn’t find the elevators at any of the stops but the last. This caused everyone around me to resent me, and between being hated, my lethargy, and my struggle to communicate, and my utter confusion as to I was so overwhelmed I wanted to cry.

Finally, I got to the ave station, and a man named Fernando saw me struggling with my suitcases and helped me to the ticket counter. He even waited with me to show me where to go after. I cannot even put into words how grateful I was for this.

Once I got through AVE security he said goodbye. Then I stopped quickly at the café in the station to grab something to eat on the train. After quickly scanning and then translating/evaluating my options I grabbed a cheese and turkey sandwich and a dark chocolate bar. Both were AMAZING and I learned later that the delicious cheese on the turkey sandwich was queso espanol. My senora loves it too. (and please note that though I may go to school in Wisconsin, I am definitely not normally a fan of cheese, so saying I loved it means something).

The ride to Sevilla was two hours long. I arrived in Sevilla, took a taxi to the orientation hotel, met my roommate, went to the orientation meeting and then bed. Not really super exciting. I was just kinda glad the traveling part was over. Though, I couldn't believe how much Spanish I had already spoken. It was an immediate immersion.

Day 2
Carolyn, my roommate, and I left the orientation hotel after breakfast in separate cabs (since all our luggage wouldn’t fit in one) and went to our Senora’s apartment. She greeted us warmly and then showed us to our rooms - I was happy to learn we each had our own. Then she went over some general house guidelines and she seemed (as is since I am typing this almost a week later) very relaxed and sweet. She tried very hard to make us feel right at home. Then, while we unpacked, she made lunch.

Lunch was delicious. It was a ball of rice in this really good tomato sauce with fried bananas (or possibly plantains). And then of course, there was fruit and bread and Spanish cheese to choose from as well.

That night, after Cena, Carolyn and I went out to a bar. Inside there were many Europeans (mostly Spaniards but French, Portuguese, and other visitors too) just talking by the bar or dancing on the dance floor. (I envy the European’s natural ability to dance; its something I don’t personally posses.) At first Carolyn and I just stayed to ourselves, but I really wanted to interact with the Spaniards and use my Spanish in a social setting. Therefore, after a while the very bold, brazen, extroverted American in me came out and I tapped an attractive Spanish man named Antonio on the shoulder. I told him my name was Kirsten and engaged him in a conversation. I think he found us as fascinating as we found him. We talked for a while – he seemed very outgoing and not really bothered by my forwardness – and then we ran into him later with his friend Miguel on the street. He asked if we wanted to go back to elephunk (the bar we were at before) and he and Miguel bought us drinks. Around 3:30 in the morning they walked us back to our apartment, saying goodbye to us at the - door (with a kiss on each cheek as is Spanish custom) promising to take us on a tour of Sevilla the next day. It felt very surreal – the whole making friends in Spanish, flirting in Spanish, being hit on in Spanish – being said goodnight to by Spanish men, at my apartment in Spain…I was officially off English mode and in Spanish mode. It was all coming so naturally.

The next night was very similar – excepted it started with Senora Nieves knocking at my door saying there was a Spanish boy on the intercom asking for me. And of course that almost never happens at home.

Anyway so yeah, Saturday night very similar. Sunday I slept pretty much the whole day and Monday I started classes. For the first 3 weeks I only have two classes – a Spanish grammar class in the morning from 9 till 1 Monday thru Friday and a cultural class from 1-2 on Wednesday. Oh and I’m taking flamenco dancing ant night some days. (Again, can’t dance so this should be interesting). So really that’s pretty much the catch-up. I’ve gotten pretty much settled now – my room is all set up, I have my gym membership, I’ve gotten lost enough times to know essentially where I’m going now.

I’ve also adapted to their way of eating and I have to say, it makes a whole lot more sense than the American way of eating. Breakfast is very light –fruit or yogurt or toast and coffee. (oh and OMG they have the best coffee here anybody who knows me knows I always have to put a ton of Splenda or sugar in my coffee back home to be able to drink it but here I don’t need ANY. None. Nada. It just naturally tastes good). Anyway, so then after breakfast you go to class (or work) and you don’t eat lunch until about 2. But lunch is the main meal of the day, Stores close so people can go home for lunch (and take a siesta afterwards if necessary). All of my meals have been homemade because my senora likes to cook. It feels nice to be all mommyied. We all hand-wash our own dishes and if one of us isn’t around when lunch or dinner is severed, Senora Nieves leaves it out and we can have it when we want. But its nice to always have food prepared for me when I come home that I can choose to eat or not to eat and not have to wait for others.
Dinner is around 9:30 to 10 and is a light meal. Nieves usually makes soup, which is always amazing and light and filling. So, so far, in general, I’m loving Spain.