1/10/2013-1/13/2013
Bilbao, Spain
I feel like I have been here for a month! Every day gets
split into two every time I take a siesta, and in addition to that the days are
so long! I love it though. But it does seem like a dream sometimes… like I’m
living in a dream world. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I
don’t understand the majority of the things happening around me. So, as if in a
dream, everything is abstract. I have even had to bring myself back a few times
and remind myself that this is actually happening, that I’m actually living in
Spain. Even worse, Euros don’t feel like real money. My mom described it as
monopoly money, and that is exactly how it feels. Hopefully, I’ll snap out of
it soon. Anyways, I’m finding my way around the city quite well. I’ve gotten
lost a few times, but overall it has been fine. I feel like I’ve already seen
so much of the city, but then I look at the map and I know I still have so much
more to explore. It is so exciting! I’ve visited the old city (Casco Viejo),
the Guggenheim, our university, the center of Bilbao, a coastal city, etc!
Everything has been amazing! The nightlife of Bilbao is pretty great too… but I
have only had one weekend here. However, from this one weekend, I know I’m
going to be forced to learn to Salsa, which I am not opposed to in the
slightest! I’m slowly learning some Spanish, but I’m sure once classes start
(on Monday), it will accelerate. I really like all of the people in our ISA
group too! Everyone has such different stories and personalities! We’ve
realized that our dialects differ as well and we’re all getting a lot of
amusement out of that. There are four or five people who say y’all and they’ve
taught me the difference between “y’all” (which is when you are referring to
one person) and “all y’all” (when you are referring to more than one). Some
people call soda, a “soda”, some call it “pop”, and some say “coke”… as in “I’d
like a coke and I want it to be a Sprite”. I don’t like referring to all sodas
as “coke”… but I think “pop” is growing on me. I’ve been teaching them how to
use “wicked” in a sentence… but I do have to tell them the difference between
using “wicked” in place of “really” like we do the east coast, and how they use
“wicked” as an adjective on the west coast. They’re picking it up wicked good
though ;)! Also, nobody here knew what a bubbler was. They call it a drinking
fountain or a water fountain. However, as I tried to defend the bubbler, it sounded
more and more stupid, so I have decided to switch to calling it a drinking
fountain too! Another thing that I’m getting used to is being aware of my
belongings. Theft is more common here, but I’ve been using my cross-body purse
and keeping my hand on it as I walk around. One of the guys in the group got
pick-pocketed already though! His knife was stolen right out of his pocket! I’m
kind-of impressed. Those pick-pockets really know what they’re doing. I’ve
tried so many different foods since I’ve been here too. From fish (specifically
gilt-head bream) to hamburgers… and of course everything in between that I
can’t even begin to describe! But I’ve loved everything so far! Rosa Maria can
really cook – she gives my Papa a run for his money… just kidding Papa!!! The
only food I wasn’t a fan of was duck… but it was served like the consistency of
a soft cheese and was meant to be spread on a cracker. It still wasn’t awful
though! All these new foods have been served for lunch, which is the largest
meal of the day. However, for dinner, Rosa Maria leaves pre-made salads in the
fridge for us with leftover lunch.
This is because she has been out every night we have been here (except
for the first night)… what a party animal! I love Rosa Maria though. She is
just the typical grandmother type! And she understands that we enjoy going out
at night and may not come home until the morning. She is probably the most
perfect fit for me as a host mother. This whole week has been crazy! And there
is so much more to come!
