Sunday, May 24th: When I went to church that morning with my family, our friends
asked us what we were up to this afternoon, and I got a kick out of telling them that I was
going to Spain...no really! Mom and Dad drove me to the Bham airport around 2pm, lugging
a 46lb suitcase and a bulky carry-on to match. Also I had my backpack with extra clothes
and necessities pack away incase my suitcase decided that it didn't want to see Spain.
The plane ride to Philadelphia was great, and I had about 20 minutes to find my way
to the next flight for Lisbon, Portugal. After much scurrying I made it in time, saying final
words to my brother Jason before jumping the pond for Europe. While we were waiting for
the plane to board there was nobody who arrived in the 2 seats beside me...until the last
minute. An 18 yr. old navy brat sat at the window and told me all about where to hit up
the night life in Seville. I nodded and let him share his expertise, not knowing if I would
come in handy or not.
Note: I tried just about every position possible to sleep in a plane seat during my 15
hours of travel, and I have to tell you it's a difficult feat...that I did not personally accomplish.
Monday, May 25th: The airports in Portugal lack a certain organization that is under
appreciated in the states. I met up with Jillayne, another girl from the trip; we were both
wearing "Study in Spain" turquoise t-shirts that screamed "WE'RE NEW HERE - HELP!"
Immediately, I put my Spanish knowledge to use in the airport. A bit to my dismay, the
more popular language there was portuguese, duh! No matter, we explored the chic and
european airport before boarding at 10am for Seville. We were fed a foreign combination
of red sausage and swiss cheese on a baby bun alongside chocolate nougats for our one
hour plane ride - great service!
Upon arriving in the tiny Seville airport, Jillayne and I met Laura, another friend on the
trip; who knew we would all get so close! The three of us squeezed our luggage and tired
bodies in a cab that is not used to that capacity. We gave the driver two addresses and
before we knew it, we were in the heart of Seville, heading to our new "home" for 6 weeks.
Let me just clarify that I did not have expectations coming into this trip, partially
because I literally didn't know what to expect, and partially because I didn't want to imagine
Seville as something other than it was. At first, I was shocked at all the buildings and traffic
of this very metropolitan city. Seville is the capital of the Andalusian southern region of
Spain, so naturally it attracts lost of people. I just thought it would be a bit more quaint
with more trees and such. I had a lot to learn about this city.
The cab driver charged us 25 euros and we tipped him a few euros because that is
what we're used to doing. For future reference to world travelers, tipping here is a new
concept, so basically we just made that cabbie's day!
I split off from Jillayne and Laura because they are roommates who live on an opposite
corner from us. With bulky bags in hand I pushed the ringer to my place (a flat or piso
above a clothing store). My enthusiasm spilled over the intercom to my Señora Amparo Mayo,
"HOLA, Amparo? Soy Margarita, un estudiante de Trinity, y su hija nueva!" [Hi Amparo? I'm
Margarita, a student with Trinity and your new daughter!] Her response was equally excited!
It took me two tries to get the door. Climbing one flight of stairs I arrived. There to
greet me was my spanish family Amparo (75 years) and her joyful husband José (older than her).
They made me feel right at home. The flat was tiny and they're really particular about using
water and energy here; I'm establishing green habits quickly. It hit me that I was in Spain
and that all I would hear for the next 6 weeks was a language that I had only begun to
understand. Yes I've been studying Spanish for 7 years in school, but it takes on a whole new
life when you're surrounded by natives and different accents in every cafe.
Something I did notice about their lifestyle immediately was that they did not have an
agenda. Those who know me know that I always have a plan and a list of things to accomplish
for the day. My Spanish family was so relaxed and genuinely enjoyed my company and that
of their friends who I met later. It was refreshing!
At 6 they spanish culture has something they call a merienda or a snack to tie them over
from the 2pm lunch to the 9pm dinner. I went with the Mayos to a small cafe called "Don
Diego," their favorite coffee joint. Here we sat outside and their friends came by and sat with
us by and by to where our group was full of grandparents, babies and me. I was busy taking
it all in, trying to talk a bit so I didn't look like a mute American. One of the women asked
me about immigration and I was immediately grateful for the Spanish debating class where this
was a popular topic. There was a baby there, Francisco "Fri", who was learning how to walk
and everyone was googling at him. I was guilty too. I also met a 3 yr old girl who knew
her numbers and colors in English - they start them early here.
After about an hour and a half of socializing, we walked back for dinner and more
unpacking. My roommate had not arrived and would not until the second day of school.
Her name is Hannah Weber and she was on an architecture trip in Italy and Greece the weeks
before Spain. More to come on that.
My first night in Spain...so hard to believe it was finally here!
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