Hola!

Hello, everyone!  Haha I say everyone, but I really don't know if more than like a handful of you read this.   But that's ok; to the handful, I say, "Thanks for your interest!"

Wow.  That's all I can really say to describe my life here in Spain.  Lots has happened in the past few weeks.  But now I have gotten into a bit of a routine, which I have found out is better for me.  Who knew?

On Mondays and Wednesdays I have one class in the late morning, and I take a metro there (the metro is about a 6 minute brisk walk (which is typically the kind of walk I have to do) away.  I stay there, at my school, for about four hours, and I use that time to eat my bocadillo that my host mom packs for me (a delicious sandwhich with ham or salami and cheese on a large, fresh loaf. This is one of my favorite things to eat in Spain.  Delish.  Anyways...so I eat lunch (on Wed's with my new friend Brynn and other guys I met during the two week intensive course I attended when I first got to Spain.)  And then I have time to do homework and such...then I take the metro again to a family that lives in Montequinto, a small, nothing much to do but nice town.  There lives a very jolly family, and I teach English to one of their two boys, Salvi.  Salvi is an energetic eight year old with the funniest sense of humor!  He has me rolling a lot of the time.  At the end of our hour-long English sessions during which he tries very hard, we usually play rock paper scissors and Simon Says.  I always leave from there, smiling, because every time is a good experience. Not to mention I leave with a new, crisp bill each time :)  I didn't think I'd be working here, but I am glad for the experience and for the money. 

Tuesdays and Thurdays I have my favorite classes--three of them back to back and ending in time to take the metro back for lunch at the piso with Guille and the girls.  And for the rest of the day I have free.  These past few weeks I have been devoting some time to converse in English with Angel, a guy who had emailed the school, asking for someone to help prepare him for this job interview that was to be conducted in English.  He really wants this job, and he just had the interview this past week and said that it went very well and that I would be proud.  Thank the Lord!

Speaking of the Lord, I can't tell you how good He is.  To be honest, I have not been mentioning Him so much in these blogs, for fear that someone might be offended or that they feel preached to.  It's been like pulling teeth for me, to not share about His goodness and what He's been teaching me and how He's blessed me.  Because honestly, that is why I am in Spain.  For Him.  To do work in me and teach me and strengthen me.  But most of all, I want to be used.  To bring light and love and truth to others all around me.  And if I refrain from talking about Him, I deprive you of who I genuinely am and my full experience here.  So if you don't like that, well, ok.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I want to share about my trip to Madrid.  Sara my roommate, Kristen, (my actual friend now who also goes to App and was just an acquaintance there), Anna her roommate, and I all went this past weekend.  Kristen took the train, because she has a nice pass (!) and the rest of us took the six hour, cheaper bus ride, which wasn't bad at all.  A scenic route with a beautiful sunset--who could argue with that?  We got there and stayed in Los Amigos hostel, located right in the center of Madrid.  Props to Sara, who got us this hostel!  It was our first time experiencing a hostel, and it was awesome.  Bright colors on the walls, nice people from everywhere, and a good price.  The idea of hostels I like very, very much.  We slept in a room of ten, and we spent our first few hours of the night talking to these three Swiss guys in Spanish.  We got to know a Brazilian really funny dude, three Australians (one of whom has my same birthday!), and a very nice U.S. girl, Kate.  It's really cool, because everyone just eats breakfast together like we're a family.  I give this hostel an A+!

The next day we went to Prado, a museum jam-packed with famous paintings and sculptures from all kinds of art movements.  That was definitely a highlight.  It's so funny to think that I would dread going to places like these with the rents when I was younger, that I would look at art for a second and then be onto the next one.  Oh how my taste has changed! 

Later that afternoon we went to the Parque Retiro, with a lake that you can boat ride on and steps or grass to sit on.  The weather and timing was perfect, as the sun was going down.  I had the sheer pleasure of seeing and listening to a boisterously fun combo of saxophone, stand-up bass and other instruments played at the side of the lake.  I had a ball dancing.  It's funny how so many street musicians play well-known American songs!

Speaking of music, we went to a free jazz bar that night!  It was such a fun atmosphere!  And they were seriously talented musicians, one from California, actually! At one point mid song, he got off the platform, grabbed a chair and went back on, took off his shoe and sock and played his trombone with his bare foot! Played just as well!  Samuel, I immediately thought of you haha. 

The next day we met up with Lucas, a friend of my intercambio at school (intercambios are Spaniards from school we get paired up with; they want to learn English).  Well, I still had not yet met my intercambio, but we toured all day around Madrid with this guy.  It was a looong day, but we got to see parts of Madrid that we wouldn't have otherwise seen.  Lucas was very enthusiastic and willing to help. After departing from him, we went to the Ren Sofia museum, which is of modern art.  Not my cup of tea, but it was fun coming up with silly names for the pieces of art with Kristen and Sara haha.  That night we ate a fried calamari bocadillo and later went out for dessert at this crowded, popular treats place with Kate from the hostel.  Delish, delish.

And finally, we took the goofy fun Brazilian with us to this morning/afternoon, crowded flea market our last day.  I keep saying crowded, and that definitely describes Madrid in general!  But it was a good opportunity, to see the very capital of Spain!  Why not!  How could we not?! It was definitely a good experience, and at the same time, it made me appreciate living in Sevilla even more, if that could be possible.  I do think I landed in the perfect spot, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Before I make you fall asleep (this is soo long!), I just want to say this weekend has been sooo good!  Out to dinner for tapas with Brynn, Sara, and Kristen to celebrate Brynn's bday! And then frozen yogurt!  These girls are going to be my good friends here (and everywhere, I hope); they already are, I can tell. SO grateful for them. We had a great time and got to know each other very well (we talked for hours!).

Starting yesterday, the rest of this weekend has been Spanish and Spaniard filled!!  I've been needing it!!  Finally met up with my intercambio, Laura, and we went strolling around the center--beautiful day. Last night went on an adventure with my new friend, Max, to a small family of impoverished gypsies.  Don't worry, Mom and Dad. We were totally fine.  Then met up with a girl, Ana, and her friends later (Ana is coming to App State in the fall!! Best decision ever!!) We all really connected, laughed a lot, and we switched off talking in English and Spanish.  I hope to hang out with them all again soon. FINALLY, at 11 pm, to a bar with Sara and her intercambio and his friends. Lots of Spanish-speaking, and I hope this continues!!

Well, that's all, folks!  Keep in mind, I want to hear about your lives!!  Not just share about mine! 

God bless you,
Allison :)      

Almost a month!

It is crazy to think that it's been that long.  I'm sitting in a pink comfy chair in a sleek yet comfy Italian ice cream shop.  Still in Sevilla, though haha. Across from me is one of my lovely roommates, Sara.  We came here to do homework, but I just can't get myself to do it right now.  And it had been a while since I've posted, so...why not? 

Lots of things have happened in the past couple of weeks!  All good things.  I am still healthy, happy, and really enjoying life in Sevilla.  This past weekend was full of fun; on Thursday night (we have no school on Fridays!!! Can you believe it?!) I went to a discoteca.  This is the same thing as a club, and boy, was it fun.  I think it's safe to say that  that was my first clubbing experience. In Spain!  They played such great music to dance to, and Sara and I stayed until three in the morning!  But that's early for Spaniards; Some stay out til seven!  Then on Saturday, I went to the Cathedral with some friends. There are no words to describe it. But it took 120 years to build it, and it is the third largest cathedral in the world.  I've gone to Sunday mass two times there so far, which is a different but fascinating experience for me.  By the way, who knew that Christopher Columbus's tomb would be inside there? Crazy!  And from the top of the cathedral you can see all of Sevilla.  Luckily we went on a beautiful day.

That night we went to a flamenco show.  And THAT, in addition to the Cathedral, was one of my absolute favorite experiences here so far.  We couldn't quite find it at first, but then a nice Spanish couple brought us to a hidden hole-in-the-wall that opens up into a happening, jam-packed but homey place.  It felt like we were in a basement.  And it was free!  Jesus, my painter friend, had told me about it, and he was actually there!  Flamenco is a beautiful art.  We got to see three sets of tightly rhythmic clapping, fierce, heel-stomping dancing, heartfelt, chant-like singing, and incredibly fast but beautiful guitar strumming.  And for the last set of the show, the three flamenco players sat really close to us in a room that everyone had migrated to. How exciting was that!  So much energy infiltrated the room from these talented people who were like three musical peas in a pod. I plan on going back there many times. 

School has been wonderful.  I'm taking four classes:  Civilization and Culture of Spain, Latin American Lit (I know, why not Spanish lit, right? Well, it just worked out like that), Spanish, and History of Art from the Rennaissance until now.  All are taught in Spanish, but surprisingly, I can understand what is said most of the time.  So that gives me hope that my fluency is improving!  Rafa (short for Rafael), is one heck of a cool guy who teaches my art class.  Even the way he talks is like an art that keeps you glued the whole time.  He brought us to Italica today, a place in Sevilla of Roman ruins from 200 B.C. that I had no idea existed.  What a cool field trip! I like all my teachers, and I am so pleased with how smoothly things are working out.  Thank you, God!

Tomorrow everyone and their mom is going to Cordoba, just for a day trip.  It just so happens that everyone wanted to go on the same day.  It's a two hour bus trip away, and I have yet to do my research for it! Oh, last night, my roommate Ann and I went to UPO (my school) at night for the school choir's practice.  That was a funny, good time; the choir is so small with a bunch of older adults, and it felt good to sing for real again. 

Well, now that I've talked your ears off, I am going to do my homework.  Hasta luego! :)