RAIN

It rained in Alcala for the first time in a few months!! Loved it. I was able to snuggle in bed with my fresh sheets and the new layers Pilar added for warmth. I tried to start watching this show called Cúentame cómo pasó, a long running series about a family during the end of Franco's Spain, but was really tired so napped instead. Although it was stormy and the "aire" made my window whistle, it was definitely one of the most beautiful days since I've been here. And, hopefully the rain washed away some of the dog pee! I went to Madrid for a museum trip and travelled alone on the train. I sat the whole way just looking out the window. Never thought the dry region could look so gorgeous. It definitely reminded me of my long autumn drives to and from Skidmore. Good day.

Siestas y Fiestas: Por fin: Andalucia

OK I AM NOT JUST POSTING THIS FOR WHAT BRIDGET SAID ABOUT ME, VALE? I love what she wrote about our trip to southern Spain. Definitely captures a lot of what I didn't have the energy to write about. I missed out on a lot of wonderful specifics. Also, you should read her blog in general.

Siestas y Fiestas: Por fin: Andalucia: Hola chicos! I'm finally going to write about my lovely two weekends of the medieval market and Andalucia. But first I have to comment on ho...

ATLETIIIIIIII

New experiences this weekend!

Friday, went to a discoteca in Madrid for the first time and found out making my own plans better than following others. It wasn't not fun, but there were a few unpleasant moments that I could have avoided had I planned my own evening. Also, I paid more money than I wanted to and went to a place I wouldn't have chosen, but definitely a good experience overall. We went with one of our Spanish friends too!! A triumph and an asset, considering Bridget and I hadn't been to Madrid for a night out yet. I am impressed with my ability to take care of myself and not be pushed around here, but still need to learn that many Spaniards do just want to talk and don't have hidden motives. I don't have to put up a wall for everyone. And to finish the evening, we got churros and had a fun conversation with a group of guys from Barcelona. They were in Madrid this weekend to celebrate one of them having a baby. Found out that children without marriage is actually a big thing here. They were all 30, and one of them has been with woman and living with her for over 6 years and they're not married. Really nice people!! Also, one of Bridget's good friends and my friend is visiting this weekend, so we got to see her! So nice to see someone from Skidmore. Really nice feeling.

New experience yesterday: Got my haircut! I'm still deciding whether or not RIP. The woman who cut my hair definitely cut my hair very Spanish, so today I'm having a difficult time styling it the way I like. I need some scissors... When my host mom saw me, she was like, You're not a mermaid anymore! Not the reaction I was looking for... But that doesn't mean it doesn't look good! Long hair does NOT work here, especially when I can't shower at night because my host mom believes it will make me sick. Also, my hair was getting very thin, though magically when it was cut got 5 times thicker. Also, maybe I won't attract as much unwanted attention without a mane of bright blonde. It was getting a little much at times. I think it will be a nice change to not just be seen as blonde and nothing else. Talking with my host mom and her friend this afternoon before I left for the futbol game, they def said I made the right choice and "Te queda bien" (it looks good on me/it suits me). Yeah, def gotta cut the bangs a little more. Also, had a few moments today where I feel like Mia with an upside-down yield sign. Whoops! I may be wearing buns and braids for awhile.



TODAYYY: FUTBOOOOOOL!! With Miguel. Victory. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Almost as good as a Yankees game. So many good futbol traditions and quirks, one of which is that everyone brings a bocadillo with them and eats it at halftime. Also, that bottles are not allowed in the stadium if they have tops because then if it is thrown on the field, all the water will spill out of it before it hits a player and breaks their nose. So, to "sneak" water into the stadium, all you have to do is take the water out of your bag, take the cap off, put the cap in your pocket while walking through security (which Miguel joked that security at the stadium is the best because really they don't care) that the put it back on the moment after you go through the turnstyle, pretty much in sight of the security guy. From the start the trip was so nice! Miguel and his mujer (don't know if they're married. They have a four year old daughter, but after hearing about the non-marraige trend Friday night and seeing as Miguel doesn't wear a ring, who knows!!) drove up in their European version of a mini-van and we all drove in the car to the stadium! TOO NICE! When we finally found parking, we got out of the car, and Miguel whipped out two Atletico scarves for Bridget and me to wear. Dawww!! We met up with his crew at a restaurant (also a tradition when going to a futbol game) and had a coffee. His friends talked SOO FAST, but I was really impressed with myself that I understood everything they said! They only thing I didn't catch was a name of a singer they talked about. Miguel was so cute talking to us about all the little things fans do and know about! I could really tell he just loves futbol. The atmosphere was just what I thought it would be... Amazing! The fans are so into the game that they are almost more interesting than the game itself! So many explitives, even when things were going well. Also songs! Fans of all different types.The only downside was having to work on the project on not being able to just freely talk to people. The game ended in a tie, but whatevs. So good. And it actually rained today!!!! New experience for Spain. I thought would never come. But, of course rain means drizzle and for like 5 minutes. Still, totally brought me back to reality. I'm looking forward to going to a Real Madrid game and feeling the difference. The teams are like Mets and Yankees. Atleti is the Mets and Real Madrid is the Yankees. Had a really nice convo with all of them on the ride home and realized I am so torn. I love it so much here and I am looking forward to when I go home. I think that's a good place to be. Though, I know I will be crying when I leave here too. Vamos a ver, no? I'm just happy that I have been so lucky this semester. I have exactly two months left here!!! SCARY!!!!!



Things I do need to do: Be more impulsive with my speaking! I think in the beginning of the semester I was really not afraid to talk because I knew that was the only way to get by. Now that I feel more comfortable, I feel more self concious and have a harder time just jumping into conversation. Although I understood what Miguel's friends were saying, I didn't really respond. Bridget was on her game this weekend and just got in there. Gotta do that.

Tomorrow I have another one of the art history trips. Super pumped!! I love going to the museums here. They are sooo goooooood!!!!

Granada y Cordoba!!

Hola todos!!

Wrote this part on Monday... I am recuperating after a lovely, action packed trip with the program to Andalucía, the southern region of Spain. We left early Friday morning (early for Spaniards... 8:15, so really not that early) and travelled several hours in a double decker bus across hills and hills of olive farms to Granada. If you are considering spending time in Spain for study abroad o algo and not planning on doing it here in Alcala, I would recommend you go to Granada. What a beautiful, diverse small city! The capital of its region, it is full of life with young people and has a lot to offer with it's Arab influence. We got there in the afternoon, so we had lunch in th hotel. With our free time before a tour of the Cathedral of Granada, we walked around some shops. I bought a shirt at Zara in honor of my friend, Sarah Newman, who studied in Granada her sophomore year. Then, with the guidance of my art history professor, we toured the cathedral, which is home to the bodies of Juana la Loca and her husband Felipe el Hermoso. There also was an extremely accurate copy of a famous Van der Weyden. I encountered some really pushy gypsies with their little sprigs. I've definitely grown accustomed to their peristance, so I put on my model face and keep walking. I bring this up because a poor Spanish woman was eating her ice cream outside the church and one of the gypsies would not leave her alone. Defintely before coming here I was afraid I would fall victim to these types of tourist traps nonstop. I am proud that I have at least been able to seem like I know what I'm doing in the face of people who could definitely give me some trouble. The Albayzín neighborhood is mysterious and feels old in a good way. The moorish architecture has been well preserved, and it's just soo cool! Some really beautiful views. Also, the Alhambra, an old moorish palace, is SOOO COOL! So much detail in the interior decorations. It's also enormous. The gardens of the palace are so tranquil and impressive, especially for this time of year. The first evening we were there, we went on a night tour of the Albayzin neighborhood, and after saw a flamenco show. WOW. Although it was a bit touristy, I was blown away by the intensity of the dance.

After driving for two more hours further into the desert, we arrived in Cordoba. We went to ancient city ruines. Our hotel was literally across the street from the famous mosque. In general, the hotels the programs uses are really nice! We are quite lucky. I didn't like Cordoba as much. There wasn't as much to do there, and there wasn't a lot of life. The only thing I really loved about Cordoba is the famous mosque. SO BEAUTIFUL. I studied it in my high school AP Art History class. Just as impressive as I imagined.

Not only did I enjoy the places we went and the things we saw, but also the company of the program. The trip was just fun. I enjoyed goofing around with Bridget and talking with the students in Madrid. I definitely bonded with Sergio and Miguel (EEEEE!!!). Miguel might come with Bridget and me to the Atletico game on Sunday. Woot!

Aaaaaand back to reality

Sorry for that long post! I just wanted to crank these out before our trip to Andalucia tomorrow!!!!!!! We leave at 8:15 to go to southern Spain, the home of Flamenco, Arab influence, and a strange dialect.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a national holiday for Spain. Fiesta Nacional de Espana. It commemorates Colombus and the discovery of the Americas. The day also honors the military. The day is also the day of the patron saint of the city, the Virgen del Pilar, who is a symbol for the military in Spain. All the important people are there like the royal family, important government representatives, and the heads of each of the regions. There's a huge military parade where all the different groups are represented. Crazy. Goes right though the city. I wanted to go to Madrid for it, but waking up yesterday I realized how bad I felt. Instead, I watched a lot of it in TV.

I already am doing better today. I passed though the plaza and the market is gone. All overnight. Magic. Of course, in its place was a protest. I do prefer the city in its current state though. Not time warped. It's so much calmer. I bought a set of watercolors and brushes and such. Already one step down! On top of all my problems earlier this week, I have been sick with a horrible dry cough. Because of all the holidays this week, nothing was open to buy cough medicine. Also, my host mom lent her honey to her boyfriend. Pilar really wanted to help me, so instead of those, she had me lay down with a heating pad on my chest to sweat out the toxins and made me a hot drink of burnt sugar and water. Both of which made me feel better, though maybe because I felt cared for, even though I'm not home with my mom. With this sickness thing, I've really learned how much people believe in old wives tales. My host mom believes that sleeping with wet hair will really make me sick. She also was telling me that because it hasn't rained in four months, everyone is congested (constipado) and coughing because of the dust and pollution. There hasn't been any rain to wash things away. My nose these days has been completely stuffed up, even before the cold, so I believe that is true. Hopefully this sickness isn't just a reaction to all the dust. I want to get better!!

I had a very intense conversation with Pilar today at lunch. We got onto the topic of Obama again (fortunately we both share similar views about politics in general so no arguing or tough conversations), and we got on to the huge conversation about elections, the economic crisis (which we've talked about before), and then the effects of the EU on Spain, and why Spain is losing so much money, court systems, and prison. It definitely made me realize I do not have the Spanish vocabulary to talk about all that, which was very frustrating when I wanted to give my view on something. Also, I realized how little I know about the EU. Definitely want to read up on that.

Anyway, sooo tired, como siempre. Gotta pack!! And then Pilar is making me honey and lemon before I go to sleep. Thanks Spanish mom!

Things to read:
Spanish Plays
Stuff about the EU and how it affects Spain

Another world!

Mostly written on Wednesday

Hola chicos!

Imagine being in a medieval Spanish market, full of life, animals, crafts, open spits of meat, and music... That's where I am right now! Every year, to honor Miguel Cervantes, the center of the city transforms into a medieval festival. Banners are strung across the plaza and side streets. People walking around and selling things in mediveal garb. Don Quijote valiantly trotting down the street with Sancho Panza and various performers and snakes. Rides! Tarot cards and psychics. Stalls apon stalls of sweets, jewelry, leather, spices, olives, chachkies, (again) MEAT, everything from all over the world! This all was put up overnight... WHAT? I had the best chorizo I have had since I arrived here and churros soaked to the marrow with liquid chocolate. YUM. Also, bread ovens placed in the plaza. Was that there before?

Anyway... A few other things...
It feels like fall!!!! Well, only this weekend. Now it's back up to 85. But all that's missing is some change in foliage... if there was any here in Madrid. Only desert.
This past weekend, aside from the festival, a few of my friends and I attempted to and then followed through with going to Toledo, a small historic city in near by Castille-La Mancha (the region where Don Quijote attacked those windmills). The first attempt was on Saturday. We went to buy tickets, but the train we wanted was full, so we bought tickets for Sunday and explored Madrid like tourists. Def fun every once in awhile. We went to the Palacio Real (being honest: Versailles is way cooler) and then the group gave in to taking the obnoxious double decker red bus (YES!!!!) for two different tours around the city. One in old Madrid and one through modern Madrid. Old Madrid is cooler, but we went past the Real Madrid stadium on the modern one. After an exhausting day, we returned back home to the festival, but didn't stay out too late because we were going to Toledo the next day.
Sunday, bright and early for a normal Spaniard, we were off to Toledo! Not knowing too much about the city beforehand (other than it is home to one of the most famous El Greco paintings "The Burial of Count Orgaz"), I was ready to explore. The trip consisted of the normal commuter rail and then a half hour trip on an Amtrak-y kind of train. Very easy and smooth now that we figured out how the system works. The city was nice. Kind of like Segovia in that it's hilly and has some pretty old parts. Also, a really beautiful cathedral. We first went to a museum that was formally a church and/or a monastery that had some old pottery and lots of Christian art, including some of El Greco. Very enjoyable and relaxed. We met up with two people from the Madrid part of the program, which was nice to see new people, but also changed the group dynamic/desire to do things. We stopped speaking Spanish, and everything took longer. No big deal. Not bitter. After having black paella for lunch (the kind with squid ink which was not too bad) we wandered around. The Madrid people didn't want to go into the cathedral because it cost money, which annoyed me because we get reembursed. Then, when trying to find the church where The Burial of Count Orgaz is, we tried the special Toledano, a strange cookie thing and marzipan, a popular ducle from Toledo. We followed signs to find the church, but weren't too sure of where it was. There were signs on a church we passed that said the name of the church, Santo Tome. I stopped and asked inside if that's where the painting was. It was, but somehow the group did not understand and left. So, my friend, Michael, and I had a lovely chat while admiring the work. SO HAPPY I SAW IT!!! SUCESS OF THE TRIP! Having had so much fun on the red bus the day before, we wanted to go on the cheesy "train" thorughout the city, but the two times we went, the lady at the store where they sold the tickets was rude and said there weren't enough seats. That was a damper on our day. We were all so tired from the day before that doing other things was a little more difficult, so we did the Spanish thing and sat on a bench in the plaza and enjoyed each other's company and the weather.

Well, yup, it was that time of the semester yesterday. I tend to have one freak out per semester, usually pertaining to the mountain of work I make for myself. I had a melt down. I realized that I felt like I was not doing enough here. I haven't been taking advantage of the semester as much as I should. And, I don't feel like myself. I feel lazy, tired, and I've become a mega procrastinator. And, I haven't become a conocido at a place yet. So cheesy, but I use art to experience life. And, I also would spend A LOT of time painting at Skidmore. So what do I do with that time now? I am barely doing any theater here, where at Skidmore, when I wasn't painting, I was at the theater. I didn't realize this change would affect me so much. I thought I would be so full of Spain things I would be able to kind of leave these things for a bit and try new things. I haven't found new things to fufill me, so I feel lost. I also haven't made Spanish friends... whoops! I feel like I haven't connected enough with the people here. And, I had this presentation for my theater class looming above me that I didn't know how to do.
And yes, I cried even more to the program directors after breaking down in front of Bridget. I didn't know what else to do. How was I going to get my life fixed when I couldn't do it myself? They are the people who know this city and the program inside out. They were so so nice and said crying was totally normal and part of the experience. Like crying is a release, which is true, but now I need to find a solution. They were incredibly comforting. Sergio was sincere and came up with things to make me smile or laugh, like telling me I was one of the best at doing this yoga thing we did in class (el gato!) and that he is so happy with my work in the class. Miguel totally put on his dad face. I can see how he is a dad. Angelines, the women who coordinates the families, was like you need rest! Don't worry! Being tired and resting is part of being Spanish. She was like, "you're sick? You should go to a doctor! Miguel, look up doctors for her!" I am impressed I was able to convey pretty much all of that in Spanish and while extremely upset. I had my grammar class very soon after, but Miguel said I could stay in the office as long as I needed. I stayed the entire class and chatted with Sergio.

Things they recommended I do:
Forget American time. There's no such thing as a waste of time.
Relax and enjoy all aspects of the experience
If I can't do something one day, put it off to the next
Paint outside of class
They will help me find shows to go to

In honor of my freak out and pulling myself back together for a fresh start, I bought a permanent leather bracelet at the market and tied it where my watch normally is on my left wrist. I am not going to wear a watch here anymore. Cheesy, but I did it as a sort of symbolic kind of thing so that every time I look at my wrist out of habit, I'll see the little reminder to take a breath and that I am in Spain and should enjoy life here.

I wrote a nice thank you email to the two of them for all their help. SPANISH:
Hola Miguel y Sergio,

Muchas gracias para os apoyo ayer. Me sentia muy mal (obviamente) para muchas razones. Aunque dijisteis que no debo sentir culpa para llorar, no me gusta arrojar mis problemas en otras personas. Tengo suerte que tengo vosotros a ayudarme. Vosotros sois tan tan majos. He tratado a aprovechar esta experiencia, pero me siento que no he aprovechado este experiencia bastante. Trato a hacer algo, pero no es bastante. No quiero perdir este semestre. Y estoy enferma y tan cansada. No me siento como mi misma porque no tengo bastante arte, teatro, y musica en mi vida espanola. Estos son muy importante de mi vida en general. Uso el arte y pintura para expresar y experimentar la vida. Encima de todo, mi horario es tan loco. Aunque no es tan lleno que mi horario en Skidmore (me esforcé a coger menos clases aquí), aqui perdí el control de mis cosas. Normalmente soy muy organizada. Y me siento que no estoy haciendo bastante cosas espanoles. Necesito encontrar un equilibrio de cosas espanoles y pocas cosas que me hacen mí.

Con os consejo sobre tiempo, compré una pulsera permanente esta noche en el mercado y puse en mi muñeca en vez de mi reloj. Es cursi, pero veo esto como un símbolo y un recuerdo que he dejado el tiempo y el mente americano. Estoy en España y voy a recordar a disfrutar la vida.

Espero que sepais lo much que aprecí os apoyo y os consejo ayer. Ayer fue un momento muy vulnerable para mí. En serio, estoy súper afortunada que tengo vosotros. Sois tan amable y reconfortante.

¡¡Un abrazo súper grande!!
-Elisabeth

The answer!

I know why I feel so worn out and my brain is goooo all the time!!!

During my down time (meaning not in class and not doing homework) I am still learning because I am always speaking Spanish!! My brain never gets a rest!! And that's why I love siesta so much because my brain gets a break, and why when I can't siesta, I get a little touchy.

That may seem like a pretty simple revelation, but after today, I wanted to rip my hair out I feel so fried. But now I know.

Also, Tania is leaving Saturday for a trip to La Republica Dominicana with her boyfriend and other friend couples. She will be gone for a week.

1 Month Anniversary!!

I arrived in Spain one month ago!! Time has flown by!!

I am in Cafe Continental working on my papers due this week, but I have to head out in a few minutes to meet Bridget in front of the McDonalds in Plaza de Cervantes to meet her Spanish penpal and help him with his English. I quickly wanted to write this post to thank all of you for reading and for your comforting comments and messages. Although many of you are far away, I have felt so much love and support this past month. This experience at times has been difficult, but believe me, this semester so far has been incredible. I have been, for the most part, sooo happy and have loved every minute, even my meltdowns this past week. Now that my schedule is nailed down, I hope to skype and communicate more soon. I love hearing from all of you and hope all is well!! ¡Ciao!

Change of plans

I was supposed to go on a field trip with the program to El Escorial today. Didn't happen. For the first time in my life I slept through my alarm. I woke up right when the bus was leaving.

I almost started crying, but after this crazy week, I decided to take what happened as a sign that my body and mind need this day. There was nothing I could do at that point. The trip wasn't required, and I slept be best I have since I've been here. I need to realize what happens happens and sometimes I can't control it. I slept passed the time I could actually do anything. There was nothing I could do at that point. It was like crying over spilt milk.

So, I made my coffee and felt the most guilty that my host mom made me a sandwich for today. My host mom came in and I tried to explain to her what happened. And I told her I felt guilty about the sandwich, and of course her response was like, you can eat it anytime, there's no problem. I ate it for breakfast. I don't know if she fully understood, but she was very sweet and said that, although she doesn't like trains, maybe one day she would go with me another time. She was actually mad at my friends for not calling me to wake me up, which I thought was funny because why would my friends do that? Maybe I'll go when my family visits.

So, instead of visiting an historic palace, monastery, and museum on this beautiful first day of October, I played beauty salon with my host mom's granddaughters. Children especially have no sense of privacy, going through anything and everything they see, whether it's "Barbie/Estudiante"'s stuff or their grandmother's. My older host sister, Eva, and her two daughters came over this morning. My host mom was going to look after and cut the hair of her granddaughters while her daughter worked. The two girls, Ester and Saila, are adorable but almost complete opposites. I think they are 7 and 8, respectively. Ester is def more reserved and likes to help Pilar with chores and cooking, and Saila, while she tries to appear innocent, she is full of tons of energy and knows how to play people. She just decided to go on my laptop, and when I kindly said that I would appreciate it if she didn't, she was like "Why is the internet in English?" She didn't know there was English internet. The two girls also liked drawing pictures of me and putting them up in my room like little picture frames. Saila also carried around a jar of hot chocolate mix because they were going to have a snack here before lunch, but instead of drinking her hot chocolate because it was too hot, she spooned the mix into her mouth.

Saila gave me the spa treatment, which consisted of tucking tissues into my shirt like a peluqueria, caking my arms like frosting with cream, covering the cream in tissues, brushing my twisted hair with a comb, and putting my hair in pony and covering the ponytail in rainbow hair ties (gomas). While this was all going on, Ester was getting her haircut by my host mom, and Saila was running around getting beauty supplies from who knows where, including scissors. Saila also did my makeup after searching my own room for my little makeup purse. She even wanted to style an outfit for me, but I decided to draw the line there after my lips were smeared with sticky glitter lipgloss.

Then, it was Saila's turn for her haircut, and Ester asked me to style her hair. We had fun going through many different hair-dos, and she ended up having little french braids with a one of my sparkly headbands. Then they both wanted me to do their make-up, so we were all dolled up! When their mom got back, we had lunch, which was vegetable paella to mix it up. Also, the girls, who are extremely picky eaters, will eat the rice in it. It's so funny, they have no shame in saying something is disgusting. ¡Qué asco! It was nice talking to Eva for a little bit. She is naturally gorgeous, barely wears make up and her hair is naturally a deep brown. Tania, who is also very pretty, is much more into eye makeup and is dyed blonde. Eva said that she has the best arrangement for work because she drops the kids at school, works until they get out, and then is a mom the rest of the day.

Posting this on Sunday, now I have to write three papers for this week. I hope to write another post later because today is the one month anniversary since I arrived in Spain!! Lots to talk about! ¡Hasta luego!