November the Whirlwind

Well it’s already the third of December, which is truly hard to believe, I’m actually in a tavern called La Factoria right now having some dinner as I had some extra time tonight before my trip tomorrow with Pablo and Pilar to Madrid during our days off (for national holidays).  Although each of the first few days felt like many with all of the new things, it feels like the time is continuing to go faster, but I suppose so long as I’m doing the maximum possible (with a few moments of rest) I should be content at the end (and I’m pretty sure I’m getting darn close to that).

I must say I am happy to have Pablo as a host dad. He clearly has a passion for the natural environment and enjoys showing me (and often Maggie and Brian) is workspace (AKA the forests, plains and waters of Spain).  A few weeks ago, the geese were migrating from northern Europe to Africa and Pablo wanted to show it off. I honestly never thought in my life I would find watching birds to be interesting, I was, however, incredibly wrong. After driving through the countryside and some villages, we came to an expansive lake where we watched literally thousands upon thousands of geese descend upon the area to rest for the night, swarming like some sort of collective being.

The week after, I went mushroom-hunting with Pablo and Pilar, of which I could tell they were excited for (though it’s really not hard to tell that they’re fans) Alas as this year was a dry one (apparently), we didn’t find too many, but I did certainly enjoy my time in the mountains.

On Sunday, we had a joint rotary trip with the rest of the club. In Terragona we received a tour of the gorgeous cathedral and a small walkabout the rest of the Pueblo and then went to a winery on the outskirts of town that had absolutely ancient caverns built underneath it, and afterward we had a delicious dinner and wine tasting (er, for those who could anyway, I suppose they had good water) where we enjoyed each other’s company, talked and sung (a bit).

In the following weekend, I left on a bus for Pamplona where I met with Julia (another rotary student) and the other Pamplonians. I will admit that Pamplona certainly has a gorgeous old town and does a good job of incorporating the old military fortifications into the city design. Of which, I did end up seeing the old wall, their cathedral and the 15^th century military star-fort that they have in the center of the city the next day. Also, I should mention, I did stay the night in a hostel, which turned out to be a surprisingly nice stay (with the other strangers) and I will admit, as the whole trip was done alone, I did enjoy the independence. In the evening, everyone else came into town to have a nice thanksgiving meal sharing stories and thoughts.

I feel like I’ve done more, but I really can’t entirely remember with the speed that this month has gone and quite frankly, I can’t promise that everything is in the correct order. Which I suppose is certainly not a bad thing if it’s due to the fun. On a general note, I did get into Flamenco dancing, which has been an incredible class. All of the students seem nice and the teacher is happy to work with me (despite my newborn-deerlike coordination) plus, last week, we had a guitarist come in to play for us which was absolutely incredible and to top it off, at the end we clapped (more complicated than it sounds) to a full ensemble, which was a fascinating and very fun to participate in. I did by the way have to buy dancing boots for this, something which has yet to sound normal to say.

Also in general, I’m doing pretty well now, I’m definitely getting the main ideas in all of my classes and the details in many and I’m continuing to hang out with friends and deepening the relationships. I am also trying to just go day by day and enjoy what it brings, although I can’t always do that, it does seem to help.

Anyway, my sandwich is done so I should probably go, I certainly didn’t expect to write this much, and I suspect there’s more to say, but I think this is good. I do apologize for any mistakes along the way. On an unrelated note, I think I could have just eaten tongue-of-something. In either case it was tasty, though I suppose that’s what tongues do. 

Pictures

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150384089292953.410399.675307952&type=1&l=878585fd8b

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150408931177953.415247.675307952&type=1&l=e244fa6868

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150438806277953.421371.675307952&type=1&l=b732eb68d2

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150438976917953.421420.675307952&type=1&l=8018190ede

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150439237107953.421482.675307952&type=1&l=7384007448

Two Months

I’ve now been here a little over two months, which is absolutely incredible to think about.  It feels like both an incredibly long and incredibly short time, though when I think back to my life in the beginning of October, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed. I’ve already adjusted to so much and although I’ve got a ways to go, I’ve come a long way. As well, I can’t believe all of the things I’ve seen and the once in the lifetime experience I’ve had.

I will however, admit that the first two months, especially the first, have been very difficult, and I’m happy about that. I think my life for a long time was too easy. I graduated high school brimming with confidence because I had been very successful doing what I was good at. Although I was certainly challenging myself, expanding and working hard, I didn’t have to struggle and fall to do the very basics of something. Suddenly, I was in Spain and terribly confused and discouraged, and for a while, I wasn’t sure if I would learn the language and understand what was going on. I simply had to have faith in myself and in the people who believed in me.

Now I’m here; I’m not to understanding, but I’m sure getting there. I now know that I’ll understand everything at some point so long as I persevere. However, it’s not that I’ll be focused on learning then pop my head out one day and say, “I’m ready.” It’s that I’m already doing it now and I just need to get better and furthermore, I’ll be enjoying the journey while I get there. I know I’ll get there, which is all I need.

I suppose to sum it up, sometimes it’s good to get lost in a dark part of the woods and not think that you might get out because you’ve gotten so used to the meadow. When you do get out, you feel better and the dark part of the woods isn’t so scary.

Anyways, to say the least, I’ve been angsting about the language for far too long now and I’m probably on a soap box now, but in either case, I know I’ll be fine. Also, as a quick update, for those who don’t know, I went to Ordessa national park a little while back and it was gorgeous. I had my first band concert which went incredibly well and the Rotarians who went absolutely loved it, and next week, I’ll be going through the roman historical sites with my rotary counselor and the other rotary students. I also want to start looking into dance in these next couple weeks.

The Fiestas part 2

I now stand at the end of the nine days of the Fiestas Del Pilar and boy were they both very fun and a little bit exhausting. On Monday, I went with my Geology class to a Galatcho (a former river bed) where we went up into the mountains next to it and into the forest around the lagoons. It was gorgeous and I could see all of Zaragoza from the mountains.

                Tuesday after class, I went with Gonzalo and his friends to Interpeñas, the music festival, again. This time, we stayed out literally all night and after, at eight in the morning, went to the Vaquillas (sp?) which is ametur bull jumping where anyone who wants to can get into the ring and dodge the various bulls they let in. The result is about fourty sleep deprived and occasionally drunk young men running around trying to touch the bull without getting gored (and aside from one poor man, no one was seriously injured).

                By the time we got home, both Gonzalo and I were exhausted. Gonzalo proceeded to sleep into the late afternoon; I however, had to get a quick nap before the main event of Pilar: the offering of the flowers, a parade where different groups come from all over, dressed in traditional clothing, to dance and show off different regional performances and music while marching to an enormous pyramid with a statue of Maria Del Pilar at the top where they place their flowers. I went with Pablo who was able to narrate and explain the different groups while they were dancing and singing, making it and overall very interesting and fun experience.

                After this I slept a little before a chunk of the extended family came over to have churros with melted chocolate (a cuisine I’ve come to love) which was plenty of fun. However, I called in an early night and slept for ten hours.

                Thursday I went to the offering of the fruit in the afternoon, which was similar to the flowers, but with local produce, and later to the Rosario Cristal in the evening. This was a gorgeous parade where the marchers walked with candles and lanterns from one church to another interspaced by giant stained glass lanterns depicting various biblical concepts and events as well as a glass Basilica of Pilar with working bells and a giant ship representing the discovery of America inscribed with all the flags of latin America.

                Finally Friday I woke early to return to the Vaquillas with my school friends and again to Interpeñas with them in the evening. Now Saturday and Sunday were finally days of slight relaxation and seeing all the little performances in the city (light and water shows, circus acts, traditional music, street performers, etc.)

                Tomorrow, School will start again and the enormous crowds and spectacles will be gone. This next weekend, I’m going with my rotary club to Ordessa national park, which I’ve heard is gorgeous and I’m very much looking forward to.

The Fiestas

Well it’s been a little while since my last blog post and much has happened. Right now I’m in the middle of the Fiestas Del Pilar which is a huge event here. As well my language is continuing to improve, though I’m still a while from understanding; however my host parents have begun to occasionally quiz me and teach me which I enjoy. Ultimately, I had a good weekend of understanding last week and then a Monday of bad understanding, but after a pep talk from my host mom, I’m feeling better and trying to not focus too much on the language and let it happen. Most importantly, I’m having fun.

First I had the orientation, which was fantastic, after a four hour bus ride with the other exchange students in the area, Brian, Maggie and Marley, where we were tripping over each other with things to say (in English), we met all of the other students in a complex outside of Madrid where we played plenty of games and hung out. It was a relieving and relaxing weekend where we learned about each other’s experiences and shared stories of triumph and tragedy. I think I gained two very important things there: I learned that what I'm experiencing is normal and I've made some fantastic friends.

After this I returned to school where I’ve begun to make friends that I hang out with on the weekend. As well, with them I went to Interpenyas, a music festival that occurs during Pilar where I listened to some good music and danced a bit and it’s certainly good to have found a group I feel comfortable with.

Overall, Pilar is plenty of fun, every day there’s random street vendors, concerts and events and at night a large stage in the main plaza where there’s a large concert. Today I went out with Pablo and Pilar to see the Gigantes and Cabezudos. The Gigantes are large effigies of historical figures that people wear on their shoulders and the Cabezudos are giant heads people wear. All of the families and children go out to see them and listen to the folk music while the Gigantes and Cabezudos dance. Overall it was plenty of fun to participate in.

Tomorrow, I’m going on a trip with my Geology class to a washed out riverbed which should be fun and after I continue with the Fiestas, which I look forward to.

Beginning a Routine (sort of)

Hello all, I’m now in my third week of my adventure and the second week of school. Despite this, I’ve already found myself in the beginning of a routine and I feel a bit like I’ve already been going to school for a while. Although the first day of school was very difficult in understanding teachers and figuring out what I was supposed to do, I quickly found people who were happy and willing to help me out.

School is rather different from America. For the most part, I have one room that I stay in and the teachers come in, teach and go, except for a few electives (Geology and Physics, in my case) that we travel to. Understanding the teachers is still very difficult (along with everyone else), despite this, I can usually use my background knowledge of the subject or other material to halfway figure it out. On the other hand, I’m quite happy my grades here don’t transfer, because it’s still a long road to perfection.

Outside of class I’ve begun to make friends. In the beginning, it was difficult as I could really only talk about so many subjects, but finally, I’ve met a group that I have lunch with who seem interested in what little I have to say and entirely fine with me quietly listening to their conversation. Which really, is all I ask.

On a sidenote, last Sunday, Pablo, Pilar and I went to the Montcayo region where we saw a gorgeous old monetary, had lunch at a café hidden in the woods, where I had rabbit and French fries, and went high up into the tranquil mountain (pictures coming soon). During all of this, Pablo was narrating the details as I’m quickly finding out that he does in fact know a little about everything.

Tomorrow, I go with the other exchange students to Madrid for our first orientation, which I’m certainly looking forward to. After that, on Sunday, I have the day to myself, so I’m going to the museums.

The Weekend

Well I’ve continued to have plenty of things going on over the weekend. On Saturday, I went out with Gonzalo and his friends where we went out to dinner and then to a Discotech (which I was a little nervous about, but it wasn’t bad). It was very nice to be with people my own age and in a little way, feel like a normal Spanish kid.  Then yesterday, Pablo and I went for another sightseeing trip through Zaragoza, where we saw the riverside at sundown. I think I could spend days wandering through the city and still not see everything.

In just a few minutes, I’ll be going to school for real (the first day was more of an introduction without real class). Wish me luck.

Early Adventures

In these past few days, I’ve kept pretty busy. In most of my free time, I’ve been studying as much as I can or working on something. I did end up going sightseeing a day later than I expected and it was fantastic. Pablo and I walked through the oldest part of Zaragoza where the streets are narrow alleys with a lot of old world character. They opened up onto a large plaza where The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar stood. It was a gorgeous structure to behold where apparently, because Mary of the Pillar is the patron saint of Spain and Latin America, huge numbers of Spanish speakers come on pilgrimages. Across the square from the Basilica is La Seo, a cathedral that looks Catholic made from the front, but on the side has intricate Muslim designs revealing it to be a former mosque. Finally on my trip, I saw the old Roman wall that surrounded Zaragoza when it was called Cesar Augusta. During all of this, Pablo, who clearly has a love for information, was narrating and informing me on the history of Zaragoza. Fortunately, there’s plenty more to see in that square, so I’ll have to go back some time, but that I’m saving for another day.

Before this tour, I finally met my Rotary. They have their meetings in an old hotel. This was mostly a meet and greet for me with a little information on what they do. They all seemed very nice and excited to meet me. Oh, and before I forget, my presentation to them on the US and Cedar Rapids is next week, I’m glad I made a script already.

The day before the meeting, I ended up going to the pool with Gonzalo and his friends. Although I could understand next to nothing, it was fun to hang out and listen to them chat. Although I didn’t necessarily enjoy it, we did end up playing some soccer, which, in a weird way, was actually a good thing. Even though I was terrible at it, they appreciated my effort and it became a way to get to know each other without much speaking.

Yesterday, I went to Calatayud again. This time they were having a festival where I got to see various bits of their economy with farming, cheese making, meat, etc. I did also have my first beer, but don’t worry, it was non alcoholic and tasted like death. I was also able to see a traditional Spanish Catholic event in their cavernous church where they offered flowers and fruit to Mother Mary. It was both an exhausting and very interesting day.

Current status

Hello all, Right now it’s the morning before school starts, and I’m a little nervous. Today is more of an orientation day, however, which is good. I’ll be going to school in about an hour and learning what books to get and how it will all work out, which shouldn’t be too bad. Tomorrow, it gets real, but so long as I can find my classes, I think I should be fine.

Right now, with Spanish, I’m to the point where I can hear all of the words relatively well (it’s no longer one big, fast word) and I can recognize the words, but there are still quite a few words that I still have to take a minute to translate, which in conversation, doesn’t really work well. On the other hand, when I first got here, I thought I would never make the average time it takes to comprehend well, three weeks. With where I’m at now, despite its constant difficulty (which is normal), I think I can make it.

First Night

Hola, yesterday I arrived in the Madrid Airport in the afternoon. After a full day of flying with Gonzalo, including having to literally run through the Cedar Rapids airport to catch an earlier flight (my original was delayed, thus making my goodbyes very quick) and having to turn back once to fix a navigation problem, I met my host family.

Greeting me with open arms, Pablo and Pliar loaded my luggage into the car and we drove off to Calatayud, a city on the way to Zaragoza where Pablo grew up. There, I met Gonzalo’s grandma and extended family and had some delicious Spanish food of breaded pork, cured ham, tomato and tortilla (which is actually more of a quiche of egg and potato).

Finally we arrived in the gorgeous Zaragoza where I settled into their nice apartment home. During all of this, I was attempting to speak Spanish. For the most part, I am only getting about half of the sentences and figuring out the meaning from context. It helped to have Gonzalo, who could help, but he is going to use only Spanish next week (which will be hard, but good). Ultimately, I have a difficult journey with the Spanish language, but it will be rewarding. With that said, I also can tell I am already understanding more from my arrival yesterday, even if it’s only a little.

PS: Later today, Pablo is going to take me sightseeing on bicycle, I’m very excited, but more on that later.

Three days

This Saturday, I'll be off to Spain. I can't believe it! It felt like the summer lasted only a month and my departure is now here. Despite a little nervousness, I'm feeling incredibly excited. Right now, everything feels like an opportunity to learn and have fun (which is good). Really, even now, I can't believe it, I'm going to Spain!

I will be flying from here (CR) to Chicago, to Philadelphia to Madrid. I’ve already lucked out, Gonzalo (my host brother) has been re-visiting Canfield, OH (where he was a Rotary student two years ago) and is coming back on the same flight. I will not only be able to get to know him better (we’ve talked on the phone), but my host family will be at the airport to pick us up.

While there, my first family will be the MunillaGarridos. I will be going to the Instituto de Goya (a public high school) and playing my trombone in a community band.

My family consists of: Pablo, my host father and an environmental engineer, Pilar, my host mother and a gynecologist, Gonzalo, my host brother, going into his senior year and then into college to study engineering, and Elena, my host sister. She will, however, be in Waverly, Iowa, this year as an exchange student. They live in a gorgeous house near the center of the city, and have already been a huge help through advice, connecting me with a community band and most of all opening their home to me!

PS: Don't worry, more information to come