Happy Holidays

For all you readers out there, this will be my last blog post until the New Year as I am headed on an epic winter break trip to Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. Get excited for my next post, which I am sure will be a detailed and thrilling synopsis of my 12 days through Eastern Europe. 

Until then I leave you with some more photos of Sevilla at Christmas time and, un monton de besitos! 

A melting ice skating rink, and Ferris wheel at the fair next to my house. Bottom right corner is the view from my porch

Roscon de Reyes con nata- popular holiday dessert with toys hidden in the whipped cream

Government building with a Christmas show projected onto it.

Oreo truffles I made for my co-workers

Happy Holidays!

Gibraltar - Sort of

Gibraltar is a British colony, located at the southern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Andalucía, the region of Spain that I live in.

I have been talking about visiting Gibraltar since before I even came to Spain. It’s only place in the world where you can see the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic ocean meet, as well as the panoramic views of two continents at the same time. There is also a large colony of apes that inhabit the “Rock of Gibraltar,” that I have been dying to take a picture with. As an added bonus, Gibraltar is also known for duty-free shopping.

After a cancelled trip a few months ago, I accepted an invitation to go to Gibraltar with my co-worker Alicia. Long story short, I heard the monkeys are prone to stealing valuables from tourists, therefore I didn’t bring my passport, knowing that I wouldn't be able to go on my winter break trip next week if anything were to happen to it. I showed my New York State drivers license at customs and was inevitably denied entry.

I told Alicia to go ahead without me; we had driven almost 3 hours to get there after all. I spent the day walking around the Spanish town La Linea, and ate a deliciously juicy tostada con tomate’, that dribbled all down my chin; good thing I was dining alone.

Overall I made the best of the day. From a distance, I saw the “Rock of Prudential” the Strait of Gibraltar , and the contour of Africa through the fog. Most importantly I took the leap and went by myself on a full day excursion speaking only in Spanish. I learned the words to traditional flamenco music in the car,  and went shopping on the way home in Jerez de la Frontera, a province of Cádiz.

Hanukkah

After a crazy night out on Saturday with my co-workers, I have finally shaken my hangover…. it’s a Hanukkah miracle.

Feeling much better, Becca and I made latkes, and matzo ball soup to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. I even was able to skype in my parents for the blessings over the candles.

Ill take a nutella filled churro over sufganiyot (jelly donuts) any Hanukkah

Frank (my brothers friend) Mom and Dad, Skyping with Becca and I, with Becca's mom on Skype as well.

The Hump

According to a few articles I have come across about living abroad, there is a bell curve of psychological phases that you go through while living abroad.

From what I can tell the “hump effect” is indeed real and unavoidable. Based on my calculations I have been in Spain for exactly 3 months and 6 days. The honeymoon phase has passed, and I am slowly moving uphill towards the top of “the hump.”

I found an apartment, made some friends, started work, joined a gym and have found a good balance of keeping in contact with everyone in the States.

Now I am in the adaptation phase, which brings me to an update on how things are going at school. Finally, I have a routine. My anxiety about missing the bus, and making it to school on time have ceased. I have researched all my options and routes to Tomares so in an scenario, including a rainy morning I will make it to work.

Everyday I wake up at 8:20am. I hop on a bike at the rental station right outside my house (and pray that the gears work, since usually they are stuck in the highest gear.) I ride 20 minutes until I reach Plaza de Armas, the bus station. Usually disheveled from biking so quickly, I try to quickly recompose myself before getting on the bus for my 20 minute ride.

Sevici- the bikes I use to go all around town

Recently I have been bumping into my school headmaster on the bus. Strangely she pretends not to recognize me until we get off at the same stop and acts surprised to see me every time.

At school everyday has proven to be completely different. I have 14 different classes that I rotate through Monday- Thursday and every teacher instructs class differently.

After two full months of teaching I feel comfortable and confident. I have no reason to panic about anything, the Spaniards don’t, so why should I? I have gotten into the swing of lesson planning and private tutoring on the side, but learning to disciple my students is still a work in progress.

Along with being in mid-adaptation stage, I find myself easily bothered by small things. Looking back now, I cant help but to laugh about what I have been complaining about. Here is a small taste of what I have learned to adapt to while living in Sevilla.

 “You know you are in Spain when…”

1. When EVERYTHING is closed at 2 in the afternoon for siesta

2.  When you finally stop resenting everything being closed for siesta.

3. When you feel like your English gets worse as your Spanish improves (you may also find yourself speaking in British English.)
4. When you forget how to say something you learned just 30 seconds ago.
5. When red wine only costs .99 cents and still tastes like a 10Euro bottle.
6. When all the food that is unhealthy is labeled “digestive” so you don’t feel bad about eating a few portions of cookies everyday.
7. When the sun finally comes out after 5 days of rain and you are overjoyed because you can finally dry your laundry.
8. When you complain about only having a 3-day weekend.
9. When a 3 hour work day is exhausting (but really it is! Between commuting, and switching between Spanish and English every few minutes you get tired easily. Also deciphering the thick Anadulucian accent is an immediate prescription for a headache.)
10. When stopping at a red light is more of a suggestion, rather than the law.
11. When there is only one cashier, taking her sweet time at the grocery store to check you out (as a veteran cashier, who has won prizes at Wegmans for achieving the highest items per minute, you can imagine how angry this makes me.)
12. When it rains and the Spaniards have no sense of umbrella etiquette or personal space. (Seriously I’ve almost lost an eye.)
13. When you finally remember to always carry toilet paper with you everywhere. Due to the economic crisis bathrooms are never going to have TP, even at school.
14. When you wear  mittens, a scarf, a hat, and your northface in the house, but once you step outside you realize its warmer than inside your house.
15. When you walk into Starbucks and are surrounded by Americans in Northfaces, using Apple products, me included.

Sunday Funday

Today I was fortunate enough to spend my afternoon relaxing all day with family and friends.

My friend Abby, who is an Au Pair, invited us over to her apartment for brunch with her family, Victor, Paloma, Carla, and Paloma Jr. They are possibly the most welcoming and kind people I have met since arriving here in Spain, not to mention as an added bonus, their house is heated! 

Mid lunch, change into Princessa Carla, por que no?

 

Heated table, what a revelation!

While my roommates played around with little Palomita, and Carla, Victor shared his secrets to making salmorejo and empanadas with me.

As Paloma pointed out, there is ALWAYS room for chocolate.

Full from eating and drinking so much, we went on a leisurely walk to look at the Christmas lights.

You cant tell from this picture, but these lights hang for about a mile.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

One of the things that I love most about Europe is the random fairs and festivals that pop up overnight...

In my opinion there is no better way to start a Sunday than at Starbucks. When I walked in I immediately noticed that suddenly Starbucks and all of Sevilla for that matter have been transformed. Christmas cups, music, and ambiance is in the air.

Hundreds of Christmas lights were hung over the streets, trees, lampposts and stores. Little booths were constructed along the tramline selling incense, Christmas cookies and figurines for nativity scenes. They literally have everything from miniature saucepans with eggs and bacon, to elaborate scenes with electrical components. 

As we walked through el centro astounded by all the lights hanging, anticipating when they will be turned on, we stumbled upon a full fledged renaissance fair. There was an entire pig roasting on a spit, men having a sword fight in the street, artisans selling their jewelry, owls, and some free puppies being given away? Of course no festival is complete without a dazzling array of baked goods, cheeses, and beers on tap. 

A toffeenut latte and exploring the festival was the perfect end to this surprising weekend.

Dia de Acción de Gracias

These past few days have been a whirlwind. I have been teaching about Thanksgiving (Dia de acción de gracias,) and cooking up a storm, for not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners.

I have to admit it was difficult to get into the Thanksgiving spirit this year being so far away from home. I know I shouldn’t complain about the 70-degree weather, but without the changing fall leaves, a trip to the Cidermill, and missing ugg boot season entirely, I have been in a bit of a funk recently.

On Friday night my roommates and I went to a thanksgiving potluck dinner with other CIEE teach in Spain participants. Then on Saturday, we prepared a feast for about 20 Spaniards in our piso. I made butternut squash soup and after a long tiring search for cheddar cheese, I whipped up multiple trays of macaroni and cheese.

Cooking this amount of food was no easy feat. First of all, we can’t figure out how to use our oven, it’s a guessing game in which the oven usually wins. My chocolate cake I baked a few weeks back was it's first casualty. We also lack measuring cups, the correct cooking utensils, a dishwasher and a garbage disposable at out convince. No matter, I still love any opportunity to cook; I had great company, and some new country music to listen to in the kitchen.

I am happy to report that Thanksgiving was just what I needed, two nights in a row of eating, drinking, talking with our mouths full, and getting in some good laughs has lifted my fussy mood, hopefully once and for all.

Although I am not with from family and friends this year, I think that the far distance away during the holiday season has renewed my appreciation for living abroad and has helped me recognize what I am grateful for, even more than usual.

So on that note I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and for those of you back in the in Vestal right now, eat an extra slice of pumpkin pie for me!

Turkey hands we made in class

Roommates at Thanksgiving dinner #2

Fútbol

There is very little that I know about fútbol (soccer.) I have played basketball my whole life, and the only team that I follow regularly is Syracuse basketball, GO ORANGE!

I decided last minute on Sunday to buy a ticket to the Sevilla vs. Betis game to see what all the fuss is about. ¿por qué no? Before heading to the game I was warned to be extra cautious because Betis is Sevilla’s greatest rivalry and the fans tend to get a bit rowdy.

Policemen watching over the tailgate, "botellón"

Much like a football game in the United States, fans gathered outside the stadium early in the morning to tailgate or "botellón" as it is called here. By the time I arrived two hours before the game, drunken fans were shooting off fireworks, dancing around, cheering, and proudly singing fight songs at the top of their lungs.

We joined right in on the festivities, and celebrated with the masses at the 5-1 win over Betis. 

 

Churros con Chocolate

On my way to work, not only do I bike along the beautiful Guadalquivir River, but I also pass by a multitude of patisseries frying up fresh churros each morning. I breathe in the sweet aroma of the chocolate as the scent lingers in the air.

The time has finally come that I turn a blind eye to calories, and finally indulge in churros con chocolate, a common breakfast for many Spaniards.

The chocolate is warm, rich, and slightly bitter reminiscent of a thick pudding. The churros, in this case are loops of fried dough that are light and crisp. 

As if this is not enough, a generous coating of cinnamon and sugar enhances the flavor. The chocolate is poured into small mugs, and the dipping commences, leaving behind traces of sugar crystals underneath my fingernails.

There is no turning back now, I am addicted.

RONDAzvous

After two weeks of constant rain and fog, on Saturday I was relieved to see the weather forecast for a sunny day. I rallied the troops and we caught the first bus to Ronda, a city located in the province of Malaga, only a two-hour ride from Sevilla.

After a short snooze on the bus, I awoke to bright skies, and one of the most visually stunning cities I have ever seen before. According to Ernest Hemmingway, Ronda is the most romantic town in all of Spain, and I couldn’t agree more, the views were unforgettable.

The Puente Nuevo, "new bridge"  joins the old Moorish town and the newer part of the city, El Mercadillo

Young at Heart

I think that the Rugrats said it best,

Take me there, I wanna go there
Take me there, you know where
Take me to that great place
With wonders and wishes!

We had PARACHUTE day in gym class this week! No matter how old I get, I will always grin ear to ear on parachute day.