Nouget Pillows

Tuesday (today) was easier than Monday. My classes on Tuesdays I like more, even though I have to go back in the afternoon for Historia de España e Economia. I like history but here I'm not that interested for some reason. It's really easy for me to fall alseep in that class because my teacher Victoria is so monotone. Oh and students here call their teachers by their first names. Strange, I know.

On Tuesday, Alex and I have english and French class back to back; it's so nice to be able to speak english everyday with someone. I know it's not helping me learn spanish, but right now it's the only time I can have an actual conversation.

During the recreativo (it's a 30 minute break after 3rd period) the school choir practices. Alex and I decided to go today. She was in choir in the US. I can't carry a tune but I like to sing so I went too. We walked in and everyone was younger than us. Like middle school age. This was not what we were expecting. I figured this would be a good way to meet other kids our age but apparently not. After choir practice was over we politely told the teacher that this wasn't what we were expecting. I guess the other students in segun bachiller don't want to give up their smoke break for choir. I don't blame them.

After our morning classes were over (over at 2.30, not actually over in the morning) Alex and I went back to her host family's apartment for lunch. My host family lives too far for me to eat with them on the days I have to return to school. So I got to Alex's and usually nap.

Today her host mom Merche had prepared eggplant for lunch and one can't resist eggplant. Alex mentioned before this really good cereal that she eats for breakfast called Nouget Pillows. I don't understand why we don't have this in the US. It was sooo good. I would eat cereal if that were an option in my house.

Tomorrow there is a Huelga General (General Strike) in Spain. All of Spain. I heard that the students at my school have to come but that the teachers may not. I think a day in school without teachers sounds like fun. Can't wait and blog posts to follow.

Los Lunes

Mondays suck all around the world. Seriously, it doesn't matter what country you're in, they're terrible.

It was soo hard to stay awake in school Monday. I had been up late Sunday skyping and the next morning was killing me. It didn't help that my first class was geografia. It's not very stimulating to look at pictures of rock formations. My classes after that didn't get any more interesting, and I was struggling to stay awake. Thank God for French class, when I can just got to the library and sleep. Which is exactly what Alex and I did. My nap was good; I even dreamt.

School after that went by quickly, thank goodness. We ate lunch at the usual restaurant. It's a nice little place that my family goes to often. We eat there almost every day for almuerzo.

I came home and took a desperately needed siesta. Then I ironed and watched some tv. Since I have a geography test Wednesday I decided I'd at least look at the map. It didn't kill me to do that. Then I went to bed. Hopefully not every Monday is this exhausting because I woke up Tuesday still tired.

Birthday

This weekend was great. I actually had things to do, places to go and people to see. Friday in school was good too. First period was economics, and my teacher brought breakfast for the class. School went by quickly. Maybe it's because I'm understanding more?

Saturday there was a fiesta in Zuasti where I live but by Spanish standards it was weak. There really isn't much more to say about that.

Saturday night however was so much fun. The other exchange students in Pamplona and one former exchanger and I celebrated my birthday. I met Alex in the city early, and we walked around. We heard some music so we followed it to see where it was coming from, which led us to... a parade! The parade was part of a larger fiesta (note, in this sense fiesta doesn't mean party like you're probably thinking; it's more like a festival). I have no idea what they were celebrating but I think it's safe to assume it was for my birthday. Later there were fireworks. I've never had fireworks for my birthday. It was a bit much for a birthday but it is my 18th bday afterall. So it's acceptable.

I would upload pictures but for some reason it's not letting me right now. Maybe next time. And I have some video of people dancing. It's traditional (I guess ?).

So we met up, and Mitchell suggested this place called Doner Kebab to eat. He said it was cheap and good so it was easy to decide to eat there. We don't really have high standards for food, the main requirement being cheap.

It was buenisimo, and we decided to eat there often and become regulars. The guy who took our orders name was Rabaladal but we've shortened it to Rob. I don't know if he understands that. I hope Doner Kebab is like Cheers (where everybody knows your name).

Alex spent the night at my house and we made button rings. My host sister gave me pajamas and my host mom gave me a huge ring. It's gorgeous and so big. And the pajamas are comfortable. I guess they thought it was strange that I sleep in sweatpants and a t shirt. If only they knew that I sleep naked at home.

Julia also had friends spend the night, and two of them made crepes for breakfast. They were great. Especially with nutella. God I love nutella.

Aurora made ribs for lunch and for a Spainard they were good. She also made me a birthday cake. I must say, I'm feeling the love.

I skyped with Lee and my parents too. It was great to talk with them.

I haven't celebrated my birthday for the past five years and I don't know why. I realized I love celebrating me with my friends. This weekend was amazing.

Time Flies

I can't believe it's already been three weeks, and I still can't believe it's not butter. This week went by so fast. I feel like I will wake up one day and it will suddenly be March.

This week I understood so much more in school. There were still a few Spanish headaches but they're becoming less frequent. I didn't understand that there would be a math test Wednesday though. My teacher made me take the test even though it's a gap year. I failed but it doesn't matter, and I'm not worried. I can't wait for the day when it hits me that I understand everything my teacher says. Tuesday I had a little bit of that feeling. I was in geography class when I think I got most of what my teacher said.

I actually had things to do this week, and it's starting to feel like I have a life here. There was the futbol game Tuesday, then Wednesday Alex and I walked around Pamplona trying to find a few places. We walked around in circles a few times but oh well. We found a great used music store, scouted out some places to celebrate my birthday, and we went to El Cortes Ingles. Thursday wasn't as exciting but I finally shaved my legs. I also overheated my hair straigthener by using the wrong adaptor :(

Friday there was a dance for several schools. I went to my host sister Julia's friend's apartment and got ready with her friends. It reminded of those middle school St. Anges dances. Surprisingly, Spainards are not great dancers. Nor is their music very good. Their dancing is the only thing that isn't sexual. It was similar to any other school dance that I've been too. Except everyone there smoked.

This weekend promises to be good as well since I'm celebrating my birthday and there is a fiesta in my village Zuasti.

Mi Primer Partido del Futbol!

Tuesdays aren't anything special so when my host father Enrique picked me up from school I wasn't expecting anything. It had been a good day so far, I understood more in school, took a nice nap at Alex's house, and then Enrique told me we would be going to a futbol game that night.

I was so excited! I had no idea who was playing, I mean, I could easily guess the local team Osasuna. They played their rivals Real Sociedad, from near by San Sebastian.

On our way to the game, cars were parked all along the street. Everyone was coming to this game, even though it was a Tuesday. When we got to the stadium (Estadio Reyno de Navarra) one of my host dad's friends met us at the entrance since he had the tickets. They were for you know, box seats. Nothing fancy or anything.

Real scored first but then Osasuna scored. Three times.

The atmosphere in the stadium was great, and fans were always cheering and singing. Osasuna isn't a particularly great team but it was cool to see their supporters 100% behind them.

The game finished 3-1. We didn't stay until the final whistle since it was a school night and my brother Alberto had homework but the game was pretty much over anyway.

Oh and we had cena (dinner) at the game. It wasn't anything exciting other than I tried sardines for the first time! They weren't that bad actually. I liked em.

Orientation in Madrid

It wasn't much of an orientation and it wasn't in Madrid.

My morning Friday was ok. Julia, my host sister, and my host mom got into a huge fight. It's very awkward to be a part of. I don't understand what they say but it's clear it's an argument.

I was afraid I would miss the bus to Madrid because my host mom Aurora decided to show an apartment that morning. But I didn't, and Matt, Mitchell, Mariel, & I boarded the bus to Madrid.

We talked the first few hours and Mariel decided it was time to sleep. She was right, I needed a nap. Mariel is Canadian, and in addition the German exchange student in Pamplona, they are the only ones who aren't from the US. Our bus ride was five long hours, and when we got to Madrid some former exchange students met us at the bus station. They took us to another bus to pick up the other each exchangers. We spent another two hours on the second bus before finally being dropped off at a university outside Madrid. We were left outside the university waiting for Rotarians, who were no where in sight. It was clear this trip wasn't well organized. Several of the former Spanish exchange students had to take a smoke break as soon as we got off the bus, which always catches me off guard to see so many people smoking. In Europe there isn't any stigma attached and it's much cheaper than in the US.

Some lady began to assign rooms and it later turned out she was a Rotarian. I shared a room with Alex and Mariel. We had dinner Friday night and went to bed. There wasn't anything planned and we spent a lot of time waiting around for something to happen.

Saturday we had breakfast and then the Rotarians spoke. They didn't tell us anything we hadn't heard before. One guy talked about some differnces between the US and Spain; he was a good speaker but you could see the sweat on his back gradually get worse. Later they checked our passports and gave us our insurance cards. The insurance here is really good and covers a lot. I have unlimited coverage on orthopedic limbs, and I saw a store in Pamplona selling such limbs. Since it's free I'm strongly considering getting one.

For lunch we had paella. It was good but felt like a beginner's paella. I met my aunt and uncle's exhcange student Jorge's parents. They were very nice and told me they have a room for me in their house in Madrid. They also mentioned their weekend home in de La Mancha, which doesn't sound too shabby either. I can't wait to go.

After paella we had district meetings, and then the rest of the day was ours. Rotary didn't have anything scheduled and the Rotarians seemed to have disappeared. It was nice to get to know the other exchange students. We sat around and talked for the rest of day and had some interesting conversations.

On Sunday we ate breakfast and waited some more, this time for the bus. We were dropped off at the bus station at 11. My bus back to Pamplona wasn't until 4 so there was a lot of time to kill. Some of the other exchange students in Pamplona were taking the bus at 3. We had a lot of time and some people wanted to see Madrid. I didn't want to pay for a metro ticket, and I'm sure I'll be in Madrid again.

It was finally 4 and time to leave Madrid. While I'm glad I got to know the other exchange students, I'm not sure it was worth the 40 euros in bus tickets (almost all of my allowance for the month). Next time I go to Madrid I'm sure it will be wonderful and worth every penny.

First Week of School In Spain

I started school Monday, and it's quite different from school in the US. Right now I don't understand much of what my teachers say, except math because numbers are the same in any language. I hated math in the US but since it's one of the 2 subjects I understand now (the other being english), it's not that bad. And english! Oh how I love that class! Not one spanish headache the entire class! And my teacher is from Ireland and has great accent.

One the first day, I thought we were going to French class but it turned out to be mass. I thought I had escaped the confines of parochial school in here is Spain but my school is a small private Catholic school. Not very different from Sba in that aspect. And their uniforms are basically the same as St. Benedict. School starts at 8:30 and ends at 2:30, which is also similiar to Sba, but an hour less. So I guess it's not that different.

My grade Segunda Bachillerato doesn't have to wear uniforms. It's like senior privileges in America. Another privilege is that segunda bachillerarto students can leave campus during the 30 minute break after 3rd period. During French, Alex,the other exchange student from the US at my school, and I go to the library since we know not one word of frances. Nada. We're supposed to be studying spanish but we usually just talk.

There are some major differences between school in America and Spain. Instead of students changing classrooms, the teachers move. I have class with the same people all and sit in the same desk for all of my classes. This makes the day feel longer because there is no change of scenery. Also, the class schedule isn't the same everyday. Here I don't have every class every day, so it's kind of like college. On Tuesdays, I have to go to back to school for some more classes. There's a 2 1/2 hour lunch break and then more classes in the afternoon, lasting until 6:30.

The students are nice but since my Spanish isn't very good right now it's hard to talk to them. They've been very helpful in class when I don't understand. I think once I feel more comfortable with the language it will be easier to make friends. I'm so glad I have Alex to be friends with, because not only does she speak the same language but she's going through the same thing. We vent a lot with each other when we're in the library "learning spanish".

So far the week has been good, and I look forward to this school year especially since most of my teachers don't make me do work like the other students. Since this is a gap year, and I don't need the credit, there's no point in stressing over school. I think I still have some senioritis from last year so not doing homework isn't very hard.

That's all for now as tomorrow I'm going to Madrid with the other exchange students for orientation!

How Could I Forget the Beach?

On Sunday, the 5th, my host mother Aurora and some family friends took me to a beach on the Spain France border. It was only an hours drive from Pamplona.

Beaches in Europe are quite different from those in the US. Speedos are perfectly acceptable. I counted 39 of these while at the beach. Most of the men that wear them are old, have hairy chests (and sometimes hairy backs too), and kind fat. In other words, they look good in those speedonts.

Also, beaches are topless. There are no signs to indicate this, it is understood. I'm not sure why boobs need to be tan. Even with spf 85 I still got sun burned. Oh well, such is life as a pale kid.

As we were leaving the beach and reentering Spain, there were a few police cars stoping some drivers. I was told that this was because of ETA, a terrorist group in Basque country that has been fighting for Basque independence for some time, who have been active recentlty. This type of terrorism is alittle different from what I am used to as an American.

But they day at the beach was wonderful and it is nice to live so close.

First 6 Days

I have arrived in Spain and it is gorgeous. It was a long journey here; from Memphis to Chicago to Madrid and then finally Pamplona. I feel like have being waiting for this for so long it's surreal that it's actually happening.

It's 10:51 am September 6th in Pamplona right now, so it's 3:54 am in Memphis. Today is Labor in the United States, but such holiday does not exist here in Spain.

My host father picked me up at the train station and brought me to my new home where my host mother met us. We had a huge lunch, typical of Spain. I took my first siesta afterwards, and naps everyday are something I could get used to.

On Friday my host father Enrique took me to see the older part of Pamplona. We visited the cathedral in Pamplona, which is very old of course. He also showed me la Plaza del Castillo, pictured here.

So far everything has been very interesting and exciting. The people and my host family are very nice, all of which makes me more excited to call this home.