Class and Little Life Things

Classes have started, and honestly, I'm so excited because now I am surrounded by Spanish casi todo el dia. My grammar class is wonderful; we cover common phrases without direct translations to English and useful vocabulary for everyday things. And, Anna, la profesora, is incredibly patient and openhearted, which makes speaking easy and invites people to get involved.

Everyday proves a mixture of comfort/discomfort, and happiness/anxiety. One minute I am rattling off Spanish, esctatic to be understanding so well and the next I am confused, wide-eyed, and dumbfounded by a question asked in jibberish. Most negative thoughts come in the morning while I'm walking to class in 32 degree weather and I have to treck up a mammoth hill (THE hill) on the way. Melissa and I are waiting until we learn a suitable Spanish name for it, but for now she's Big Bertha. Playing "Would you rather..." helps the meters pass. Today it was "Would you rather walk sideways forever or have a sandwich for a hand?" and yesterday- "have an umbrella growing out of your head or speak only one language no one can understand?"

Trust me, if you saw the hill, you'd understand.

The metro is a different world with its own customs, traditions, geography, and people. They walk fast, don't smile, and always head towards the door BEFORE reaching the stop (yes, while the train is still moving-good balance is part of the test). Oh, and always stand to the right on the escalator (stand to the left and be prepared for glares, heavy sighs, and a shove from someone on the move). Whenever I use it there's always a little knot of apprehension in my stomach, rooted in fear of pickpockets, getting lost, and standing out. But I'm learning.

Still haven't mastered simple things like ordering a sandwich or buying shampoo without revealing I'm a foreigner yet. Sure, I've ordered plenty of bocadillos and don't worry I'm showering, but I have yet to enter a store and seamlessly buy what I need with no "perdon? otra vez por favor?" included.

The eating schedule is something to get used to. Breakfast virtually doesn't exist, except for a cafe con leche break around 10 (my favorite part of the day). Comida (lunch) is huge, usually around 2-4pm, and lasts about an hour (at least). Dinner is light (a lot of times bars include tapas with drink orders- the most typical being a piece of bread with jamon iberico and olive oil). Typical spanish food is fat, grease, and a side ingredient (usually potatoes). Since arriving, I can't remember a meal without meat stewed in its own juices or vegetables drenched in oil. Ham is EVERYWHERE: on the cielings (at least one bar on every street has huge legs of pork dangling and drying from above), in the typical sandwich (bocadillo), and on tapas. I'm still testing the different types; so far serrano is winning out.

Arroz con leche is delicious. Josefina made the first batch Sunday and it was gone by last night! Who knew rice, cinnamon, and milk could be so good?

I have a goal to read one Spanish newspaper article a day. Today was the strikes going on in London. (We'll see if that sticks when classes start...)

Sleepy. Hasta luego!