¡Amigas!

Last night, I had my first Rotary meeting. Usually a Rotary meeting would be just about the last thing I'd want to go. Don't get me wrong- I appreciate Rotary for not only giving me the opportunity to travel abroad, but also for all the good they do worldwide. But appreciation is much different than enthusiasm. 

This meeting was different though: at this  meeting, I got to meet the other two exchange students!! One is named Robin and the other Karly. I already adore them both. 

Karly is from Colorado...now she lives in the same apartment building as I do! I'm so happy that I have a fellow exchange student as a neighbor. I also found out we will be switching host families in February. I like Karly bunches. 

Robin is from Nebraska and now lives in Albaicín, the old town around the Alhambra. I am so jealous! I also found out that her birthday is two days after mine. Robin is very nice and can totally rock a pair of Birkenstocks. I am sad that she lives so far away from Karly and I. 

Along with the two inbound exchange students, there was also a rebound student named Laura. Laura went to Virginia last year and speaks English flawlessly. I hope I get to spend more time with her because she seems like someone I'd really enjoy hanging out with.  

Another perk of the meeting was getting our dinero!! As long as we attend the monthly Rotary meetings, we will receive a €70 allowance each month (sweet!). 

All in all, the Rotary meeting was pretty good (despite there not being any food like there is at the Rotary meetings at my home club).

This morning, after taking a shower, my

host mom and I went to my school to get my class schedule good to go. 

Before I had been to my new school (IES La Madraza), my host brothers had told me it looked like a prison...they were not lying.

Inside a black metal gate lies a dusty looking square building with some of the windows broken and numerous holes surrounding it. This building? My school. 

I have to admit, I was a little shocked because how different it looked than my school at home (St. Helena High School), which has recently undergone a huge facelift. 

The inside of La Madraza, however, is quite nice. I only saw the hallways, but they were clean and non-threatening. The inside of the school sharply contrasts that of good ol' SHHS because there were actual halls! In California, almost all of the schools have outdoor walkways from class to class. How exciting!

I think my schedule will look something like this (I don't remember all of the classes I'm taking):

•Spanish (like an English class in USA, but in Español)

•World History

•Physical Education (PE)

•English (like a Spanish class in USA, but for English)

•French (I know, hella languages)

•Applied Mathematics

•Economy

•Study Period

I am in the Humanities section of school rather than the Math & Technology section. 

After getting my classes set up, I went to the market with my host mom. The market is about a 10 (more or less) walk from our casa. 

At the store, there were so many little differences! For one, a lot of people (including my host mom) use a little cart to carry food in. 

They even have a little place where you can lock up your cart while you shop!

But the thing that was the cooliest to me were the baskets.

THEY HAVE WHEELS AND AN EXTRA LONG HANDLE SO YOU CAN WALK THEM LIKE A DOGGY THROUGHOUT THE STORE!!! SO COOL!!!

Another thing that we definitely don't have in American markets is the ham station. 

I had fun at the market. I got some conditioner, which I desperately needed. My host mom kept asking me if I wanted anything special, but I love what she makes already! She really is a fabulous cook. 

She did insist that I get some pastry. In the breakfast aisle, there were all of these little pastries. My host mom got a handful of one kind "for Samuel" and another kind "for Daniel" (my host brothers). She asked me which kind I would like...and I really had no idea! I'm already bad at decision-making, let alone choosing something I've never seen/tasted before! She explained what a couple had in them, and then told me one that she liked. It's a little bun with (I think) some chocolate in it. I'm not exactly sure, but she said it was good, I said it looked good, so she got a handful "for Tessa."

When we got back from grocery shopping, my host brothers asked me if I wanted to hang out with some friends of theirs. I said "sí" and we walked with a friend of my host brothers to another apartment building where we met with some of the girls I had met a few times before. 

At the apartments, we went to the outside area by the pool where there was a ping-pong table set up. I didn't play (I am so terrible at ping-pong), but I enjoyed sitting outside with fun people. 

Soon enough, it was time to go back home, where it was lunch time. For lunch, we had some chicken, a carrot salad, peas, potatoes, and melon. I love lunch time. 

After lunch, I walked around town with Karly for about an hour. It's so nice living so close to someone who knows exactly what I'm going through. 

Now, I am back at home, and in an hour I will be going with my host brothers and some friends (and Karly!) to the city center. Today has been a very good day. 

Muchas gracias! xo

Puesta del Sol

Yesterday was a pretty mellow day (as I'm guessing most Sundays will be). 

For the majority of the day, we all just kinda hung out. I even got a little studying in (verb conjugation will be the death of me, I swear).

For lunch, we had hamburguesas. There were sesame seed buns, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and even fries! It was funny, really, that we were eating like typical Americans...in Spain. 

Despues comida, I gave my host family the gifts I brought them from California:

•A Dodger's sweatshirt

•An In-N-Out t-shirt

•2 Gott's t-shirts (the restaurant where I worked at home)

•A Napa Valley dishtowel 

•St. Helena-made apple butter

•St. Helena tea

•Jelly Bellies

•A bottle of St. Helena wine (courtesy of my daddy)

•And the holy grail...Reese's. 

Everybody seemed to really like the regalos I brought! My host mother really liked the dishtowel and tea and the guys of my host family were seriously stoked when the Reese's PB cups came out. 

After the siesta, I was invited to go on a hike with my host parents (my host brothers were doing something else, I have no idea what). Of course, I said yes!

We drove for about 10-15 minutes on the freeway, missed the offramp, drove for another 5 minutes, took the correct offramp, and drove into a little mountain town. 

The drive as well as the town were very beautiful. I was told that the town was a hippie town.

When we finally found a place to park, we began the hike! 

The first part was pretty steep and kind of slippery. The place where we were going was a trail in a narrow canyon (in Spanish, there is a word for "narrow canyon," but I forget...I know it has "desfile" in it because you have to walk in a line). 

Before we got to the canyon, my host father stopped at a fig tree. He told me that he adores figs, and was shocked when I told him I had never tasted one! So, I had my first fig...fresh from the tree...in the mountains...in Spain (how much better can it get?!).

When we got to the narrow part, the name was spot on. We really did have to walk in a line the whole way! I even had to walk over a scary bridge! 

No this wasn't the bridge..but I felt like it was when I was crossing it! (I have a fear of heights).

The hike was beautiful!! Las montañas are gorgeous! I didn't take any pictures, but my host mother did- I will get them from her soon. 

At some places, the rocks stick out so much that you have to scoot along on your backside (yep, there's a picture of that). 

As much as I love going out with my host brothers at night, I really enjoy spending time with my host parents as well. They don't speak as fast and my host father quizzes me on words, which is helpful. 

The word that I actually remember off the top of my head is puesta del sol - the sunset. The puesta del sol was...wow. We watched the bright rojo ball sink into the mountains from a high peak. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen in Spain (and that's saying a lot).

Later, when we got home, I called my dad. We had a very, very good 28 minute chat. I miss my dad a whole lot, to be honest. 

After I talked with him, I was feeling homesick (despite there being an X-Men movie on TV). At about 1 AM, I went to bed. 

         And cried.

I didn't cry real hard, but I cried. So what would any American teenage girl do in this situation?

If you said "break into her own Reese's Peanut Butter Cup stash and watch half of Mulan on her laptop," you'd be correct. 

It's crazy how just little pieces of home can make you feel so much better. I only needed one piece of candy and up to "I'll Make a Man Out of You" to feel myself again.

This morning, workers came to do some work on the house. What exactly are they doing? Beats me! All I know is that I woke up to hammering and loud American music right outside my bedroom. 

I am doing tremendously well here in Spain, despite all the crying. I am super stoked to meet the rest of the exchange students this weekend in Madrid. Apparently, there will be another exchange student living in the same apartment building as I am!!!

Well, that's all for now. Muchas gracias! xo

Rain in Spain

Last night, as we were walking home from hanging out with muchos amigos, I felt my first few Spanish raindrops. 

This may not sound very interesting or exciting, but to me, it very much was. 

At about 10 that night, I left the house with my host brothers, Daniel y Samuel, to go to a party. 

Now it's not really a party, but it's a big get-together that happens very often in this big open area that looks kinda like a parking lot (but isn't). 

The reason people from all over Granada gather here? It's legal to drink outdoors here.The event and location have names, but I forget (a common theme tonight, forgetting names).

On the way to this semi-fiesta, we met up with some friends (some of which I had met earlier, some were new) and took the bus to some other bus stop. 

From the bus stop to the parking lot-looking place is about 15 minutes. On the way I had actual conversations! I felt like I was actually getting my point across and understanding what my new amigos had to say as well (for example, I found out two of the girls are obsessed with junk food..they were astonished when I told them I wasn't a McDonald's fan).

Right before we got there, we all stopped at a small liquor store to buy some cervezas. 

(Dad and other worried adults: don't fret, I was told countless times by my host brothers not to feel pressured to do anything... I split an Alhambra with a very nice girl who ended up introducing me to just about everyone.)

Once there, it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Everyone was at least somewhat dressed up (I felt out of place because I was wearing the same outfit I put on when I got out of the shower that morning..everyone else had changed into fancier clothing). 

Now, American parties have the tendency to get out of hand, sometimes ending up with a 911 call (whether by an injured party-goer or an angry neighbor). Here, the idea is NOT to get as wasted as you can. Everyone is very mellow and is there to see friends. 

The girl who I split the cerveza with took me around to practically everyone and told them that I was Tessa and I was American. 

Actually, she didn't say that. She, as well as everyone else, said I was "Tay-sah".

I'm not upset or anything that they pronounce my name differently than they do in the US, I actually feel more like the others. If they said my name with an American accent, it would sound even more out of place than it already does. 

Anyway, I had tons of fun. 

At about 12, my host brothers began to ask me "Estas cansada?" "Are you tired?" And I wasn't! So I endured their frequent questioning for about three and a half more hours until it was time to go home (by then, I was actually sleepy).

Since the buses at night don't come around very often, we walked home instead of waiting for a ride. 

I enjoyed the walk home very much, especially when my first few Spanish raindrops plopped on my forehead. 

I talked a lot more with some of the people I had just met and I had fun. 

We got home at 4 AM...crazy for America, the norm in Granada. 

This morning, I woke up at 11:30 and helped my host mom fold the laundry. 

The rest of my day has consisted of some comida y rest. Lots of rest. 

Tonight, I will be attending a free music festival and I am very excited both to see live music and to get a taste of what Spain listens to. 

(The concert was very fun, I felt almost at home.)

Muchas gracias xo

The Lay of the Land

Last night, despues mi siesta, my host mother asked if I would like to accompany her and my host father on a walk around El Albaicín, the old city of Granada. 

History time: Granada was the last city in Spain to be ruled by Arabs. There are still many Arabic buildings which are tremendously beautiful. However, there is only one mosque left because the Catholics turned them all into Catholic churches. 

We drove el coche the top of a hill with a spectacular view of the city. 

And here's me playing tourist.

When the Arabs ruled Granada, they built a wall around the city. The wall is no longer there, but there are still some stretches in tact along with the brilliant puerta (which I wish I had taken a picture of).

Along with Arab influence, there is also a lot of Moroccan culture as well. Lining the calles of El Albaicín are countless Moroccan shops selling leather bags, teas, traditional clothing, and MUCH more. 

Of course I had to take a picture (or rather have my host mother take a picture of me looking like a total tourist). 

I was very happy to find out that my host parents love walking. My host mother even said (well, it was in Spanish do I think she said) about walking around the city, "This is our gym."

We ended up walking around for dos horas! It was a blast and I got a ton of exercise (hay muchas hills!). 

All the time we were walking, my host father told me about the history of Granada. He would first tell me in Español, and if I didn't understand he would repeat it in English. 

That's basically been the system around here- Spanish and then English. It's working well and I think my Spanish is improving a already (only an ippy-tiny bit though). 

This morning, I woke up at 8:30, which apparently is early (my host brother, Samuel, asked me "Why do you get up so early??"). 

Since I was up-and-at-'em already, I took a shower and read some of The Catcher in the Rye (which I am loving, by the way). My host mom then made me some toast with her homemade blueberry jam (YUM) accompanied by some apple juice. 

Now, I am home alone because my host brothers are out (one has classes, the other is taking his driving test), my host father is at work, and my host mother had to run a few errands. 

I went out on the balcony for a while...I have not yet gotten used to how stunning Granada is. Even the part that I am living in which is much newer is gorgeous! 

 ( I found that I have been utilizing the Panorama function on my phone's camera a lot more often since I've been here.)

That is all for now, much more to come. 

Muchas gracias!

Pros & Cons

So I arrived safely in London! Hooray!

I was going to write a separate post just about the (horrendously long) flight from San Francisco to London, but my plane was a little late, making the layover rather short. 

Nevertheless, I am combining my first two flights (San Francisco - London and London - Madrid) into one post. 

FLIGHT NUMERO UNO

Pros:

•aisle seat

•British crew, British accents

•lots of beautiful Italians to look at

•my seat partners (also Italian) were a couple and didn't bother me at all except when they needed to go to the restroom (I was more than happy to comply)

•decent food (pasta, a roll, salad, and a lil slice of cheesecake)

Cons:

•icky coffee

•my back started hurting an hour into the flight

•so did my head

•crying baby

•unable to wash my face

FLIGHT NUMERO DOS

Pros:

•window seat

•nobody else in my row 

•window seat and nobody else in my row

•Spanish spoken everywhere!

•pretty view

Cons:

•crying baby

•no food (not reaaaallly a "con")

•Spanish spoken everywhere!

•my back still hurts

•I smell. bad. 

ADDITIONAL SURPRISES:

•my carry-on didn't count as carry-on size in London and I had to check it

•my expensive hair product got taken away (even though the 6 oz. container was WAY less than halfway full)

•I got frisked. 

By the time I post this, I will be in Madrid, hopefully with both of my checked bags and a clean face. 

Muchas gracias! 

¡Estoy en Granada!

The reason this post isn't titled "Estoy en España" is because I've been in Spain for a while...in the Madrid airport. 

When I arrived at the London Heathrow airport late, my hour and a half layover turned into about 20 minutes. 

*Insert anxiety here*

I actually wrote a post about my two first flights on my way from London to Madrid, but guess which airport doesn't have wi-fi? 

Yes, it's Madrid. 

After taking a look at the departures screen, I saw that my flight's check-in desk was "Self Check-In". 

Barely successful with that endeavor, I lugged my life-in-a-bag around looking for where to put my self-checked checked bag (I eventually found it, don't worry).

Next stop: security!!

Next surprise: my ticket is for tomorrow's flight!!

Here is where I'd like to give a shoutout to IYWT (my travel agency)- Thank you for booking me a TWENTY-FOUR HOUR LAYOVER IN MADRID!

I was then sent to the customer help desk where a nice man changed my ticket because I was a minor/youth exchange student and such (I didn't completely understand his reasoning, but a three hour layover sure beats a 24 hour one).

Then came security check round #2. 

Success!

According to the departures screen, I had to go to gate "K". 

The departures screen is usually very helpful, but not when there are close to 20 "K" gates. 

(I found out I had to wait until my departure time was closer before I could know what gate to go to.)

In the mean time before boarding, I bought myself a bocadillo (a sandwich on a tiny baguette) and a bottle of sparkling water. 

Finally, I got to board my flight to Granada!! Hooray!

All went well and I arrived in Granada at about 11:00 PM. 

Remember that crazy 24-hour layover I avoided? My host family did, too...but they didn't know about the avoiding it part. 

At the airport (where they also do not have wi-fi) the nice man at the rental car booth let me use the phone to call my host parents (who were very surprised). 

After getting kicked out of the airport because it was closing time, my host family picked me up!

They are da best. Seriously. 

I mean, I don't know them all very well yet, but you don't need to be around them very long to know how great they are (especially when they pick you up at the airport at 11:00 at night on a whim).

The house is very beautiful and comfortable. It is an apartment on the top floor and it is perfect. The view from the balcony is especially lovely. 

So far, I have:

•taken a shower (best. feeling. ever.)

•slept

•woke up (earlier than I thought I would!)

•had a banana y zumo (juice)

•talked to my daddy on the phone (yay!)

•met some people (cool girls, but I couldn't understand what they were saying and I can't remember their names for the life of me)

•ate a seriously delicious lunch of chicken, carrots, and potatoes (I found out it isn't really "lunch".. just comida)

•got an extended tour of the bathroom

Now, I am taking a siesta. 

Muchas gracias, estoy muy feliz!

(P.S. I will post the entry about my first two flights after this post.)

Airport Blues

Leaving home was hard. Real hard. 

It doesn't bother me that I'm leaving the town I grew up in, but rather that I'm abandoning the people who are always there for me: my dad and my friends. 

Since I was eight years old, it's basically been solely my dad and I. He has taught me pretty much everything I know about the world. I love him so dearly. 

This drastic change isn't just hard on me- I know it's difficult for my dad as well. He has supported me 110% in all my endeavors and I feel almost guilty leaving him for a year...but not that guilty.

So early this morning, I woke up at an ungodly hour with butterflies whirling around in my tummy. Today is the day. 

I checked that I had everything all packed before putting it in the car and walking to the high school to have one final lunch with my friends. 

         I must admit, I cried...hard. 

I also must add that I did not cry as much as I thought I would (Go me!).

After many see-you-soons and bye-for-nows, my dear old dad picked me up and we were off to the airport. 

Everything was going well with minimal tears...until my dad was told he could not accompany me to the gate. He had to stay outside of the TSA checkpoint and watch his little girl leave through glass walls. It was very, very hard for both of us. 

Now, I am waiting. 

         Alone. 

To be completely honest, I hate this so far. Yes, I am incredibly ecstatic, but this whole airport thing had been filled with crying and loud women talking about how obnoxious her friend's smoking habits are...leaving me with a massive headache. 

To make things better, I decided to read the card my best friend Naomi wrote me...boy was I wrong. 

The stupid card was so friggin sweet I hate it. It just had to be soooo sentimental and friggin heartfelt, didn't it Naomi? So here I am, holding up a stupid Snoopy card crying my eyes out. Thanks, "friend." (Luckily and embarrassingly, a friendly Minnesotan gave me a hanky).

I am very tired already and my first (out of three) planes hasn't even boarded yet. 

I will update again once in London on my layover.