Until October, I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today I took advantage of my free time and explored Paseo de la Estacion, the street on which I live. So far I've only walked to and from class, and I wanted to see where the grocery stores/pharmacies/drug dealers (just kidding) are in relation to my building. Dios mio, how I miss Target. However, I did find a store called Carrefour that sells groceries and some basic bathroom supplies. My aunt wears this really wonderful-smelling cologne from Spain that is actually for babies. Well, to my delight I managed to find the product. Only after I bought it did I realize that wearing a foreign baby product in the US is ok because no one knows what it is, but wearing it in Spain, especially since I don't have a baby, could be a bit odd.
Everyone in Europe wears cool, non flip-flop sandals, so I went into a store to try on a pair. I asked the saleswoman (in Spanish) if they carried a smaller size, and she looked at me and replied, "I don't speak your language." Ouch. Nothing says confidence like being totally misunderstood after taking 9 years of a language. My ego has taken an enormous nosedive since this afternoon.
The idea that everyone knows English certainly does not apply here. My host family speaks no English and has never been to the US, so communicating about my culture is very difficult. Speaking of my homestay, I wish I could say I was happier. Life outside of the home is great, but I don't feel very comfortable in the apartment. Most of my friends have charming senoras. I really have no relationship with my family. I eat with them, and that's about it. Part of it is definitely the age gap (my 20 years versus their 67), but it's also the general attitude in the house. My senora is certainly a nice person, but she pretty much provides the bare minimum of services. I can't put food in the kitchen, keep shampoo in the bathroom, or wash any of my clothes, even if I do it myself in the tub. I just hear my friends talking about how they bonded with their senora and like spending time at home, and it makes me depressed. This blog is my equivalent of a journal, so please excuse the bitching. It's really not that bad, but it's things like paying 11 euros for a load of laundry that make me homesick. I'm trying to find a laundry mat so I can avoid this hefty fee. As my Mom rightly reminded me, at least I'm not in Ghana (sorry, Ashlee).
On Saturday the Emory group is visiting Segovia-Avila, so expect an update after that excursion. I hope all is well, and feel free to leave comments because I love to read them!
Buenas noches.
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4 comments:
Yikes. Those are some pretty strict rules. Maybe if you throw a few wild parties at the apartment, your hosts will loosen up a bit. You know, the kind with people throwing up in the plants and wearing lampshades on their heads and whatnot.
No food in the fridge, no shampoo in the shower, no washing of clothing...ah ha!! "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition."
Regarding the good Senora's...may I remind you what I have already told you on more than one occasion: this is your prime opportunity to be a "bad girl," pretty much each and every night for the next few months. If you are hanging with the Senora, there are more serious issues to consider.
Food should be provided by men in courting, their showers can be used for shampooing, and the laundry mat is a good pickup site. Use Senora's place to park your luggage and appear legit to those of us you left behind in Georgia.
I'm with Mindy, ditch the senora.
Is your same cell phone activated or do you have another number. Make sure and let us know if you want to return to Madrid, Coro and Juan said they'd enjoy meeting you.
Hey, we NEED more postings. There is an audience here, ya know. Alexa is told of your adventures every night.
Somewhat inspired, I've threatened to take away HER shampoo.
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