I have been in Spain for one month. Wow. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone. Since I've been here, I've learned a lot about the Spanish culture and about the beautiful city of Sevilla. I have tried not to compare the Spanish culture and the American culture too much, but instead just appreciate different things about each. While I am here I want to try to embrace and enjoy the things that are different from back home. But, there's still some things I just can't help but compare to the U.S. So, I thought I would share some of the new things I have experienced since I have been here. Some are very minor, and some are pretty large, but they all have made me realize I am definitely not in Iowa anymore.
-wearing sweatpants and a Dordt sweatshirt to class is completely inappropriate. really wearing anything that isn't very put together and stylish is not acceptable here. (this has been a struggle for me!)
-the bathrooms: the shower head is not stuck to the wall. there are no trashcans in the bathrooms.
-it's normal for the little girls in my house to stay up until 12 p.m. or 1 a.m. on a school night. even the 15 month old stays up as late as I do.
-unlike at Dordt, people do not smile and say "good morning" on their way to class. if people acknowledge you at all it is usually with a not so nice look on their face.
-I eat at 8 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. People have a small snack around 11 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. I snack whenever possible because I'm always hungry here
-walking an hour, two hours, or three hours everyday is normal just to get where I need to go. (hence the always hungry thing) I have been trying to find time to run, but when that isn't possible I just count my walking as my exercise for the day.
-I never clean my own room, do my own laundry, cook my own food, or do my own dishes...basically I am ridiculously spoiled by my Senora.
-people think TV in the U.S. is bad for kids to watch...the TV here is worse, but in a more awkward way.
-it's 50-60 degrees in February and everyone is wearing boots, scarves, and mittens. I think if I was at Dordt people would be in shorts and a t-shirt.
-PDA is completely normal here. And by PDA I don't just mean holding hands.
-I can run in shorts and a t-shirt and not be cold.
-everything is closed from 2-5 for siesta. everyone goes home to eat lunch during siesta.
-on the weekends it's normal to stay up all night and sleep until noon the next day. things at night on the weekends don't start until 11 or 12 p.m.
-no one can say my name because of the "j" sound. I now respond to anything that sounds close to "hannah, yana, yena, hina"
-I never drive a car (which I absolutely love). I can take a bus, metro, taxi, train, or plane to get wherever I need to go.
-there are no farms or corn anywhere near me.
-I have four little sisters.
-there is a cathedral fifteen minutes from my house, along with a beautiful river, lots of old buildings, and narrow cobblestone streets.
-I speak Spanish when I order my food, when I go to school, when I am at home at night, when I'm in the grocery store, and when I'm trying to plan a trip. this has led to some fun misunderstandings and mix-ups with words.
That's just a small list of some of the new parts of my life here. I also wanted to share with you some things that are similar to things in the States that make me feel like I'm right at home.
-I eat a banana with peanut butter and cereal everyday for breakfast.
-I still share a bathroom with 6 other females.
-I still study...probably more than most normal people
-I have friends who love to eat chocolate with me.
Life here is a crazy adventure, but I am truly enjoying the journey.
Love,
jana
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