A typical day in Sevilla

I don´t know if I have already written about any of this stuff, but I´m going to tell you about my typical day, what I´m doing now, and what I´m planning on doing. I will also throw in some more culture stuff, if you want me to or not...

Every morning, I ride the bus to work about 8:30 in the morning at the Residencia de los Ansianos (Residents of the Ancients-literally translated) and I help them eat breakfast and get dresses. Then I take a brisk little walk to school, where I go to class from 10:30-12. Then I walk back to work, where I work from 12 ish until 1:30 or 2. Then I ride the bus home for lunch and take a siesta (which is usually longer than I plan for it to be...) The second half of the day varies, depending on the day. I eaither go back to school for internet use (which I´m doing now) or do various activites around Sevilla. Dinner is around 9:30, and if I go out, it´s not usually until about 11 or 11:30. This brings me to some culture differences, but I will save them until later.

Here´s an update on my life. I have been meeting all the residents at the place that I work, and all the nuns. I love them all. I have learned to feed people that can´t move/walk as well as how to have conversations with old women in Spainish (which I think is pretty impressive...) Today I got to help everyone work out in the gym, and I got to toss different colored balloons around. It was my favorite time at work so far!

I also had my first exam in my clase de literatura infantíl (Children´s Lit.) and I´m pretty sure I´m making good grades. I will be able to tell you tomorrow. The book study that Maggie, Jen and I were starting has continued to be passed around most of the group. We are all taking turns writing in the book, which will be really interesting. The book is on the outlook of God on Sexuality in refrence to United States culture. It´s been really neat being able to hear the responses of other people who have read the book.

Sunday I got to go to the market with Ana, my host sister. We went and looked for many different things, but ended up coming back with new towels and sheets for Maggie and I´s beds. She also bought some clothes, I think. It was an experience, to say the least. Maggie and I also sucessfully walked home from the middle of the city last week, which was a HUGE success. It didn´t end up taking us as long as we originally thought, but we haven´t walked from the school yet. It´s really nice to know that you know where you are going, and don´t have to worry about getting lost for hours. Something about it makes me feel less like a tourist, and more like I live here. I spent a few hours yesterday with a new tutor. He was very good with helping answer Maggie and I´s questions about the Spanish culture, but he didn´t do a very good job helping us with our Spanish, which was frusterating.

While walking home yesterday, Maggie and I were speaking only Spanish to eachother, and we made a friend. IT´S OUR FIRST FRIEND THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL!!! We were really excited. We were speaking Spanish, and this lady, named Beatrice, tols us that our Spanish was very proper and correct. She lives only about 2 black from us, and invited us over to come and practice our Spanish whenever we want!!! She also gave us some hints about the neighborhood that we live in, as far as where to go to get good icecream and coffee. We will have to go and visit her later....

I´m feeling great about being here. I´m finally feeling like I fit in a little more in the culture. I also am learning to put myself out there and try to talk. At first, I just like to listen because I pretty much understand everything that is said to me. I´m learning to ask questions more now, and not let Maggie do all the talking. ;-)

Future Plans- This weekend we are going to the beach called Cadís. We are going to Paris for my birthday and I think I´m going to end up going to Switzerland for my long vacation...backpacking with a bunch of people from the group. It´s either that or Ireland...I haven´t quite decided yet. Also, I´m going to Barcelona in a couple of weeks for the weekend. It should be a grand adventure.

CULTURE CHANGES

-Here we eat meals MUCH later. Everything starts later. People don´t think about getting out of bed until about 8:30 here and thier days go until after 12 every night. (everyone, not just the college students)
-Men and women walk into and back out of elevators. There isn´t sufficient space to be able to turn around to face the right direction. It´s a little awkward if you don´t know it´s coming.
-Every meal has several courses. They eat a soup usually first, then the meat, then the salad, and finally desert of fruit. All the meals have bread along with them. It´s really funny to eat salad last....
-You CAN¨T judge the conversation by the tones of the voices used in the conversation. You will get your feelings hurt or think everyone hates eachother. They are much louder here, all the time, and exchange workds very loudly when they are passionate. Don´t be offended...
-Birthday parties are just family (because everyone lives locally) with maybe 2 gifts. It´s really just a time to socialize with the family, but the person with the birthday isn´t the center of attention... it´s different than in the states.

I guess that´s all I have for now. I will post again soon. Please feel free to pass this link around if you would like. Also, you can respond to my post by sending me an e-mail, at jessimcute@aol.com if you want to.

Pray that God continuest to give me strength to want to be here. Pray that I come in contact with open hearts and that I will shine a light that will be pleasing to Him. Pray that I remember that I´m on a mission trip, but have fun as well. Pray that I keep praying. Thank you!