Yes, my second try in Portugal was much more sucessful than the first, although it did rain again. It didn't pour all weekend, though, which was a definate plus.
We saw all sorts of neat things while we were in Lisbon. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and it is very different than Spain. I have descirbed Lisbon as the San Fransico of Europe. It has a suspension bridge that the one in San Fransico was desinged after. It is right on the water and the city is huge. It has a very efficient metro system and LOTS of history in it. The city is WAY to big to feel like we explored the whole thing in 4 days. I would say we only hit the tip of the iceberg...We went shopping in a shopping center right under a bull ring. That was an adventure. We also got to see the aquarium. When I went out exploring, I happened upon a National Park of Portugal, which was beautiful. We also went to a nearby city called Sintra. This is the place where all the nobles of Lisbon when to build their summer castles. It was really neat to be able to see. Also, Portugal is the number one producer of cork in the world. We got to see all sorts of cork trees and fun things that were made out of cork. It was really neat climbing in the national park because cork trees were everywhere.
The group and I also went to a huge monastary dedicated to one of the great explorers of Portugal. There were so many different parts of this city that I don't feel like I can do it justice by describing it. The architecture of this city was incredible. There weren't two buildings next to eachother that were both the same shape. Everything in Lisbon was different colors and shapes and styles. It was a haven for people that love and can apperciate architecture-needless to say the architects in our group were happy...
Anyways, I leave for Madrid by bus tomorrow. Then Thursday morning I fly out with some friends to Paris. That's right. I will be there Thursday monring through Sunday morning. Awesome trip, huh? I'm excited!
Guess what? I also voted today. I finished my absentee ballott and it will be sent in soon. My second presidental election, and I have now voted from two different countries... cool, huh? I thought so! Love you and miss you all!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Venice
Yes, the rumors you heard are true. I spent the weekend in Venice. My roommate, Maggie and I had a roomies trip. We flew from Sevilla to Milan (the fashion capital of the world) and took a train to Venice from there. The train station was everything I had hoped it would be. The train was great because we got to see lots of the countryside, which was beautiful. Here is a picture of the train station. 
We spent Thursday and Friday exploring Venice. We stayed in a cabin/hostel thing. We only had 2 real Italian meals, in a successful effort to save some money. We got lost in Venice, which was planned, because we left our map at the hostel. We met our neighbors, Max and Sarah from Seattle. We also met some Gondola friends, Jess and Ian. That's right! I said Gondola! Not only did we get to ride a gondola, we got to ride it for 1/2 price because we made friends with the drivers! Great job, huh? We thought so. We also saw St. Marcos Plaza and the Grand canal.
We left Venice and it's all Italian autmosphere to view Milan on Saturday morning. We spent the day in Milan. No one there speaks English or Spanish, which made communication quite difficult. Maggie even dared to get her hair cut, although she couldn't speak the language. It turned out great, though. After a long day of shopping (and not buying) we headed to the airport on our first double decker bus! We had the whole top layer to ourselfes.... which is dangerous with a camera.
We spent the night in the cold, cold airport on the ground because our flight left at 6:30 am. We didn't want to get a hotel. Only catch? The airport closed at 10:30 p.m. hahahaha. Fun night overall. We came back into town exhausted, only to find we were locked out of our house and our family wasn't home. They quickly came to our rescue and we slept the day away. All in all a very good weekend.
Culture differences
-smoking is everywhere. Everyone does it
-Everyone here thows thier trash on the ground because the street sweepers come every night and clean the streets
-There is only one trashcan and one clock in the whole house...and no kleenex
-There is no phrase in Spanish for "Can I please have" only "I want" and "I need" Everyone here is very upfront. Oiga!
-You must wear shoes at all times, even walking around the house
-They don't ever drink milk... only EAT CHEESE!!!!
P.S.-My birthday is in 10 days. If you want to mail me something, you better get to it. Here is my address:
Jessica Fowler
44 Recaredo
41003 Sevilla, Spain
I expect lots of packages and mail!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Lagos, Portugal
We went to Lagos, Portugal this weekend. It is just the beach... it was beautiful...
and it rained all weekend. That pretty much sums up the weekend. I had fun.... but it rained... the weekend when I was supposed to get my last tan of the summer.... it rained. SAD....
But, Maggie and I leave for Venice in 2 days, so I still have hope. Be jealous! ;-)
and it rained all weekend. That pretty much sums up the weekend. I had fun.... but it rained... the weekend when I was supposed to get my last tan of the summer.... it rained. SAD....
But, Maggie and I leave for Venice in 2 days, so I still have hope. Be jealous! ;-)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Granada and Toros
I spent the weekend in Granada. We got to see the famous Alambra, which is a castle built by the Muslims and adapted by the Christians. However, most of the Muslim Palace was left in tact. The grounds included a fortress, a castle, summer castle, gardens of Generalife (pronounced herneral-eefe). Although this was very impressive, if was just like what we have already seen but on a much alrger scale. I really liked the city of Granada--It was larger than Sevilla, but used to many tourists. We got to speak English for a little while, which was nice. Many people loved the city of Granada more than any city we have been. I liked it, but I didn´t think it held a candle to Rhonda.
We also got to see La Alambra get lit up at night. We spent a long time climbing the mountianous streets to get to the lookout point. From the lookout, we could see the sun set, and the Alambra light up slowly. It was breathtaking. We spent the night here. Then next morning we went shopping in the local Morrocan market. This was a fun place to find lots of souveniers... but they were all African, and not so much Spanish, so I didn´t buy much....
We returned Saturday evening to a house full of Spaniards. My host mom (Manuela) had her birthday last Thrusday, so they had the whole family over. It was also a good night because after everyone left, our host sister Lola and her fiancé took us dancing. It was a group of us, and about 5 other Americans and about 7 other Spainiards. We had met all the Spainiards before, and I think we are all friends.... which makes me excited...
Sunday though, was my favorite part of the whole weekend. We went to a bull fight. I can´t tell you how incredible it was. We learned all about the bull fight last week. In one fight, there are 3 matadors and each one gets 2 bulls. There are 4 parts to each bull fight.
1) When the bull first comes out, from a dark tunnel into the bright bull ring (they are colorblind and only watch for movement)
2) Picadors (guys on horses) weaken the bull with only 2 stabs with a long stick.
3) Bondaeros (3 sets of 2 each) are but into the neck muscles of the bull to weaken their neck muscles. This will make it more difficult for them to keep their heads up.
4) The final kill, made with one swift sword pass by the matador--only after studying the bulls movements for several passes.
The bull fight was awesome. Many of the guys in the group didn´t like it, but the girls all did.... The fight we went to was with smaller bulls and matadors who were trying to make themselves know. I want to go to a large bull fight now.
That´s all for the weekend....But this weekend, I really felt like I was in SPAIN, which is exciting!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Everything
Everything here is different. Everything here is later in the day. Everything here is new. Everything here is natural. Everything here is good. Everything here is in Spanish. Everything here is more complicated.
I like it here, but I will be glad to come home. I miss reality. I feel like I´m in a spectacular dream. I want to be able to wake up for a bit, and go right back to sleep and keep dreaming. Does that make sense?
Tomorrow we are off to Granada. It´s supposed to be more beautiful than Ronda, but I can´t believe it. I will let you know. I finished my 3rd Seviallans dance class, and I´m worn out and tired, but I´m hopelessly addicted. I will give you all shows when I get back. If you are lucky, I will buy a dress, and dress up for you all. The shows will cost you though, depending on how much money I spend while I´m over here.
Venice instead of Barcelona-- because my flight got cancelled. Paris for my birthday, then backpacking through Sueza (Switzerland). All in all, I´m excited, but I wish you all could be here to experience it with me.
I like it here, but I will be glad to come home. I miss reality. I feel like I´m in a spectacular dream. I want to be able to wake up for a bit, and go right back to sleep and keep dreaming. Does that make sense?
Tomorrow we are off to Granada. It´s supposed to be more beautiful than Ronda, but I can´t believe it. I will let you know. I finished my 3rd Seviallans dance class, and I´m worn out and tired, but I´m hopelessly addicted. I will give you all shows when I get back. If you are lucky, I will buy a dress, and dress up for you all. The shows will cost you though, depending on how much money I spend while I´m over here.
Venice instead of Barcelona-- because my flight got cancelled. Paris for my birthday, then backpacking through Sueza (Switzerland). All in all, I´m excited, but I wish you all could be here to experience it with me.
Monday, September 15, 2008
A weekend at "home"
I feel as if I´m in Sevilla, but I know what I´m doing... I feel as if I am finally comfortable with the people I am around, the place I am in, and the things that I am learning. Let me tell you, I am learning a lot. I´m not just talking about Spanish, but I´m learning a lot about myself and other people. This weekend, a bunch of people went to Cadíz, a local beach, but I decided that my time and money would be better spent at home. I spent the weekend walking around Sevilla, getting to know everything about it. I went to the famous Plaza de España and took lots of pitures. I have started to meet new friends, Spanish friends, and hang out with them. I met a lady walking home from school who said we could come over and practive our Spanish. She lives just two blocks from me. Also, Maggie and I met a guy who plays baseball in Spain, but he´s from the Dominican Republic, and he wants to hang out with us too. Also, I have met some friends at work that want to hang out and do an intercambio of English and Spanish. I finally walked to school, and it took me 53 minutes, and I walked really fast.
Other culture changes
-When buying fruit, they ring up the fruit at that part of the store, not when you pay
-When you are dating someone, you wear a ring on your ring finger of your left hand. When you get married, the ring moves to your left hand.
-Mini-Coopers are a regular sized car here.... I have only seen 1 truck since I have been in Spain.
-Crosswalks are used. Only cross the street at a crosswalk, unless you want to get hit. Also, the stoplights are low, so people roll all the way up to them. There is no 20 foot behind the stoplight rule in Spain. This is why you stick to the crosswalks.
More later. I´m off to work!
Other culture changes
-When buying fruit, they ring up the fruit at that part of the store, not when you pay
-When you are dating someone, you wear a ring on your ring finger of your left hand. When you get married, the ring moves to your left hand.
-Mini-Coopers are a regular sized car here.... I have only seen 1 truck since I have been in Spain.
-Crosswalks are used. Only cross the street at a crosswalk, unless you want to get hit. Also, the stoplights are low, so people roll all the way up to them. There is no 20 foot behind the stoplight rule in Spain. This is why you stick to the crosswalks.
More later. I´m off to work!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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!
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!
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