Here I am, writing this in the corner of the teacher's lounge at my school in Arcos de la Frontera--today is the first day, and it has been a long process to get here, so I am more than anything grateful. I have to say, walking past hundreds of Spanish high schoolers to enter the building was a feeling I haven't felt since middle school! But for this blog, I just want to catch you up on everything else first.
Over the past two weeks or so, I have gotten well-acquainted with Jerez, the city I am living in, and have found my fair share of challenges, including learning how to air dry my clothes (I sound so spoiled, I know). But even beyond that, for every amazing date or experience I have had (yes, dates, ikr!), there is something new to learn and become accustomed to. For example, the meal times; most bars and restaurants are closed during the mid-day, one might say for a siesta but I am not convinced.
Meals have been difficult for me, I guess since my diet was so horrible in the U.S. But even so, I have found my grocery stores (love Aldi, but Mercadona is the best) and my snacks and meals for the week. My favorite food I tried is below--croquetas de remolacha, or beet croquets. They also eat so late, so snacks have become essential... as if they ever weren't for me. ;-) If you ever want a tip, the campesina chips are amazing here, they're tomato, garlic and basil flavored which is way better than it sounds.
If you want a story of struggle sprinkled in here, let me tell you that I still do not know my phone plan I signed up for with Orange, because she spoke so fast and I just wanted to have service... I would NOT recommend, but hey, being a guiri--the word here for foreigner--is not always easy!
Jerez itself is perfect--walkable, but also big enough that there's lots to do. I think it's similar to Cincinnati in that way. The better thing is that it is just 15-20min from the beach, where my friend Sammi and I went for a day trip. It is soooo beautiful, and even nicer not being so far from a shower!
I also moved into my first apartment, which has a huge closet and my own floor, with a terrace--along with two Spanish guys I met on a renting website that actually turned out to be super awesome. I have to say, their Spanish is tough to understand, as is everyone's in Andalucia. They have a habit of omitting their endings on words, especially the -es and -s. In fact, Jerez itself is pronounced Jere-. Tell me about it...
I have made some friends with fellow Auxes, or people in my program, but also with native Spaniards and even some from Ireland and Italy--if you know me, this is what I was so excited for and it has been soooo awesome to hear about their experiences. We had a dinner with my friends Sammi and Catherine's roommates, who are from India and Spain, and it was legit the best meal I have had in a long time (I still miss your chicken squares, Mom!!).
Things can get really hard, but I am trying to make the best of it and loving what I have found so far. These first two weeks before classes started were like summer camp--no responsibilities, no friends at first. But now that I have everything set, it's time to start working! I will be helping teach biology and music classes, so it will definitely be an adjustment! Missing all of you, sending my love desde España!
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