SalamancAmazing!!

Well wow. Salamanca, Spain.

I have so many things to say – I haven’t been here even one week yet, and I’ve already seen and learned more than I can probably comprehend right now. (In other words, I have a ton to say and will probably ramble on for longer than most sane people can handle. You are officially warned.)

Aside from the killer jet lag, I had a great trip over. I had what I called at the time, “varying moments of reality” where I realized, increasingly more acutely, that now I was really, actually, going to Spain. From the moment I said goodbye to my parents it took about 8 hours until I was suddenly faced with the abrupt inescapability of using my second language to communicate a basic idea. It was definitely a shock to the system, but one that took me about one day to get over.

A few basics: While here, I live in a homestay with one other student – Lila – and our host-mom, Mamen. She lives alone, but has nieces that come over often, and has been hosting students for more than 20 years, so she’s pretty much got the routine down. She’s been great so far, and I’m really enjoying almost everything she cooks for us. There are about 14 girls on our program, and we’ve all been going out together at night and having a lot of fun! Today was my second day of classes and they’re going well too, especially because they only go from 9-12 for the next three weeks!

I feel constantly fascinated and in awe of everything I see here and learn about Spain and Salamanca. One very obvious and interesting difference here is the structure of the day. We wake up to have breakfast around 8:00. Then we’ll go to class and come back by 2:30 for lunch. (We usually bring an apple or buy a small snack for mid-morning). After lunch you can take a nap, or just hang out, relax, do some homework etc until 9:30 when dinner is served. After dinner (around 10 or 11) you can go out, but the bars and clubs are pretty dead until at least 2 or 3. Really. I actually really like the schedule, I just haven’t quite figured out how people stay out until 4, 5, or 6 and wake up again at 8. (Thank god for the siesta!)

The city is absolutely beautiful. There is no doubt that cars have the right of way, but it’s definitely a walking city. From the Plaza Mayor (roughly in the center) you can walk to pretty much any corner of the city in 25 minutes or less. (That is, or course, if you don’t get lost…it’s a process, but I learn new streets and shortcuts every time I go out. It’s extremely gratifying.)

It’s also very humbling to be here in a lot of ways. To be experiencing what it’s like to be on the other side of the language barrier is very eye-opening. When I am at home, and someone is struggling to speak English as their second language, it can be difficult to remember that in their own country they would have no trouble communicating, and might even be far more intelligent than me. But simply because they don’t speak my language, there is some kind of wall that goes up, and the same thing happens here. It’s sad to see, but even worse to realize that I’m usually on the other side. I already have a much greater appreciation for the amount of skill and practice that it takes to be able to communicate in a foreign language and be even vaguely comprehensible.

I take so much for granted at home, and I don’t just mean having a roof over my head, and food on my plate. To say that there is a lack of independence here is a bit overdramatic, but the feeling of being more constrained than I am used to is very striking to me because I didn’t expect it. I am not a “city girl” but I enjoy exploring, and gaining confidence in myself when I am able to find my way around on my own. During the day here, this is “ok” but I have been told over and over that “a woman has no business being out alone after dinner”. This is not because it is unsafe, necessarily, but simply because this is how things are here. It’s been something to get used to, but it really bothers me less and less every day.

Also! Two nights ago we went out for tapas (small portions of food shared by a group) and I tried the house specialty – jaca…pig lips! They were very interesting – a taste like bacon, and both crunchy and chewy – but I can’t say I would order them again. I also just couldn’t bring myself to try the tail. Maybe I’ll be braver by the time I leave. (The other tapas were great though!)

There is so much more I could say, but for now I am just having an amazing time, and I will do my best to keep up here!

Hasta luego!