One of the big perks of my program is that we stay with host families, which greatly increases the Spanish we are exposed to and forces us to speak in Spanish. Last summer I went to Chile, and while that's where I really became fluent, I would have learned a lot more had I not been speaking English in the dorms our group stayed in.
My host mom and dad are on the elderly side, super kind, a little quiet at times, but very reasonable and communicative. At first I was concerned they weren't going to speak to me much, but I soon learned that they are more used to students with only a few classes of Spanish experience. I have to ask them to repeat themselves often, but we understand each other pretty well most of the time. On the first day of orientation my host parents walked me and some other students that live near me to the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, which turned out to be about a 20 or 30 minute walk (Google maps). We're all ready to have super calves by the time we leave in December.
In Spain, meals are between 8-9AM, 2-3PM, and 9-10PM. Sometimes people have a "merienda" around 6 or 7, which is usually a coffee or a beer with tapas. Lunch is the large meal of the day, dinner is lighter, usually just one plate and maybe a salad. Meals are when I interact the most with my host parents, Ascension and Miguel (I think, still haven't gotten clear on his name...). Miguel always has the TV on during meals. While at first I found this annoying, it's really a blessing in disguise because it's a great source of conversation, and great exposure to the language as it's spoken naturally. I can't wait to be able to understand the awesome Spanish soap operas on Univision when I return to the states.
My typical lunch in Granada.
When I mentioned to my host mom that although I don't eat red meat I do eat chicken and turkey, she of course thought I realllllly love chicken and turkey. I don't think I've had a lunch or dinner without a bird in it yet!
So this past weekend I went to Trinity Music Fest with Julie (props to Jennie W for the sweet ticket hook up). The main pull was David Crowder Band , but other greats like John Reuben and Jeremy Camp were there (oh and God too, let's not forget that, gosh*).
Although nervous ("what am I even going to say to him?"), I mustered up the courage to go say hello to the ever intimidating-just-as-thin-if-not-thinner-than-David-Crowder John Reuben, as he stood by his merch after most of his fans had passed through.
My interaction follows (I hope this is not just hilarious for Julie and I):
Me: Hi John...(move closer, shake hands) I'm John
John Reu: I'M John
Me: Hahaha, hey I saw you out in Soulfest (that's in NH if you don't know) a few years back
John Reu: Oh yeah? What were you doing out there?
Me: Well I live out there but I go to school out in Valparaiso
John Reu: Oh yeah, Valparaiso University, gotcha
Me: Yeah, you're from Texas right?
John Reu: Nope, Ohio... uhhhh ummm (he literally forgot) Columbus, Columbus. David Crowder is from Texas
Me: Yeah I know that... ...it's you skinny scruffy guys (John Reu had a large amount of scruff for himself that day, but nothing close to Crowder) like you I think are from Texas, clearly
John Reu: Hahahaha
Me: Hey, well I really appreciated Boy Vs. The Cynic, I haven't heard your new stuff yet but I will definitely get to it
John Reu: Oh thanks man
Me: Hey well can I grab a photo with you?
Julie: Yeah I want to get a photo of you guys
John Reu: Yeah, yeah sure thing
Me: Cool, cool (put arm around John semi unconfidently but doing so nonetheless)
Julie: (takes photo)
Me: Well thanks dude, good to meet you
John Reu: Yeah sure thing man...
The End. Well, much laughing about Texas ensued as we walked away.
*this is serious thought I have that needs to be fleshed out some time
I was in Chicago recently nearby the riverwalk and after seeing a homeless person I wrote this later in the the day.
Bustling.
Motivated.
Excited.
Compassionate?
Hard hearted.
Does a sidewalk city stop for a man lying still?
Just to look twice
or maybe take a picture
or to tell their friend, 'oh my'
They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
What joy is there when pride is so thick man does not love?
Surely, It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
