La vida cotidiana

My host madre has returned from Morocco. And she brought me back red slippers with beading on top. :D How agradable! And perfect because I didn't bring slippers to Spain. She said it's very different there, and she didn't adore much of the food--except for the couscous. And she said there are no rules to driving, essentially people will suddenly pull out wherever they feel the need to turn. I don't think I'll be making that trip any time soon.

We got our midterms back today...both over 92%, no os preocupéis! In Rock Class we listened to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, and David Bowie. The terrible 70s as it's called. Next class will focus on punk! =D After class I had a little chat with my host hermano and then watched Columbo (in Spanish obviously) with my padre. And we talked about the Spanish and English treatment of the natives when trying to conquer the Americas...always an interesting/agitating topic en mi opinión.

Tomorrow night Gianna, Alison, and I leave for Lisboa for the weekend. So, hasta la próxima!

Can't stop listening to...

"Si Te Vas," a song by my favorite Spanish band, Extremoduro. Except this song isn't very rock, IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL. And melodious.

Today I made the most of our day off by not doing much of anything. Ah, to lack obligations is something grand.

Txuri-urdin, txuri-urdin maitea!

Sunday we went to the Real Sociedad game vs Getafe. In la Liga standings, Erreala is in 13th place, and Getafe in 17 or algo así. We decided to meet at the Churrería across from the stadium since we were coming from different buses. I wasn't exactly sure what bus-stop to wait at, but the handful of people in their Real Sociedad jerseys gave me a good idea. I love the fraternity that team spirit builds. The bus was packed with people heading to the game. When I got the the Churrería, my friends barely noticed me because I blended in with my jersey. Ohh yeahhh! Our seats were in the 7th row, behind the goal and only cost us 25 euros. Sure, we couldn't se their faces very well, but we got a good view of the action coming at the goal. And I was sure to jump up and yell --in Spanish of course-- when the ref made a bad call. Didn't learn any of the chants really, except for the most basic "Real! Real! Real!" It ended in a 0-0 tie. Not bad...but not good. It was a good first game experience though. Hopefully next time I go we'll bring home a victoria.

Today I had 2 writing midterms: in Cultura y Civilización and Track IV. That was a real joy. I wrote about Don Quijote, The Basque Calendar, The Basque Home/Etxea in olden days, and Witches vs Inquisition. At least the topics were interesting to me. And tonight our friend Jenn who lives in a piso (apartment) is cooking us her grandma's spaghetti. Precious! Afterwards we'll hit the town to celebrate a classmate's birthday, the end of Midterms, and tomorrow's holiday-- Día del País Vasco/Euskadiko Eguna!

Today a few of my friends and I took a bus to el Estadio Anoeta, home of Real Sociedad de Fútbol, to buy our tickets. Wheee! I also bought myself a jersey. Now I feel quite Basque jeje, and I'm sure it will come in handy staying here for the academic school year. Aupa erreala!

My host madre is in Morroco (I think) for a few days, so it's just me and the fellas left to fend for ourselves. :0 That's an exaggeration, because both my padre and hermano know how to cook well. The only thing would be whoever shall iron our underwear?! Troubling, really. xP

Also, the ETA has officially called off violent acts. Woohoo!! ETA is a Basque separatist group that wants a free Basque Country, but uses acts of terrorism, so this is quite a victory. Certainly it's awesome to be here at this time. I'm living history!! Gora euskadi!

Here comes the rain...

It's finally starting to act like autumn here, how tragic.

 In other news, I finished my 10 page paper on Calderón de la Barca. "La Vida Es Sueño" is one of my favorite Spanish classics, but I just didn't fancy writing a 10 page biography/stylistic summary. And my presentation and story on witches are complete. Takin care of business! 8)

 And here we have a picture from last weekend of a fellow making great sand sculptures.

In linguistic news, I think I've been chatting more with my family lately, muy bien. And I asked for a band at a music store, which they didn't have, so then I followed directions to another store where I could buy it. And somebody thought my friend Gianna and I were from Bilbao based on our accents. Haha it was cool that they assumed us to be from the peninsula!

Tomorrow is Thursday. That means pintxos!! The weekend is already upon us, hooray!

Shazam!

Ok I've got a lot to recap, and plenty of photos to add, so here we goooooo!

Funicular sign. Tower peaking over is Torreón  de Monte Igeldo

Yesterday my friend Janelle and I rode the little funicular up to Mt Igeldo, which has the most beautiful view of the city. Seriously, it was amazing. There is also a kiddie park up there, but we weren't really interested in that. Also at the very top there is the Torreón de Monte Igeldo where you can get an even more expansive view.

After that little outing, I came home for lunch: steak! I don't know if I've mentioned it, but they barely cook meat here. It's because they're vampires. ;) After lunch I felt the need to act Andaluza and take a siesta. But not just a siesta in bed. Oh no--because this is Spain, and although it is the middle of October, I took a nap at the beach! It was such a beautiful day I had to go to the beach. So I guess I can cross of sunbathing in October off my list of accomplishments.

My city, not like it's gorgeous or anything

Friday/Viernes

Basque pony grazing!

That was our excursion to the Pyrenees, and it was really cool! (Literally as well, jojo!). First we went into France (hooray!) and road Le Petit Train up La Rhune, 905 meters. The mountainside was nice and meadowy, there were even some wild ponies grazing. Once at the top we could see the general area of San Sebastián, as well as Biarritz, and other nearby cities. Yeaaah! On the otherside of the view was just mountains with clouds. Las nubes! It looked as if the clouds were a waterfall spilling out of two of the mountains.

In Spain and France a la vez. But it's all Basque Country to me!

Inside the witch museum

 After descending La Rhune in the little train, we went on a hike, going through France and Spain. We stopped at the border for a photo opp. Haven't been hiking in a while, reminded me of my days as a camp counselor hehe. After lunch in a little Basque restaurant, we went to the Museo de Brujas--witch museum. That was interesting, as you could imagine. Basically during the Inquisition, a lot of people were called witches for the benefit of others. The Basques were especially victimized because they speak a completely different language (and at that time most Basques didn't speak Spanish too), and their culture includes a lot of relation to nature, which was seen as witchcraft. We also learned about their cave parties called Akelarres. That also was assumed to be based in witchcraft, but it was really just a good time, like the botellones that kids do nowadays. They claimed kids as young as 9 were witches. What the dickens! After the museum we walked in the caves. And that concludes our excursion.

Lazy weekend

Not much to recap since this weekend was really chill. I only went out one night and came home by 12:30--practically antisocial by Spanish standards. However, today we went to a Cider house where they make it and have a little museum. It was really interesting to see the movie because it's relevant to my Culture/Civ class. It talked about ancient Basques and how many country homes now are built over ancestral dwellings 1000 years old. 

And that's the story, morning glory. Agur!

Dirty laundry

When I returned from Barcelona, all of my laundry was done. Even though I hadn't put any with the family laundry. Weeeird. Just like magic! And today I talked with my madre about ironing. She irons everything, including underwear haha. I told her it really isn't necessary to iron my t-shirts. She responded that when I have my own place next year, I can do what I want, but I will think of her when I need to iron something. Jeje.

Got our grades for our Track IV midterm. 93%. Suckaa!

The Authentic Barcelona Experience!

Weekend trip to Barcelona a clear success (and how could it not be?!). Lo pasé fenomenal. And I got to cross a bunch of things off my lifetime to-do list. So here's a nice and thorough summary, with images so you don't fall asleep.

VIERNES/FRIDAY

I left my place in SS at 6:30. The trainride was an uneventful 6 hours--I slept most of the way. Gerard picked me up at the train station, how kind! He is shorter in person, which kind of made me chuckle. Then we took the metro to his house and had a lunch of lentejas with is mom. It was kind of like pea soup and tastier than one would expect from the appearance. Later we went to a street in "downtown" Barcelona, filled with rock music shops and fun stuff like that. I bought myself an Extremoduro CD. Gerard made me talk to people to practice, even though it was kind of embarrassing. And I think one of the clerks started talking in Catalan because he told the guy I was American so he should talk to me in Spanish. For dinner we went to an American/bluesy place. He told the waitress I was American and would be judging the quality haha. Hamburger was satisfactory, I'm not really particular. To end the night we watched Torrente (famous movie character who is obnoxiously Spanish and a bit disgusting).


SÁBADO/ SATURDAY

Ramblas street performer dressed as Don Quijote

Gerard had to work in the morning, so I went to some touristy places near Plaça Catalunya with my friend Mireia. Hooray for guiris! The nice thing is she's very good at English, so we got to be lazy and talk Spanglish. :P We walked down las Ramblas, saw the statue of Colón (Columbus), walked around the Port of Barcelona, strolled in the Parc de la Ciutadella, and saw the Arco de Triunfo. Not bad, eh?!

Regal, like a león

BCN's Arc de Triomph

With Mireia in front of Columbus

With Mireia in the charming Parc de la Ciutadella

Saturday night was reserved for fiesta, obviously.  It was certainly an authentic Spanish fiesta experience haha. I think at 2am Gerard was still saying "The night is young!" Because he and his friends are metal fans, that influenced where we spent the evening. One of the places had a really nice ambience, even if I didn't love the music. It had really high ceilings and just a ton of tables and chairs filled with people. Every once in a while you could the crowd singing along--especially when it was by a Spanish metal band. Luckily I had Gerard's best friend Josep to explain things to me. He is also fluent in English which was so useful for my lazy self. The next place we went was more mainstream, but I enjoyed it because they played songs by 2 of my favorite Spanish bands! In a row! :D It's like they knew...

Some cool Spanish dudes: Lluis, Gerard, Josep, Kalimotxo

As is usual for Spaniards, we arrived home just in time to see the sun rise over the Mediterranean Sea. What a lovely end to a grand night!

DOMINGO/SUNDAY

We woke up just in time for a family lunch (since lunch is the big meal here, not dinner). His mom prepared paella. My first taste of authentic paella and it was good stuff! His sister said their family is kind of crazy, but I think they're just a regular Spanish family. His madre was always making sure everyone was well-fed, and that I knew how to eat the shrimp jeje.

Then in the evening, Gerard's padres drove us around some noteworthy Barcelona sites. We got to walk around Sagrada Familia. It is enormous and so detailed, you pretty much have to see it in real life  to appreciate it. It won't be done for years either. We saw a model of what it should look like once completed, and it seems they are only 1/2 way there. We drove past some Gaudi buildings, which are always fun to look at. We ended by walking around some park with a terrific view of the city. I don't know what it's called, but it was right by the Olympic Stadium

I think that about covers my Barcelona adventure. I had to wake up for the train at 5 am Monday. And was welcomed back by 2 exams and 1 presentation. But I can't complain too much, because I got to go to BCN. Livin the dream. Muxus!