The view from our rooftop (no time to flip the picture, whatever!)
It has been a week since the search
began for our perfect “piso” a.k.a. apartment here in Chiclana de la Frontera,
about 30 minutes outside of Cadiz, with my fellow CIEE participants and now
roommates: Jaclyn & Abbie. One’s from Philly, one’s from LA, and one’s from
Texas J
perfect mix, the stories never end! On that note, here’s a fun fact: this job
has been available since 1930, the schools request bilingual teachers and it’s
funded by income tax. In 2011 there are 100 French teachers, 40 Germans, 300
from the US for this program in Spain. Classes will consist of students mostly
from all over Europe. I can now truly
appreciate the 5 star hotel this program had me in a few days ago, because now
I miss the breakfast buffet, long hot showers, and stroll past the police
station (*we’re convinced all law enforcement is screened for attractive
features…) Nothing beats what I’m experiencing now though: my own place in
Spain. It took about a week and a half to have it really sink in that I’m
REALLY here by the way, it was always a stunned moment where something caught
my eye like the view down an alley that had the ocean view at the end in Cadiz
or sound of bells coming from the Cathedral that seemed to calm the crowd for
just a minute – until it passed and Castellano filled the air again. Now, it
doesn’t phase me. It’s another level: I’m soaking in every single moment. For
instance, today I actually shopped at DIA, the local fresh food market, rather
than just stare in disbelief as I had only seen in on the Travel Channel with
my mom the week before I left Texas at the Houston hotel. The girls and I have
now lit the gas to start water in our shower, hung our clothes out to dry,
tried to mess around with the stove and finally enjoyed an entire bottle of red
wine (2 euro) with a loaf of fresh HOT bread and chorizo slices.
I LOVE CHORIZO!
The pictures don’t do it justice with the
food, it feels like a very organic lifestyle here without the expensive costs
in the United States. I’ve definitely had my share of incredible tapas here
(umm that’s the name for every meal during our adjustment, we can’t help
stopping by the shops to sample their specialty), such as patatas alineadas
which are scalloped potatoes with olive oil and sometimes tuna, pinchos a.k.a.
kebabs with the best mystery seasonings, choco – a sneaky word used to get me
to eat what looks like an innocent little baby octopus. However, the newfound
favorite place of the week is Café Bar La Vega: an Argentinean family owns
it…Santi gets his coffee beans from Portugal (AMAZING CAFÉ CON LECHE!), the dad
gives you a warm smile every time like he knew you’d be back, and the mom
insists you tell her your favorite food so that she can make something with her
touch on it. She can make me anything at this point, carne al toro is this
slightly spicy beef stew, arroz con pollo – enough said, and more. Argentineans
have been a good thing to have in my life so far J shout out to my
cappuccino lovebirds back home in Corpus!
There is gelato everywhere, I’m
trying not to have it but it costs 1 euro in most places and they are strict
with seasonal items here so when there’s melon gelato…we have to try it. It was
down the street last night and a group of girls about the age of 10 ran in
excitedly, ordered a large cup to share and raved about the flavors to the
attendant. The one turned to us and said “this is very good…you must try that
one…okay goodbye!” SO. CUTE. That could be one of our students! My school is
aout a 20 minute walk I’ll be making Tuesday-Friday but more on that later… The
melon I’m obsessed with right now is like a hybrid of cucumber, honeydew and
pineapple. Next stop: strawberry fields in Huelva next spring. I’m rambling
about food naturally, but it helps that all the locals are willing you tell you
endless stories and answer any of your questions. It’s a smack in the face when
my typically extroverted self hesitates because I don’t remember how to use the
vosotros form sometimes…
Jackie and I stopped by a bodega –
wine… now I can’t stop noticing the smell in the air of moscato around the
corner. Then we all went to Playa La Barrosa today and the view was breath
taking. As for the water, well I’ve seen better ;) but I have some best friends
to thank for that. There is a castle on an island within view that I need to
look into and the shore goes for miles! A storm in the strait of Gilbraltar is
causing intense gusts of wind right now, hence my so-so impression of the
beach.
Overall, I’ve gathered so far that
the Spaniards are dead serious about siestas (shutting down everything from
about 2-5 pm), I’m actually going to read all my books, I want Internet at home
already but we need to set up our local bank accounts on Monday first, the 68
steps up to my apartment floor (worth the view on our rooftop…) are like an at-home
gym, and I’m experiencing a whole new level of independence here.
It’s cliché – I miss my mom, mostly
because I’m now realizing how much more I could have easily called her when I
was home. We have a great relationship, my whole family of course, but it’s
just funny how it hits you once you’re an ocean apart. Cody is kind of a
perfect boyfriend, it’s cheesy but true. I also realize more and more how
thoughtful my friends are, as if they could set the bar any higher! Overall,
I’m just truly grateful for my support system. I’m picking up thumbtacks
tomorrow to hang the good luck poster from CW; I’m so proud to see that my
Coffee Waves family had its grand opening this past week. That’s all from me
for now, love y’all.
No comments:
Post a Comment