Thing You Should Know About Alicante

I realized that I have missed some major points about Alicante, so here comes the list:

1. Everyone walks. Everyone smokes. Everyone has a dog or a cart, or both. Ok, so I might be exaggerating, but these are a few things that I have noticed since I moved here. The sidewalks are often crowded, and I love people watching during these times. Although the Spanish eat very well, they seem to stay in shape because of their extensive walking. Paths along the beach and up to the castle make it easy to take an afternoon stroll.  While I quickly adjusted to the walking routine, it's been a bit harder for me to pick up smoking (just kidding, Mom). A lot more people smoke in Spain than in the US, but it's not really that big of a deal to me.  As for the dogs and carts: it's true, you can find many Spaniards taking a dog or a cart on their walks through the city. In some areas, dogs have over-pooped their welcome (see sign). If someone doesn't have a dog with them, chances are they have a cart. The carts are convenient for carrying groceries. Plastic bags cost money here, so a cart is a necessity. They are actually pretty stylish, too.  

Pobre perros.

Exception to rule: everyone who doesn't walk, drives. Everyone who drives, speeds. Basic rule of thumb-- be very careful when you cross the street.

2. Showers are optional. While in Alicante, I've been trying to shower only every other day. There is a water shortage here, so it's an expensive commodity. Out of respect, I'm trying to use as little as possible. I even turn off the shower while scrubbing and shampooing. At first, this took some getting used to, but now I'm actually finding it to be kind of nice.  It means more sleep and less time having a wet head.

3. Laundry takes days. There are no dryers in Alicante. I'm pretty sure that the washing cycles also take a long time, so laundry takes 3 or 4 days to be completed after going in the washer and then hanging to dry. This is great for two reasons: I'm a lot more conscious of how I wear my clothes now and also, everyone gets to see their neighbor's underwear. Ha!

4. They aren't mad at you, it's just how they talk. I love the passion of the Spaniards, but sometimes it can be overwhelming when they speak. They are very animated and loud (I fit in well), but it's easy to misconstrue their passion for anger, especially when you don't actually understand what they are saying. Even waiters will just shout "¡Dime!" ("Talk to me!"), which can seem a bit intense at first. The good news: it's that way for everyone. For instance, a lady on the bus today was shouting into her phone. The entire bus could hear her conversation, but it didn't seem to phase anyone. There have been times where I've worried about being disliked by my host family, only to realize that it's just the conversation style. So it's all good.

5. Markets are the best. Especially Saturday markets. Even though we got incredibly lost, some friends and I eventually made it to the market on Saturday morning. It has everything that you could ever want: clothes, shoes, sewing materials, fruits, nuts, candy, vegetables, and baked goods. And it's all relatively cheap! The deals are almost as good as the people watching, and I plan on returning again before my semester is over.

Strides

Side note: Wandering the back streets can be very
fun. There are so many colorful buildings.

After living in Alicante for two weeks, I finally feel settled into the lifestyle here. Sure, there are still high and low moments, but now I feel more in-tune with the harmony of the city.  Last night was by far my favorite night that I have had in Alicante so far.  After a seemingly normal dinner with mi familia, I lingered in the kitchen as usual to ask if I could help clean up. But this time, a few minutes turned into an hour-long conversation with mi madre and her boyfriend.  We talked about everything: family, religion, politics, the economy, and the beauty of the Spanish life.  Mi madre's boyfriend even showed me flamenco songs on YouTube, which are sung by his grandfather.  The best part of this conversation: it was held completely in Spanish. Not a single word of English.  It was so reassuring to me that I could carry on a conversation for that long in a language other than my native tongue.

Still riding the high of this experience, I went out with some friends to the barrio area, which is where all of the action takes place after dark.  We planned on having a mellow girls night  out, but we were approached by some Spanish guys soon after we sat down at a table.  They struck up a proposition that was hard to refuse: they practice English and we practice Spanish.  So, needless to say, we now have some Spanish friends who we conversed with for about an hour.  Different languages were used, but it didn't seem to matter at all.  They had many questions for us about life in the United States, and it was so interesting to see what their perceptions were about America. One surprising fact (at least it was to me) about Spain: they mostly listen to American music. From the clubs to the radio, it's not hard to find any type of American music that you want.  In fact, our new friends asked us about Justin Bieber-- he's popular here with an older crowd, believe it or not.

So overall, this was a great way to celebrate living in Alicante to exactly two weeks now.  Not only was the night very reassuring, but it was just what I needed.  A few days earlier, the brutality of the language barrier was really starting to hit me.  Not being able to constantly express myself was murderous to me (as most of you know how much I like to talk), but I was doing as best as I could. I was even jealous of small children who could speak better than I could. But now I'm realizing more and more that it takes confidence, practice, patience, and a good sense of humor to learn a new language, and it's definitely worth the struggle. I love the classroom-- see picture below-- but there are just some experiences that you can only get when you step out into the world.  From giving directions to helping a friend get medicine, I've made some strides in Spanish this week that have been indispensable in my progress. Although I know there will be days where I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of Spanish vocabulary, I look forward to continuing my language journey. Todo está bien.

The beautiful campus at Universidad de Alicante.

Little Victories

If there is one thing that I'm coming to realize about studying abroad, it's the fact that sometimes the small details are the most important and the most rewarding.  The past few days have been full of little victories, and it's reassuring to me that I'm making progress in my new environment. Because guess what?! I finally figured out how to order the cup of coffee that I had been so desperately craving. It's actually the same drink that I get in the US-- cafe americano-- but I didn't see it on the menu here, so I wasn't sure if I could order it that simply. After my caffeinated success on Monday morning in the university cafeteria, my confidence with ordering has drastically increased.  Not only I am pleased to have one of my favorite beverages (I'm addicted), but I also get the chance to interact and to use my Spanish. It's made me so incredibly happy!

Another little victory: figuring out how to turn on the lights in the staircase leading up to mi familia's flat.  Before, I usually stumbled up the dark staircase, and I was able to find the light switch that was outside the door so that I could at least properly use the key. Finally, I followed someone who knew what they were doing, and I watched him flip the switch at the bottom that lights up the entire staircase.  Although this doesn't seem like that big of a deal, it was important to me because it confirmed my role as a resident and it alleviated the usual stress of climbing the stairs.  Because the language barrier can be very difficult for me at times, I've learned a lot through observation, and I'm beginning to realize how vital this can be.  My creeping skills are paying off because watching the people around me can teach me how to best respond to the demands of my environment.

In other news, I have eaten some very tasty meals over the past few days.  On Sunday, I was woken up with chocolate con churros for breakfast. ¡Qué deliciosa! Seriously, though. I probably enjoyed this meal more than almost any other.  Not only was it a tasty breakfast of champions, but it was also a welcome and pleasant surprise to a girl who had stayed out far too late the night before.  (The Spanish nightlife is very fun, but it requires staying up until wee hours in the morning because most clubs don't even open until 3am.)  Sunday continued to be a fabulous eating day because I had my first plate of paella-- a traditional Spanish dish with rice and, in my case, snails, chicken and artichoke.  Mi madre also bought strawberries--which are my favorite fruit-- at the market, so we've been having those with some of our meals. Status of homestay: worth every penny. 

I also found out that I got a job, and I'm looking forward to starting sometime next week.  I wasn't planning on having one here because I thought my Spanish language level might inhibit me, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity when I found out that I was eligible. My program director, Luis, set me up with a man who wants an English-speaking conversation partner for about an hour and a half per week. I will travel by tram to the Playa de San Juan area (the most famous beach in Alicante), and I will help this man with his English skills by picking a conversation topic.  This is the perfect gig for me: I'm a talker and I'm getting to build a connection with another Spanish family.  One of my friends will also be tutoring his daughter.  The other perk: about 10-15 euro per week.  This is the perfect tapas allowance. 

My professor keeps telling us that living in Alicante is a "gran oportunidad," and I couldn't agree with her more.  Not only have I been soaking in the sunshine, but I've also been soaking in the cultural and language experience that Spain has to offer. It's been absolutely wonderful, and I look forward to more little victories that I'm sure will come my way. 

No Pasa Nada

I've been in Alicante almost a week now, and I can see how my time here is going to fly by.  I had three days of class this week, and my nerd-hood continues because I'm so excited about learning Spanish.  It can be very challenging sometimes, but I can put everything I learn to immediate use.  I'm looking forward to the day where I can say everything that I want to say to my host family.  As most of you know, I'm definitely a jabber jaws, so I find it sad that I can't always make the comments that I want to make.  However, in just less than a week, I feel that I am already beginning to improve in my understanding and communicating skills.  And I'm finally getting used to the "th" sound that is used here! I love it!

One of my highlights for this week happened a few days ago.  It was a beautiful, sunshiny day, so I decided to take a walk down the the Plaza and get some coffee.  I also wanted to update my personal travel journal and to attempt to read some of the local Alicante newspaper.  [Side note: I'm still trying to figure out how to order a cup of coffee here.  Espresso is really popular, but I want more than just one espresso shot.  I'm having a great time trying to decipher what the menu has to offer at this one coffee shop on the corner, and I'm really hoping that someday I can get just a black cup of coffee. Keep your fingers crossed for me!] Anyway, after my latest attempt at ordering coffee, I was sitting on a bench with the sun shining right into my face.  It was glorious.  While I was reading and writing, an old man on his paseo (walk) stopped to talk to me. Many of you know, I always attract older men, and by older I mean like 80 years-old. Ha.  So why was I happy about this? He started talking to me in Spanish! That means that I looked like I belonged.  When he noticed the blank stare on my face, he started to talk to me in a little bit of English, and he told me that he would "see me tomorrow."  I might have to go to that bench again someday just to see if my new friend will help me with my Spanish.

I have also enjoyed exploring the city of Alicante this week with my new friends.  We are finding dives that sell cheap drinks and food.  We walk a lot and take some gorgeous pictures of the city.  Yesterday, our program took us up to the castle that overlooks much of Alicante.  Later, we experienced a bit of the night life here, and if there is one thing that has become clear to me in this week, it is the fact that Spaniards really know how to set aside time to enjoy life.  This extends beyond just the night life.  Older people sit out on La Explanada, which is walkway the picture behind my blog, and they chat and soak in the sun.  Couples kiss passionately in public, and meals are valued as a time to get together with others.  There is also the siesta, which is a time to rest and recharge.

Here's a great picture that I took standing out on the marina:

Living with my host familia has really helped me in adjusting to a new culture.  Our meal times are the most valuable because that is the main time of our interaction, and I always learn something new.  Yesterday was the cumpleaños (birthday) of mi madre, so instead of cooking, she got Chinese take-out. A man-- I think he might be her boyfriend, but I'm not quite sure-- joined us for dinner, and we had such a great time! He was making jokes and talking to me about many things: the beauty of the Carson Valley, Clint Eastwood movies, Obama, religion, pickpockets, and how to make insults.  Nothing was off-limits, but obviously, my responses were more limited.  It was a great night, and I'm finally starting to feel like less of a stranger.  Even Abel and Victor (the two teenage boys who live here) are starting to talk to me more.  I'm hoping that I can start spending a little bit of time with mi familia outside of meal times, but that might come when I'm more confident in speaking Spanish.

Well, I should probably go outside soon, but I must tell you about my new favorite Spanish phrase: "no pasa nada."  This is a common phrase, and I love it because it sums up my time in Alicante so far.  "No pasa nada" can be used to mean 'no worries' or 'don't worry about it,' and it is often used when a mistake is made without any harm. I'm comforted by this phrase because I make a lot of little mistakes here, but it's all good. Someday I will fit in more easily, but until then:

No pasa nada.

La Vida Loca (Part 2)

Today I have a free day, so I'm finally able to update my blog.  It's raining here, but I'm really enjoying the weather because it's still quite temperate.  Earlier this morning I walked around with a few girls up to a point where we could see a view of the entire city, and it was breathtaking.  After more meandering, we made it to a coffee shop, and I decided to order a cappuccino con panna.  I was somewhat familiar with this drink because of my short stint as a barista, but I didn't realize that it created a mountain of creme.  I'm still glad that I ordered it, but maybe next time I'll just go for some plain coffee.  I'm having so much fun trying to decipher everything that is written in Spanish!

But, I guess I'm getting ahead of myself.  The second half of my journey went swimmingly.  Sure, a 9-hourish flight is not alway preferable, but it was definitely worth it.  Once again, I made a great friend on the airplane.  She is an English-teaching yoga-lover originally from Colorado, but now she lives in Madrid.  I was thankful to be sitting next to her because she helped me to navigate the airport in Madrid, and she also gave me many tips for travelling in Spain.  Everything does happen for a reason.  I might even be able to meet up again with her at some point. 

Once I made it to my gate in Madrid, I found five other girls who are part of the USAC Alicante program.  I had travelling buddies! This worked well because we were able to split taxi fares to the Plaza, which was the meeting place for the program.  At  the Plaza de Los Luceros (I'm trying to pronounce it "Platha de Loth Lutheros" because that is how the locals say it), I finally met mi familia.  With kisses on both cheeks-- complete with an awkward moment with the son-- mi familia walked me up to our flat.  We are very close the the Plaza, and this has been quite convenient since it has become the most common meeting place.  Mi familia is great! I'm so thankful because most of the other students have been complaining about their host families.  Sure, my Spanish is limited, but I've been actually enjoying the struggle to converse.  The best part: mi family ONLY speaks Spanish.  No English.  Not even a little.  I'm looking forward to the day when I can communicate better, but for now, I'll stick with my choppy elementary Spanish-speaking abilities.  Last night, my host mom and I talked about Obama (in Spanish, of course), so that was fun for me!

This is my bed and luggage. My Wheely Beast only weighed 48.5 lbs.  Good job, self.

I'm also getting more used to the Spanish eating schedule.  I wasn't very jet-lagged, given that I didn't sleep much on the plane, but the meal schedule was a little tricky at first.  The Spanish eat three main meals and one snack.  Breakfast is light at around 8am-ish, and then the snack is eaten around 10am or 11am.  Mi madre makes me a basic sandwich for the snack, and breakfast is cereal and fruit.  Lunch is eaten at 3pm, and then dinner is at 9pm.  We eat lunch and dinner together in the living room, and the TV is always on.  Sometimes we watch the news, or sports, or even the Simpsons.  The son really likes the Simpsons.  Funny, right? 

Yesterday, I took the bus to the campus for orientation.  La Universidad de Alicante is GORGEOUS!  There are palm trees and orange trees everywhere, and I'm excited to venture into the library someday.  The orientation was very informative, and I'm excited to start class tomorrow.  I can't wait to learn more Spanish so that it is easier for me to converse with the locals. I have to take the bus to school each day, and I'm actually looking forward to that.  It takes me through a part of the city that I haven't seen much, and it's just part of the adventure.  I'm still figuring out how to best get a ticket (I struggled at the bookshop and may have been ripped off when buying it), but I'm sure that will come with time.

Many of the streets in Alicante look like this.

Later, USAC had a walking tour of the city, and we saw some beautiful sights!  It was much more informative than the first night where I just wandered to the beach in my jet-lagged stupor with a girl who shared my taxi. I can't wait until I know the city better.  Because we have been travelling in big groups, we don't blend in much.  In fact, everywhere we go it seems as though we are screaming "SOY AMERICANO" (I am American). Ha.  My goal is to get to the point where I can at least blend in with the locals, even if this may be difficult given my giant curly blonde hair.  But I'm convinced that if there is a will, there is a way.   

There is a castle here! We saw it at night during our walking tour.  I will be going to the top on Friday with the USAC group.  Should provide some great views.

Today will put this to the test because I'm going out with friends later to explore "Las Rebajas." These are huge sales that are taking place in all of the stores right now, so maybe I can get some good deals if I decide that I need anything.  I bought some shower supplies at the store last night, and I almost stole a plastic bag (they charge for grocery bags here.)  I'm such a nube.  But it all worked out.  As more time passes, I'm sure I will find my niche here.  Here's my first picture in Alicante: 

 

La playa! I'm sure I will be coming here a lot.  Great walking paths and gorgeous views.  There's actually a casino nearby. Shout out to you, Nevada! 

Well, this post is getting long, so I better cut myself off.  In short: I'm alive and well.  Sure, I've had to make adjustments, but everything has been manageable so far.  I'm grateful for this experience, and I'm also thankful for everyone who has supported me in my adventure. 

I'll be writing again soon! Adios.

La Vida Loca (Part 1)

Well, I’ve learned some important lessons already on my journey across the world: never get too attached to your plans and always keep patience close at hand. My Saturday started at 6:30 AM with the news that my connecting flight to Chicago was cancelled.  Not delayed.  Not rescheduled.  Just plain cancelled.  A plan that I had made for 3 months appeared to be slipping through my fingers in what I considered to be the worst-case-scenario.  The airline attendant seemed to take years to find a new route for me, but eventually it all worked out.  I was re-routed through Dallas with a 4-hour layover and a later arrival to Alicante, but this is a small price to pay in my travel desperation. 

So now, here I am, sitting in the Dallas airport and writing part of this blog entry.  An adventure is what I wanted, and it’s definitely what I have received.  I barely had a chance to bid farewell to my family before I ran towards security.  I also didn’t get a chance to eat anything.  After rushing onto a 7:45 AM flight (which was booked at 7 AM for me), I got a chance to gather myself on the plane.  Luckily, I’ve always been known for my knack at striking up airplane friendships, so of course, I made a wonderful friend who helped me cram my backpack into the crowded overhead bin.  I was so thankful for this MBA-pursuing Indian man who had enough strength and kindness to violently shove my overstuffed luggage into place.  I didn’t even catch his name, but that’s part of the beauty of airplane friendships: a supportive yet fleeting connection between social creatures that requires absolutely no follow-up. 

I was also strangely comforted by the in-flight movie A Dolpin’s Tale (punny, right?).  Anyway, this movie, although a little bit cheesy, was absolutely charming to me, and it’s actually based on a true story.  It allowed me to forget about my hunger since no snacks were offered, not even for sale, so I just sipped my water and stared at the screen.  This made the flight go by quickly, and before I knew it, I arrived at the Dallas airport.  It’s a beautiful day, but the only downside is that I can’t find free WiFi here.  What have I been doing during these 4 hours?  Eating. Chatting. Preparing for the next leg of my journey.  It’s finally starting to sink in that I’ll be on a different continent in just a few short hours.  The uncertainty of when I will be in contact with my family and friends again is strange, but it’s all part of the adventure.  The boarding is starting for my plane to Madrid, so I better prepare myself.  I can’t believe that the decision I made on a whim in October is finally coming to fruition.  Next stop: Madrid.

(I’ll update more soon- I promise! I just need to catch up on my rest, but what I learned from the second half of my journey: everything happens for a reason.  I’m settling into my room now, and I need some sleep before I can write coherently. But I made it!! So excited!)

The Wheely Beast

¡Hola a todos!

Welcome to my new travel blog.  This will be one of the best ways for you to connect with me during my semester in Spain.  I'll be updating it with stories, pictures, and thoughts while abroad.  I will be keeping my Facebook, but I'll post more detailed information here.  If you want to email me, I've set up a new personal email account: jamielundergreen@gmail.com.  Feel free to shoot me a message!

Now that I've taken care of the boring business side of things, I can get to the fun stuff.  In just one week, I will be embarking on the most extensive journey of my life thus far.  Last week I received information about my host family, which was a huge relief.  I will be living with a mom, her 15 year-old son, and a 16 year-old male German student named Victor.  I got to see the building where I will be living via Google street view.  Best technological innovation ever.  I also picked up some euros from the bank, so I'm ready for the housing deposit and taxi/bus fare that are awaiting me overseas.

With these details settled, my main focus for this week is to pack.  Armed with my Wheely Beast (that's my new duffel bag) and the advice of family and friends, I'll begin to lay out all of the items that I will take with me next week.  My mantra: Pack light.  Despite my history of overweight baggage, I'm feeling confident in my ability to bring only the essentials.  My mom and dad will be so proud since they've seen  me bring home a month's worth of clothes for just a short weekend trip home.  Besides packing, I'll probably spend my week saying farewell to family and friends before I take to the skies.  It's bound to be a busy week, but I'm looking forward to my big adventure.