familia

Yesterday, when I came home, my little hermano was in big trouble for some reason...my madre was screaming and he was crying, which actually isn't that unusual, but literally, he was sitting in his room for hours crying because he was supposed to be writing lines from Pinnochio. The poor thing broke my heart. He is just learning how to read and write, so he was having a really hard time and when I came out of my room I went over to him and rubbed his back and asked him what was wrong and told him that he could do it. He cried and cried until I sat down and helped him write it out and he perked right up and started writing. "D con la O con la N...don...D con la E...don-de...donde." I felt like such a good big sister! That was, until he went to show his mom and got in trouble for having me help him :( so I sat there with him and I told him that he has to do it on his own but I'd sit here if he needed help. It was very cute.

Today, the extended family was over and there were kids running all over the place. Someone gave them flutes, which was the worst idea in the entire world. They woke me up from my siesta. Then there was crying and screaming all night because someone would fall or push the other one...yikes. Not very cute.

From Valencia to Barcelona back to Alicante...

FALLAS Before^

FALLAS on FIRE^

Fallas was a success. I went with a bunch of people on the train in the afternoon on Friday, to get to Valencia for the last night to see lighting of the big fallas. Fallas are the huge floats that are placed all around the city. They range in size, but some of them are massive and take the entire year to make. Leave it to the Spanish to burn them and waste thousands and thousands of dollars as just another excuse to have a huge festival! Literally, the streets were packed; it was impossible to get in touch with anyone or meet up with anyone. It took 20 minutes just to cross the street. Everyone was drunk and disorderly and all the little kids had fireworks that they would throw at you. Honestly, I'm not sure how people don't get seriously injured at Fallas. I don't really think it's the safest thing in the world to set huge statues on fire all around the city, but somehow the Spanish manage just fine. I was with my friends Karim, Amanda, and Natasha and we were positioning ourselves in front of the huge Fallas to see it go up in flames (you had to get there early to try and get a spot in the crowd) and amazingly I see my friend Steve from high school in the middle of the crowd! I start screaming his name and pushing people to the side to get over to him. It was so bizarre...in the middle of thousands and thousands of people to run into someone I haven't seen for four years. I mean, I guess it wasn't sooo random because he is living in Madrid right now, but we had no idea that we were both going to be in Valencia that night and the chances of finding anyone in the crowd is unbelievable. I only got to see Steve for a few minutes because his friends wanted to leave, but it just felt like fate was on my side...I wanted to go play the lottery, but alas, stores were closed because everyone was preoccupied with the fires. The fires were the most amazing thing I've seen. I was standing quite far away, but I could feel the heat wave as the huge monster of a statue blew up into flames. The crowd was in awe and then cheering. It was very bizarre. And after 10 minutes, it was over, and the crowd dispersed into chaos. You weren't able to walk on your own. Everyone was just surfing through the crowd and you ended up in any direction people wanted to push you. Complete chaos, but completely worth it. Natasha, Amanda, and I ended up meeting some great people from England and the Netherlands just because of where we ended up!

I found Steve!!

The week after Fallas was the last full week before spring break. We all scrambled to get work done. It was Stacey's birthday, so we celebrated by going bowling again and yet, again, I won! 4 strikes and 3 spares in one game...I'm getting pretty good! But I think i get tired or something because, always, I lose the second game haha. The next night we all went out in true celebration of his birthday. I think he had fun!

The weather was finally starting to get nice the week before spring break. So we went to the beach a couple of times just to sit in the sand. It's not quite bathing suit weather yet because the wind is a bit chilly, but it's nice to just lay down and relax...Or, as Karim, Stacey, and Ross like to do, make Abby and I run around and play sports...and they laugh at us because we throw like a girls....well, we ARE a girls!

The Friday of Spring Break I went go meet my parents in Barcelona. I had a terrible 6 hour train ride because I was miserably sick, but I guess in comparison to their 20+ hours on a plane it wasn't so bad. The first day we scrambled to find something to do for the afternoon, and we took a walk down through the neighborhood near our hotel. We stayed in the lovely Fira Palace Hotel over near Montjuic, where the Olympics were held in 1992. We ended up taking the Funicular up the Monjuic mountain then the Gondola up to the Castle on top of the mountain for some spectacular views of the city. I'm pretty sure Dad was ready to strangle Mom and I for making him walk around so much after a long day of traveling but I think it was worth it. The next day, I took Mom and Dad on an adventure to the Barcelona Hospital because I decided I needed to see a doctor. Instead of dropping us off at the clinic, like normal people, I asked the cab driver to take us to the ER. So, he drives us underground to the trauma/triage entrance with all of the ambulances...NOT the entrance for walk-ins. The guy at the window was not too happy about me showing up with my cold. Mom and Dad pull out their maps to look at as a guy rolls buy on a gurney with hand-cuffs on. No big deal. I mean, my congestion and cough was an emergency to me! Well, I somehow talked my way through 4 Spanish nurses and finally got to the doctor who spoke English, thankfully! She explained that I had a viral and sinus infection. I tell you, when I get sick, I don't fool around. Following the hospital we went on an adventure to the farmacia to get me drugs and a rhinodouche, which we actually had to come back for. The rhinodouche, which the doctor informed me was the most important thing for me to get, was a water bottle that I use to squirt water up one nostril and make it come out of the other...hmm...all I can say is that I now have a very interesting talent.

We spent the day at the Boqueria, which is the food market on Las Ramblas in Barcelona. It's just like the Central Mercado in Alicante. We had a nice lunch...Mom got her second taste of Pay-ella (Paella) and I made Dad try the tortilla espanol (potato/onion omlette). Easter Sunday we had a nice brunch at the hotel (aka we engorged ourselves at the brunch buffet) and got tickets for the Tourist Bus where you hop on and off wherever you want all over the city. It was a fabulous idea, especially because it was raining in the morning. We got a nice feel for the city and dropped Mom and Dad off to see the Cathedral in the Barrio Gothic as I went around trying to find some socks....I forgot the first rule of Spain--Nothing is open on Sundays. I had to buy some touristy Barcelona Football Club socks which completely clashed with my outfit, but it was better than wet feet! We saw the Picasso Museum and then got on the bus again to see Park Guell. Park Guell was my favorite place in Barcelona...I just wish I was feeling better when we saw it. The uphill climb to get there didn't really help my cold either. But Park Guell was pretty awesome...imagine Candy Land meets Doctor Seuss meets a Park in the middle of Barcelona. The park was designed by Gaudi...that guy had quite the imagination.

On Monday I was able to hop off the bus and go meet my friend Mckenzie who was visiting Barcelona on her spring break. She was there with her friend Lauren who is studying in Barcelona (also from northeaster) and traveling with two friends from Greece. I think that Mckenzie, Lauren, and I are the only people crazy enough to be studying abroad in their last semester of senior year. I guess, if there is a will, there is a way. We went back to Park Guell and to Sagrada Familia, and then it was nap time. I met my parents to go up to Tibidabo, which is the huge mountain in the North of Barcelona. There is an amusement park and church on top of the mountain! It's crazy high!! (and cold!) You can see for miles....maybe even to France or Andorra...who knows?! However, it takes forever to get up to Tibadabo...you have to wait in line to take a street car up to the funicular and then wait in line again! I went back downtown to meet the girls for a fabulous Asian-fusionish dinner on the beach. Mmm sushi.

Tuesday Mom and Dad went up to the Palace Nacional to see the art museum and then we had lunch in the Gothic barrio. We walked around in an area called El Born to see the shops. For dinner, I made them go back to the Chinese buffet for the second time! I was jealous that they had Chinese food without me!! For the last day, we went out to Montseratt Monstery, about an hour outside of Barcelona via train. Of course, the Staley way to do things is to get off at the wrong stop and have to wait a half hour for the next train to come. Then I realize I lost my ticket for the rest of the day, so I have to talk my way onto the funicular, into the museum, lunch, etc. Aye Aye Aye. But it all worked out in the end. And I think by the end of this week my Spanish improved greatly because of all the odd situations I had to talk my way through (i.e. the hospital, lost tickets, translating etc) I wish it was a little bit warmer and nicer because it was pretty and the views were amazing, but I was cold the entire time. Seeing Mom and Dad was great and I was really sad to see them go. I hate to admit that I'm a little homesick again, but not enough to come home quite yet ;)

I decided to cancel my trip to Venice and Rome because of my viral infection. So, I am now back in Alicante trying to get better for my trip to Madrid next week to meet John! It's actually been really nice being in Alicante just relaxing and sleeping late. I'm still a little sicky, but its just the occasional horrid coughing spell and some congestion in my ears :/. But I've decided to use my time wisely while I'm here. Most of the students are gone, but I've been with a few girls wandering around to the beach, the Explanada (the boardwalkish street), the stores, and different parts of town that I never get to. Today we went to the Mercadillo, which is the outdoor market and then our plan was to hop on the tram and go beach hopping out to Benidorm or someplace, but none of us were feeling 100% and it was actually a little chilly. We tried to sit on the Alicante beach, but the wind was ridiculous! So, we went shopping instead ;). AND we found this amazing little cupcake cafe owned by a woman and her sisters from Reading, PA. She was so excited to meet some Americans and she gave us a grand tour (which pretty much just included the bathroom which was decorated amazingly) That is my dream...to own a little cupcake boutique one day...It's my back-up plan! I am very much enjoying free time in Alicante--being able to freely explore the city, just like the rest of the tourists! It makes me appreciate it much more than I have been.

Gah, now I'm feeling nostalgic for Alicante because I know I have to leave in a month :( I can't even fathom my transition back to the US...how strange!!

marzo madness

Drinking from this fountain in Barcelona will make you want to return!!

Barcelona Football Game

This past weekend I was sick so I spent the weekend in bed watching CSI and playing scrabble. Reminds me of home. I lost my voice completely, so I used it as an excuse not to have to speak in Spanish for a few days ;)

Midterms are now over!!! I've spent the past few days celebrating and doing nothing at all, which is what I'm best at. I got an A on my Spanish grammar midterm and I've never been prouder of myself!! And I got an A on my Spanish presentation! I can create a hell of an impressive powerpoint when I put my mind to it. But, I wouldn't say that I'm quite the expert on flamenco--I don't remember much of what I said because I memorized it all in Spanish :)

Tomorrow I'm headed to Valencia for FALLAS!!! They spend the year creating floats and have big parades in the street and at the end of the night, they burn them all. Apparently its so crowded and busy, like Times Square on New Years Eve. It's the biggest festival of the year!

Long time no see!

Vamos a ver...It has been a while since I've written. Since Granada I have been to London and Barcelona and this past weekend it was lovely to stay here in Alicante. Saying that I was worn out is an understatement. London was amazing as usual. I traveled there with my friends Hank and Maya who were visiting their sister and friend, respectively, so we ultimately split up during the weekend but it was great to be back in my favorite city in the world! I had a great time with my friends who were happy to entertain an American for the weekend. The most amazing thing I did was take a nighttime ferry ride on the Thames, which is something I never have done before. I didn't get to go up in the Eye, which was my objective of the weekend, but I suppose I will have to go back with some reservations!

Barcelona last weekend was a blast as well. I met up with my friend Ally who is studying abroad in France and was there with her group last weekend as well. Friday was one of the longest days of my life: leaving Alicante at 7:15 am, going to a winery, getting to Barcelona at 4:30 pm, Dali Museum, Dinner, then out for the night. A good thing about going out in a city that you do not know much about is that it usually ends up being an early night!!! Plus, the hotel that CIEE put us in was a luxury 4 star hotel, so you can imagine how nice my bed felt! Saturday we did a 3 hour walking tour of the city to look at the architecture and neighborhoods. If only I had eaten breakfast and it wasn't raining because 3 hours is a VERY long tour when you are miserable! But there were some great places I get to point out to my parents when they come visit. Like the fountain in the central plaza--when you drink from it, it makes you want to return to the city! Saturday night I went to the Barcelona/Malaga football game with a few people. It was so amazing! Unlike a baseball game, all of the seats are good ones so it was a great view. And, it went by so quickly! Barcelona won, of course! Sunday we went to Sagrada Familia, which is the famous Cathedral designed by Gaudi. His designs are all over the city, but this cathedral is literally the most amazing cathedral I have ever seen. It is unlike any other structure. It still isn't finished- they expect it to be done in 2025, but it seems like there there is more than 15 years of work left to do. You get to go up in an elevator to the top towers and look out over the city and then make you're way down the winding stairs. They are so tight and steep. Vertigo sets in for the average person. Muy bonito!

This past week in Alicante I have been trying to get out and see a few new things. I have been returning to the same little cafe/bar with some friends for some cheap wine and tea to talk to have an intercambio with the owner. He is fluent in English so he corrects us when we say things incorrectly. It's a local dive place for some of the older residents of the barrio, so last week they were teaching us how to play the bongos and chess because there is a big chess board on the wall.

On tuesday, I went bowling with some of the boys. I bowled 4 strikes in a row!! I ended up with a whopping 153 points, which is honestly my best score EVER...much improvement from my 63 points from last time. Yet, somehow, even with 4 strikes in a row, i ended up losing to Karim. It's just my luck that I get gutter balls following 4 strikes.

Wednesday I went to a lecture about the Spanish monarchy for extra credit for a class of mine. Our professor didn't know that the lecture was in Valenciano, which is one of the four languages they speak la Communidad de Valenciana, but it is not the same as Spanish. Therefore, my friends and I sat there for an hour and a half struggling to understand anything. I pretty much gave up and started reading my book for another class!! However, it was worth it because after the lecture our professor took us to this great authentic Chinese restaurant...authentic as in there are no menus and you just have to know what you want. It reminded me of that time in Chile at the Korean restaurant when the menu was in Korean with Spanish descriptions. Following Chinese food, I went to see some of my friends perform at an open mic night in el barrio. Lots of fun!

Friday afternoon after class some of us went to a music festival. It was the Spanish version of a tailgate. They served free paella and everyone brought other food and drinks. We got on a bus at 2:30, got there by 3, the concert was supposed to start at 9. It was a long afternoon and we were blessed with terrible weather. It was about 45 degrees, windy, overcast, and almost raining. So, we decided to just skip the concert and go home on the 9 o clock bus! what a bummer, but exhaustion got the best of us. But instead of going out for the night we just hung out at Karim's and made food and watched tv, just like if we were at home haha.

Saturday and Sunday were typical days trying to get two presentations done for class today. This week is full of homework and preparation for midterms--Spanish midterms on Wednesday and Thursday and we have midterms for our electives next week. I can't even comprehend having to take midterms because it seems like the semester just started. We only have like 23 days of school left too. This semester is flying by.

I'll upload some pictures soon. Baby steps for now...it has taken me so long to get around to writing :(

xx

Rachel

Granada-Amsterdam

<-Granada! Two weeks have elapsed and it has been a whirl wind time. The entire month of February I will be traveling on the weekends- I'm halfway through now!

Last Friday our group left for Granada bright and early in the morning. So early that some people were unable to make the bus :). The ride was long and crowded. It takes about 5 hours via bus, but the landscape is beautiful and they entertained us with movies. Our hotel in Granada was amazing- I'm surprised they let us stay there!! They speak with a little bit of a different accent in Granada, but I impressed myself by holding my own. Also, I vowed to speak only in Spanish for the entire weekend with my friends, but we lost our stamina after a few hours!

Immediately upon arrival, we had time to explore the city so we found some place for coffee and crepes and a little arabic influenced market. Then we took a tour of the Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel where the tombs of Isabel and Ferdinand are housed. At night we went to some flamenco dancing in the caves in the mountains. This was the precise moment where I realized I was ACTUALLY in Spain. I think I like Granada as a whole better than I like Alicante for this reason- it actually felt like I was in Spain. It may have been a little touristy, but seeing the flamenco show and riding up into the mountains is something that I could not have done anywhere else! The show was amazing- these men and women really know how to move their stuff! They dance with such intensity in their eyes and their feet move so quickly, but they are in tune with the beat of the singer. It was honestly amazing.

Then we ventured out for the night in Granada without a clue where we were going. However, we quickly realized that at the tapas bars in Granada, when you buy one drink you get a free tapas which is the best thing EVER! You can eat dinner without even buying any food!

The Palace on the reflecting pool the view

Saturday morning we went to the Alhambra, the Muslim palace and village on the mountain in Granada. It was absolutely massive and beautiful. The architecture and designs in the palace were stunning and ornate. It was also a beautiful day so we were able to get some great pictures! Our tour was in English, which was better for me because I was able to understand everything that was said and I got so much more out of the tour than I would have if it was in Spanish. I wish I had a little more time in Granada- even my padres were surprised that we stayed only one night because there is so much to see. However, I guess I can say I was there and I get to talk about what I saw, which was awesome.

The week of school was long and intense. I kind of feel like I am in high school again--I have to travel 40 minutes to school every morning and stay there until 1 pm, then come home and do hours of busy work homework! I get a lot of homework every night and it keeps getting harder and harder to focus- especially as the weather gets nicer. This is nothing like college!!

<-A'dam!

This past Thursday, 10 of us flew to Amsterdam for the weekend. We arrived really late, it was extremely cold, and we had no idea where we were--all of a sudden I remembered how much I hate the initial part of traveling! However, everyone speaks English and are incredibly used to tourists so getting around was easy after a while. Eight of us stayed in the same hostel room...ha ha ha. If you have ever stayed in an 8 person hostel room, you know what I am laughing at. If not, just so you know, the room was very very tiny- essentially just enough room for four sets of bunk beds- and the bathroom was literally a closet with a shower and a toilet in it. The sink was in the room with our beds! Totally doable for the price for two days, but a third day would have been a bit ridiculous haha.

Friday morning we frolicked around town doing touristy things like the Van Gogh Museum, the Heineken Brewery, and hitting up some souvenier shops. We ended up in the red light district at night, which was something we had to see because it is a part of the culture there- it was very interesting...Saturday we went to Anne Franks Huis, but the line out the door was so long that the temperature outside was so low that it was not worth it. However, it was worth it to stop for breakfast and get some amazing pancakes. They make these crepe pancakes and put everything and anything on them from chocolate syryp and cream to bacon and eggs. Amazing. Honestly, the food in Amsterdam was much better than the food in Spain so far. Maybe it was just because of these pancakes, the loads of hot chocolate I drank, the pizza, and the chocolate waffles I had. Not to lie though, we did eat a lot of McDonalds because it was quick, easy, and we knew what we were getting. I also saw the Rijks Museum, which was one of my favorite parts- it was all Dutch artifacts and paintings and I got a nice little history lesson about Holland!

My favorite part of the city were the streets and the canals. They were exactly how I pictured them- very Dutchesque! I least liked having to overpay for everything (it's much more expensive than Alicante), and having to watch out for bikes on the street. I can't imagine how crowded the streets must get in the spring/summer! I also liked how every public bathroom was clean and stocked with toilet paper (that one is for you, mom). That doesn't happen in Spain very often, so I was very impressed! Also, for the most part, the people were nice to me and not having to struggle with Spanish for a few days was a bit refreshing! Also, the Dutch are all tall and pasty, just like me. I fit right in!

Speaking of Spanish...it is time to get some homework done and get ready for class tomorrow! Another big week ahead. Class all week and a test on Friday, then I'm off to London for the weekend!

Hasta Luego,

Semana tres

This week was the second installation of our intensive Spanish class. I am so happy that it is now over, but it WAS helpful. Four hours of Spanish class per day is majorly draining, though. Mi profesora told me that my speaking was improving, but obviously I need to just practice practice practice!

Tuesday we went to the Mercado Central, which is a huge fresh food market. We saw the slimey giant octopus, the pig heads, rabbits, slabs of beef, oozing shellfish, etc. Because I love food so much, I seriously enjoyed myself there. The vendors were really nice-they were willing to talk to us even as they were stabbing and cutting through the slabs of meat. They usually chuckled at us as we walked around with our homework papers trying to write down answers to questions. Susie and I talked to a florist from Colombia for a while who was learning English.

Later on in the evening, Andalusia and I went to get some fondue--cheese and chocolate! It was an idyllic meal- wine, bread, cheese, potatoes, fruit, and chocolate. Mi padre asked me later- "No carne? Porque no carne? Carne es el mejor!" haha- they sure do love their meat here in Spain.

On Friday, after our final exams and a failed attempt at shopping, a group of us girls climbed up the mountain to the Castillo de Santa Barbara once again- and by climb up the mountain, I mean we took the elevator up. It was such a beautiful day and it was so gorgeous. You honestly could see for miles and miles with the mountains and the Mediterranean in the background. Like, no big deal or anything! Pictures do it no justice, so if you are reading this blog, you will have to just make your way to Spain to see it.

On Saturday, I spent the morning playing with Chema and watching Disney movies in Spanish. Little Chema is a feisty little boy who loves to play with my camera and phone! He also loves to play in my room! Ahh living with a little sibling is a learning experience all of its own!

Most of the kids in our group ended up heading out to our friend Karim's apartment in San Juan, which is a beach town about 15 min from Alicante. The view from his apartment is comparable to the view from the Castillo Santa Barbara! We saw the orange moon rising above the Mediterranean! The amazing views in this country are what remind me that I am living in Paradise for the next 3 months :)

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the semester for us! I dont start my other classes until Tuesday, so tomorrow is only Spanish from 9-11 for me! yay!

This weekend we go to Granada as one large group. I am really excited for another excursion out of Alicante! There is so much to this country to explore!

Until next time,

my little puppy!

La Semana Dos

Language classes started this week and well, they do not call them Intensive Language classes for nothing. Two 2-hour sessions per day and we race through the textbooks and workbooks. We already had our first test this past Friday, which was much harder than I thought it was going to be. Necesito to start thinking in Spanish so I can speak and write sentences better!!

In the midst of trying to rapidly learn Spanish I've been trying to get out and see the city a little more and hang out with all of the other students. Tuesday was actually the busiest day I think I have ever had in my life. First of all, I will never get used to having to get up at 6:45/7 am for class. Then being at the university until 2, I rode the bus home grabbed my things and took the 30 minute walk into town to meet the students to climb the mountain to see the Santa Barbara Castle. I was EXHAUSTED. For some reason I didnt actually think we would be hiking the mountain, but we did. And well, we all know I'm not much of a hiker.

On Wednesday a few of us went bowling, which was borderline one of the most American experiences since I've been here. It one of those mega bowling alleys with the arcade games and the girl at the counter spoke better English than I do. I'm not complaining though. However, I will complain that lost terribly with a solid 63 points.

Food has been great so far! I love eating big lunches and then taking a nap. Yesterday I had hamball soup- well, its not called that--and it was great. Then we had a crawfish dish for dinner. I've had ribs, steak, salads, soups, etc. Muy bien. I feel a bit awkward taking pictures of the food at the dinner table so that is why there have not been any food pictures yet. Actually, I havent taken many pictures at all yet! I have to get on that.

Last night mi madre had her brother and wife and niece over. The little niece is adorable. She is two years old and adopted from Ethiopia. We speak the same level of Spanish, so coloring with her was very easy. We also played Wii bowling and Chema kicked my butt. No one knew how he was winning so much because every time he would bowl he would spin around and jump, but he got a strike or a spare almost every frame!

Weekends are lazy days, so I absolutely love them. I might venture out to the centro comercial and go shopping a little bit, just so I feel like I accomplished something, you know. :)