self-expression

One of my primary frustrations with speaking a different language, especially a language that I have far from mastered and don’t feel at ease with, is that when speaking it I have such trouble communicating myself. I don’t mean my words, necessarily, I just mean it’s very difficult to carry my personality through. When I’m not comfortable in a situation I tend to become shy and self-aware. That’s how I am when I’m trying to speak Spanish, especially with a local. Locals are the best people to practice with, especially if you find one that speaks a little bit of English and is willing to be patient with you. I’ve encountered a couple who have offered to help. Unfortunately, somehow we always end up speaking English. So I guess, now that I think about it, maybe it would be better to talk to someone who didn’t speak a word of English. It would be far more frustrating and ridiculous, but it would be more advantageous for me. Also, flirting in a different language is not easy. Miscommunication and awkward silences are something I need to come to accept. There is an upside however. When you are having trouble with your words you can always rely on body language: smiles, laughs, eye contact. It enhances your other senses that much more.

first impressions

So the internet has decided to magically work tonight. I feel like I’m being sneaky right now though. Everyone’s asleep so I’m chilling in the den for a bit. It’s weird being in someone else’s house, especially someone you don’t know. I’m always trying to decide when I need to ask for permission, tell her I’m going out, request this or that. I still haven’t had any laundry done because I’m not sure how often she does it/how much she does at a time. I guess I could just ask, huh?

This is one of the only nights I haven’t gone out since I’ve been in Sevilla. It’s kind of nice just chilling though, especially since I have to get up at 7:50 for my 9:30 class. I’ve definitely been taking advantage of the siesta. I have no idea how I’ve made it through 3 years of college without napping yet when I get here I immediately slip into the habit. I’m loving it too. I kept on resetting my alarm this afternoon. First it was 5, and then 5:30, then 5:45, finally 6 stuck. I laid down around 3:30 (after lunch). After my siesta I decided that I should probably just head to an internet café to get decent service and catch up on some necessary email checking/travel planning/facebooking/etc.

So I’ve gotten a phone here that I put about 5 euros on every so often when I start running out of minutes. I just put money on there today and then tonight, after two 10 minute phone calls, a senorita starts interrupting my conversation telling me I’m almost out of time. Seriously?! Emails, etc. are great but sometimes it’s refreshing hearing a familiar voice. I need to get a new system in place.

Over the last few days I’ve been spending my nights walking around Sevilla, drinking tinto de veranos (a combination of red wine and sort of a lemony fanta sprite-like drink, very popular in Spain), enjoying a few local bars, catching a flamenco show, and just going with the flow. Now that classes have started it’s going to be difficult balancing my school work and my touristy, “I’m on vacation!” tendencies. Luckily the classes seem fairly easy (so far) and the work shouldn’t be too overwhelming. Somehow I managed to be late for class today (my first day of classes) even though I left 20 minutes early. I don’t know what happened but I’m definitely taking control of that situation tomorrow. I love my first teacher. I lo-siento’ed after class and he was totally cool with it, said it was no biggie. This is definitely a generalization but Spaniards have a different approach to time management y sus horarios (which just so happens to fit in perfectly with my recent tardiness). Time is not necessarily of the essence, from what I’ve gathered.

There are so many things that I want to talk about but I’ll try to break it up into multiple posts. Sleep is necessary at the moment.

disconnected

this will be very short seeing as we are about to eat dinner (at 10 that is. i'm still trying to get used to having a HUGE lunch at 2:30 and dinner at 10). i apologize that i haven't been able to respond to messages and emails. right now i'm sitting on the "terrace" at the apartment i'm living in jacking internet from 3Com nearby. the terrace is the only place in the entire apartment that gets any internet signal and unfortunately our senora is out here 24/7 watching tv or talking on the phone or whatever. idk really.
so the location of my home away from home is pretty good. i can't complain too much. i'm about a 10 or 15 minute walk from EUSA (where my classes will be held) and about a 5 or so minute walk from El Centro (where the cathedral is located as well as many other shops, bars, cafes, etc).
i'll write much more tomorrow. dinner is ready.

sleepy in sevilla

i made it to sevilla in one piece but i'm definitely about to fall apart. plane rides were fine, no major trouble. i slept a little bit on the 8 hour flight to barcelona but not nearly enough. when we finally got to sevilla we all got our luggage and headed to the taxis. we caught them in groups of three. the ride was only about 15 minutes from the airport. on the way over i was taking everything in. little was spoken between the driver and the three of us. at one point he asked us if we wanted to roll the window down to which we looked at each other confused. finally through hand signals we figured out the question and simply responded "esta bien." when we got to the hotel he told us it would be 3o euros. after talking with other groups it's certain that he upcharged us. others paid anywhere from 21 to 26 or 27 euros from what i've gathered.
once i got to the hotel and put all of my things in my room we decided to get something to eat. we stopped in this little restaurant and got some pizza. after lunch we walked around in search of our "campus" where our summer classes will be held. it's not too far from the hotel, but that's of little importance seeing as how we will be moving to our spanish homes tomorrow (i believe). i still don't know where i will be staying or who i'm rooming with. i'll know much more this time manana.
i'm gonna run get a shower and maybe take a quick nap before our mandatory meeting at 8. i'll update soon.