Glistening sea, cliffs, sand, sunshine. Sunny and warm climate all year round.
We rode boats, drank sangria, explored the grottos, jumped off cliffs, and went to the “end of the world” and back.
A night-before-decision found me and a large group on a bus heading towards Lagos, Portugal with a group that plans Sevilla day and overnight trips.
Lagos is along the Atlantic ocean belonging to the Algarve region in sunny southern Portugal, the most visited cities in Portugal. The pictures prove why it’s so popular to visit it.
A few new friends and i excitedly grabbed our bathing suits (mine: new suit 6 euros!), packed a beach bag, grabbed our lunches our host families made for us (example: potato and egg sandwich), bought bus tickets due south, and headed for LA PLAYA (the beach). We went to city of Cadiz, which is about an hour and a half away from Sevilla, a very easy ride; we were at the glistening beach in no time!
Cadiz is a city and port in the southwestern part of Spain. Its the oldest inhabited city on the Iberian penninsula and consists of a narrow slice of land surrounded by the sea. its full of historical landmarks,vistas, and narrow winding alleys.
We swam in the glistening Pacific Ocean, caught some spanish sun, ate baguettes con jamon, saw a part of the city of Cadiz, and enjoyed new friends and fellowship. it was delightful and my first trip to Cadiz of many!
This day trip was the perfect ending to orientation week. we had been stuck in a hotel and following guides and leaders for days. we needed freedom.
Choices of our own
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TOP 10 differences I have noticed in 3 weeks (no order), besides the language, in Spanish culture vs. American that have affected me:
1. Their eating times. Spaniards eat breakfast at 11 which seems to be their work break, they will go to a cafe and order a crousaint and espresso. there is no such thing as to-go coffee there. you dont see people walking around with their lattes. Lunch is at 2 or 3 and consists of their biggest meal with the courses and such. Dinner is around 10 (give or take). Dinner is mostly going out for tapas, tiny meals that people share or a meal cooked at home.
2. Their comida is very different than Americans. I'm going to have a more detailed post on just food. (of course, me being a foodie) however, main ingredients they cook with: olive oil, legumes, eggs, all kinds of fish, bread, ANYTHING fried.
3. The city dies down at 2 to 6pm (give or take)... Siesta is the term for it. Spaniards leave work or it's when kids come home from school and eat lunch, then take a nap. Some then go back to work. Others, it’s the end of their work day :) its very very hot during that time of day, so another reason this happens. you dont see much people outside at all. mostly just the tourists. at 8 or 9, the cafes and streets are busy again!
4. The People are different. they fellowship in a different way than Americans. Spaniards sit outside in cafes for hours and hours and hours and hours. some reasons why: they enjoy fellowship, their apartments are sometimes smaller so they want to get out, its always a nice temperature outside, and its where everyone is. they enjoy being with each other
5. Spaniards drink cervezca (beer) like it’s our pop or coke. they will order one or two at a cafe for lunch and dinner. they dont get drunk. they enjoy sipping on it and talking with one another. most places you can find it for 1 to 1.50 euro. if its more, then its a tourist trap. if you dont order that, then its tinto. this is their “cheap sangria.” its very goood. its like a sweet bubbly red wine, not too strong.
6. Something that I strongly appreciate the most is their use of time. Spaniards would rather sit outside in a cafe for hours than be inside watching tv. a lot of them go places on weekends. it seems a lot own a second home about an hour to 2 hours south on the beach. they will buy a cheaper apartment in order to afford this
7. Fashion- 2 things.
First- When I got here, all i could notice was the “skanky” clothes the teen women were wearing. very, very short shorts and a tight tank top. Americans are more modest (who would have thought?) however, thats only a fraction and they are the teens.
Second- Most of the other people dress very classy, decent, and trendy. No one would walk out wearing gym shoes (unless they are doing what they are made for, running), t-shirts, or sweat pants. I cant help but to think of an example in America. If you go to lets say, olive garden, a very american restaurant, (that im not to fond of) people go in sweat pants or t-shirts. In spain, when walking on the street, sitting in a cafe, or at a bar, they are dressed nicely. nothing grungy or sloppy. i appreciate that a lot!
8. The streets in Sevilla. if its not one of the few “busy” streets, its a very tiny road. by very tiny, i mean cars cant go through. “Road” might not even be the right word, rather pathway. if they do drive down these tiny roads, they practically touch the pedestrians on the sidewalk which is about 2 feet wide. thats why, a lot own scooters.
9. Buildings are beautiful here. the architecture is amazing beyond words. every detail blows my mind away. there are buildings built hundreds of years ago, and still look magnificent. in america, we like tall and/or modern looking buildings and biggg homes.
10. Cars. they dont value big or fast cars how some americans do. most cars are small. a lot own scooters to get through the tiny winding roads. In utrera, a small city outside sevilla where i am teaching, i have seen a few SUV’s and even a pick-up truck, but i barely see SUVs in sevilla.
*I know some things i said about both the spanish and american culture were stereotypes, so bear with me. when i say “americans” or “spaniards”, i DO NOT mean every american or spaniard.
Iv'e been here for a little over 3 weeks now. A few words that can comprehend how I feel is: excited. excited. excited, and add a little anxious (to move in and start teaching). Of course, there is an array of other emotions added in there, which will be mentioned through out this post.
I know all the day to day details can get arid, but I've been lacking on the blogging since being here, so here is an update of my life in Sevilla.
After a few days, I will have been moved into my new apartment with 4 roomies in the neighborhood of Los Remidos on Asuncion street, a lively charming street where no cars can drive, full of cafes, shops, and spanish culture. It's a 4 bedroom place (2 will be sharing) with an open large front room with couches and a kitchen table and a cute little balcony overlooking the hustle and bustle of the street 3 floor below. There's a tiny cocina, 1.5 bathrooms, and a back balcony. (Pics later of house later)
I start teaching my little ninos next Monday. Yesterday, I went to the school to meet the teachers and my bilingual teacher, Angeles who is very sweet (as most Spaniards are). For those who know me, I know muy poco Spanish which makes it difficult not to be able to communicate everything I wish to my fellow co-workers. They seem really kind and I wish I could develop relationships with them, but I can't (as of now) with the language barrier. After a few weeks, I will hopefully know more. There are about 40 teachers at the school, and about 5 know some English, so I'm not completely alone.
Everyone talks about culture shock when being or moving to another country. I think I am more immune to it than others, maybe because i crave to be in another culture. It’s natural for me to understand and accept the culture differences.
Adios for now.
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