Spaniards

Sorry for not writing in a while. I promise I am not going to give upon this blog, because for many, it is the only way in which we can stay in contact. I think I am going to try something a little different in this post. Instead of writing a long block of text (which probably is intimidating and very boring to read), I am going to try to do a bulleted list so that I can be more random in my thoughts and also so I, in theory, write less. Here goes.

• Can I just say how incredible everyone is here? I mean, it is not like I have met every single Spaniard or even every Salamancan, but those that I have met are incredibly selfless and giving individuals. Last Sunday, Will and I went over to my intercambio Sara's house and played some board games and chatted. Before Sara's friends arrived, we taught Sara and Iván (her husband) how to play poker because they always see it on the American movies, but never understand exactly how to play. Once her friends got there (Diana from Zamora, Edith and Jorge [married, from Salamanca; I have hung out with them before]), we got out a board game and played it. It was the game of the year according to some German organization and I have never seen it in the States. It was really fun. We had wine, olives [which are AMAZING, by the way. We have nothing like them in the U.S. and if we do I am certain they are incredibly expensive], chips, and such while we were playing. Then when we were done, they brought out pizza and more chips and dip and ham (obviously!). It was really fun. But during the course of the game and even afterwards, Edith told me that whenever I am free and am willing, she would be willing to teach me how to cook some classic Spanish dishes. I had told Sara about this and she obviously mentioned it to Edith, so she is opening her home to me. It was astounding to me. Rufi has said the same thing to me multiple times, that if I ever want to learn how to cook something, just let her know and she will definitely show me. I am also going to be taking some cooking classes just after my birthday, so that is going to be loads of fun!! I am super stoked!!!
• This weekend I am going to Segovia, which is a town about two and a half hours away from here. It is famous for its aqueduct, which dates from Roman times and was still in operation until the middle of the twentieth century. It was still bringing water from the mountains into the town. I am really excited about this trip, because it is a place that I have heard a lot about, so it will be incredible to finally be able to see it in person!
• Will and I are getting to be better friends. We are having some major, deep discussions. Sometimes they are more heated than others, but we remain on good terms nonetheless. He is shaping up to be an intriguing, complex individual and I am excited at the prospect of remaining friends with him for years to come.
• I dunno if I have ever talked on here about the phenomenon of time, but lemme tell ya something. It usually goes really slow when I am here, living it. There are many weeks where I have said to myself: "What day is it? Only Wednesday?!?! Holy banana peels! Seems like I have been doing this whole week thing for a lot longer than that!!" However, when I step back and think about it, I realize that I have been here for a fairly long time, it feels as if I have been here for nearly forever. I think that is just because everyone accepts you and attempts to include you as their closest friends, so it feels like nothing much has changed, except the language, the faces, and the culture...but other than that....  But seriously. I have been here for nearly two full months, but it feels like years! I still have a long ways to go before I get to return to the U.S., which somedays I am more excited about than others, but I have to remember that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and therefore I should make the most of it, or as the Spanish would say (¡aproveche!). 
• So not only am I going to be taking a cooking class (which, might I add, is included in the program cost...WHAT?!) I am also, at the beginning of March, going to take a flamenco class (also included in the program price!!). I am super stoked for this, because then when I get back, I am going to be Spanish beyond belief. I will be eating olives, drinking wine, cooking and doing the flamenco at the same time, and taking siestas everyday! 
• Which sorta brings me to a minor next point: the transition back to America. I have thought about the time when I am going to have to transition back to American life and culture and I thought about how easy it was going to be. It should be a breeze, a no-brainer. However, I am now not so sure that it is going to be as easy as I thought. I am going to have to give up a lot of the things that I love about Spanish culture. I have been thinking that when I get back there are going to be some things that I retain, but I am not so sure as to how all of that is going to work. I also thought that I should not be so arrogant about my experience and just refuse to conform to American culture again. I have been telling nearly everybody I talk to that adapting to the culture is probably the most important thing one can do when in a different country. You ought to adapt to their culture. This is not to say that you cannot retain some of your own culture, but if you give no effort at all in trying to conform to their way of life, it is like a big middle finger to that culture. It means that you are not willing to learn how they live, to live as they live, that you are more interested in being self-centered and sticking out like a sore thumb than blending in with the crowd and such. ALSO, completely unrelated to anything I have just said, I really am not looking forward to having a cell phone when I get back to America. I mean, I think it is a useful tool and I am not going to get rid of it, but I have really liked how less stressful everything is without one. I also like the fact that I can actually enjoy my surroundings rather than be distracted by a phone. There are so many people (both Spaniards [which surprised me the most] and obviously Americans) who find themselves in a group and have to be on their cellphones or have them out, fiddling with them. I do not understand this at all, and I am definitely not looking forward to facing that times twenty when I return to the States. Maybe this point should be discussed in my other blog...
• When I was hanging out with Sara one day (earlier this week, I think...again, the time thing gets me confused), I told her that I had no idea how to repay her for everything she has done for me. I have felt guilty for taking advantage of all that she offers me and not being able to offer anything in return. I cannot really invite her over to my room, I cannot drive to her house (she has to come get me), and a huge amount of money would never work. I have found little ways to split costs (such as alternating paying for our coffee sessions), but she has done so much more than that for me. I told her earlier this week that if she ever finds herself in the States, that my home would be open to her, without a doubt. She told me in reply that if I were to ever return to Spain, that I needed only inform her and she would have a bed ready for me. I am really excited at the prospect of remaining lifelong friends with Sara and Iván, because they are such wonderful individuals. They are more than ten years old than me, but I usually make friends with people that much older than me. 

Anyhow, I should probably stop there. I thought this was going to help, but it looks like I was just as talkative as before. Oh well, at least it is organized into more manageable chunks. Hasta la próxima vez, Andy.