My friend Mariel has inspired me to make sure I meet someone new, see something new or do something new every day until the day I leave, May 7th. I feel like I’ve pretty much been doing this anyway, but especially in a foreign country full of new experiences, it is important not to get caught up in any routines. I feel like I make the most new friends when I’m alone. Which, no one worry, is not even that often and is never at night. But for example the other day, actually the morning after Katrina’s birthday, I made a new grandpa-like friend, or so I thought. As a precursor to this story however, let me explain that every Wednesday I take a bus by myself to a gradeschool (escuela primaria) called Padres Blancos. I work with the 12-13 year olds, helping them practice their English. Sometimes they explain their projects to me in English, or I take a few kids in a room with me a time and have English conversations. Last week I had to make a Powerpoint presentation about myself and America to present to small groups.
These kids are kind of fascinated with the fact that I’m American and love asking me a million questionssuch as--Have I seen the Grand Canyon? and the White House? What is New York like? Is my mom beautiful? Haha-of COURSE I answered yes to that question (Mom, I told them you are very beautiful). The young boy replied that his mom is ugly. How kind.
Anyways…so I set out this particular morning, took the bus only to arrive to be told that the class had an exam and didn’t need me. However, I was for some reason still in a good mood even though this was kind of annoying…so I got back on the bus (only to get on the wrong one and proceed to have a tour of the city for about 30 mintues..ooops...I’m sure this is no surprise to anyone haha…). After getting off at my stop, I had time to kill before class so I stopped by Starbucks. After a little pick-me-up, I set out to school. It began to pour raining and I didn’t have an umbrella with me so I was basically just walkin’ in the rain…but I had my Ipod in and I was just boppin’ along not really minding.
This is where my weird encounter begins.
This old man (grandpa-age) comes up beside me and starts putting his umbrella over me. I kind of assumed this was just a nice gesture and that it would last for maybe another three minutes and then we would part ways. We had some small talk about the weather and where I was going and he told me to hold on to his arm so I wouldn’t slip. After a little more walking, he invited me to coffee. This is the point in the story where my roommates told me I should have escaped but to be honest it was one of those times where I kind of knew I was making this old man’s day and it was broad daylight, a million people around, so after trying to get out of it by explaining I just had coffee (I was still HOLDING my Starbucks), I found myself going.
We went into this little cafeteria (they are called cafeterias here, but don’t think school cafeteria-it’s like a little coffee shop that sells pastries and other things and you can get it to go). He orders me a coffee and orders himself a beer, and we had some more Spanish-small talk. I said, “Wow, starting early, what kind of job do you have?” He told me he is a bread-maker and works the night shift. I asked him if he had any grandkids, he said no. Then it started to get weird when he told me I had beautiful hands. I tried to sidetrack that odd compliment by talking about my Sion ring. Then he gave me a prayer card. I thanked him. He asked for my phone number and I told him that I didn’t know my number and forgot my phone. He wanted to meet up for another coffee, possibly on Sunday but I told him I’m going to Barcelona (that was a lie…) He said, “Oh, maybe before you leave?” I said I was leaving today immediately after school. He asked when I’d be back. I said the trip was indefinite, and would depend on my friends’ plans. I was at the point of no return and was really wanting to get out of there and finally told him I was going to be late for class and needed to go! Oh , but don’t worry he insisted on walking me to school as well. So I let him walk me half way there (so that he wouldn’t know where my school was—thank you D.A.R.E. tips) and then told him, “Está bien, voy sola,” meaning “This is good, I’ll go alone now.” We said nice to meet you and shook hands and I laughed to myself all the way to school and told my class what happened. Everyone thought that I was so weird, but as weird as it was, I think I made this man’s day and hey, I got a free coffee out of it as well.
Moooving on….my FAVORITE thing to do here, what I will miss MOST: the Guadalquivir River. If I set out from my house and go left on a run, I take the street for about 7ish minutes until I cross the street, go down a few steps, and begin my run right along the river. It is so motivating, so stunning, so awesome. It makes me never want to run inside a gym ever again because the feeling that I get outside by this river is seriously the most rejuvenating thing ever. There are different bridges along the way, one we called the modern bridge because it appears to only be held up by one side. There is also graffiti everywhere, but not really the gross, trashy kind that you would find in the middle of a city. This is an art form. Every color, shape, character, recognizable and unrecognizable concepts. It’s pretty fun to look at along the way. This path takes me down, past a little skateboard park to where it opens up to lots of grassy area and benches along the river. This has become a hopping place since it’s been so nice out. People come here alone, but mostly in big groups of friends. There are some people who clearly just worked out, some who came to drink by the river or “botellón” as it is called here, and some who are in the middle of an intense make out sesh. Hah, no joke. PDA is at an all-time high here and these Spaniards are not shy, especially along the river. One time I was running and I stopped to stretch by a little railing, only to realize to my embarrassment that as I looked up I was staring into the intimate moments of a couple in the grass, only a mere three feet away from me. Taught me to check my surroundings a little closer before stopping to limber up…that’s for sure.
My friends and I go to the river quite often and listen to music, play cards, lay out, just enjoy the weather. We have our own meeting spot that we frequent, and other friends check it if they are out and about in case we are in the area. You can rent paddle boats, kayaks and canoes to take out for different periods of time and we’ve been waiting for the perfect day to do so. That has been my dream day so far, so hopefully it happens soon!
Let’s see…you know the phrase, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well, here in Spain I have taken that to a whole new level I didn’t even think was possible. I came to Spain barely even liking apples, like maybe had one once a month. Here my personal goal is four in a day, and most days I have at least two. Vicki gives us these green ones after a lot of our meals. However, one day I made the bittersweet decision to buy a Granny Smith at Más (the grocery store). Since then I literally CRAVE Granny Smith’s. They are so tart and juicy and I love them. Unfortunately, now Vicki’s apples taste not so good (kind of earthy) and I now have a small orchard next to my bed full of ones that I don’t want to eat. Sooo… basically I spoiled myself and am having trouble going back in the apple department. But these Granny Smiths…I highly recommend.
Our food has taken a turn a little for the better, depending on how you look at it. For awhile, Vicki got in a fix of serving us French fries every single night and all this fried food. I finally told her that we would appreciate a little bit healthier of diet so we have been having lots of vegetables. One time she served us an unknown substance, which I quickly decided to make a discreet trip to my room and Google. I found it somewhat acceptable and proceeded to eat it. However, one time I did not Google fast enough. She offered me some fish, or so she said. I put it in my mouth right as Haley said, “I’m pretty sure that’s octopus.” Well, one rubbery bite in and Haley’s observations were confirmed and I’m sorry to say I went for the nearest napkin and spit it out. I’m all for trying new things, but my 8-tenacle friends of the sea are not one I could swallow. Maybe next time.
Edit: Since this, but before I posted it—I tried octopus at a restaurant. And I LIKED IT. It was nothing like what Vicki served, for the record. Never did I ever think I would enjoy octopus…taste buds=expanded.
Laura’s parents, the Tiehens, have been in town since Friday so I got to spend a little time with them before heading to Madrid. They took us out to eat at Blues, this yummy Italian restaurant but not before we sat outside in a little café and sipped on some Sangria. After dinner we showed them a few of our favorite locations and we all had a hilarious time. The next day we went to Maria Luisa park and rode in a 5-person Flintstone-like contraption throughout the park. It was so fun and I’m dying to do it again. We also watched K-State lose which was pretty sad, since after my bracket was destroyed by upsets, I was rooting for them all the way.
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