Two months! And 45% Madrilena. :)

Hola friends!!!! (All english this time!)

It has officially been two months since I landed in Santiago de Compostela, taking in my first breaths of Spanish air as I descended the staircase of our bite-sized Iberia aircraft. Although in some ways Santiago feels like a lifetime ago, overall my time in Spain has gone by in a flash. And it's incredibly scary and sad to think that it is already halfway over!

And since it's been two months, I figure it's about time to evaluate! While I am still by no means fluent, my Spanish has most definitely improved - especially in the listening department. I can also happily declare that I have become quite accustomed to Spanish life. I officially know how to order food properly, I am no longer ancy after 20 minutes - or 2 hours - in a cafe, I have finally understood the spanish idea of standing in line (or extreme lack there of), and in the last two days I have been asked for directions (by Spanish people!!) twice. Whether these milestones are founded in superficial generalizations or not I can't fully say, but according to my calculations I think I can now be considered roughly 45% Madrilena (being asked for directions TWICE was a real inflator)!

In the past few weeks I have visited a lot of really cool places. My parents came three weeks ago and we spent time in Madrid, eating at some amazing places and exploring the museums. We then went to Bilbao for the weekend and visited the Guggenheim - it's absolutely incredible. The city of Bilbao itself is also really great- with an amazing Calatrava pedestrian bridge and a beautiful non-touristy old plaza and barrio. The following weekend I went to Lisbon with three friends for our fall break. It was amazing. Portuguese people are probably the nicest people that I have ever encountered. There were also  a good number of immigrants living there who are very incorporated into the city, a bit more so than Madrid which was interesting. Madrid is a huge center of immigration but the immigrants are still quite segregated. Also, the Spanish are very much inbred- so us Americans tend to stick out like a sore thumb. I've really become to realize here how much I take for granted the fact that the U.S. and NY especially is such a melting pot of people and cultures.

Anyway, back to Lisbon! Its an absolutely gorgeous city and the food is also great. There's a modern section of Lisbon which was built primarily in 1998 for the World Expo. The Expo was held in Lisbon, celebrating the 500th year anniversary of da Gama's exploration to India. The buildings include a huge Oriente Station (which is supposedly a pre-step to an expected Lisbon airport) also built by Calatrava and an amazing public pavilion built by Pritzker Award-winning Portuguese architect Alvara Siza Vieira (who also built the contemporary art museum in Santiago de Compostela we went to). The pavilion has a sagging concrete roof that weighs 1400 tons and has no support beams, its truly incredible. Then there is the Vasco da Gama bridge, which is the longest bridge in Europe. It's so long that the curvature of the Earth had to be taken into consideration when calculating the measurements!

We did two day trips also while in Portugal - one to Cascais - a beach town on the ocean, and one to Sintra, which is an old town full of mansions and a big castle on the top of a mountain (Photos below!).

Then the weekend after that we headed to Valencia with our program, visiting the amazing Science and Arts Center by Calatrava as well as the beautiful old section. We also ate the most amazing paella in the entire world AND went to an Andalusian restaurant where we showed off our flamenco skills! (Photo below!)

Then this past weekend it was nice to stay in Madrid and enjoy all that's here! Including going to see Goya's tomb and some beautiful frescoes by him in a tiny church in SW Madrid right near the Rio Manzanares.

And now, I am on my way to studying as I have an exam coming up on Wednesday. So!!!! Back to work!

Love to everyone!!!!!!
-Ana


My camera unfortunately broke, so until it gets repaired here are some photos taken by my friends Jane and Emily!!!! (Gracias chicas!)

BEST Tradition Portuguese restaurant, with our new best friend waiters!

Lisbon!

On the top of the world in Sintra

Atlantic Ocean! Cascais

Cascais!

Jane and me at the Science and Arts Center in Valencia! So. Cool.

Our group! Science Center, Valencia

Flamenco in Valencia!

Beautiful Valencian Mediterranean (Sorrolla would be proud!)

Bueno, Pues TODO

Hola Queridos!!!! (Mas abajo para ingles!)
He sido en Espana para mas de un mes, ya estuve aqui en Madrid por tres semanas! Loco loco loco! Me encanta la ciudad mas y mas cada dia. Estas semanas pasadas, he visitado muchos museos y barrios de Madrid. Tambien viaje a Salamanca (una ciudad preciosa) la semana pasada.

Mis clases tambien empezaron hace tres semanas. Las clases aqui son mucho mas faciles que los a Wesleyan-- que me permite pasar mas tiempo disfrutando los tesoros de la ciudad. Me hice un socio de una organizacion de bellas artes, donde se puede tomar clases de dibujo y ver obras de teatro y musica. He ido al museo del Thyssen, del Prado y un museo mas pequeno pero increible- el Museo (y casa) de Joaquin Sorolla. Tambien, la semana pasada, fuimos a la casa de Lope de Vega (un autor espanol muy famoso). En la calle fue un mercado de artesania con mucha gente y muchos fotografos--- resulto ser que el alcalde de Madrid estaba a nuestro lado!!!!

Desafortunamente mi camera habia roto pero tengo fotos de las semanas pasadas! Y finalmente puedo ponerlas aqui en el sitio.

Este miercoles hay una huelga general, y la ciudad va a ser llena de gente protestando (no tenemos clase!!). Manana mis padres van a visitarme!!!!!!! Ellos quedan por una semana, y esta fin de vamos a ir al Bilbao. Estoy muy muy emocionada para verlos y para ver el Guggenheim!

La arquitectura aqui es absolutamente preciosa. Estoy en una clase sobre la historia del arte, y cada semana vamos a un museo o edificio importante. La semana pasada, pasamos por el Paseo de Prado y nuestra profesora nos enseno de todos las esculpturas y los edificios en el Paseo (muy interesante!). Tambien, solamente por camino uno puede aprender de la historia espanola - porque cada calle se llama por un artista o politico o algo muy famoso y importante en el pasado de espana.

Vale, es todo (jaja aqui 'vale' y 'pues' son palabras que espanoles usan en cada frase y estoy empezando hacer lo mismo!). Tambien muchas veces dicen: Bueno, pues nada - que significa como no hay nada mas para decir, pero no quiero salir rapidamente... Esto es la razon por mi titulo de este "post".

Aqui son unas fotos!!! (y ingles!)

Mucho amor!
-Ana





INGLES! / ENGLISH!
Hello everyone!

I've been in Spain for more than a month, and in Madrid for three weeks already! Crazy!!!! I love the city more and more each day. These past weeks I've visited a lot of areas and museums of Madrid. I also went to Salamanca last weekend!

My classes also started around three weeks ago. Classes here are much easier than those at Wesleyan- which is nice because it gives me more time to explore and enjoy the treasures of the city! I've become a member of a fine arts organization, where they offer drawing classes and concerts / plays to members. I've also visited the Thyssen, Prado, and the somewhat smaller yet still quite incredible museum - El Museo de Joaquin Sorolla. This past week we also went to the house of Lope de Vega (a very famous spanish author). In the street there was a crafts fair and a lot of people and photographers --- turns out the mayor of Madrid was walking right by us!

Unfortunately my camera broke but I have photos from the last few weeks, and I can finally put them up on here! (Below!)

This wednesday there is a nation-wide general strike and the city is going to be full of people protesting (no class!). Tomorrow my parents are coming to visit! They are staying for a week and this weekend we're going to Bilbao. I can't wait to see them! Or the Guggenheim!

The architecture here is amazing. I'm in an art history class where every week we go to visit a different museum or important building. Last week we spent at the Paseo de Prado and learned about all of the sculptures and buildings there. Just by walking through the streets you can learn a lot about the history of Spain - because every street is named after some influential spanish artist or politician.

Well, that's all for now! The title: Bueno, pues TODO - refers to a phrase that Spaniards use all the time which is: Bueno, pues nada. Which is a way of beginning your "goodbye" which here, take forever. Anyways, here are some photos!!!

Lots of love!

-Ana

I forgot to mention we also went to Toledo!

                                                                            Toledo!

The amazingly beautiful place we had lunch in Toledo

The famous Puerta de Alcala - five blocks from my house!

Palacio Real

Palacio Real

Salamanca!

Salamanca

Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

Another Toledo!

Santiago de Compostela (where we had orientation)

Santiago de Compostela

Deliciousness

On top of the Catedral de Santiago overlooking the whole city (or sky!)

Our campus!

Campus

Madrid!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone!!!! (This post just in English but more Spanish to come!)

We arrived last week in Madrid and are finally all settled in at our respective homestays!!! The highlight of the trip was that I did not have to pay the sixty extra euros for an overweight suitcase - thanks to stuffing clothes in friends' bags, and wearing two shirts, two sweaters and a jacket on the plane haha.

My Spanish "Madre" is AMAZING! She is sixty and has two kids, one in her mid-20s and the other in his early-30s who don't live with her. My first day, she showed me around the area and took me out for ice cream. We then returned home and I ate some of the best chicken I've ever had in my life. Every meal has been great (since I know some of you guys are foodies here are some things she's made for me: gazpacho, vichyssoise, eggs with capers, asparagus, and ham, toast with olive oil and sugar for breakfast, banana with honey for dessert, and lots of other good stuff) She's a fantastic cook (although of course nothin' beats your cooking Mom-if you're reading this!). Today, Sunday (we arrived last Monday), her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend came over for a big lunch. I had my first real Spanish Paella of the trip and it was ricisimo (delicious)!

The building and apartment are gorgeous. The elevator is identical to the one in the movie Matchstick, old fashioned and tiny with two glass doors that open and close. We are in an amazing neighborhood that is very high end and right next to the Retiro Park! (My "madre' told me that the King's sister lives somewhere along our street!!!!!)

My head sleeps right next to the window which looks out onto a tiny courtyard surrounded by the four walls of our building. Last week I woke up around 4:30am to the sounds of a man talking. I figured he was just awake talking to someone, but then after listening closer it sounded more like singing. I put my head out the window and to my hilarious surprise it was....a man snoring!!!!!!!!!! It was the funniest loudest snore I've ever heard, and was echoing across the courtyard and the walls of the building. It sounded like the following: singing singing singing / weird noises, and then....each time.... a BIG snort sound like pigs make. SO SO so so so so funny. I sat up in my bed just laughing. (And quickly fell back asleep...)

We start classes tomorrow!!! Our university, Carlos Tercero, is a newer campus just outside of Madrid in a suburb called Getafe. We met some other students who attend the school who have shown us around Madrid - and who also brought us to the most amazinggg sandwich place by campus (can anyone say manchego, avocado, tomato salsa, lettuce and mayo?!?!?....for only 3 euros!!!) We also went to one of their country houses this past Saturday and spent the day poolside in the rolling hills of Spain's countryside!


Madrid is known in Spain to be very fast paced in comparison to the rest of Spain. This adjective is quite comic however. In reality, the stores all close for siesta, and there seem to be more people out on the streets drinking cervezas than there seem to be inside! I love it. I was buying shampoo at the market and told the guy I was from NY. He said, "Ahhh!!! I hear it is so fast and so tense! Many people do not like it!" He continued to say Madrid is known to be very fast. I said it was nothing in comparison!

My list so far for Madrid....
-The people are extremely nice.
-The buses are confusing to figure out, but once you do they are great.
-The metro system is SO CLEAN.
-The buildings are precious.
-Fanta = Fantastic. I often "wanta fanta"
-It is stupid but sometimes in the metro system not only do you have to pass your ticket through when you enter, but when you leave as well! No idea why...
-EVERYTHING IN SPAIN has ham. They even have ham flavored chips!
-Oh and yeah! The people are really really nice.



That's all for now!!!
Besos!!!!
-Ana

La Primera Semana! Orientacion en Santiago de Compostela

Hola Amigos!!! (Si quieres leer en ingles desplazas hacia abajo -scroll down for english!)
Estoy pasando este semestre en el hermoso pais de Espana. El jueves de la semana pasada, nosotros empezamos nuestra orientacion en la ciudad de Santiago de Compostela - una ciudad con una catedral muy famosa, que se llama la Catedral de Santiago. La ciudad es vieja y bella y actualmente, esta lleno de turismos y peregrinos.

Hasta el momento, Espana es un lugar llena de las siguientes cosas...
Cafe
Siesta
Pulpo y Jamon Serrano
Queso
Catedrales
Hombres que encantan las chicas americanas
Piropos fantasticos y comiquisimos [El piropo mas fantastico que he oido es.... "Te gusta el pollo?? Te ve como pollo! Tan guapa!" (Yo no tenia ningun idea que pollos fueron gaupas.....)]
Cenas que empiezan a las 9:30 de la noche
Fiestas que terman a las 5 de la manana
Coches pequenas
Personas viejas que encantan pasar su tiempo en las bellas parques
Ninos muy adorables --con ropa como las munecas de las "American Girl Dolls"
Arquitectura hermosa
Gente simpatica

Y finalmente, casitas con techos el color de la madrugada.

En todo, me encanta.

La fin de la semana pasada, nosotros viajamos por Espana y Portugual - y veemos viejas catedrales, unos museos, una ciudad celta con muchas ruinas, y una ciudad en la costa del oceano Atlantico. Esta semana, nosotros tenemos dos clases-- una de la literatura espanola, y otra de la historia espanola. Los dos fueron muy interesantes y manana tenemos examenes.

Tambien, esta semana hemos tenido muchos excursiones a la ciudad vieja -- veemos dos museos de Santiago, aprendimos de la arquitectura barroca de la ciudad vieja, y tambien caminamos por la catedral - y tambien encima de su techo!

Nosotros volaremos a Madrid este Lunes y no puedo esperar.

Todavia, no tengo un conector para mi camera pero mis fotos estaran aqui muy pronto!!!

Vos extrano mucho!!!
Besos,
-Ana





Hello Friends!!!!
I am spending this semester in the beautiful country of Spain. The thursday before last, we began our orientation in the city of Santiago de Compostela - a city with a very famous cathedral called la Catedral de Santiago. The city is gorgeous, and is currently full of tourists and pilgrims making their trips from all over Europe through the Camino de Santiago.

So far, I have come to believe that Spain is most accurately represented by the following list...
Coffee
Siesta
Octopus and Ham

Cheese

Cathedrals

Young men who love young American women

Fantastic and hilarious pick up lines [The best pick-up line I have thus heard has been... "Do you like chicken? You look like a chicken! How beautiful!" (I had no idea chickens were beautiful....)]

Dinners that begin at 9:30pm

Parties that end at 5am

Small cars

Old people who love to spend their time in the beautiful parks

Adorable children -with clothing like the American Girl Dolls
Beautiful architecture
Nice people

And finally, small houses with roofs the color of sunrise.

In all, I love it.

Last weekend, we traveled through Spain and Portugal - we saw cathedrals, some museums, an old Celtic city full of ruins, and another beautiful old city on the Atlantic coast. This week, we have had two classes - one on Spanish literature, and another on Spanish history. Both have been really interesting and tomorrow we have exams! We've also had many excursions to the old city this week - we saw two museums of Santiago, we learned about the Baroque architecture of the old city on a walking tour with a renowned art and architecture professor / historian, and we walked through the Cathedral - (and also on top of it!)

We fly to Madrid this Monday and I can't wait to get there and meet my host family!

I still don't have my camera connector but my photos will be up here very soon!

I miss y'all lots!

Besos!

-Ana