La primera semana: homesickness, heat, and hope

¡Hola! I have spent my first week of junior year in the beautiful city of Sevilla. For those who are don’t know, Sevilla is located in the southern region of Andalucía in Spain. Serving as Andalucía’s capital city, Sevilla is home to flamenco dancing, tapas, and some serious hot weather.

While I have quickly fallen in love with this city and its thriving culture, I would first like to point out that I am exhausted. Mentally and physically. This is the first time that I’ve spoken Spanish for more than an hour outside a classroom in my entire life. It is also probably the first time I have walked so much in my life. I give myself a pat on the back for how much (or how little? There’s so much I still don’t know) I’ve accomplished this week.

When I first arrived in Spain, I immediately needed to use Spanish to ask for help at the Seville Airport because my luggage was still in Madrid. Luckily, the airport specialists were very helpful and kind to a struggling American student like me. Later, I needed directions from los sevillanos locales again because my taxi driver somehow did not drop me off in front of my apartment. Finally, when I met my host mother, Conchi, both of us managed to communicate with each other those with difficulty because, dang, the Spanish speak muy rápido. Throughout the week, my roommate Casey and I continually kept our phones in hand to look up words and phrases that we didn’t know. “¿Cómo se dice…?”

Needless to say, the first day was a challenge for me unlike others I have had in the past. It was the first time I have ever felt homesick. Yes, I actually missed my family and may have even shed a few tears, but every day I have become more confident. Now, I am starting to develop a regular routine.

Normally, it goes like this: I wake up at 7:45 AM, do my skincare routine (one must never forget sunscreen in this sunny weather), dress up, and eat breakfast with Conchi and Casey. Desayuno normally consists of fruits, una manzana y un platano, and a glass of water. Breakfast isn’t big in Spain, which I’m perfectly okay with because I only eat fruits back home. After breakfast, Casey and I have a very sweaty 20-minute walk to the Centro Norteamericano, where we have class from 9:00-13:30 (I like military time more). Currently, we are in our three-week intensive period where we focus strictly on the Spanish language. After class, we return to our apartment where Conchi makes a delicious almuerzo. Lunch is typically the biggest meal of the day here. Following lunch, Spain takes part in siestas, or naps pretty much. Because the weather is as hot as a sauna during the day, the stores are closed so that everyone can relax in the mid-afternoon. Then, they reopen starting at 15:00 and end much later than most American stores do. I have mixed feelings about siestas. I definitely enjoy relaxing in the middle of the day, but I can never sleep outside of nighttime. Instead, I spend time writing or reviewing Spanish vocabulary. In the late afternoon, we either return to class or we have an excursion. We eat dinner very late here, around 22:00. Finally, the day is over!

I love exploring this beautiful city. Every neighborhood has a unique feel to it. I live in Triana, which I have to explore in its entirety, but I do understand it is a popular neighborhood to live in. The houses are vibrant and chatter echoes from them. Across the bridge that I take to get to school, you can pick out the pink, red, green, and orange casas. Sevilla is also very walkable, and there are shops on every corner as well as people always present. Since I’m here for a year, I do not plan on spending money on food often or things. However, I have my eye on a gelato shop (there are tons!) called Mi Abuela.

Of course, the most important part of every culture is the people. My host mother, my roommate, and my fellow classmates are all the people I’m getting to know and practice Spanish with. I am thankful for their support and their love, knowing that we’re all in this together. Es una vida buena.