I think language is the biggest barrier at the moment. It’s hard to connect with someone when you only speak “un poco” of each others language. I felt semi-confidant with my Spanish before I came here but honestly, the shit they teach you in school barely helps. They don’t teach you about the accent or speed in which it’s spoken. I may know the English form of Spanish, but the Spanish form of Spanish is on a whole other level. I think by the end of 9 months I’ll have it down, but at the moment I’m a bit hopeless. It’s so ridiculous trying to learn a subject in complete Spanish. I can’t believe the company that sent me here actually intends for me to learn anything in a class that is taught completely in Spanish and filled with kids that talk completely in Spanish. The only thing I’m gonna learn is...SPANISH!
Which brings me to my school. It’s a public school in the town of Torres, which is a 10-15 minute bus ride from my house. I actually really enjoy taking the bus. The route is beautiful, and kind of winds down a mountain so you can see all the little towns below. And it’s while the sun is rising so the light reflects of the buildings in Madrid and creates this bright pink hue. It’s nice. Anyways, the schooling system is kinda messed up. There’s three groups of classes that my age group can choose from. You don’t put together your own schedule, the classes are put into groups. So they just put Nicolai and I into the one with the least people. The subjects that I take are: Spanish Language (basically an English class in Spanish), History of Spain, Art History, Computers, English (yay!), Greek, and Latin. WHAT THE FUCK. These are like college courses and trying to learn them in Spanish is IMPOSSIBLE. Literally. But the teachers understand so I’m not getting any homework. And I guess I can change in a couple weeks. And my classmates are SO sweet. People seriously treat me like a goddess because I’m from California, it’s really funny. They all call me “Susan” but it sounds so cute in their Spanish accents. So that part of school is really nice.
Today was my fourth day of school it was by far the best. I am really starting to comprehend what's happening around me and my Spanish is improving very quickly. My favorite part about school though is the friends I'm making. People just come up to me and start talking! It's a lot much different than school in California. There aren't really groups of people, everyone just knows everyone. It's kind of comical trying to have a conversation with someone. I'll try and say a little bit in Spanish and they'll try and say a little bit in English and it takes a couple minutes to actually figure out what's being said. It all usually ends in laughter. I'm so grateful for the attitude of my fellow students. I couldn't feel more accepted.
Well, having said all that, I really do miss everyone at home. The homesickness isn't a crazy, overwhelming feeling that is with me at all times, but it does hit me from time to time. I miss being able to have a conversation with someone without having to translate every single word in my head before I say it. Nicolai does speak pretty perfect English, but to be honest, he can get SO annoying. Sometimes I wish I could just be alone in this experience and not feel like I have a twin attached to my hip. That's what it feels like. He is very clingy and flirts with me in that middle school sort of way where you're being more mean to a person than showing affection. It makes me want to gag. Sometimes I can stand him, most of the time I can't. I pray to god that it will get better with time.
On a happier note, I get a super long weekend due to some fiesta in Torres. No school Monday or Tuesday! I'm also going to downtown Madrid Friday and Saturday. Shopping and Discos. Sounds like a pretty good combination to me. I'll update after the weekend with lots of pictures and stories.
Hasta Luego!
P.S. I miss my mom's cooking.
