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Published: January 20th 2008
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Well, I think I've finally adjusted to the time here. It wasn't so difficult since I had been traveling for nearly 22 hours by the time I got here on Thursday and pretty much just went to bed early and woke up at a time most people would wake up here.
I live with a host mother who is a single, older woman living in an apartment by herself and making a living by renting out her two rooms to students in this program. I've definitely lucked out having my own room, and the girl in the other room (Mariel) is another student at UVA, like me, and a lot of fun. I'm very happy she's my housemate because we have a lot in common and it already feels like we've known each other forever. We're already planning on going on small excursions together. I've also lucked out in the sense that this apartment building seems to have wireless, thus I'm able to keep up this blog.
My first impressions of Valencia have been:
-It's very built-up and busy -- it's very much a city.
- Each part of the city (the center, the newer parts, the historical area, the portions
that are mostly apartments, the museum area, etc) has its own look and feel, which is really neat.
- None of the streets are marked very well (street signs are scarce) so it's easy to get lost, really lost. My roommate and I have already gotten impossibly lost several times and looked very much like tourists as we walked around with our map stretched out.
- All apartments are small, especially compared to what we have back home, but they're cozy and nice. The elevator in our building is small, too -- it says it can hold four people, but that's a stretch. It's funny and awkward to be in there at full capacity with strangers and have to snuggle up together.
- Most people seem to be very conscious of how much water and electricity they are using so as not to be wasteful (and also to be cost effective). Water is apparently quite a problem. According to my host mother, if the city doesn't see a lot of rainfall this Spring they'll have a water shortage for sure. In light of this, they always turn lights off when they leave a room and, in the shower, they turn
Light switch
They all look like this, which seemed strange at first. They're so much easier to find in the dark at night, though! off the water while soaping up or shampooing their hair. I like all of this because I remember when there was a draught in Virginia this past summer and most people had no idea. I still saw neighbors watering their lawns during the hottest parts of the day. However, I will admit, I'm going to miss long, steamy showers. But, I'll get over it. I've been pretty good about remembering to turn lights off, but occasionally I've forgotten and been scolded. I feel really bad when I forget.
- Spaniards are very particular about where things go. My host mother didn't like when I hung my coat on the back of my chair in my room -- she wanted it on a hanger and out of sight. I talked to another girl whose host mother watched her unpack when she arrived and told her what order to hang her things in her closet and exactly where to put all of her stuff. That seems a bit extreme. I'm glad my host mother isn't like that.
- Dog-owners let their dogs poop anywhere and everywhere and don't clean it up. My roommate and I dodge a lot of dog crap on
My wardrobe
Even though I seemed to pack a lot it hardly took up any space in this thing. the sidewalks.
- Mullets (for both men and women) seem to be back in here. Meredith asked me to come back home with a cool European haircut, but THAT WILL NOT BE IT!
- The weather is gorgeous!!! The past two days it's gotten to 70 degrees or more. I guess the people here don't notice, though, because they're still bundled up in coats, scarves, and boots. I know I stick out because I've been wearing t-shirts and flip flops, but I don't care at this point because I dressed like them the first day I was here and felt about ready to keel over I was so hot.
- The city shuts down (except for restaurants and cafes) from about noon until 2 or 3 or later for
siesta, the Spanish time for lunch and napping. Supposedly the night life in Spain is crazy -- places stay open until nearly 6 am, and most people who go out at night won't get home until that time. It's my secret belief that siesta exists in order to support this kind of night life or else people would die from exhaustion.
The disbelief in being here hasn't worn off yet,
so it still feels completely surreal. Every day when I'm walking around (usually more lost than heading to where I want to go) I keep thinking about the fact that this is my
home for the next 5 months or so and eventually there will come a time when I'll know my way around so well, I won't even have to think to get somewhere -- weird!
I feel really happy so far and I'm very excited to be here. I really love my roommate, and that makes a big difference, because I have someone to go through all of this with and we can help each other.
Other than that, I still have a lot to learn and get used to. I'm beginning to feel the first pangs of homesickness, but I won't let it spoil all that I'm experiencing and learning here. And, I know there will be a time all too soon when I'll be home and want more than anything to come back here, so I might as well cherish it now.
For the record, though, I miss home and I miss all of you.
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Ragland
non-member comment
Thanks for the photos
Molly, This blog was a great idea. I love seeing the photographs and having an image of where you are living. Enjoy your time in Spain. Love, Dad