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Published: February 15th 2009
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Well....time has been flying! Its crazy to think that I've almost been here for a month already. I feel like I know this place with enough detail as if I have been here longer but at the same time it feels like I just got here! Its crazy how things have progressed for me in the past few weeks. I've gotten to the point where all the cultural differences that were once difficult to accustom to are starting to feel really normal now and other than the language barrier, I don't really feel like a foreigner as much anymore. The first week I was here was a little difficult because of all the adjusting and it made me a little homesick, but now I've learned how to adapt and being away doesn't really bother me anymore. Its not that I don't miss people and places at home or anything, I just kind of got over it I guess. Its like I finally realized what this place has to offer and instead of spending time complaining about the differences here, I'm learning to appreciate it and embrace it. I don't really know how to describe it, but I'm soooo glad to finally
be past whatever it was that was going on with me when I first got here. I feel so much more comfortable here now than ever and I'm really starting to love the lively culture....Spanish people do an amazing job at making the best out of what they've got. Rather than complaining about the small amount of space they have, they go out where there's more to do and meet new people. I think that's a lot of the reason while people here are so open and social, because they're so used to having limited personal space, and when you pack 650,000 people into a town that's only a few square miles in size, you kind of have to be okay with being around people all the time. The limited space factor took a lot of adjusting in the beginning but now I'm learning to really like it. Everything here is so unique and distinct and I'm really enjoying being a part of it!
This weekend was definitely the best one I've had since I got here...Friday we got out of school early, so we decided to go to the beach, and then we went out at night. We
spent the entire night going from one discoteca to another, and then at daytime we went to the beach to get some sleep. Some of us got a little sunburnt, but it was definitely worth it. Then we spent the rest of the weekend checking out this festival this city was holding for the weekend called Carnaval.
The music at clubs here really entertain me....they usually play all American music with the occasional Spanish song, unless you're in a salsa club, then Spanish is the only music you'll hear. But the funny thing is they start out playing typical music that you'd hear at any club in America, and as the night goes on the music starts changing to the 80's and 90's. I've never spent a night out where I didn't hear music from Grease played in at least one of the clubs. Last night there was some Elvis Presley, Oasis, and Aerosmith too....haha. It sounds weird, but its actually kind of fun and the people get really into even though don't know what they're singing! I'm actually really surprised Spanish people don't know more English than they do, because not only do they play American music almost
everywhere, but a lot of the TV programs from here are American and not always translated from English very well. A ton of movies just came out here that have been at home for a while, including El Curioso Caso de Benjamin Button, 7 Almas (7 Souls), Di Que Si (Yes Man), and Mal Ejemplos (Role Models). Yesterday when I got home my family was sitting in the living room watching Los Simpsons....it totally made my day.
Next week is supposed to be sunny which is really making me not want to go to classes!! Especially because my electives are starting up which means my 2 week intensive language courses are done and I'm starting up 4 new classes about Spanish culture....woot....
Rumor is the weather was pretty nice in Michigan last week too, which is good to hear....hopefully it stays that way!
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Robin
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LOS SIMPSON!!!!!!!!!! yes!!!!!!!!