Recuerdos

And I sat there in phonetics class today...drifting off since the material I had already learned and seemed quite easy (how hard is it to separate into syllables and find the accentuation?)...thinking, of Madison. How I miss those Tuesday afternoons, fresh off of Spanish 223 I'd pick up the latest Onion and sit in the Trilling lounge reading over it, amusing myself with a select few others who were just arrive back from class or waking up. Mitch and Ian were usually there, Jake every once in a while. We'd sit and chat and laugh, then head off to lunch. As I said then, and it's still true now, lunch was typically my favorite part of the day, and definitely so on Tuesdays. We'd gorge and sit around the Don's table or else in the atrium for what turned out to be hours on some occasions. I'd get a flavored coffee (and I'd be damned if it was Chocolate Raspberry), trying always to get Mitch to drink it. Then we'd head back up to the lounge after lunch, coffee in hand, and just chill for the afternoon--no one wanted to do homework, or head off to their next class (though luckily for me I was done for the day). Then after some time Jeanne and Kayla and Kyle and Amanda and others would filter in, lunch trays in hand, and plop themselves down and it'd be a blast. 

The lunches are much quieter, here. Usually it's me and abuela. Sometimes her granddaughter. The selection, of course, is not a plentiful. There is no choice, and I end up eating soup most days. There are no reubens, there are no Chicken-Os, no Cuban pork sandwiches, no rare-but-delicious breaded chicken sandwiches, no cheeseburgers, no Brew City fries, no made to order quesadillas nor never-ending pasta buffets nor gigantic burritos covered in far too much guacamole and sour cream, and definitely no dirt cake. There is soup, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, noodles (not quite what you'd think). And bread. Plenty of baguette style bread, which varies in quality from something quite amazing to what appears to be styrofoam masking itself as something edible. 

There is no lounge to relax and digest the meal in. No Irish Cream nor French Vanilla nor Kahlúa coffees (and I can tell you why there is an accent mark on the "u" now), straight black. There is café con leche, which varies widely depending on the café you frequent. I've found one solid cup of café con leche so far in Alcalá. The rest seem to be imposters, heating milk in the microwave and tossing in instant coffee, as los abuelos do in the morning, a taste so offensive that it could turn me off of café con leche altogether. Café solo (black coffee) is served strong and small. It more resembles espresso (café cortado) than coffee we're used to in the States. If I order a café solo anywhere, I get this tiny shot of Spanish coffee, which I don't mind the taste (remember I love dark and bitter coffees and beers), but it's so small and perks me up so little that I feel like I'm wasting the 1.20€ it costs. At least with leche you get a full cup. And yet there is no Cedarburg Coffee Roastry where the refills are free and you get to choose from 4 differently delicious brews. Only one, and refill is 1.20€. There is a Starbucks in town, I'm far too afraid to go in there though as doing so would feel like I'm giving up, quitting, not embracing the new culture here. Wasting, if you will, the opportunity to have fine Spanish coffees while I'm here. And yet I've still to find that fine Spanish coffee, perhaps there is a café hidden from us foreigners where the delicious coffee flows freely and cheaply. Where there are large cups filled with black coffee of all regions and flavors. Where there is the strong smell of roasted beans and the absence of any TV screen. 

So now when I go to a café, I rarely get coffee. I haven't had a cup in days. Strange, I know, considering my 3+ during the school year and summer. I don't know if I can survive like this, without large quantities of coffee. Sure, I don't need it to stay up (in fact I have trouble sleeping often), but there's definitely something missing. I end up, instead, sharing a bottle of wine with friends, often having upwards of 3 cups in an afternoon. It's enjoyable, and I've grown quite the tongue for red wine (there isn't a bad red wine I've had here yet), but it doesn't give me that kick, that je ne sais quoi (o mejor, en español, yo no sé qué) that a bold cup of coffee does.

I've already planned my first full day back (or at least the meals): 

Breakfast: Fried egg (over hard, of course...something that they don't do in Spain) sandwich, on an egg bagel from Bagels Forever. Coffee.

Lunch: Homemade reubens (as Cedarburg is severely lacking in establishments with quality reubens). Afterwards, hours upon hours of coffee at the Roastry.

Dinner: Gigantic burrito from Chipotle, or an otherwise very spicy meat and cheese combination with plenty of sour cream and guacamole (perhaps my special recipe spicy meatloaf). Afterwards, an evening at Silver Creek, outside on the beer garden, legally drinking quality beer.

Is it bad that I'm already pondering this? It's not like I hate Spain, not by any means, I suppose this is my slow, drawn out "cultural shock" period that everyone usually goes through their first few days. I didn't have that at first, and it's definitely not panic-inducing. It's just gradual, the things I realize that I really miss from time to time. It's my quest this year to find at least one place in Madrid that serves a reuben. 

Y pasan los días

Beautiful thing about Spain is it's not weird to just up and head out to a bar after siesta. We spent most of the day in the Plaza again. This time, a bit productive. We did our homework for our grammar class for Monday. All of us together. I feel we're all starting to get more accustomed to each other, it's a good feeling that you're almost among friends as you'd be back at home. Makes it easier to cope with be estranged from you home country and friends.

Classes are boring, and tiresome. Nothing new. Can spilt nearly any Spanish word into syllables now though and all that fun stuff dealing with diphthongs. Get sick a bit at times, just thinking of the work that I have in front of me.

Food is improving, mostly by my own doing. Went to Carrefour today (a French owned Supermarket/Target type thing) and bought some French cheese. Looks and tastes a lot like Brie but isn't quite. Very creamy although the outside mold covering was bitter, of course. Brought it home to have my host mother try it. She seemed to like it, said we will be getting more of it then. Good news. Beats the manchego and cheddar we've had (I brought Wisconsin yellow cheddar which I detest). Win for me. Also had a bit of fish today at lunch, although only after I had nearly stuffed myself on bean soup and bread. Still, nice gesture. Breakfast wasn't too pleasant though. The milk has a habit of picking up the odor of everything else in the fridge. That includes manchego and chorizo. Then you heat it up in the microwave...it makes for one terrible tasting café con leche. Not a way to wake up in the morning.

I know it sounds a lot like I'm complaining but it's really not terrible here. I am enjoying it a lot, but I tend to feel the disagreeable and annoying stuff more interesting than the positive things. Nevertheless I will try to keep an even balance of "I can't believe this happened" and the "I love everything so much" crap.

Dinner in a bit. Still have some homework to do. It's so much harder to get work done here than in the States. There it's expected to finally get around to work because you're still at a big university with lots of resources and everyone else is very serious about doing work (usually). Not the same here. Everyone wants to be on vacation, which is sorta what this is like. No one is used to going to the library. The resources aren't as openly available and so then we end up sitting around and talking a lot and not really accomplishing anything. Today was an exception, to an extent. I got homework done for a Monday class but didn't touch the stuff I have due tomorrow. Not healthy. Then again, most things I'm doing aren't.

I fear my heart burn is coming back, and I'm not sure why. I thought the diet in Spain would cool down my heart problems but they seem to have worsened. Sat in class after a breakfast of galletas and that bad café con leche with the worst heart burn. Washed my hair this morning, seemed like more hair than usually came out. Fear I'm going bald, apparently because I don't get enough protein. Although beans should have a lot of protein, right? I would think so...but I still feel I'm severely lacking in my meat and dairy department. I miss the diet, to an extent, of the States. Even if I was eating poorly there I was getting sufficient protein and fat and sustenance. Here, I can't be so sure. Too much of anything, even bean soup, can be too much...

Still not dead. That's good.

Who would have thought

Ugh, so second day of classes, and get this...they expect me to do work! And here I thought Spain was going to be a 9 month long vacation. Apparently I have to go to school, and on top of that, do homework. Just like back in the States! They are so advanced, I don't see any third world countries giving out reading assignments. Did you know they even have running water and electricity here? Who would have thought?

Let's keep track, starting now. Breakfast: microwaved, instant café con leche + dry galletas. Lunch: bean soup + pan. Let's see if that changes at all throughout the next 9 months. Although I've found myself dying for lentil soup for lunch nowadays (yes I count that as part of my bean soup regimen). I was walking home from class going "I really wish we have lentil soup and bread today instead of pinto bean soup and bread." Something is wrong. Lentil soup appears to be an acquired taste like beer or coffee. Curious as to what dinner is tonight...

Another day, another few hours sitting in the Plaza just charlaring. Bought books for classes (so if you see a 30€ charge from "Libería Diogenes" on the Visa mother and father it's for classes...). On Tuesday/Thursdays I have two literature classes. Introduction to literary analysis (the only course that counts as 224) and introduction to Spanish literature. So plenty of reading. Which is good, I suppose, since I like reading. But castellano antiguo (think Old English) is a chore to read. That, and anything Spanish poetry (they like to use those special words you don't learn in class). It will be a challenging, but rewarding, and worthwhile semester. At the end I may be exhausted (already am a bit) but the Spanish will be much, much better (¡Ojalá!).

Finished reading Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell today. Convinced me he's my favorite writer of the 20th century. Only read 1984, Animal Farm, and this, but his description of the horrors of fascism and just political bastards in general is so haunting and horrifying that I fear for the world we live in. Also makes me really wish I was around during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. I would like to think I'd be part of the POUM or International Column fighting Franco. Barcelona during this period sounds amazing yet frightening at the same time. When he first arrived in December of 1936, he describes a nearly fully socialist society where everyone is addressed in the informal "tu" form and there is no class. Everyone is happy and the economy actually functions. As he states, the closest the world might ever get to true socialism. Then he comes back in May when there was the infighting. The Communists and Socialists were both fighting against Franco but the Communists were gaining control of the Republican government (now headed out of Valencia). The Communist press (in and out of Spain) kept calling the POUM (the socialist party of which Orwell served in their militia) a secret Fascist group working for Franco. In May the Communist controlled Civil Guards seized the Telecomm station that was controlled by the Anarchists and for nearly a week it was the Communists versus the POUM and Anarchists (all three sides were AGAINST Franco) fighting amongst themselves, killing each other, while Franco and his troops were gaining strength on the fronts, where these men that were dying for no reason in Barcelona could have been used. The whole thing really turned out to be a mess and I can see why he ended up writing Animal Farm and 1984...most likely his time in Spain played a whole role in the writing of those books. Highly recommend picking up Homage to Catalonia if you want a gripping, non fiction, look at not only the Spanish Civil War but also the troubled world of politics...

Primer día de las clases

No mucho hoy. 

Went to classes. Más o menos bien. Grammar with Cristina (nuestra directora) looks to be a bit difficult at times, just due to the time and effort that needs to be put into it. Got this gigantic course booklet today. Only two classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. Phonetics after that. Seems to be pretty interesting but anything that get even close to science scares me. We were talking about parts of the mouth and throat I've never even thought about before. 

School supplies are extremely expensive here. I bought a pack of liquid ink pens (mis favoritos) and they were nearly 5€. All the notebooks are lined like graph paper. And yet Cristina wants our composiciones on blank paper because it's easier to write straight, according to her... Also, hand written. Because Word is often wrong, she says. Will help my handwritten Spanish though, so that's fun.

Afternoons without class (M/W I get out at 12:30) can be boring. Or awesome. Try sitting in the Plaza for 2 hours. That's entertaining. I feel as though last week no one was around during the day but since yesterday the whole of Alcalá has filled up with people everywhere at all times of the day. Not sure if anyone actually works here. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Heck, I want to move here and just sit around and do nothing all day but eat. 

I'm excited. After meal after meal of sopa de judeas (bean soup) looks like I'll be finally getting some really good Spanish food for dinner tonight. Tortilla española. Although mi mama said that it wasn't the type you'd find in bars, that it was her mother's recipe. A bit scared. 

Was sitting in la Plaza today and had one of those outer body experiences that are so fashionable. I tend to like to zoom out of my head and look at where I am at any given time like a satellite. Zoomed all the way out and saw the whole of the Iberian peninsula. Then I zoomed in on Madison. And Milwaukee. I wonder how all of YOU are doing right now. Clearly I'm keeping you all well informed (and I promise I'll get more photos soon). But I want to hear from you guys, what are your adventures? Have any recent photos you want to share? Would love to see them. So, yeah, kinda miss yall a bit.

First Photos!

Colegio de Malaga, originally uploaded by itsthinking.

Are up. Only my Flickr, which is linked to on the right, although for some reason my news photos aren't updating on the fun little side bar. Oh well. Click this one and it'll take you there as well.

Bean soup for lunch again today! Yay! ...

Tired constantly. Can't stress that enough. Had ten minutes before had to meet people...took a nap.

Went to the supermarket today. Almost died of happiness. Didn't help that it was before lunch and was starving. Everything looked AMAZING. Giant legs of pigs hanging there. Unpasturized milk. Coca Cola with CANE SUGAR in it. Delicious, having some right now actually at an internet café. CUARENTA Y TRES! Bottles of wine from 79 cents ($1.12). Almost cried. The other people in my group enjoy watching me anywhere there is food because I just go crazy. Even the simple bean soups here I don't mind. Usually. Eat a loaf of bread for every meal. Breakfast of instant coffee stirred into microwaved milk and galletas (cookies, which were very, very dry). Need to find a bocadillo joint.

Took a placement test today. Funny. Was from the University of Wisconsin...probably had taken it for retro placement. Easy enough. Going to be taking four courses. Decided not to take a university course second semester. I love Spain, but by May I know I'll be ready to come home and hang out with all of you guys, or at least the people that I miss (ha, love all you guys).

Learning a lot already here. Not just Spanish wise. The family life is completely different. Candela's grandchildren visit every day. Multiple times. Had lunch with them today. Was very quite for some reason. They like to play piano a lot, or at least Candela forces them too. Shower was interesting this morning. Forgot soap (bought some at the supermarket later). The showers here all have detachable heads. And sometimes don't have stands to put them in. So it's washing yourself one handed. End up writing in my journal often. Several pages a day (so they weren't a waste of money, mother). Often find myself throwing in Spanish words or wanting to write in Spanish. So I often do. Interesting to read, when I switch off and on mid sentence. Beginning to think in Spanish. Good news, I suppose. Will try to keep this in English, or at least half and half, so I don't forgot English.

Battery is dying, must go. Will try to get internet tonight. Friend gave me password to a signal I can get from my room. Hopefully it will work.

Hasta.

Realize photo is wider than post. Will fix that for future posts. Better to go to my Flickr anyways to see the photos at bigger sizes and such. Enjoy.