Culture/Life Abroad 101
*Be prepared for HOT weather! It's been in the 90's or warmer most days and today is in the upper 80's. With the breeze it feels great but it's going to warm up again this weekend.
*Everyone smokes. Even in the houses, so if you hate the smell learn to deal with it.
*Bluntness is the norm. If you don't like something, just say it. You don't have to pretend to really like the food or anything, they won't be that offended. They would rather make something else you'll like better, especially if it means you'll eat more.
*Be prepared to eat at different times. Breakfast is when we get up in the morning, lunch anywhere from 2-3, supper around 10 usually.
*Siestas are wonderful... even if you don't like to take naps :) Siesta time lasts from after lunch til 5 or 6. Almost all the stores are closed during this time, and it is great to get out of the heat of the day and relax inside.
*Cold showers. If you want to take a hot shower make sure its quick, the hot water tanks are small. Angeline and I have been taking mostly cold showers, and then we can take longer ones. If our host is there when we shower we ask her to turn on the hot water though so that we don't freeze. With as hot as it is the cold water feels pretty nice though.
*Night Life. Yes, people stay out VERY late here. More so on the weekends, but even during the week I hear a lot of people outside our window. It's too hot to be out during the daytime hours, so that makes sense.
*The people are really nice. We did a photo scavenger hunt around the city on Saturday and had to ask people where different things are. The people were really helpful, and even if they didn't know exactly, they were still nice about it. This is not the same in stores and restaurants, however. Don't expect to be treated very well until you're a regular and they can tell you're not passing through for a one time things. The people in Sevilla grew up here there whole lives, it's not like in the states where people move around a lot.
Ok, that's enough random cultural things for now.
In other news, my chacos broke already :( :( This is very sad because I wear them all time and besides them I just have a pair of sandals here, flats, and tennis shoes. and the sandals make my feet hurt. I guess it's time to replace them, but I haven't found anywhere to buy something like that.
I think the siesta makes it seem like we've been here for longer than a week.
A bunch of us from the program went to a Corrida de Torros (bull fight) the other night. It was interesting. I'll get around to posting pics on facebook at somepoint.
Classes started yesterday. They're pretty good so far. :)
mmk that's all for now, I'll update again in a week or two!
Dios les bendiga!
Sadness that the chacos broke! I'm waiting for mine to fall apart too - they're getting pretty raggedy. Do you need someone to send you a new pair or will you survive until you have a visitor that can take some?
ReplyDeleteI saw a clip of a bullfight on tv in a pub in Ireland and the bull jumped out of the arena and into the stands and started goring people - so watch out! They're crazy!
Glad to hear it cooled down to the 80's. My friends that live in Malaga right now said it was in the 100's there too - I think they're about 2 hours from you (it's the G42 school - through AIM and such).
Love you lots!