On Monday Concha(host mother), Patricia(host sister), Rodrigo(host brother) and I went into the center of the town, because they live in a townhouse on the outskirts. It was a five minute drive. We stopped to say hello to Fernando(host father) at his work, he is an optometrist. Then we stopped in a cafe where I met one of Concha´s friends, and her friends son, who goes to the school I am going to. After we went food shopping and then went back to the hosue. Patricias friends came over a little later and we watched The Lovley Bones (in spanish of course). Then we went into town again, except this time we walked. It took around 20 minutes to get there, the we just hung out on a bench in the center of town. There were a bunch of people just hanging out outside, kicking a soccer ball around the sidewalks. We got home lat and ate dinner....at 11, 30 pm!!!!!
Over here we eat lunch at 2 or 3...lunch is their biggest meal. Then a light dinner usually around 10. I have tried a lot of different things I never ate. Sardines in salad, pigs intestants(unbelievably delicous!!!) and today for Fernando´s birthday we had rabbit, which was also very good.
That´s about it for now. So far everything is going well. The language is a little difficult, but they speak slow for me and use hand gestures. The only problem so far is the stairs. The problem
isn´t walking up the stairs, it´s walking down. So far I have fallen three times, because I always forget tha their is another step at the bottom. When it´s dark and I ca´t see it is hard to navigate. Other than that everything is great!!
Hasta Luego
....someones cell phones just rang downstairs and they have the same rigtone as my cell in new jersey did...I am getting a little teary eyed. lol
Sounds like an interesting first few days. Hope you get your camera back soon - looking forward to your photos... :)
ReplyDeleteIt brings back so many memories for me to hear about your wonderful first few days. Ever thing is so new and fresh. It must be fatiguing to concentrate in a foreign language. Just remember that every thing is a learning experience, everything you do has a positive aspect to it (even when you think you not), take it one day at a time, and always let your scintillating Cristina radiance shine!!! I love you!
ReplyDeleteCristina- These are obviously from Aunt K. I don't know why I am in Uncle Nem's account.
ReplyDeleteplease be careful on the stairs and try not to lose your (my) camera again and your new laptop! ok - you are too far away for me to protect you and your material things - so i guess i have to accept that and let go.
ReplyDeletei am really looking forward to seeing photos. love mom
Hi Cristina - Lets cut to what's really important, can you get the Real Housewives online somehow. I know Bravo is pretty spotty about what episodes they put up, but somehow can you get them?
ReplyDeleteThe NJ reunion was disgusting. There was a totally awkward, absurd, inappropriately long embrace between Jacqueline and Danielle where Danielle was breathing, whispering (with subtitles of course) into Jacqueline's ear. Ewwww. If you didn't see it, I'm sure you can on YouTube. It's a train wreck.
I don't watch Atlanta, and I doubt I will watch NJ again, but luckily (or not) they keep churning them out. DC Housewives are heating up, looks promising, and I heard there is going to be a Beverly Hills one soon.
OK, you took too long, I have more news. Danielle is not coming back next year. Check out this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsjB-8YL1c0 What a whack-a-doo.
ReplyDeleteAnd this site for the Real Housewives of DC http://www.wetpaint.com/real-housewives-of-dc
Omg thank you Beth for being the only one who is really concerned for me!!!! And let me tell you Bravo! (of course with an exclamation mark) will not let me watch episodes. It says this episode is not available from your location. So this is very depressing and I don't know what to do...ill have to tell my mom to tivo them so i can watch them when i come back =]
ReplyDeleteAnd Nj will not make it without Danielle! As much as I dislike her...she's the reason everyone watches the show.
You do have to have priorities in life, and the Real Housewives are up there.
ReplyDeleteI just read that they are replacing Danielle with Theresa's sister in law (married to Theresa's brother Joe) and they don't get along. Apparently the sister in law has more money. Sounds juicy.
Try this link and see if you can see the reunion.
http://www.fancast.com/tv/The-Real-Housewives-of-New-Jersey/100621/full-episodes
If you are up for it, I have a few things to look for and get while you are in Spain. I will get money to your mom so she can send it to you.
ReplyDeleteTell your family you have to go to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao to see the exclusive exhibit from the Bilbao collection (and to get your friend's son a t-shirt, Conor takes a Men's Medium). It's an hour away from you, looks really cool. Maybe you can tie it to something you have to do for school, too.
Closer is the Artium Museum http://www.artium.org/English/tabid/194/language/en-US/Default.aspx It looks really cool, interesting show now on Jaime Davidovich show http://www.jaimedavidovich.com/ from 02/10/2010 to 09/01/2011. He does a lot of video installation stuff. This one is only about a half hour away. Maybe you can see about public transportation and go with someone from school at some point. It looks like they have concerts, movies, etc., too. Can you see if you can get a men's medium here too please, of the Jaime Davidovich exhibit if they have one.
Don't worry about color or design, whatever you like is good. Both my husband and son where the same size so one of them will love it for sure. And don't worry if you don't get them at all. I was just checking out where you are and I love museums, and these looked really cool.
great suggestions Beth. Cristina - here is the train web site http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html
ReplyDeleteThere are trains to Vittoria - half hour. Trains to Bilbao - the Guggenhiem is there. You can take all kinds of interesting trips. Ask your family to do things, or maybe you will make friends in school. Otherwise - just go by yourself. You are in a wonderful country - go see it!
I did a little more research, and VG (the Artrium is located here) is a great little city. http://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/we027/http/index_en.shtml Check out everything on this site, there is a lot to do and see, and it's close. There is a good map of all of the attractions on the bottom tab to the right.
ReplyDeleteAsk your family if they have or can they borrow a bike and a lock for you. Great way to get around, and really good exercise. Also very good at getting rid of anxiety—I ride a lot. Figure out the phrase for "Can I bring my bike on the train?" VG looks like a progressive city, they have some green initiatives, so you can probably take your bike on the train. You can do it in Philly and believe me, we are new at progressive.
And check out the medieval market info below:
During the last weekend in September, the city recalls its medieval market. Moreover, the first Saturday in each month, there is a market in which shopkeepers of the streets of the old quarter take part. This fair, which is known popularly as the "almond" market due to the shape of the medieval quarter seen from above, brings together the inhabitants of the city and the craftsmen and women who have their workshops in the medieval quarter of Vitoria-Gasteiz.
You need to check this out for me so I can put my souvenir order in. Here are just some of the things I like to collect when away: Christmas ornaments, fabrics native to where I am (got some great silk in China), yarns for knitting, black and white photographs, little bird houses, earrings, and scarves. Rob collects jazz and he has some french rap, but not any spanish rap. Conor used to collect masks, but I think he is more interested in clothes these days. Let me know if they have any of that there. I know I definitely want a souvenir from VG.
I better give your mom a lot of money - for both the stuff and the shipping!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOK, now I've written more than you, go to VG and write me back!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBethh!! Yes im looking into everything you told me to! Thank you, your so helpful. And of course whether i go to all those amazing places or just the Madrid airport I will get you a suvenior! Once this year in over and summer comes I am definetely going to be in need of a jersey shore vaca...so im telling you now I plan on going down the shore with you!! I will force my mom to go i swear
ReplyDeleteI would love to have you down the shore. I had Conor and 3 of his friends with me down the shore without Rob (the dogs are sick so he stayed home with them) this past weekend and they wrecked the place. They really were trying to be good, boys are just so messy. They broke the same glass lampshade twice, spilled a full bottle of red gatorade on the rug and tried to clean it up themselves and then flushed the paper towels down the toilet, plunger was needed. It was exhausting.
ReplyDeleteHave you checked this out www.mirandadeebro.es/ ? If you go in through google you can have the page translated before you get to the site. Looks like there may be some stuff even closer than VG.
Please tell your family about our custom of cooking a meal for our hosts of our favorite foods. Can you walk or get a ride to a grocery store, get some pasta, chicken, whatever and create a feast for them and you. Let them know you absolutely must do this for them, it would be rude not to, right?
Cristina - I love to hear about what's happening in NJ - even about the dreadful NJ Housewives - and I love my dear friend Beth - BUT WILL YOU PLEASE POST SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN SPAIN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMom xoxxoxoxxxoooo