Monday, September 30, 2013

I am here! - ¡Estoy Aquí!

Wow! I have only been here one full day and two half days since getting off the plane in Madrid and taking a 5 hour train ride to Oviedo. During my wait at the train station and on the train, I "people watched." I noticed words that were said and the way people would greet each other. As exhausting as the trip was, these past couple days have been overwhleming and so worth it. When I got to the train station in Oviedo, I met my host mother, Montserrat - or Montse for short. To get the her, from one side of the station to the next, I had to take the small elevator ever up to the top of the station, then take an escalator down to the bottom again. When we met, I was a bit awkward, of course, when I gave the typical Spanish greeting - a kiss on both cheeks. From the train station, we walked two blocks to the apartment building where I live. Everyone lives in an apartment/condo - New York City style. As I unpacked (BTW - packed more than I needed), I got to know my host mother and about my host family. She is an incredibly nice person and very Spanish - straight-forward and direct. Her lisp isn't as intense as other who I've overheard but nonetheless, she has one, along with my host siblings. My host siblings are all in there 30s - Ana, 30; Alejandro, 31; and Luis Javier, 34. Alejandro and Luis Javier have an apartment and Ana lives in Madrid. I met them all - Ana was visiting from Madrid. Everyone has been nice and eager to answer my questions. I still am learning the routine for the home - where to put the dishes, how to leave the bathroom in the way the family likes it, how to unlock the door and lock it (super complicated) - and I am enjoying every minute I learn something new.

Yesterday, Sunday, after sleeping 10 hours, ventured downtown by myself to explore the city. I was surprised at how easy it was to find my way around. The streets are not straight but curvy and there are hills everywhere. I am enthralled by the beauty of the city and the old fashioned buildings. The people walk with purpose and are usually with someone else or in their family. You can tell that family is really important and so is friendship. I'm excited to see what more the city has offer!
Oviedo from above the train station
Oviedo, desde arriba de la estación del tren 

¡Vale! He estado aquí un día y dos medios desde que baje del avión en Madrid y tomé un viaje de tren a Oviedo. Mientras esperé el tren a Oviedo en la estación, observé a la gente que me pasaron. Note palabras que hablaron y como se saludaron. Aunque el viaje era duro y me cansé, ha valido la pena. Cuando llegé a la estacion del tren en Oviedo, conocí a la mamá con quien viviré por este tiempo - Montserrat, o Montse. Para llegar donde ella estuvo, tuve que subir en el ascensor y luego bajar los escalones otra vez. Cuando nos conocimos, estuve nerviosa, especialmente cuando nos saludamos con el saludo tipico de Espana - un beso en cada lado de la cara. Caminamos dos cuadras de la estación del tren al apartamento donde viviré durante estos meses. Aqui, todos viven en apartamentos. Mientras vacié mis bolsas, conoci my familia espanola. Monste es una mujer increible y muy española - directa y honesta. Su acento no es tan intenso como otros quienes he escuchado pero si tiene uno - como mis hermanos españoles, sus hijos. Mis hermanos estan en la edad de los 30 - Ana, 30, Alejandro, 31, y Luis Javier, 34. Alex y Luis viven en un apartamento en Oviedo mientras Ana vive en Madrid. Conocí a todos - Ana estuvo visitando. Todos han sido muy simpáticos y estan dispuestos a resonder mis preguntas. Todavia estoy aprendiendo la rutina de la casa - donde poner los platos, como cuidar al bano, y como abrir y cerrar con llave la puerta. Disfruto cada momento que aprendo algo nuevo. 

Ayer, domingo, despues de dormir 10 horas, fuí al centro para explorar la cuidad. Estuve soprendida que pude encontrar todo y no perderme. Las calles tienen muchas curvas y hay lomas por toda la cuidad. Estoy encantada con la belleza de Oviedo y los edificios antiguos. La gente camina con propósito y casi siempre estan con otra persona. Puedes notar que la familia y los amigos son importantes. ¡Estoy emocinada por ver que mas ofrece Oviedo!

1 comment:

  1. Aesome Joy! hope God continues to bless your trip and that the time you spend there is a long lasting experience in your life!

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