NALCAP understood the assignment when they placed me in a coastal town.
My first full week in Spain has come to a close, and wow, what a change of pace. It took me a while to get used to the time difference, which I was not expecting. My last time abroad, I was able to adjust very quickly. I definitely utilized siesta time more than once this week!
Most days, I spent wandering around my new city. I was able to get a new SIM card for my phone, so I now have a Spanish phone number and plan. That has saved me from a lot of trouble with Google Maps! I am also excited to have returned to cheap groceries. I bought lactose free milk for under 1€, whereas in the states, that would normally cost me nearly $4! Hallelujah.
Friday was my first day of school, and I finally met another English speaker! When I arrived, I needed help getting into the school, so I called the principle and he sent someone out to get me. I then sat in on an hour-long meeting, entirely in Spanish. I think I understood one person. Once the meeting was over, I was able to meet my new English speaking friend, Jude, and a couple of the teachers. Jude is from Canada, so we’re a bit of a diverse crowd. The two of us were shown around the school and enjoyed a second breakfast and coffee with three of the teachers. We exchanged contact information and were sent home within a few hours.
By this point in the week, I was craving human interaction, so I took a bus to Tarifa to hang out with Jude and his friend, Arthur, at their Airbnb. We went to a spot on the beach to grab a couple drinks, then watched movies at their Airbnb. It was so fun, and I am SO excited to have friends! We even talked about renting apartments right next door to each other, so it kind of gives me Friends or New Girl vibes. I love it.
You may be wondering the reference to la playa (the beach). I think I have spent a collective 10 hours at the beach this week, and I couldn’t be happier. I am a bit sunburnt, but I keep having moments where I just stop and think, “I live here now!” Ah how cool! I think a Spanish man did hear me scream a little when a fish touched my feet unexpectedly, though.
On Saturday, I went out on a limb and hung out with a guy I met from the area. We went to one of the cafés in Algeciras and then drove to the beach in Tarifa. He has volunteered to be my Spanish teacher/guide, and honestly, I need all the help I can get. I definitely wish I had worked harder to learn more Spanish before moving across the world. We also went to a restaurant in Tarifa, and I ordered gambones (shrimp) and was a bit surprised when the waitress brought the plate out. The shrimp still had eyes! See below. I had to peel it myself and it was a process, but everything still tasted good. Not sure if I would get the dish again, but we will see.
Today, I have mostly been just hanging out in my hostel room. The owner is really nice and let me do my laundry for free! I have to line dry everything here, so I haven’t left all day since I want to keep an eye on my stuff. I need to run to the grocery store, though, since all I have left is cereal. I have the TV on and so far, have watched The Simpsons and The Karate Kid in Spanish. Stay tuned on my language skills!
Hasta luego!