Sorry it’s taken so long to update, but we just got wifi in my house (or, as the Spanish pronounce it, wee-fee), so I can finally get on the internet. I don’t know where to begin: it started with an 8 hour flight and a 7 hour time change, which was quite disorienting. Mostly because I have trouble sleeping anywhere that isn’t a bed. Cue jet lag.
Alcalá is a very beautiful city with lots of ancient architecture. It’s also the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, which is why the center of town is called Plaza de Cervantes, with a statue of him in the middle. Everyday my friends and I meet at the plaza and walk around; the streets here are filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. I also walk to school, which takes about 15-20 minutes. My legs are going to be quite toned by December.
We took a short trip to Madrid and walked around there as well. It’s a stunning city, very different from cities in the U.S. because all of the buildings are very old, and there are lots of plazas and cobbled streets, like in Alcalá.
Spanish is becoming quite natural now that it is all around me. I talk a lot with my host mother; we understand each other surprisingly well considering she doesn’t speak English. The other students on the trip and I talk to each other in Spanglish, and we’ve already made some Spanish friends.
One thing that is slightly annoying is siesta. Everything is closed from 2:00-5:00 PM. We sometimes walk around at this time, even though it’s blazing hot outside, and we’ve noticed how empty the streets are. Later at night, everyone is out on the street, and even though we get tired at 3:00 AM and must go home to sleep, it’s normal for Spaniards to stay out until 6:00. ¡Qué loco!
I’ll leave you with some pictures from Alcalá and Madrid:
Casa de Cervantes. Not his real house, just the spot where he used to live.
Plaza de Cervantes.
Also in the Plaza de Cervantes.
A building in Madrid, the name of which I don't recall.
Another building in Madrid.
Hasta luego,
Joanna
What a beautiful area! I cannot wait to see it all in person. I guess they need siesta time in order to stay out until 6 am!
ReplyDeleteMom
Wow, that is a gorgeous city. Sounds like it's amazing thus far.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get used to siesta...and in fact you'll want to bring it home with you. I think it's great that the Europeans have found out it's better to rest during the hottest part of the day. Realistically the human body is made to sleep twice a day, during the night and during midday. And yes, if people stay out until that late, they need the rest in the middle of the day.
<3 Jennie
I have fond memories of living in suburban Madrid (Boadilla Del Monte) and how everything would get quiet around 3pm. Spaniards used to laugh at us as we kept on going....while they relaxed....not sure who has it right...but their way sure is nice! Julian
ReplyDelete