Language is exhausting. I might be improving? I understand almost everything (except the church service) when I focus, and I am more comfortable speaking. Being around so many people who aren't speaking their native language is a good atmosphere for practice. However, I'm speaking English way too much, its confusing my brain.
It's cold. This might be a great beach/vacation town in the summer, but during the winter the humidity from the sea + low temperatures = chilled to the bone. When its not raining and the sun is shining, I am sooo happy.
I like siesta. From like 2-5 I have lunch, do some homework and rest a bit. Everything is closed from that time (except El Corte Ingles)
I dont like the "Day of Rest" quite as much. With all the siesta-ing, I dont need a whole day to rest. And it's kinda creepy on Sundays when there is literally no one in the streets or cars on the road. And considering the religious idea behind resting on Sunday, hardly anyone actually goes to church (well, we did, but I doubt that is going to become a habit).
Lots of people smoke here. (Already knew that, but I'll repeat. It's gross.) This causes 25 year old people to look middle aged, teeth to be brown, and it smells bad.)
But, there are not many fat people. (Also obvious). Personally, I attribute this to all of the stairs in Santander, because it certainly isn't that they don't eat/drink.
The school is disorganized, classes dont all start at the same time, they change rooms and schedules, theres no centralized system, no one speaks english (including the teachers who are teaching courses in english), and students rarely show up. School looks kinda like the city on a Sunday.
People seem to be fairly informed about current events and quite democratically involved, although the idea that a stable democratic political atmosphere is a component of sustainable development was rejected in my class.
"Rebajas" are awesome. Should have brought nothing and bought all of my stuff here. 15E boots, 20E coats, 3E scarves and shirts...
The food is ok. More fish than I would like, but I dont hate fish. I miss breakfast though. It has been reduced to coffee, yogurt and mango juice. Mango juice reminds me that I also miss Indian food. And Chinese food. And Thai food. And Italian food.
My host family is great, but expensive. Im glad that I did it for the language experience and not having to worry about anything like food/laundry (I also get my exercise walking to class), but the apartment option seems perfectly awesome as the 'flats' are big, furnished, close to school, and wayyy cheaper than families.
The Spanish course is very grammar intensive. Actually, it is just very intense. I'm pissed I'm not getting credit for it because it is my hardest class.
Some courses have unspecified prerequisites.
Everyone is very nice. :D
After a month or three I got completely used to smelling cigarettes, and now, I almost find their smell (when it's not too strong, blowing in my face) pleasant. Like when I'm walking down the street and get a whiff, it REMINDS ME of being in Spain, gives me a little carefree, happy moment. Maybe the same will happen to you!
ReplyDelete