Off to the U.K. for a day?

Hola Familia y amigos,

Well, this week has been a little rough. I had a few rough spots in which I have missed home, chipotle (or practically any American food), family, and friends. But my Saturday completely made up for it.

Saturday, I visited the city of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is located in Southern Spain about a 2.5 hour bus ride from Sevilla. I left around 9a.m. with 3 of my friends: Hannah, Kassi, and Amanda!

Gibraltar is actually colonized by the British. I had to bring my passport in order to cross the border from Spain into Britain.

The door was so heavy!

When we were very close to Gibraltar, we had a very impressive view. The city is very small, only a few miles long, but occupied by a very large rock known as the Rock of Gibraltar.  It was beautiful and accompanied by a gorgeous blue sky and bright sunshine.

The first thing we did was grab a small bus to take around the Gibraltar with a tour guide. Our first stop was "Europe's Point." From this spot I could see the Atlantic Ocean, the Straight of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Reef Mountains of Africa. It was absolutely beautiful.

It was really windy along the water. I felt like a model with wind-blown hair. 

 Next stop: St. Michael's cave. We drove half way up the steep rock of Gibraltar to find the cave. The cave was ok.

Gibraltar is known for a few things and monkeys would be one of them. Just outside the cave were a ton of monkeys...well, they are actually apes. They only ones of their kind in Europe. They are only found in Morocco and Gibraltar.  We were not allowed to touch the monkeys, but the monkeys could touch us. We kind of wanted them to hop on us, but, at the same time, we were absolutely terrified.  My friend, Amanda, disappeared behind a car. Then, all of a sudden, she comes walking out from behind the car with the most terrified look on her face, but says, "Guys, please, take a picture of this!!! Get this!!"
The monkeys are also known for stealing things. The monkey on her shoulder tried to get into her bag and steal her food, but she had zipped her bag! Good job, Amanda!

Amanda and her new friend.

This was one of the bus drivers playing with the monkeys. If they clapped, he would give them a peanut. 

We played with the apes for quite a while. We went down to the street where the bus drivers were playing with the apes. This little guy was sitting on the railing very casually, looking all cute. Well, I really wanted a monkey to be on me so I could have a cool picture. I snuck up really close to it and it grabbed shoulder and hopped on. 

Then, the ape started eating my hair!! I could feel it nibbling. I was absolutely terrified, but, now, I have a super awesome photo and can say an ape nibbled on my hair. I guess my hair tastes good. 

The monkey was really soft! I could feel it on my cheek.

 After exploring the rock and enjoying the view, we had some free time to explore. My friends and I decided to hang out in a English restaurant and get some coffee. I was pooped. The day had worn me out.

Looking out over the sea. 

The Rock of Gibraltar, a castle with the English flag, and a stunning view. 

 Hope you all enjoy these beautiful photos as much as I do. It was a wonderful day trip.

Have a lovely week!

Courtney

P.S. Next weekend, I am off to Belgium and Ireland! Can't wait to tell you all about it. 

A touristy weekend!

Hola familia y amigos,

Well this past weekend was full of quite the adventure. My friend, Amanda, and I decided to be tourists in Sevilla on Friday! Our day went a little like this:

• In the most famous plaza in Sevilla, Plaza de Espana, there are rowboats that you can take around the semi-circle water-path. So we paid 2.5euro for a 35 minute ride. Let's just say that rowing the boat was not as easy as it looked as we were laughed at for several minutes by the guys in charge of the boats. Well, we had a good laugh the whole boat ride and realized rowing is not one of our finest talents. And the view around the Plaza was just breathtaking, especially, because it was almost 70degrees and sunny!

photo credit: Amanda

• Then, we headed off to the Torre de Oro (Tower of gold). It is called the Tower of Gold because when the sun shines on it it looks like gold. The tower sits along the Guadalquivir River that runs through Sevilla. Amanda and I climbed to the very top (it's not very tall) to see a beautiful view of the city, the river, and the Cathedral. 

Photo credit: Amanda

• After the beautiful view, we traveled down alongside the river to a Churreria (a churro stand). We enjoyed some fresh and quite delicious churros with chocolate sauce. We sat in shade of the stand and people watched for almost an hour. It was so relaxing to just take in the sights and smells.

• Then, it was off to do some much needed shopping to try and look more European! I bought my first pair of shoes, a short, brown pair of boots. Also, it is fashionable, here, to wear "pleather", but fabulous looking jackets here so, of course, I have been looking for one for a decent price. I was so very lucky to stumble across a store called, "Lefties." I always try to go to the stores that the Spaniards walking around have bags from.  Lefties is a store quite frequented by Spaniards because it is decently priced and has very cute clothing. I found a nice "pleather" jacket for only 22euro (about $30). It is so cute that my host family was making a big deal out of it and telling me it was so nice! 

• After an exhausting few hours of shopping, we headed to Plaza Nueva (a plaza in the city center) to relax, reflect on our day, and people watch like it's our job. It was around 7:30/8p.m. so the lights were starting to come on and families were out and about. It is a thing here to go for walks with your family and meet up with other families before dinner. We watched a TON of kids play soccer around the people in the Plaza. It was a nice end to an incredible day. 

Saturday:

My friend, Hannah, and I trying to be like Wreck it Ralph!

• As most of you know, I work at the Discount Theater in the States and thoroughly enjoy movies. So my Saturday consisted of a fabulous adventure with two of my friends to the local movie theater to see Wreck it Ralph...or in Spanish, Rompe Ralph! The theater sits on top of a mall. We had to buy our tickets outside that cost 8euro. The three of us had to purchase our tickets together in order to sit together because they have assigned seats! We did not show up really early for the movie because we figured that Spaniards do not do too many things on time that this would not be any different. WRONG! Wanting good seats makes them show up on time. We had row 3, seats 11, 12, 13. We get into the packed theater (looks just like one at home) and people are sitting in our seats. So, we decided to sit in the second row, then, a lady showed up and said those were her seats. We did not want to cause a scene so we moved to the very first row in the theater (no one argued to have those seats). I really did not care where we sat as long as we did not cause a scene in front of everyone, plus, it was my first Spanish movie! The three us enjoyed our front-row seats, Spanish movie popcorn (a little salty, but delicious), and almost a liter of diet coke. The movie was fantastic and I could understand it! I really recommend this movie for anyone of any age. Oh, and at the end of the movie, they open doors at the front of the theater that goes outside so no one leaves out the other door and tries to sneak into another movie. I thought that was very intelligent. I think there is another movie in my future! I would really like to see Oz the great and powerful. 

I cannot explain how much I am falling in love with this city. I already know it will have a special in place in my heart. Feeling so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity! Thank you everyone for your support, encouragement, and love. 

besitos y abrazos (kisses and hugs),

Courtney

Mi familia Nueva

Hola familia y amigos,

The Triana Bridge. It was designed by the same person who designed the Eiffel Tower. 

Well, now I would love to tell you about my host family and new home. I live in the barrio of Sevilla called, Triana. Triana is an area just outside of the city center across the famous Triana bridge. It is a beautiful, middle-class area that I now call home. I live in what is called a piso. A piso is very similar to an apartment, but a little bigger. It is like a one-story house stacked on top of other one-story houses. It has a living room, kitchen, dining room, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. I have my own room.

Funny story about this heater. Let's just say it is the ONLY reason I am even able to sleep at night. In Sevilla, winter is only about 2-3 months out of the year and the rest of the time it is blazing hot. So the houses are built to withstand the heat of the summer time. Which means, the floors are all tile and there is NO heat. So Miguel and Carmen have provided space heaters in our rooms to keep us warm. It is also a thing here to wear shoes or slippers around the house. You are not allowed to wear just socks or bare feet!! I know this from experience as i always try to get away with just wearing socks and then Carmen chases me to my room to get slippers on!

I live with my roommate, Kate, who is from Washington and my host parents, Miguel and Carmen. They are an older couple in their 60's.

When I arrived in Sevilla, I met my host mom, first. She really intimidated me. She did not look like she was in her 60's (but of course no one looks there age here!). I was very intimidated by her because she spoke really fast and had a think accent. We have had a few miscommunications because she speaks so fast, but she is really patient and enjoys talking about all sorts of things. She cooks and cleans for us. I think she is the best cook in the whole world. Her food is delicious!

This was the first dinner she made for us. It was chicken wings made with a Coca Cola sauce and candied carrots. Yummmy!

I really enjoy talking to Carmen in the kitchen as she cooks. We talk about all sorts of things, but it is such a great way to get to know her and improve my communication skills as neither of my host parents know English. I have also been sick this past week trying to get used to eating the food here, but Carmen went to the store and bought a drink to help settle my stomach and made my favorite soup. So no worries parents, I have someone taking really good care of me! She evens calls me hija, which means daughter in Spanish.

Then, I also live with her husband, Miguel. He is a very interesting character because I swear he is grandpa Fraley in Spanish form. He is a sweetie pie, full of knowledge, and has a plethora of stories. He is a retired architectural engineer.  I have learned so much already about the city of Sevilla and Spain through his stories about the World Expo in 1992, cheese, wine, olives, etc. And he can talk about anything for a very long time.  If you get Miguel talking about something at dinner, you sit at the dinner table for an hour or two.

He also really enjoys movies. But only older Spanish movies because today's Spanish films are too political. He also owns a lot of movies, but they are all pirated off the internet!

How he is like Grandpa Fraley:

1. He loves a good movie.
2. He loves to tell stories, especially funny ones. 
3. He loves to tell jokes.
4. He has a lighthearted spirit and just wants to enjoy life.
5. He loves books and even gave me a book to read. 
6. He loves music and usually has his headphones in listening to music in the kitchen. 

Needless to say, I like Miguel. I think he is a pretty cool host dad.

Oh and I can't forget my host family's dog, Goku!!!! He is the best dog ever. He is 13 years old and loves to go for walks, sleep, and eat cookies.

I'm still being good and staying safe!

Love you all,

Courtney

A few things I have done

Hola familia y amigos,

Well, I had a two-week Spanish intensive for the first two weeks I was here in Sevilla. And by intense, I mean INTENSE!! I had 5 hours of Spanish grammar for 10 days with an essay, presentation, and final exam. Phew 15 weeks worth of work in 10 days. But I survived!

We practiced commands by giving directions on how to make a hat!! 

During those two weeks I had the opportunity to do some fun things with ISA(my study abroad organization) around Sevilla!

1. La Alcazar

The alcazar is the oldest working palace in Spain!! It was HUGE. It is a mix of spanish, moorish, and arab influences. My camera died before I could take more pictures of the inside of the castle, but I think I got some pretty good ones. This has had many additions built onto as new kings came in throughout the ages. It was very beautiful! And it is right across the street from the university of Sevilla! If you want to know more about this beautiful place...google it! (:

This is a bath tub made for one of a king's mistresses. 

We weren't really able to see the gardens because there was a huge storm before we got to Sevilla. 

2. La Catedral de Sevilla

Wow, wow, wow!! I got to visit one of the most, if not the most, iconic building in Sevilla- La Catedral. It is the oldest catholic cathedral in the world.....the world!!!! It is home to the toomb of Christopher Columbus as well. I cannot even explain to you the beauty of this church. The ceiling was so high. It was like it went on forever. It was just beautiful. As we were standing in the garden area of the cathedral, there were working knocking down oranges from the orange trees. The oranges go to the King of Spain! What a royal orange! 

Then the most famous point of the Cathedral is the Giralda tower! It takes 34 ramps to get to the top of the tower. In the old days, people would ride donkeys to the top of the tower. I was too tired to go up it that day, but don't worry I will do it eventually! 

Christopher Columbus' tomb!

The motto of Spain! It means "No he dejado." The short of the story is that Sevilla never abandons its people. I see this motto all over the city and means something special to the people. The story literally gives me goosebumps as one of loyalty and compassion. I feel that I can connect to this. That Sevilla is taking me in as a city and as much as I struggle and try hard to fit in this city doesn't abandon me. I already know a little piece of my heart will always be here. 

3. Las Setas "The mushrooms"

Las Setas is the world's largest wooden structure. The city was trying to build a farmer's market in a plaza and as they were digging....they discovered Roman ruins!!! So they weren't able to build the farmer's market. For years the area was covered with construction because the city didn't know what to with the ruins. So they held a contest for people to design a structure that would go over the ruins and the ruins would be preserved as a museum below. And the winning structure was the Parasol, or Las setas. It provides shade for the plaza and looks like mushrooms. We were able to climb on the top of it and see a fantastic view of the city!!!

Well it sure has been an adventure so far!! Stay tuned for more on my new family!!

Hasta luego!

Courtney

Holy Moly....time flies

Hola familia y amigos,

Well, I am in Sevilla. Can you believe it? I can't. It's been a complete whirlwind these past 3 weeks. Let me fill you in....warning: long post due to the fact that I have done a lot in 3 weeks, but hope you enjoy it.

1. Getting here
I flew from Akron-Detroit-JFK-Madrid on January 15. It all happened so fast. Saying goodbye was the hardest filled with many spontaneous bouts of tears accompanied by puffy eyes and a red face.  I left Akron with a friend of mine, Amanda. She goes to BW, too. We traveled together all the way to Sevilla where we both are staying for the semester.

Nathan and I right before I left. 

From JFK, we took a HUGE plane....huge....it had 7 seatss across. Well, I found out where my seat was.....it was right in the MIDDLE. So we boarded the plane and I sat in my middle seat waiting to see who would sit on either side of me. I was preparing for the worst.....a snorer, a very large person, a person terrified of flights, a talker, someone smelly, thoughts endlessly drifted through my head. As the aisles cleared, the captain came on and said we were ready for take off, but there was still no one sitting by me. OH NO, instantly, I felt so lonely and afraid. Then, the tears began as I felt lonely and afraid to start this new journey. Then, people started to awkwardly stare at me so I nipped the tears in the butt.
I tried to sleep, but I couldn't so I tried to watch videos on the cool monitor in front of me. My flight was 5 hours to Madrid, instead of 6. Thank goodness!!! I couldn't handle one more hour. When I landed, I couldn't believe it.....I was Europe....I did it!

2. Traveling to Sevilla
Madrid
I am studying abroad through a study abroad program, International Studies Abroad (ISA). With them, I traveled through Madrid and Toledo to get to Sevilla. They picked us up at the Madrid airport to take us to our hotel in the center-ish of Madrid. I was not too impressed with the city as we took the bus to the hotel. Madrid reminded me a lot of a big city in the U.S. But, nonetheless, it was a beautiful city and we stayed there for 2 nights. ISA took us to some famous sights like el Museo Reina Sofia and el Prado, two very famous art museums. They had works from Picasso, Greco, and Valasquez. Afterwards, we had time to explore the city so 3 of my friends and I went out. We visited La Plaza Mayor, la Puerta del Sol, Parque Retiro, and enjoyed some tapas for dinner.

My friends and I in Plaza Mayor. 

While we were in the park, we were actually interviewed by a Spanish car-battery company, Varta. They were making a commercial for their corporate office.  We had to pretend like we were driving a car and make car sounds, "Vroom, Vroom!!" So funny and such a memorable experience.

Toledo
We took a short bus from Madrid to Toledo. Toledo is a very old city located in the center of Spain in an area call La Mancha. It has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. I loved this city!!! I can't even describe the beauty of this old city. The first thing we did was go to the best view of the whole city:

My breath was literally taken away by this beautiful city. I strongly encourage everyone to visit this beautiful city because you cannot grasp what I even mean by how amazing it is. After a short overnight stay in Toledo, it was off to Sevilla! It was a 4 or 5 hour bus ride to Sevilla that I was conked out for do to dramamine! 

3. Arrival in Sevilla

To say I was nervous when we arrived in Sevilla would be a huge understatement. I was TERRIFIED! Our bus stopped alongside a street that was filled with little old ladies lining the wall of the building. Those were host moms waiting to meet their new American students that they would be hosting for the semester. I was scanning to see which one could possibly be mine. It was total chaos as everyone got off the bus and anticipated hearing there name called along with their new host family. My roommate and I's names were called and we were approached by a woman named Carmen. She looked so young for a 64 year-old and very well dressed. She starting speaking to me really fast in Spanish. I didn't know what to do because I was so nervous....and immediately a bewildered look came upon my face. I didn't answer her so she asked me if I knew Spanish, I told her I did but I was extremely nervous and overwhelmed. 

The Triana bridge, over the Guadalquivir river, that leads to the area of Triana.

She drove us to our new home in the barrio of sevilla, Triana. We lugged our bags up the stairs and found our new rooms. I am living with an older couple, Miguel and Carmen. I was excited, but completely overwhelmed. I was too scared to talk or try to understand what they were saying. I felt so lonely and helpless that I just shut myself in my room and cried as I unpacked all my stuff the rest of the night. 

4. Settling In

For the first two weeks, I took a two week Spanish intensive course in order to immerse myself in the Spanish language and work on the basics. I had it for ten days, 5 hours each day. Phew....it was rough because I just wanted to explore my new home, not study and go to class. But I survived and I know a lot more now and feel more refreshed in the Spanish language. Through those two weeks, I was able to better communicate with family, navigate around the city better, and enjoy the fact that I am here. 

5. First crazy thing to happen in Sevilla

The second day in Sevilla, ISA took us around the city to places that would give us a better sense of direction to navigate around the city. Well on our way around the city we saw this: 

We knew it had to do with the Amazing Race show, but we weren't sure which one because it was in a different language. When we came back and passed this again, we saw a pair of competitors. They were on a little bed in the middle of a plaza, yelling for help. Our director said we couldn't help because he didn't know how long it would take, but, finally, he said that it would be really cool to be on tv. So we all took off to help the team. They spoke very little english, but they were able to tell us that they needed us to lift up the bed and carry them to a checkpoint. Immediately, they were up in the air chanting, "USA, USA..." all the way to the checkpoint!

Well that is how this big adventure started.

More to come, trust me. 

Love you all.

Buen dia!

Courtney