Frustrations Abroad

One of the things they don't tell you enough about, when you think about applying for study abroad, is how frustrating it can be sometimes. I remember reading a brief paragraph on how things are so much different and it can be hard, but you'll come back changed!...and I remember wondering how is it different and how will it be so hard? I mean the application itself was a long and obnoxious process, but necessary, and obviously going to a place where you don't speak the primary language will be a challenge, but I still wondered how could life out there be so much different from my own?

Over the past few days- and for the next few months to come, I'm sure- I've been discovering some of those answers first hand. First of all, the language difference. Because I'm with a study abroad program for mainly American students, it barely sunk in the whole way here and in Madrid that people don't actually use English, whether they know a little of it or not. Many people here have been patient with me, but there are some who won't be or will just forget to slow down. The worst part is understanding bits and pieces of a conversation and not being able to form responses in time; conversations here, as in any place, turn quickly to other subjects. I was sick for a few days this past week and asked myself during that time, why did I not go to London and take a theater internship? I would be so much happier there! I speak the language, I know the tools and processes of theater...and I know I have to stick with my reasoning for coming here in the first place. If I know the language and the tools and the processes, what would the point of studying abroad be? I can get an internship at home over the summer. Learning a different language and culture and lifestyle will benefit both my ideas for designs in the theater, and my way of living as a person in general.

Another difference is the lifestyle. What does that even mean? In Spain, it means people eat a light breakfast, go to work or school until 2pm, go home for a huge lunch and a siesta, during which all stores and shops literally close for hours, and then people return to work or go shopping around 5pm. Dinner isn't until 9pm, and when people go out to clubs, they don't go till 2 or 3am. The only movement on the streets before 7am or so is all the partiers returning from a night out. This is completely normal. For me, in a residencia with American and Spanish suitemates, it means a more independent life in general. When your Spanish suitemates watch cartoons literally all day (the Simpsons is a HUGE thing here) and when your American suitemates party all night and don't wake up till 2pm, you learn quickly to make decisions for yourself.

My personal frustrations this week were not, surprisingly, all from the stomach bug I caught on Wednesday. I was laid low until yesterday, but my residencia madre and landlady, Maria Jose, took excellent care of me. Recovering was the hard part: the girls went out, when I definitely couldn't; people at home were busy (and besides, who wants to go abroad just to sit on a computer all day? With nothing else to do for fear of upsetting my stomach further, I did just that, but it sucked). I finally got out and about today on a long walk, where I purchased some flowers for Maria Jose (since I can't find thank-you cards anywhere...another strange thing to get used to is finding the right store for your needs) and took some pictures at a political protest on the main street in Granada, Gran Via.

I still am not entirely clear what they were protesting. There were a lot of banners like this one, but with many different topics. One thing is for sure there was a LOT of noise! They had airhorns and whistles and megaphones and speakers blasting out of cars within the parade. I know many people here are dissatisfied with the government's secrecy, and given their unemployment problems I can understand some of the protesters. Many people are dissatisfied with Prime Minister Zapatero's reforms to cut the national debt, and even on the streets I've heard a lot of unhappiness with the Socialist party at the moment. It seems that this protest summed up a lot of different topics that the people here want the government to reform.

Now, sitting back in my room giving my feet a rest, I am puzzling through what various things I saw and heard today meant. I can't seem to find Maria Jose to give her the flowers I bought, and I'm not sure if it's acceptable to visit during the siesta or if I should just wait to see her later. The group that I hiked with last Sunday at the festival de San Cecilio with sent me a lot of emails about activities this weekend and beyond, but I can't understand any of it- the layout of the email, the dates or places or times. As you can imagine, I'm a little disoriented, but am trying to make the most of everything! At least my long walk this morning means I'm recovered from my stomach bug, and it was time outside on a beautiful day.
Monday-Thursday: Classes. This weekend: ROME!