Week 2 This week was relatively uneventful. Not such a bad thing. On Monday school was closed for a holiday and we didn't have enough information about Tuesday's class to attend. We're hoping to take a drawing class at the Pontevedra campus. We haven't quite figured out how to get there nor are we sure exactly when the class is. I emailed the professor several times, but I never got a response. We'll try again next week. On Wednesday we went to class for the first time. We're still "trying classes" to see if they will be of interest, but I think the ones we've chosen will be interesting. My Spanish class started at 9am and Ben didn't start until 11am. So, I was on my own getting to campus. I took the bus by myself for the first time. It was a disaster! Ben let me take his phone so I could use the Moovit app (that's how we track the buses) and I still got lost. I walked left then right, left then right. Finally I decided the bus stop was to the left of my apartment. When a bus came I thought, Yes! I'm going to make it! I got on the bus and happily paid my €1.35 fair before sitting down to watch the map on my phone. Two stops later I realized the bus was going the wrong direction. Awesome. Thinking there would be another stop close by to take me back in the right direction, I crossed the street and continued to walk the wrong way. By this point all I was oh so jealous of Ben who was sleeping peacefully at home wrapped in warm blankets, while I was outside cold and confused. To say I was ready to go home crying would be an understatement. But I persevered. After walking back the direction I came from I finally got on a bus that would take me to campus- but wait there was a connection. I saw other kids with backpacks, who looked about my age, walking hurriedly across the street so I followed them. I FOUND THE BUS PEOPLE! I stood in line and fished around in for my coin purse. Being the last person to board the bus I dumped my coins out to pay my bus fair (for the third time); and, to my dismay I was €0.20 short. I had to get off the bus. Another half hour passed before I made it to class- just 20 minutes late. What should have taken me 45 minutes took me an hour and a half. You could say I'm directionally challenged. Although I had a bit of a rough start to my day it did get better from there. My Spanish class is about 25 people and the professor is one of the sweetest people I've met yet. She is patient and encouraging - two very important things to be when you are teaching students a new language. I remember she wore tall red Hunter Rainboots to match her red, white, and blue striped sweater. Our class is made up of mostly Americans (I don't think that's why she wore red, white and blue), 3 Brazilians, and a mixture of individuals from other countries. There is one student from France and one from Italy. While I can't remember exactly which, there are several other countries represented. The second class I sat in on was an Intercultural Communications class taught in "basic" Spanish per the course description. This class is made up of both ISEP and Erasmus students. Today there were 50 or so other students, and we spent 45 minutes of the two hour block discussing different ways to raise your hand in different cultures. It's all basically the same, but the professor was fascinated by the subject. In short, students in some cultures stick their hand straight in the air while others just barley lift their hand off their desk. In China, as I understood it, they bend their arm at a 90 degree angle and the side of their hand faces the front of the room. It was an interesting discussion, but it didn't warrant a 45 minute block of time. Finally, I met Ben in a US literature class- the only one we are taking that will be taught in English. This class seemed to drag on for forever. In this class, it was mainly American students looking for an easy "A" since failing is common and none of us want to put our GPAs at risk. All of the books that will be read in this course are books most of us have already read. However, there were some local and Erasmus students who were studying foreign languages as well. I'm not so sure about this class, but I think I will have to take it. After class we took a siesta and I went out to "Chat and Beer," an Erasmus Student Network (ESN) event, with my two Turkish flatmates while Ben went to basketball. It was a great time! I met a lot of new people and even made an effort to like beer. (I did it for you Mom!) Here, beer is cheaper than water so I really have no choice other than to drink it. My flatmates and I returned home around 2am. We didn't have class Thursday because we've chosen only classes that are on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So, I went out for round two. Ben came with Yeshim and I to the Beer Pong event which started at midnight. Then we club hopped and came back to the flat at 5am. Two days in a row, now that's a lot for me; but, when in Spain. Right? I want to be fully immersed in the culture and this is how they do it! I went out again on Friday, with both Turkish roommates, Shayma and Yeshim, and we were out until 7am. I told Ben I'd be back late, but I had no idea I was capable of staying out that early! He stayed up to make sure we got home OK. Needless to say, when Saturday evening rolled around we were still asleep. To finish off a weekend of fiestas we went to a Celta Vigo match against Sevilla with some friends. If all sporting events were like a soccer game in Spain I would go to every single one. I don't know too much about soccer, but I've been told that Celta Vigo is one of the worst in the league. But I had a blast nevertheless! On the way in Ben got frisked. We were trying to sneak in a 7up and a half-eaten burrito. Only the 7up was confiscated. Apparently you can bring in your own food- so not allowed at home. Everybody in the stadium was wearing Celta Vigo scarves and when a player did something - whether it be steal the ball or shoot - they waved their scarves in support. Everybody was cheering at the top of their lungs (especially enraged men when the ref made a bad call), and come halftime hundreds of people around us whipped out bocadillos (sandwiches on freshly baked bread) for a snack. Several people had brought in large flags and drums to show their support. To pass the time the stadium would join in a melodic chant. Starting in the back of one section it would engulf the stadium in waves as the verse began again. Before we knew it everybody was singing! And down on the field in front of us sat 8 security guards wearing bright yellow. The only movement made was when they stood at halftime- they all looked miserable. As the game came to an end...WE SCORED! It was amazing! The whole stadium erupted at once and the scarves were twirled in great support. We were advised not to attend a Madrid or Barcelona game because the tickets are too expensive, but to go to a local game for an equally authentic experience instead. I am so glad that we took this advice. The fans were just as enthusiastic as I had imagined despite not having a team at the top of the league. If you ever find yourself in Vigo, a Celta Vigo match is a must!
*photo and video courteous of Libby
1 Comment
Mom
3/2/2019 05:48:34 pm
They really kicked you off the bus for 0.20 Euro??! Wow. Yes, you have always been directionally challenged! I’m glad you’re trying beer 🍻. Good for Ben for waiting up for you! Sounds like you’re having a blast. I hope we get to go to a soccer game while we’re there!! Love the pic 💕 Mom
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AuthorCoffee addict. Chocolate obsessed. I'm ready to explore. Archives
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