And here's the email USAC sent us, a rather bland description of the aforementioned Santa Faz Pilgrimage.
For Christians, life is a mere journey. This idea gave rise to the popular event, which involves both enjoyment and religion, where at least one day a year, people walk together to places of worship and devotion, shrines and sanctuaries outside the walls of so many towns and villages, on mass pilgrimages marked by traditions, promises and votive offerings and with displays of folklore and the gastronomy typical of each place. Out of the great number of pilgrimages in Spain we can highlight that of La Santa Faz de Alicante (more than 250.000 pilgrims walk in this pilgrimage).
This church, situated just 3 miles away from the town centre, is the pilgrimage church where the Saint Faz relic is kept and that is why every year thousands of people go from Alicante to and share their faith. The building has a pyramid shaped dome and is part of the baroque style. There is kept a part of the fabric with which Veronica cleaned Jesus face and that was brought to Alicante from the Vatican in 1489 as part of a pilgrimage.
Showing posts with label alicante. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alicante. Show all posts
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Shopping carts with booze
Today I woke up at 7:30am during vacation days to witness the pilgrimage to Santa Faz. It begins in Alicante at 8am, where people gather (with bamboo walking sticks with evergreen poking out the top) at the church, then they walk onward, about 6 miles or more, to Santa Faz or something. The people who do it, however, vary in age. There are elderly people, there are parents with kids, and there are loads of teenagers. And since there are teenagers, there is booze.
There are loads of teens doing this, clearly many of them underage. But there are cops everywhere directing traffic (of which there is practically none since it's a holiday) and they sure don't give a damn.
I was walking out my door at 7:50am and saw a group of three teens. The boy was drinking a 40oz bottle of Amstel beer, the girl was carrying grocery bags, and the other girl was pushing a stolen shopping cart filled with more grocery bags filled with liquor, Fanta, Coke, and a cooler of food.
Rocio told me she used to do it as a teenager, where her and her friends would get up early to walk there, bringing food and drinks for the whole day. They would walk all the way there, then spend the entire rest of the day on the beach having a party, then take the bus home at the end of the day.
But now that I think about it, people probably look back on this event like this:
"Remember back in high school, when we would wake up at 7am on a Thursday, fill up a shopping cart with booze and food, and drink 40s of Amstel on the 6 mile hike up to the beach? Those were the good ole days..."
Where they put those shopping carts when they reach their destination, however, is unknown.
There are loads of teens doing this, clearly many of them underage. But there are cops everywhere directing traffic (of which there is practically none since it's a holiday) and they sure don't give a damn.
I was walking out my door at 7:50am and saw a group of three teens. The boy was drinking a 40oz bottle of Amstel beer, the girl was carrying grocery bags, and the other girl was pushing a stolen shopping cart filled with more grocery bags filled with liquor, Fanta, Coke, and a cooler of food.
Rocio told me she used to do it as a teenager, where her and her friends would get up early to walk there, bringing food and drinks for the whole day. They would walk all the way there, then spend the entire rest of the day on the beach having a party, then take the bus home at the end of the day.
But now that I think about it, people probably look back on this event like this:
"Remember back in high school, when we would wake up at 7am on a Thursday, fill up a shopping cart with booze and food, and drink 40s of Amstel on the 6 mile hike up to the beach? Those were the good ole days..."
Where they put those shopping carts when they reach their destination, however, is unknown.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Parents' visit to Spain
I have uploaded pics from my parents' visit to Spain.
http://bit.ly/ax25ID
That is the link to the pics from Barcelona and Alicante!
Among the Alicante pictures are pics of my host family, me at the radio, and my cooking classroom!
http://bit.ly/ax25ID
That is the link to the pics from Barcelona and Alicante!
Among the Alicante pictures are pics of my host family, me at the radio, and my cooking classroom!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
"This would never fly in the United States."--Morgen, regarding the flaming madness
Yesterday was the Entierro de la Sardina (Sardine burial) where they carry a giant paper mache sardine through the city to a plaza, then light it on fire with complete disregard to safety.
I filmed the entire "on fire" part, and it was quite entertaining.
They lit up sparklers and those screaming emergency flares, then lit the sardine on fire with them (of course, after they completely covered it in kerosene). The sparks were flying everywhere, on the crowd and the drag queens (there were lots of them there, I don't know why). There were also lots of people dressed in black, as if it were a mock funeral.
Enjoy this interesting spectacle, courtesy of my video (I made it low quality so it was faster to upload...pardon the blur):
I filmed the entire "on fire" part, and it was quite entertaining.
They lit up sparklers and those screaming emergency flares, then lit the sardine on fire with them (of course, after they completely covered it in kerosene). The sparks were flying everywhere, on the crowd and the drag queens (there were lots of them there, I don't know why). There were also lots of people dressed in black, as if it were a mock funeral.
Enjoy this interesting spectacle, courtesy of my video (I made it low quality so it was faster to upload...pardon the blur):
This is my home.
EDIT: THE HOST FAMILY VIDEO IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK http://melissainspain2010.blogspot.com/2010/02/home-stay-toursecond-attempt.html
If you are wondering how I live it up in Alicante, check out this tour I did of my host family's house.
I will embed the video here, but if you can't view it below, go to this direct link. It is private, so that might be a reason that the video below may not work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=0mSxKUjxtTs&sharing_token=c2MqgKgEHYpNHT8-ZG0IDA
If you are wondering how I live it up in Alicante, check out this tour I did of my host family's house.
I will embed the video here, but if you can't view it below, go to this direct link. It is private, so that might be a reason that the video below may not work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_private?v=0mSxKUjxtTs&sharing_token=c2MqgKgEHYpNHT8-ZG0IDA
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Chaos that was Carnaval 2010
Brief overview: Carnaval is a huge holiday here where people dress up, hear live music, wander the streets late a night, and get drunk. Apparently drinking in the streets is legal for this and only this day (although youths carrying around 40s on other days would make you think otherwise). The people of Alicante take full advantage of this, even stealing shopping carts to carry their massive amounts of booze. Rocio told me that the supermarkets then spend monday (sundays they are closed) looking for the missing shopping carts, which are by then abandoned in random parts of the city.
First we got together at Sarah P's at 9:30, where I did Carly and Sarah R's makeup. 2 Euro makeup isn't high quality. I strategically placed my phone, cash and ID in my blazer under my suit, kleenex in the suit pockets, and keys and chapstick in the pockets of my jeans under the suit. I also clipped my camera to a lanyard that I wore around my neck under my suit. I loved the practicality of this costume.
We met up with Steve at 11, walked to the Barrio, and saw Drew and his friends. We also saw several AVATARs, many many pirates, and a group of 14 yr olds dressed as Minnie Mouse. The streets were FILLED. There were two stages on either end of the Rambla, playing live music.
We went to the churro stand where Drew bartered the woman down from 6.50 for churros and chocolate down to 3.50. We witnessed the cops chat with a completely out-of-it 18 yr old drunk/drugged guy. We also saw a man dressed as red riding hood with his basket filled with a bottle of rum and Coke.
We walked to the beach, where everyone was standing NEAR, but not standing ON. I don't know if they were afraid of drinking on the sand or what, but it was quite strange. On the way there, we also saw about 4 people with stolen shopping carts filled with gallons of booze. Some of the shopping carts matched the costume, decorated like a baby stroller, or a Vegas gambling table. Some were just shopping carts filled with booze.
We made our way to the Ayuntamiento, where we saw yet another stage of music. It was also very wet on the ground due to it raining earlier that day. It made me concerned that people were splashing in puddles right next to rows of power cords. They didn't seem to mind.
It was at the plaza del Ayuntamiento that I saw the first LOST DHARMA people, and we took a picture. One guy had a machine gun. He also had a fake bloody nose for the time-travel headaches. So in-character. There was also a man in a pink bathrobe and shower cap yelling at me that "LOST es la mierda" aka Lost is shit. I ignored him as he waved a toilet brush at me.
Carly and Sarah jumped on stage when several others did the same and danced for a few seconds until a random woman popped out of nowhere and shooed them off. A few minutes later, I found a man wearing a cow mask and took a picture with him.
We made our way through the city and saw some people dressed as Sims, with floating green diamonds over their head. We walked through the Barrio once again and I pointed out to drew a 40 of Amstel in a plastic bag. He took it out and noticed it was completely full and sealed shut. He took it with him to sell to someone (since all the stores for booze were closed by now) for Kebab money.
We made our way to the Kebab place where Sarah R, Carly and I bought Kebabs. The men who worked there scared Sarah when they loudly shouted "WHAT IS SHE DOING" (in english) when she was reaching around her belly to get at her money belt. And they forgot to charge me for my Fanta, which was a highlight of the night.
We went into some bar temporarily, where they got free shots. We also used it as a bathroom break ( no one wants to use the port-o-pottys on the streets). We stood on the street as a ton of people walked by with shopping carts filled with booze, ringing bells and singing. Amongst them I saw Miles, LeFleur and a random DHARMA workman. When they walked away, LeFleur turned back around and checked me out big time. Carly said he was cute and that I should go for it.
We then headed to Carpe Diem, where Sarah and I walked in, walked to the back, saw Allie (she told us Morgen was outside) then left promptly, all in about 30 seconds. We went outside and saw a group of USACers, where we took a few pics, then split up (some went back to Carpe Diem, some went to the Kebab place next door. I went to the latter). I ordered another Fanta, and Dave, Mike and some others ordered Kebabs. We chilled there until I got a text from Carly, wondering if I went home. I told her I was right next door. She came and bought a 2 euro beer just to use the bathroom. We stayed there for a while, and when I waited to use the bathroom, the "bodyguard" of the bathroom (to make sure only customers used it) asked me for a vocab lesson in English.
Him: "como se dice fiesta en ingles?"
Me: Party.
Him: Pah-dee.
Me: PAR-ty. P-a-r-t-y.
Him: Party. Ah, vale. Pasa.
Then I left the bathroom, I was talking with my friends, and he called me over with a hand gesture.
Him: como se dice "borracho" en ingles?
Me: Drunk.
Him: ah, como "drink"
Me: Si, pero "Drunk"
Him: vale. Y como se dice "mujer borracha" en ingles?
Me: Drunk woman?
Him: Drunk Woman. Vale. Gracias.
We then left this Kebab place and started walking around again. At this point it was Mike, Carly, Sarah and me. We wandered through the Rambla once again and saw more DHARMAs! This time a whole fleet, with mechanics and doctors. I snapped a pic, and some random clowns jumped in front so we had to get another. My favorite part of seeing people dressed up was the couples in costumes that didn't match. For example, Amy Winehouse and a cow. Or a ninja and a Minnie Mouse. Or others.
We walked to the churro stand, where Sarah bought some, and we took them to McDonalds, which was so flooded with people not eating McDonalds, it was a joke. There was a like of 20 people for the bathrooms, and the two-story restaurant was jammed with people looking for warmth. At this point it was 3:30am.
We left because we were getting tired sitting in such a comfortable spot, so we went to wander the streets again. We saw some Converse shoes and I saw another DHARMA. When we got near the northern stage, we stood around, and I saw a giant Lego pirate and a fleet of Mario characters. I always see Marios and Luigis, but this was the full fleet: Wario, Mario, Luigi, gold star, toothy cannonball, mushroom, and Yoshi.
After hanging out here for a while, although I wished I could have stayed out longer till I was a bit more tired, my friends wanted to head home b/c they were either cold or tired. It was 4:30am.
We walked home, and saw more DHARMAs. This time it was a group of 8 or 10, and they had ID tags, DHARMA chocolate bars, and DHARMA messenger bags. They were like "Ah! Otra DHARMA al ultimo momento (another DHARMA at the last minute!) La ISLA ha llegado a Alicante! (The island has come to Alicante!)" Then they gave me a "DHARMA crisped rice" sample. But I am pretty sure he said there was nothing inside.
We continued walking home, and Mike wanted to stop at the 24 hour store to buy some water. The 24 hour store, of course, was closed at this hour. One true sign of being in Spain.
First we got together at Sarah P's at 9:30, where I did Carly and Sarah R's makeup. 2 Euro makeup isn't high quality. I strategically placed my phone, cash and ID in my blazer under my suit, kleenex in the suit pockets, and keys and chapstick in the pockets of my jeans under the suit. I also clipped my camera to a lanyard that I wore around my neck under my suit. I loved the practicality of this costume.
We met up with Steve at 11, walked to the Barrio, and saw Drew and his friends. We also saw several AVATARs, many many pirates, and a group of 14 yr olds dressed as Minnie Mouse. The streets were FILLED. There were two stages on either end of the Rambla, playing live music.
We went to the churro stand where Drew bartered the woman down from 6.50 for churros and chocolate down to 3.50. We witnessed the cops chat with a completely out-of-it 18 yr old drunk/drugged guy. We also saw a man dressed as red riding hood with his basket filled with a bottle of rum and Coke.
We walked to the beach, where everyone was standing NEAR, but not standing ON. I don't know if they were afraid of drinking on the sand or what, but it was quite strange. On the way there, we also saw about 4 people with stolen shopping carts filled with gallons of booze. Some of the shopping carts matched the costume, decorated like a baby stroller, or a Vegas gambling table. Some were just shopping carts filled with booze.
We made our way to the Ayuntamiento, where we saw yet another stage of music. It was also very wet on the ground due to it raining earlier that day. It made me concerned that people were splashing in puddles right next to rows of power cords. They didn't seem to mind.
It was at the plaza del Ayuntamiento that I saw the first LOST DHARMA people, and we took a picture. One guy had a machine gun. He also had a fake bloody nose for the time-travel headaches. So in-character. There was also a man in a pink bathrobe and shower cap yelling at me that "LOST es la mierda" aka Lost is shit. I ignored him as he waved a toilet brush at me.
Carly and Sarah jumped on stage when several others did the same and danced for a few seconds until a random woman popped out of nowhere and shooed them off. A few minutes later, I found a man wearing a cow mask and took a picture with him.
We made our way through the city and saw some people dressed as Sims, with floating green diamonds over their head. We walked through the Barrio once again and I pointed out to drew a 40 of Amstel in a plastic bag. He took it out and noticed it was completely full and sealed shut. He took it with him to sell to someone (since all the stores for booze were closed by now) for Kebab money.
We made our way to the Kebab place where Sarah R, Carly and I bought Kebabs. The men who worked there scared Sarah when they loudly shouted "WHAT IS SHE DOING" (in english) when she was reaching around her belly to get at her money belt. And they forgot to charge me for my Fanta, which was a highlight of the night.
We went into some bar temporarily, where they got free shots. We also used it as a bathroom break ( no one wants to use the port-o-pottys on the streets). We stood on the street as a ton of people walked by with shopping carts filled with booze, ringing bells and singing. Amongst them I saw Miles, LeFleur and a random DHARMA workman. When they walked away, LeFleur turned back around and checked me out big time. Carly said he was cute and that I should go for it.
We then headed to Carpe Diem, where Sarah and I walked in, walked to the back, saw Allie (she told us Morgen was outside) then left promptly, all in about 30 seconds. We went outside and saw a group of USACers, where we took a few pics, then split up (some went back to Carpe Diem, some went to the Kebab place next door. I went to the latter). I ordered another Fanta, and Dave, Mike and some others ordered Kebabs. We chilled there until I got a text from Carly, wondering if I went home. I told her I was right next door. She came and bought a 2 euro beer just to use the bathroom. We stayed there for a while, and when I waited to use the bathroom, the "bodyguard" of the bathroom (to make sure only customers used it) asked me for a vocab lesson in English.
Him: "como se dice fiesta en ingles?"
Me: Party.
Him: Pah-dee.
Me: PAR-ty. P-a-r-t-y.
Him: Party. Ah, vale. Pasa.
Then I left the bathroom, I was talking with my friends, and he called me over with a hand gesture.
Him: como se dice "borracho" en ingles?
Me: Drunk.
Him: ah, como "drink"
Me: Si, pero "Drunk"
Him: vale. Y como se dice "mujer borracha" en ingles?
Me: Drunk woman?
Him: Drunk Woman. Vale. Gracias.
We then left this Kebab place and started walking around again. At this point it was Mike, Carly, Sarah and me. We wandered through the Rambla once again and saw more DHARMAs! This time a whole fleet, with mechanics and doctors. I snapped a pic, and some random clowns jumped in front so we had to get another. My favorite part of seeing people dressed up was the couples in costumes that didn't match. For example, Amy Winehouse and a cow. Or a ninja and a Minnie Mouse. Or others.
We walked to the churro stand, where Sarah bought some, and we took them to McDonalds, which was so flooded with people not eating McDonalds, it was a joke. There was a like of 20 people for the bathrooms, and the two-story restaurant was jammed with people looking for warmth. At this point it was 3:30am.
We left because we were getting tired sitting in such a comfortable spot, so we went to wander the streets again. We saw some Converse shoes and I saw another DHARMA. When we got near the northern stage, we stood around, and I saw a giant Lego pirate and a fleet of Mario characters. I always see Marios and Luigis, but this was the full fleet: Wario, Mario, Luigi, gold star, toothy cannonball, mushroom, and Yoshi.
After hanging out here for a while, although I wished I could have stayed out longer till I was a bit more tired, my friends wanted to head home b/c they were either cold or tired. It was 4:30am.
We walked home, and saw more DHARMAs. This time it was a group of 8 or 10, and they had ID tags, DHARMA chocolate bars, and DHARMA messenger bags. They were like "Ah! Otra DHARMA al ultimo momento (another DHARMA at the last minute!) La ISLA ha llegado a Alicante! (The island has come to Alicante!)" Then they gave me a "DHARMA crisped rice" sample. But I am pretty sure he said there was nothing inside.
We continued walking home, and Mike wanted to stop at the 24 hour store to buy some water. The 24 hour store, of course, was closed at this hour. One true sign of being in Spain.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Fotos! Fotos! Fotos! Part 2
Park that runs along the water
HUUUGE trees in this park
Parque de Canalejas: that is what it's called
If you ever look up a pic of Alicante, this might be what you see, L'Explananda
Every single tile was hand-laid
Private casino...by invite only!
First four kings' initials were A, L, L, and A, which is interesting because it spells the word for God in Arabic...and they have a strong Moorish history. By the way, this is the coat of arms for Alicante.
The ayuntamiento in El Barrio
Old part of town
Palm trees are everywhere!
Heading up to the Santa Cruz area. Super Cute
Isn't it lovely?
You can see the castle from Santa Cruz
Church in Santa Cruz
Mike, Morgen, Steve, Sarah and Me atop the Barrio Santa Cruz
Morgen, Sarah, Mike, Me, Steve and Allie in Santa Cruz
Steve and Sarah being kids
Sarah is a great photographer...this is overlooking Alicante from halfway up the castle
Sarah again!
Way up top at the castle. Lots of seagulls.
The Mediterranean
Some tombs or something at the castle.
Again, the Mediterranean, but looking to the right instead of to the left, as in the previous picture
Steve and Carly at the castle
More castle
Sarah, Drew, Steve, Me, and Carly posing in an action scene at the castle
Sarah, Steve, Me, Carly, and Drew at the castle
Sarah, Carly and I spell USA!
This castle is over 600 yrs old
Overlooking ALICANTE
Steve, me and Carly pose with the cannons
Parking for motorcycles!
A little window overlooking the city
castle against the sunset
Me sitting on the ledge of the road up to the castle. You can see the bull ring off to MY left.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Fotos! Fotos! Fotos!
These uploaded backwards...
Av. de Federico Soto
The Valencian government building stationed in Alicante
Flying over Alicante
My first view of Alicante
It took about an hour to upload these four. So it's safe to say I won't be uploading any more until I find a better connection.
Av. de Federico Soto
The Valencian government building stationed in Alicante
Flying over Alicante
My first view of AlicanteIt took about an hour to upload these four. So it's safe to say I won't be uploading any more until I find a better connection.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Worst Trip Ever.
So apparently the group flight from LA to London (for the Madrid tour) had some major issues. First it was delayed. Then when they got to London (super early in the morning), their connecting flight to Madrid was cancelled to to weather. They had to wait in the airport for several hours. The group of affected students went together to the British Airways Kiosk and demanded that they be put on the next flight. They got tickets for the 10am or something like that. They waited until that time, then checked the screens only to find that it too was cancelled. Then they finally took the late evening flight and arrived in Madrid at 2am the following day, with little to no sleep for the past two days.
Then, when they got to Madrid, all of those students from the group LA flight found out their luggage was lost. Every single person, including 7 people here in Alicante, a few in Bilbao, and a few in the San Sebastian program, has been living on what they brought in their carry-on for the past ten days or so.
So, in the end, what I am trying to say is, THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T ME!
Read the following email (that we got today) from the Spain Director of USAC (who is stationed in Reno)
Hola Spain students,
I am so happy that everyone is settling into your new lives in Spain and that most of you are getting your lost luggage back. I’m very sorry for all the chaos this spring, but unfortunately, weather leaves us in unpredictable situations sometimes.
I want to let you know that if your luggage was lost, there is a good chance that you can be reimbursed for the clothing you had to purchase to make up for what you didn’t have (usually between $300 and $600 but varies on the each airline’s rules). For those who lost your luggage, you will want to file your own claim directly with the airline.
If you were on the group flight through Travel Cuts, you will file this claim with British Airways at: www.britishairways.com or locally with Iberia Airlines in Spain. You will want to use your claim number to receive any reimbursement. They will ask you many questions about your luggage and may ask for any receipts of purchases. I do strongly recommend to do this (even though it is a pain) so you can get some money to help you with the added expenses you went through.
Let myself or your Resident Director know if you have any questions. I hope you all are doing well and settling into your new Spanish lifestyle. I hope this was merely a rocky start to a wonderful semester!
Johanna Bailey
Program Advisor: Spain, Malta, Ghana & India;
Then, when they got to Madrid, all of those students from the group LA flight found out their luggage was lost. Every single person, including 7 people here in Alicante, a few in Bilbao, and a few in the San Sebastian program, has been living on what they brought in their carry-on for the past ten days or so.
So, in the end, what I am trying to say is, THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T ME!
Read the following email (that we got today) from the Spain Director of USAC (who is stationed in Reno)
Hola Spain students,
I am so happy that everyone is settling into your new lives in Spain and that most of you are getting your lost luggage back. I’m very sorry for all the chaos this spring, but unfortunately, weather leaves us in unpredictable situations sometimes.
I want to let you know that if your luggage was lost, there is a good chance that you can be reimbursed for the clothing you had to purchase to make up for what you didn’t have (usually between $300 and $600 but varies on the each airline’s rules). For those who lost your luggage, you will want to file your own claim directly with the airline.
If you were on the group flight through Travel Cuts, you will file this claim with British Airways at: www.britishairways.com or locally with Iberia Airlines in Spain. You will want to use your claim number to receive any reimbursement. They will ask you many questions about your luggage and may ask for any receipts of purchases. I do strongly recommend to do this (even though it is a pain) so you can get some money to help you with the added expenses you went through.
Let myself or your Resident Director know if you have any questions. I hope you all are doing well and settling into your new Spanish lifestyle. I hope this was merely a rocky start to a wonderful semester!
Johanna Bailey
Program Advisor: Spain, Malta, Ghana & India;
Friday, January 8, 2010
CUTE OVERLOAD
So finally I got to Alicante, I waited outside in the cold (45 or 50 degrees, so cold but not too cold) while I waited for my host mom to arrive. And no, that wasn't supposed to happen. She arrived, and she spoke perfect English! That was a big disappointment. So then she showed me around the apartment, in English. I responded to everything in Spanish. (After dinner tonight, it came about that they said they'd only speak Spanish from now on...but they still say English every now and then)
I took a nap, then when I woke up, I heard a tiny little spanish voice down the hall. When I first arrived, only my host mom was home, and now she had picked up her 2 yr old son from school (which I am curious about...what school is there for 2 yr olds?). Remember in one san sebastian entry where I said children's voices are even cuter when they're in Spanish? Well, IT IS TRUE.
Dante doesn't know any words in English, so he is super duper cute. When I went to the kitchen and he came out from the patio, the voice in my head made this noise: gaajkshdgksueyrgh. That is an affectionate gargling noise of a CUTENESS OVERLOAD!
He was really shy at first, where he hid behind his parents, the table, the door, a chair, or anything that he could just peek around from, since I was a stranger.
He soon warmed up to me, and he got into his little show and tell mode that kids get into, where they just want to show you EVERYTHING. Instead of "lookit! lookit!" he's shouting "mira! Mira!" as he shoves various toys, a placemat, a shoe, and a cereal box in my face. Later I saw him wandering the hallway alone and asked him if he'd show me his room. He got SO excited at the idea of this, and immediately ran into his room and showed me all of his toys and the mini plastic slide in the middle of the room. When he showed me his chair in the den, I pointed to his shirt to ask him if he knew what number it was, and my hand brushed across the super sticky surface. Later, my host mom informed me that he likes honey. A lot. Like, 3 or 4 times a day.
In the den is also MY favorite toy of the bunch, a Mr. Potato Head doll named "Darth Tater."
Later, after dinner, he sat and watched a 7 minute clip from his favorite cartoon [edit: Pocoyo] as we finished eating. During the clip (from youtube) he was in a trance. After the clip, he was calling papa to fix it for him so it would play more. I have never seen a child refuse desserts and chocolate, but he did just that as he zoned out to the red octopus and yellow boot-shaped duck on screen. Then, of course, when it was time to go to bed, he was all "NOW I want chocolate." Then he just began naming random foods he wanted, and it was hilarious. He even said "pine nuts" at one point. Then he just began naming more and more foods. At one point, my host dad said "would you like me to make you something? perhaps a strawberry souffle?" Dante, with the most serious face, thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, I do."
Eventually he left to go to his room, but before he put on his jammies, his mom carried him in my room, and she said "what do you say? hmm? Oh, he wanted to give you a kiss before bed." And so I ducked down a bit and he gave me a peck on the cheek, with a huge grin on his face! SOOOO CUTE!
I took a nap, then when I woke up, I heard a tiny little spanish voice down the hall. When I first arrived, only my host mom was home, and now she had picked up her 2 yr old son from school (which I am curious about...what school is there for 2 yr olds?). Remember in one san sebastian entry where I said children's voices are even cuter when they're in Spanish? Well, IT IS TRUE.
Dante doesn't know any words in English, so he is super duper cute. When I went to the kitchen and he came out from the patio, the voice in my head made this noise: gaajkshdgksueyrgh. That is an affectionate gargling noise of a CUTENESS OVERLOAD!
He was really shy at first, where he hid behind his parents, the table, the door, a chair, or anything that he could just peek around from, since I was a stranger.
He soon warmed up to me, and he got into his little show and tell mode that kids get into, where they just want to show you EVERYTHING. Instead of "lookit! lookit!" he's shouting "mira! Mira!" as he shoves various toys, a placemat, a shoe, and a cereal box in my face. Later I saw him wandering the hallway alone and asked him if he'd show me his room. He got SO excited at the idea of this, and immediately ran into his room and showed me all of his toys and the mini plastic slide in the middle of the room. When he showed me his chair in the den, I pointed to his shirt to ask him if he knew what number it was, and my hand brushed across the super sticky surface. Later, my host mom informed me that he likes honey. A lot. Like, 3 or 4 times a day.
In the den is also MY favorite toy of the bunch, a Mr. Potato Head doll named "Darth Tater."
Later, after dinner, he sat and watched a 7 minute clip from his favorite cartoon [edit: Pocoyo] as we finished eating. During the clip (from youtube) he was in a trance. After the clip, he was calling papa to fix it for him so it would play more. I have never seen a child refuse desserts and chocolate, but he did just that as he zoned out to the red octopus and yellow boot-shaped duck on screen. Then, of course, when it was time to go to bed, he was all "NOW I want chocolate." Then he just began naming random foods he wanted, and it was hilarious. He even said "pine nuts" at one point. Then he just began naming more and more foods. At one point, my host dad said "would you like me to make you something? perhaps a strawberry souffle?" Dante, with the most serious face, thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, I do."
Eventually he left to go to his room, but before he put on his jammies, his mom carried him in my room, and she said "what do you say? hmm? Oh, he wanted to give you a kiss before bed." And so I ducked down a bit and he gave me a peck on the cheek, with a huge grin on his face! SOOOO CUTE!
Intro to Otra Vez: otra viaje a España
Hola!
As you already probably hopefully know, I am travelling to Spain once again. And I like the British spelling of "travelling" better, so deal with it, Blogger spell-check!
When I went back to school in the fall of 2009, of course I was disappointed to be back from Spain. When I am abroad, everything is new and exciting. Like,
"Look at the weird labels of things!"
"Why are Americans so ugly in comparison to Europeans!"
"Why did I just say that when there are three Spaniards with mullets/rat tails?"
"look, the Spaniards walk with their hands behind their back, even though it looks awkwardly uncomfortable!"
Then you come back to the USA, and everything is just as it was, and so much less exciting. The way people hold their hands while walking no longer keeps your interest.
I heard a rumor that you couldn't study abroad your final semester. I talked to my counselor, and it was untrue! She was like "you are done with your major, your minor, your core...why NOT!?" So I took her advice.
So, the search for a location was ON. At first, I was considering Ireland, Scotland, or England, since I could obviously speak English there. Other countries with a new language (Germany, France, Italy) didn't interest me because I knew whatever I learned about the language would quickly be forgotten. Plus, I would be unable to converse with people on the streets without a pocket translator. But, I missed most of the deadlines for these locations.
So, of course, Spanish-speaking countries came into play. I liked the USAC program before, so I wanted to do it with them again. I heard from various sources that IES was a harder, more intensive program. Not to say I want to slack, but this fall 2009 semester was HARD and I didn't want my final semester in college to be hell. So I looked at Costa Rica and Alicante (Spain). Costa Rica's course offerings were basically in the field of rainforestry (really, how many classes can you take on that?) so I looked at Alicante. I could do an internship there and take a business course or two (so I have some basic background in the topic for future endeavors) so the choice was made: Alicante, here I come.
Also, I may post some things now and then to the old blog at www.melissainspain2009.blogspot.com like some videos that pertain to San Sebastian. Therefore, keep on subscribing to that/checking that site!
As you already probably hopefully know, I am travelling to Spain once again. And I like the British spelling of "travelling" better, so deal with it, Blogger spell-check!
When I went back to school in the fall of 2009, of course I was disappointed to be back from Spain. When I am abroad, everything is new and exciting. Like,
"Look at the weird labels of things!"
"Why are Americans so ugly in comparison to Europeans!"
"Why did I just say that when there are three Spaniards with mullets/rat tails?"
"look, the Spaniards walk with their hands behind their back, even though it looks awkwardly uncomfortable!"
Then you come back to the USA, and everything is just as it was, and so much less exciting. The way people hold their hands while walking no longer keeps your interest.
I heard a rumor that you couldn't study abroad your final semester. I talked to my counselor, and it was untrue! She was like "you are done with your major, your minor, your core...why NOT!?" So I took her advice.
So, the search for a location was ON. At first, I was considering Ireland, Scotland, or England, since I could obviously speak English there. Other countries with a new language (Germany, France, Italy) didn't interest me because I knew whatever I learned about the language would quickly be forgotten. Plus, I would be unable to converse with people on the streets without a pocket translator. But, I missed most of the deadlines for these locations.
So, of course, Spanish-speaking countries came into play. I liked the USAC program before, so I wanted to do it with them again. I heard from various sources that IES was a harder, more intensive program. Not to say I want to slack, but this fall 2009 semester was HARD and I didn't want my final semester in college to be hell. So I looked at Costa Rica and Alicante (Spain). Costa Rica's course offerings were basically in the field of rainforestry (really, how many classes can you take on that?) so I looked at Alicante. I could do an internship there and take a business course or two (so I have some basic background in the topic for future endeavors) so the choice was made: Alicante, here I come.
Also, I may post some things now and then to the old blog at www.melissainspain2009.blogspot.com like some videos that pertain to San Sebastian. Therefore, keep on subscribing to that/checking that site!
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