the world is shrinking

My best friend Sam Estenson who's also on exchange to Japan this year through Rotary posted in his blog today a very short, sweet, and simple statement (a rare feat from my darling Samuel) that essentially says that if there's one thing that having all this free time has taught him, it's that he doesn't want all this free time. I love being able to come home and not have to really stress over anything at all. Being able to just lay around and read a book or watch tv with the intention of meeting up with some friends or hanging out with my family is a much appreciated change for this girl with so much to do that it seemed as if it was too much to do.

I don't know how long I could do this for, however. Certainly not every day for the rest of my life. I took this year to slow down and evaluate, I'm finding that the most learning happens when you're not seeking knowledge.

My friend from my hometown of Northfield, Minnesota (her name is Grayce Forsythe) is here in Madrid through a program where she teaches a family's children English in exchange for room and board in the city. She's here until December 20, so we made a date today to meet up in Madrid. As we were sitting there talking, I mentioned that I'm not actually in Madrid, I'm in the town of Majadahonda right outisde of Madrid. She looked at me in amazement, telling me that's where she was living too. It turns out she's right across the street from me. In all of the world, in all of Spain, this is where our paths crossed. We promised each other not to see the other one too much though-- it would be so easy to become dependent on that familiarity. But hold your hats folks, the world is shrinking.

Life here in Spain is, thrillingly, routine at this point. On Friday night, I actually had to choose between what I wanted to do, I got invited several places, which was an utterly exciting concept. I ended up going out with Bea Friday night into Madrid and with my friend Robi into Madrid Saturday night. Sunday was a very relaxed day, I hung out with the family, and Monday was a national holiday-- a double header because of Colombus Day and El Dia de Pilar (basically celebrating the saint Pilar-- it's sort of like a second birthday for anyone named Pilar).

People ask me, "what are the people like in Spain?" or "what is the school like in Spain?" and I'm finding it harder and harder to answer. People are people, school is school, family is family, no matter where you are in the world. It's hard to put into words what distinguishes European life from American life because the lines are sort of blurring-- the only really obvious difference at this point is the language, but that's getting more managable by the hour.

It's the birthday of several of my friends this weekend so there are parties to go to and memories to be made. I had my first Chemistry test today, it didn't go great, but it went alright, I have a history test on Thursday. Walking to school this morning, I was freezing, fall has officially arrived in Spain. The pictures are of a little outing my family took on Sunday, I wasn't feeling all that well so I couldn't go, but the pictures are beautiful regardless.

Hasta Luego, Sami

fotos fotos y fotos 3

Don't really know if you can ask for a lot more than this...

The Spanish flag

A staple on the Gran Via of Majadahonda (the main drag of my hometown)... You better believe that this bench belongs to these ladies too, you wouldn't see a different group occupying it... They all have their respective places and groups, elderly men and women alike. Absolutely unforgettable

Jacobo snapped this shot at La Escorial in an entryway... The thought of the construction behind this magnificent place is overwhelming within itself, needless to say the history within it... How many thousands of people have walked through that door?

The outside of La Escorial, it stretches far far far in both directions (to the left and the right) as well.

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At La Escorial with Jacobo... If you look closely you can see the statues of the saints on the white pillars above us...

Yet another breathtaking view with Javi and Jacobo

Ana is a big fan of taking pictures when you're not really looking, but I ended up liking this one because of the background

The seat of King Felipe II with Javi and Jacobo

Marta is on the left, Mateo is on the right holding his newly christened baby sister Lola

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Yet another set of photos.... I agree with Sam Estenson (www.estenson.blogspot.com) in that oftentimes pictures can express a culture better than words; you just have to feel it.

Above is my grandfather and one of my little cousins named Marta. We gather at my grandfather's every week at 2 pm and eat paella and play cardgames and enjoy each other's company.

My host sister Bea and I

At Las Fiestas de Las Rozas with friends

More Fiestas de Las Rozas (I like this picture because it has Bea in it and one of my best friends here named Rocio, the other girl to my left)

This is where everyone buys their books and school supplies in Majadahonda. This tiny shop supplies everything for the entire town, you have to wait about an hour or more to get anything.
Kids here don't rent school textbooks, it's similar to college in that they're all purchased and all pretty expensive (about 30 euros per book).

the house

The pool that's in the center of the complex, or "urbanizacion" where I live.

There are about 6 buildings like the one shown, with the pool and a tennis court and a garden at the center.

This is the entryway to my house... The kitchen is just through the open door. The front door is to your right and the door on the left leads to the bedrooms and bathrooms. And yes, that is a real zebra.

This is a couch and table in the living room, which is combined with the entryway shown above. If you were to turn left from this perspective, you would see another couch and a giant window that looks out onto the pool and garden.

This is my room. My desk is further past that chair and behind the head of my bed is my closet. Facing the bed are shelves and an aquarium. I'm staying in the room of my host brother who is in the United States on exchange right now-- Javi.

This is my building from the back... If you were the one taking this picture, the pool would be behind you. On the bottom floor where you can see the awning is that giant window in the living room that mentioned above, and my room is the next window to the left.

I apologize for taking so long on posting all of this information and these pictures... I'll be posting my address in one of the next few blogs if you want to send anything, I wouldn't say no :)

Con mi amor, Sam

context

I wonder if Father Time ever felt disoriented.... As someone who is operating under his watchful, constant tick tock, I have to tell you that I'm more befuddled than ever over this "time" concept. I have been in Spain for ONE MONTH today. I will be here for some months more. I find myself putting time in all sorts of different contexts, not out of want to go home, simply out of sheer amazement at it's many faces. I have been here for one entire month, I will only be here for a few more. I won't say that it felt like yesterday that I landed in the Madrid Airport, because not only is that cliche, it would be untrue. But that statement shouldn't carry a negative connotation, I've loved my time here, I'm thrilled at the thought of more.

I'm settling into a nice routine after school. I've really gotta tell you how awesome it is not to have to do anything. As the queen of over-scheduling, the girl that had to squeeze in time for precious things like sleep and eating, the concept of coming home and reading a good book or just hanging around with my host brother or walking down to the shopping center with a friend for no good reason are all very much appreciated. My host mother is always apologizing to me for "not having anything to do" and I'll continue to explain to her that that nothingness was my entire reason for coming. To slow down. To breathe. To stop measuring and analyzing and comprehending everything. To just get in touch with what there IS, not with what COULD BE. I'm learning, I'm always learning, but without a giant stack of books at the foot of my bed while I chow down a frozen dinner and weigh out how I'm going to manage a violin lesson, soccer practice, several meetings, and AP testing the next day.

The only thing that I'm expected to do here is be myself. And it's fantastic to figure out a little more each day who that person is. This experience hasn't been completely smooth 100% of the way, I'd be a little concerned if it had. I know there will be tough days. But I also know there will be great days. So I'm seeking the good but embracing the bad. One month in... Doesn't have to be put in the context of anything else.

Besos, Samantha Roma (ps. A lot of my teachers just call me "Roma"... It's my middle name and easier to pronounce with a Spanish accent. I absolutely love it. Oh, and the picture above is at my grandfather's house with two of my young cousins... perfecto)

for the grandmas

I'm finally able to post some pictures of what most would consider the "classic" Spain. I went to La Silla de Felipe II and La Escorial yesterday with my mom, dad, and brother. It's still gorgeous weather in Spain, despite the fact it's "autumn". The best way to describe the autumn here is with a Spanish word-- "precioso" which literally means "cute" but can be interpreted as precious and untouchable. I sort of miss the changing colors of the Minnesota forests, but a break from the cold is much appreciated. The trees are changing slightly but nothing compared to the vibrance back home.

La Silla de Felipe II literally means "The Seat of Felipe II" and is the place where the famous king sat down over his newly claimed kingdom and determined where everything would be placed and declared it his own land. Looking over the land as he did, it was easy to appreciate the immense history of this country, it's age dwarves that of the U.S. There are letters carved into the seat where the king sat marking it as his territory, I sat upon that very throne which overlooks the historic La Escorial chapel and palace and listened to my host father explain all the wonders of what I was looking at, nodding attentively, and actually understanding the majority of it. This was, in itself, a wonder and made me appreciate all the small wonders of everyday living.

We proceeded from La Silla to La Escorial Palace and Chapel, which doesn't sound familiar when you first hear it, but the images should strike a chord. The chords rang rampant throughout the famous church, as we entered during one of the masses and stayed for the duration. It was everything that a Spanish service should be, there was a chanting of the Word with three priests dressed all in green and white. There were attendants and bell ringing and a collection which included a man straight out of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons walking up and down the pews collecting euros. The most incredible part of the mass for me was the singing of the choir and the organ playing. The voices were almost surreal and echoing throughout the giant structure as if they were singing to God and no one else, despite your religious beliefs, their conviction and their chords intermingling with the brassy confidence of the organ once again made it obvious to me how irrelevant language barriers can be. I found out later that the choir was made up entirely of young boys as they later trapsed by punching each other and stepping on one another's robes, which made entirely it's own statement about belief, innocence, and the untouchable wonder that surrounded me.

I couldn't take pictures in the church because it was a Sunday and there was a mass going on-- but this is a picture of the entrance to the church, you can see the saints lining the entrance above, it reminded me of my Grandma Colleen and attending Catholic services ever so often when I was younger, images of my Grandma Roma and her rosaries drifted through my mind as well; it's incredible what can remind you of home in a place that couldn't be farther from it. I was promised that we would return to the quaint town of La Escorial and it's curved, winding, cobblestone streets so that I could take pictures of the inside of the church, so the explination of the sanctuary will have to wait until then, because it literally cannot be described in words.

We moved from the church to the other aspects of La Escorial, including the enormous palace and servants quarters attached. The gardens reminded me of my Grandma Jan in her infinite love for all things flora, they sharply contrasted the rigid architecture of La Escorial, somehow enhancing it's enchantment-- even in a history riddled with oppression and occupations, Spain has forever maintained it's grace in certain aspects, without a doubt in the pure beauty of it's land and it's people. The car ride home was sleepy and content, which could have been due in part to the fiestas that took place the night before and on Friday night. I'm finding my balance in between social life and my responsibilities and family time; though I have to give a lot of the credit for that to my wonderful host family. Bea has provided all sorts of opportunities I'd never have had, my host parents are loving and understanding, and Jacobo forever will have a place in my heart. I can't express enough how lucky I feel to have found my niche, because let's be honest, a lot of this program and a person's success within it is based on luck. And I really, truly hit the jackpot, folks. I wrapped up my Sunday night (and my fourth week, as the calenders here start on Monday) watching Crepusculo-- Twilight-- after a delicious Sunday meal filled with teasing and loving. Bea starts University today; as I've mentioned, kids in college live at home here in Spain, so I'll still see her on weekends but she has class every day from 3-10, meaning our time to hang out on the weekdays will be limited. Fortunately, I've made other connections at school and in the town with friends and there are a lot of exchange students in Madrid or the immediate surrounding areas, so if my brain ever needs a little vacation from this vacation, I know I can always call them. Que Buena Suerte Mis Amigos, what good luck my friends, to have been blessed with this adventure and these people. I'm only about a month in and it's already difficult for me to think about leaving these loved ones and this home. And at this point, I love, above all, that I feel comfortable enough to really call this my home. Thank you Rotary, thank you to everyone at home for your encouragement, and thank you thank you Spain.

Besitos, Sami