First official day

Well I wasn’t able to get the last post online in time (I'm on the train to Sevilla and had internet while waiting at the statoin) but seeing as I have a power outlet on the train I thought I’d catch up on my blogging.

Apartment: My apartment is medium size. The kitchen is long and narrow, only about one person wide. One of my roommates loves cooking so apparently if we just buy our share of the meal and sit with her as she cooks we get meals made for us (Man did I get lucky!). The living room is large with two couches, a dining room table and chairs. On one end of the room are dark brown built in cabinets which look purely decorative to me however is does hold the tv (which is always on during meals. I don’t mind this right now because it takes the pressure off of me to speak during meals. Also Family Guy in Spanish is strange….). Off of the living room is a balcony big enough for a table and a drying rack. One of my roommates is a smoker so I’m very grateful for the balcony seeing as she only smokes out there and the smell does not enter the apartment. When looking out at the balcony there is a perfect view of the old castle (will have to learn more about this) and the mountain. It’s strange to look out my window and see a different mountain than pikes peak. There is a long hallway that goes from the kitchen, along side the living room and ends at my door. Off of the hallway is the bathroom and three bedrooms. It’s nice that we each have our own space. My room is nice, tiny about the size of a slocum single, but has a window that looks out to the street, a desk, shelf, armoire, strange round table thing with long drapey fabric on top of it and a twin bed. And here ends the tour folks-haha!.

Hot Water: Alright now let me tell you about the hot water situation. When you turn on a faucet or the shower only cold water comes out. In order to have hot water you must first turn on a tank of gas, then turn a knob halfway on a box above. Then you take a match and light two parts and turn the knob the rest of the way slowly. Let the water run for a minute or so and you have hot water! I didn’t think this was that bad until I realized that if you wanted to wash dishes with warm water or wash your hands with warm water you would have to go through this entire process each time. I’ve decided everything besides showering will be done with cold water. My main problem is forgetting to turn off the entire ‘heating until’ (I have no idea what it’s called. I believe it’s bombilla in Spanish, but I could be wrong).

However back to my first day. After I sat down my bags they took me out to their friends apartment. There were three people and were all very nice to me. They joked with me and my poor Spanish. They were eating this chorizo type meat and I wanted to know what it was called because it was delicious. So I pointed to the meat on the plate and asked them what is was called. One responded “plate” as a joke. Perhaps you had to be there. Also they were talking about an actor and I couldn’t recognize who they were talking about. I asked them and they said that he was an American Actor. Turns out it was Tom Hanks but they were saying it like tmmmmm hannnns. When I said, ‘Oh Tom Hanks!” they were stunned by how I said his name. After that roommates and I returned to our apartment and ordered pizza for delivery. While waiting we were watching some pop culture type news show and one of the anchors had a shirt with the blue and red Obama change poster from the elections. I thought that was so interesting and strange at the same time. I asked my roommates, why is she wearing a shirt with Obama on it, and they replied ‘because it’s in style right now and he is very popular”. Not sure how I feel about this, but I can say that this is completely different attitude to the American government than when I was in Malaga. Last time if was not hard to find anti-Bush graffiti or signs back in 2007 so it was easy to assume that the Spaniards hated all forms of American Government. Now, with Obama, it’s completely different and very strange. It made me see the what our reputation could be like, something last time I didn’t think was possible. On the Monday night news the only mention of America was a clip of Obama on Letterman (?) saying that a lot of people do not understand that he was black before the election. I think that this was the only news that they reported from the US speaks volumes. I wonder how much they understand race relations in the US. I definitely want to explore this Obama phenomenon more, especially with my students and fellow teachers.

Yesterday I spelt in which I needed to catch up on sleep (I know you can’t technically do that). Got woken up by my roommates knocking on my door at 2:30 and asking if I wanted to eat lunch with them. Again, it was pretty amazing that I could just wake up and have lunch already prepared for me. After lunch I began to unpack my bags and shower. I must say that the water can get surprisingly hot! I forgot to turn off the heater and left it on for about a half hour after I showered. I hope no one noticed because I bet that gas is expensive, I felt badly. I finally decided to go out and explore Jaen. The streets are so confusing, some are a block long and aren’t on the map, others curve and become different streets. Needless to say I was lost for two hours, but it did help me get my bearings. I think I must live in the newer section of the city for the buildings are fairly stark and modern. The streets are dirty here, way dirtier than Malaga. I think the Spaniards must have a different outtake on littering than we do, I don’t know. There were plenty of people walking around which was a relief since I thought that it would be empty. I’m hoping that the other end of the city is more beautiful and historic. Oh all streets are on a slop so I’ll definitely be getting in shape walking around the city. I searched for about two hours for a cell phone store and when I finally found one they told me that they couldn’t sell me a phone without my passport. UGH. My roommates told me I should carry my passport with me at all times because they police may stop me and ask for identification- I opted not to because I was nervous to carry around my passport with me, I always heard you should not do that. Besides, it seemed fairly reminiscent of that scene in Casablanca (“where are your papers?”). Walked back to the apartment and got my apartment and finally got a phone. I couldn’t just buy a SIM card so I had to also buy a 20 euro phone. I think I will just put the Vodafone SIM in my AT&T phone. However they forgot to put credit on my phone so after two minutes of talking it cut out. Need to figure out how to get more credit. In case you would like to call me (hint hint) my number is +34 666 67 49 93. When I heard what my number was I told the sales person ‘omgosh 666 that’s the devil’s number!’. She laughed and luckily the devil has the same number in all countries or I would have gotten some very strange looks.

Well that about sums up my experience so far. I’m still uneasy and lonely but hopefully time will take care of that. And I must say watching Jon and Kate plus 8 at night is oddly comforting (Shush! I like it and it comforts me so no comments!)

Two more hours left in my train ride to Sevilla. I have a feeling I will be very sad to leave Sevilla and have to return to Jaén, it’s such a beautiful and vibrant city.

Oh I forgot, I noticed yesterday that my apartment definitely has graffiti on it. Not sure how I feel about this…. The neighborhood feels residential and safe though. Maybe graffiti doesn’t have the same stigma here? Only time will tell.

(don’t worry though, I’m safe. I don’t walk by myself at night and if I have to I have Mace!)