First Day of School

Okay. The first day of school was so easy. I wasn’t even there for a full hour, but this is how my day went-

I woke up at 8am so I get in the habit of waking up early. Had breakfast with the family and then everyone left for school and work. I surfed around on the internet for a while then picked out my outfit for today. Put on sum makeup and was already by 10:30. School didn’t start until noon. I tried to take my time doing my hair but that only took about 20 minutes. Mi madre would pick me up at 11:30 and eventually 11:30 came along and I was off to school! Got there and talked to the principal and met a few kids that would be in my class. I got so many stares ever since I walked onto the campus, in the hallways, and all the way to class. I just walked with confidence and I think eventually people thought I knew what I was doing. At 12 the mass of students went into the auditorium (which was equivalent in size to a large class room in the U.S.) and we were told our teachers. The man in charge looked a little intimidating and it was hard to understand him. I met a girl who would be in my class and she tried to translate for me whenever she got the chance. Later we moved to our classrooms and my teacher, Ms. Elvira (I’m not sure if I call her Ms. because all the teachers go by their first name which is different than in the U.S.). She was very nice and spoke a little English so she would ask me if I understood and surprisingly I was able to comprehend most of what I was told. After class she told me to come at 9:30 tomorrow instead of 8:45 because she was not going to be able to teach tomorrow. In Spain there are no substitute teachers so if a teacher is sick or out of town, there is no class that day. So have another late day tomorrow but it should be exciting!

Came home at around 12:45 and had some lunch. Mi padre took the kids and I to squash and I just watched them practice.

Sol y Mar and Cíes Island

On Saturday the family and I woke up early and went to the beach. Sofia was at a friend’s house for the weekend but that was a nice time for me to get to know Mateo a little more ( Mateo’s birthday is coming up so I need to find him a present!). Carmen and I walked along the shore line for quite some time looking and collecting shells. She told me the different names in Spanish but there was so many I could not retain all the new vocab. After sunbathing, we went to a friend’s house (the kid’s friend Andrea’s) up in the hills. They own a beautiful house that also has a pool. So we spent a lot of time in the water that day.

At around 6 in the evening I was dropped off at Amy King’s house. She lives in the country side where the houses are surrounded by orchards. It was nice to be able to talk to an English speaker. We went in her pool (more water), had some wonderful fresh fruit, and then picked her sister up from the train station. Amy’s padres then brought us all to Sol y Mar which is at the farthest part of the peninsula they live on. We watched the sun set and learned about the geography of western Galicia. Then Amy and her family took me home but we ran into some heavy traffic. So we listened to the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song and talked about school. So all in all I had a wonderful day sunbathing and talking in English!

On Sunday we got up and out of the house at 11ish to catch a boat ride to the Cíes Island. According to many travel agencies, the island has some of the nicest beaches in the world. I was very excited to go. The whole family hopped on a boat and not even 10 minutes after departure we ran into about 50 dolphins! There were a lot of babies following their mothers who were chasing after the boat. That was a wonderful way to start the trip. After we arrived on the island we met up with Andrea’s family and while the children stayed with them, Carmen and I hiked up to the highest lighthouse.

The hike took about 4 hours to and from with all the picture taking. At the top there was a magnificent view of water on all sides with the Mar de Vigo off in the cloudy distance. Carmen and I had empanadas and some nut bread that was very tasty on the top of the mountain. I loved that we were able to talk up there alone and I felt that we had one of our first “mother daughter moments”. We then started our journey back down the hill and back to the beach. On the way down we took a few pictures of “The Bell Rock”. When the wind blows through it makes the sound of a bell! Then Carmen and I met up with the kids and we went to the other side of the island called the prince’s thrown.  It too had a beautiful view from the top. The whole family snacked again then we were heading down to the beach on the north side of the island. We were quite close to the beach when Carmen read the map and it said that it was a nudist beach and she didn’t want the kids seeing “anything”. That was a funny moment for the whole family.

 By that time it was about 18:30 and the boat would be arriving soon so to stay close to the dock we went into a little nearby and bought ice cream. We took pictures with seagulls and had a wonderful time. When it was time to get on the boat we were all tired. The boat ride was a little chilly compared to the Floridian boat rides I’m used to.

When we got home mi madre made us some alphabet soup and we were all off to bed early. I have school tomorrow so wish me luck! Today was the best day that I have had since I’ve gotten here. Can’t wait for more adventures!

14/09/2012

I woke up this morning feeling terrible. I'm sick the first week in Spain; not the best way to start but my day got better. When I got out of bed I found a note from mi madre that the kids were already off to school and that she was on her way to work. It also said to call her when I wake up. One problem... I just got a new phone and I didn't have her number! So I decided to wait until she called me. So instead of just lying around the house all day I decided to take a walk. Yesterday I walked to my school to see what it would be like because that is how I will get to and from school every day. Today I went for a walk in the opposite direction to explore the city a bit more. I passed my brother and sister’s school and lots of little shops on the way. There was a good-looking path that I came across and there was a bakery that smelled so good I had to go in. The wonderful smell came from the fresh chocolate they were making in the back. After a little bit of chocolate I moved on. I came to another little shop that was called Mogador. The store had incents and other beautiful knick knacks. This is where I just bought my mother’s Christmas present! Then nearby there was a book store that I bought a few of my necessary school books. The total of four books was 140€!

After some more walking and picture taking I got a call from mi madre. She told me to meet her by the mall in five minutes and I could meet her brother and his family. So I ran to be there as quick as possible but I didn’t know were the mall was exactly. I was the exact description of a tourist because I was running down a small street, not knowing what direction I was going, bags in my hand, and trying to take as many pictures as I possibly could. It was probably a funny sight to see for a local.

I got to the mall, met a few people, and then mi madre took me to buy some new shoes. It’s always fun to shop for shoes but in Spain it’s even better! I found a pair of tennis shoes that I like so I bought them and that was first item I bought in Spain!!

Mi madre then had to go back to work and she took me with her just to show me around. Carmen works with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency. From her office she has a beautiful view of the water. I then met her co-workers and boss and instead of just saying hello then leaving, I was there for an hour talking and showing them my house back in the states on Google Maps. Then I came home to see mi padre and he had a wonderful cooked meal waiting.

A siesta was needed after lunch which was then followed by me and my brother going to Squash. -Squash is a racquet sport, practiced indoors with 2 players and a rubber ball. Players hit the ball with their rackets making it bounce off the front wall of the court. - It is a popular sport in Vigo so I hear. The sport is very similar to tennis but it looks a lot funnier. You have to hit the ball as hard and as fast as you can against a wall which is in a 20 foot enclosed area- very hard. When mi padre brought us there were not many children but by the time we left there were little bodies running all over the place. I played for a little while then the teacher came over to help me for a while but I was just trying to copy his movements because he was rattling off different Spanish sport words. Then I tried to tell him I was tired and he understood. I think he told me I was doing well for my first try but I’m not completely sure. So I then took a seat at the bench and a few young girls came by to talk to me. For me not knowing much Spanish and them not knowing much English, we got into some deep conversation. They asked me to name all the states and major cities in America which was cute then we talked for a while about Johnny Depp. More kids came to talk to us and then the parents started to show up and by the time we had to leave we were all talking in Spanish, English, and acting out words that no one could translate. Many of them wanted my name to add me on Facebook and Tuenti. I have friends!!

When we arrived home I took a shower and ate an apple while mi madre made some cheese cake and crapes for a friend that we are going to have lunch with tomorrow afternoon.

We ate dinner and then went to bed early. Carmen says she has a few fun activities planned for this weekend. Can’t wait! A lot happened today and I feel better than I did this morning. School will start on Monday and that should be fun and exciting. I am living a wonderful and busy life in España!!

One Week

I left home a week ago today. I have been so busy with paperwork and settling in to my new home that time flies. My brother and sister started school today so I was off running errands with mi madre. I start school on Monday and I’m excited yet nervous to go. I went to Santa Irene (my new school) to enroll and the campus is beautiful. I met the director and he will be one of my teachers. I am also trying out different dance academies throughout the city and they are all amazing.

Madrid and Meeting the Family

After the 8 hours of lack of sleep and airplane food we were all a little crazy. We finally arrived in Madrid and took a bus to a hostel and spent the night there. The volunteers had us play different games such as Bulldog, Samurai, and "the kissing game" - all very interesting. No one got much sleep knowing that we will be in the hands of our host families soon.

The next day there were nine of us who hopped on a train to Galicia. After five hours of watching movies, talking, and contemplating our exact location, the train stopped in Pontevedra and there was a mob of host families waiting for us. Carmen, Mateo, and Sofia took me out to dinner in the city then we drove home where I got a much needed sleep.

Yesterday we drove around town and I got a glance at my school - it's beautiful. My mama took us to the docks where we looked at monuments, fish, and ate mango ice cream. We then drove up a hill to some ruins and there was an amazing view of the Atlantic and the coast. Sofia then went off with a friend and Carmen, Mateo, and I walked on the beach for a while. When we arrived home my mama made us all some alphabet soup.

New York

In New York and waiting for the flight out of here! There are kids everywhere on computers in the lobby of the Hilton by JFK. We are all so anxious!!!

 

kids just chilling...

 

 

Amy, Erin, and me :)

 

Florida

It will be less than 24 hours before I’m leaving for Switzerland. The thought of leaving hasn’t quite hit me yet but tomorrow in the airport I’m sure I will be knocked over with emotion. As for my last day in the Florida I will be off enjoying the sun and water with my dad and then have a nice family dinner.

See you in New York!