Homestay at Last

Moved in and unpacked... For good this time. Yesterday was one of the best days I have had in Seville so far. We woke up early and met with the housing director Luisa. She went through the rules of living in homestay and gave us our assignments. I am rooming with Justin and we are probably living in one of the closest houses to the "centro" or the downtown of Seville. We only have about a 5 to 6 minute walk to the center of down, whereas some students have 30 or more minute walks. I think we lucked out in that regard. Mi madre is very nice and very easy to talk to. She has definitely participated in this program before because she told us she has hosted kids from Philadelphia and New York. She also said she has had students from Texas and California. She lives in an apartment building across the river. The walk over the river from my house to downtown is beautiful. The weather here is so nice during the day, and gets just a little cold at night. Mi madre (Lourdes) has three children and is divorced. Her eldest is a daughter, also named Lourdes, who is married with three children. Her two younger kids are both boys. One is a priest in Malaga, Spain and the other works for his Father in Seville. The youngest still lives here. He seems to be about 25 years old. I met him and he spoke some English, but I tried to communicate in Spanish as much as I could. After all, that is why I am here. Lourdes lives on the fifth floor of the apartment building. She has a large dining area and patio, 2 full bathrooms, a relatively large kitchen, and 4 bedrooms. Justin and I share the smallest room, but it is sufficient enough for the both of us. It has 2 twin beds, 3 shelves, 2 closets, and a desk and chair. Lourdes is an excellent cook. So far she has made us salad, lasagna, beef and potatoes, and fish for our meals. Her portions are HUGE. I feel bad I can't eat all she gives me, but maybe she will cut down as time goes on. She usually gives us fruit or a small chocolate for dessert. I think she liked my welcoming gift. She said she is going to bring it with her when she visits her "nietos" which means, grandchildren. Everyone in the program had positive things to say about their families. I'm glad no one encountered any problems. It is kind of hard not to get along with the people here. They are all so nice and welcoming all the time. They really want you to improve your Spanish and the "madres" act just as if we were their own children. I can already tell my Spanish is starting to improve. It is actually somewhat exhausting thinking and speaking in Spanish all day but I know it will be worth it when I am entirely fluent (vale la pena, as they say in Spain). I am really excited to meet the rest of her family. I met her niece briefly and she was very gracious and helpful with navigating the city and recommending bars and restaurants. I miss everyone at home a lot. Let me know if you would like to Skype if you are ever available. I would really like to hear how everyone is doing in the USA. -Michael