A lot has happened since May 13 (the last time I updated). First, we went to Málaga with the program for two days. It was basically an all-paid-for beach vacation for us, because we really didn't do much except sit and bask in the sun on the Costa del Sol. When we first arrived, we went to the Picasso Museum, which houses works of art by the famous painter from all periods of his life. His family actually donated most of the works in this museum that were originally intended to be private. As I have said before, I prefer the more traditional art, but that doesn't mean I haven't come to appreciate the skill of Dalí and Picasso since I have been here. We spent the rest of the day Saturday on the beach, which was only a 3 minute walk from our hotel, Los Naranjos. The water was really refreshing but there were no waves, which was very strange. It was also weird to go back in salt water because I am so accustomed to the great lakes fresh water.
That night a group of at least 14 or 15 of us went out to dinner at a fish restaurant recommended to us by the hotel. The food was really good, but what really made it fun was having all our MCP group together. We have all become such good friends, I don't know what it is going to be like going back to the US and not be at the same university as some of them. At the dinner, we said this program sponsored trip to Málaga kind of marked the "beginning of the end" of our study abroad experience... but we decided that connotation was too depressing. None of us really want to leave Spain, so we decided to call it "the end of the beginning". As horrifically cheesy that sounds, I really hope that I can stay in contact with all of them and actually follow through with this "five year reunion" in Spain idea everyone has been passing around lately. Our time in Spain might be running out, but our friendships will certainly continue when we go back home to the US. Sunday was a beautiful day, so we spent almost our entire time on the beach again until we had to go home.
I have been trying to figure out what souvenir gifts to bring home for family and friends. I have found a lot of good things so far, but of course there are always more things I want for people. I have also been trying to cross things off our Sevilla bucket list. So far I still have a bull fight, going to Jerez, going to the top of the Torre de Oro, going to Carbonería (a Flamenco bar) and going to the beach in Huelva left on my list. Hopefully I can find time to fit all that in in these last 20 some days!!
Last Thursday night we had our "Cena final del curso" which means "End of the year dinner". Eva, Luisa and Pepe called it a "cocktail" and basically consisted of an open bar, along with waiters coming around with trays of 12 different hors d'oeuvres and small plates. All 26 of us went to the dinner, and they also invited our professors from the pro-cultural seminar and our center classes as well. It was so much fun, I would have stayed there till 3 or 4 in the morning if they would have let us. Lots of people gave toasts, and we gave Eva Pepe and Luisa our gifts as a sign of appreciation for all they did for us this semester. It was also really fun to see and talk to our professors outside of class. Personally, I think you have perfected a language when you are able to make small talk, since that truly is one of the hardest ways of talking to people, even in one's native language. I think I did really well, and can honestly say I have improved immensely in my ability to speak Spanish. When I got here, I said that the hardest part was speaking. Writing, reading and listening come relatively easier, but now thanks to my professors and my intercambios, I think I am at the same level on all four accounts.
On Saturday, Justin and I took Lourdes our to lunch for tapas with another señora (Carmen) and 2 of the girls in our program because Lourdes and Carmen are close friends. We went to a restaurant called Triplete, which is actually owned by Carmen's son in law. The food was delicious. We had bull tail sandwhiches, snails, guacamole and fish, and an assorted cheese tray. We also got dessert, which was equally as good as the main plates. We spent 4 hours at the restaurant, and spoke Spanish the entire time. I really liked Carmen a lot, she is so funny and a little easier to understand than Lourdes (not as thick of an accent). Luisa (the program director) joined us mid way through, which made the event that much more fun and entertaining.
I really don't know how I am going to leave Sevilla in 3 weeks. I have gotten to know this city so well that I can't bring myself to believe I won't be seeing it and living it every day like I have for the past 5 months. To think that I will no longer be waking up in "casa Lourdes", walking by the Torre de Oro on my way to class, sitting in beautiful plazas with water fountains in the middle, speaking spanish when I go into a store or restaurant, and going to some of the coolest discos I have ever seen in my life makes me so resistant to going home. Don't get me wrong, I miss my parents, my friends, and my life in the USA a lot, but this experience has somewhat transformed into a lifestyle since I have been here. And to think I am going to leave it makes me miss it before it's even gone! At least I recognize how limited my time is though. I really never let up an opportunity here in Sevilla. It's the only way to truly live and experience this city.
For now I have to get back to my studies. I think I have 2 more papers and 3 more exams left in this 20 day window of time before I leave for Amsterdam and then back to the United States. If you ask me, that is plenty of time to take advantage of all I have left to do.
All the best,
Michael
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