Siesta y fiesta

I have officially spent my first night in my homestay. No more hotel with Spanish guides, we have been released - for better or for worse. So far, so good.

On Tuesday we attended sessions about cell phones, classes, etc. at la Universidad de Sevilla after having breakfast at the hotel. Later we went for tapas with our group and our group leader, Miguel. BTW, Miguel es muy guapo. We definitely got the best looking guide. After tapas, Sam and I went and checked out our rooftop pool to read and nap. That evening we had to go through a short interview process to verify correct placement in our Spanish intensive classes. I ended up being interviewed by the most non-responsive woman who asked me about the economic crisis of the world. Sweet, because I can answer that in English. Almost everyone else just got asked where they were from and if they liked Spain. I'm a little nervous because I think that might be my teacher for the next two weeks. Vamos a ver (We will see). After tapas in the evening and a flamenco show we went to the Discover Seville travel center for a little fiesta with the CIEE students. On our way back to the hotel, a few of us stopped for some gelato. Mmmmmm. I started off the semester with chocolate with orange, it was interesting but delicious.

The pool on top of the roof. La Giralda in the background.

Tapas restaurant

CIEE center. The center is uncovered since it rarely rains in Sevilla.

Wednesday morning I got picked up by Marguerite at the hotel and we went to her apartment en Los Remedios, one of the major neighborhoods in Seville. I spent the day unpacking, shopping for a cell phone, and eating my first real almuerzo (lunch) in Spain! Then comes my favorite custom of Spain: la siesta. Yes, that is correct, it is socially acceptable to nap every single day. No wonder I love Spain. Later we met with other people from our neighborhood to walk to the CIEE center. After another informational meeting we went to a pizzeria, where we found out Miguel has a twin. Yes, an identical twin, Guillermo. No es un chiste. Gemelos guapos. AND I ended up sitting next to Guillermo and his friend at dinner, where I managed to maintain (for the most part) a conversation in Spanish. Phew. Then we all went to Plaza Alfalfa for some agua fuego and to hang out with our Spanish guides for the last night. And, the most important accomplishment, we all got back to our apartments with walking buddies and without getting lost! Don't worry parentals, I'm being very safe :)

Marguerite in our living room

My bedroom

This morning we met at the Universidad de Sevilla again for another couple orientation seminars. Then Samm, Jen, and I bought some pastries to eat on the steps of La Giralda. We people watched for a while and I walked back to la Residencia de Santa Ana (the student dorms for Spanish students) where they are living for the semester. Before leaving, I checked out a map, only to find I was at the complete other end of Sevilla. Luckily, they have a fantastic biking system where you can take a bike from any station and return it to any other station within 30 minutes. Me encantan los bicicletas!
After lunch and a siesta, I went to the main street in my barrio (neighborhood) to buy a hairdryer. Unlike the USA, however, stores are extremely specialized here and I ended up having to go to an electronics store instead of the beauty store. Go figure.

Las bicicletas

Main shopping street in my neighborhood

Tomorrow I register for classes - hopefully I get the ones I want! Hasta luego amigos :)

Here's my address for those who wanted it:
Amber Rogers
CIEE Study Center in Seville
c/ Muñoz y Pabón 9
41004 Seville
SPAIN