Here's the very shocking thing about going out abroad; it's exactly the same as when you're at home! I don't care what nationality guys are, you need to be careful, the same way you need to when you are at home. It's not better, it's not worse but people (girls and guys) are exactly the same no matter where you go. If you're interested in finding a relationship you'll find one- if not then you'll find really good friends to hang out with (which is what I found).
No one wants to talk about how hard it is to differentiate from the hordes of international people who are hammering down shots and dancing like it's the last time they'll be able to show off they're MTV skills. Be patient! There's more to studying abroad than showing off how low you can drop it to the floor (And trust me, I can get lowwwww).
It's about making relationships with people that otherwise you wouldn't; through languages that you don't understand. One of my roommates has a friend staying with her from eastern Europe, and he has taught me so much about his culture that I never would have known!
In good time, you'll find the people that you should be with. Maybe they all have boyfriends and you're just along for the ride, or they'll want to be single and independent; they may even want to find meaningful relationships.
All you need to know is that there are people, like you, going through the same confusing, erratic, and, seemingly incomprehensible journey that you yourself have encountered amidst this evolutionary journey.
Be patient, be kind, be open.
Listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PashekeXc-o&feature=related
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
El festival: Molina
If your lucky enough to make native acquaintances while you study abroad, there is an alternative reality apart from the well traveled restaurants and cathedrals at your disposal. Our friend Pablo has lived and studied in Murcia his entire life- he's what you would call a murciano. His city, Molina de Segura is about 10km outside of the principal city of Murcia and only a two or three euro bus trip. Although the town was in close proximity to the city there were characteristics of Molina that made the city unique.
By the bus stop the streets were narrow and the buildings seemed to form an impregnable wall everywhere you looked. There were fewer people meandering down the alleys and sidewalks than in the city, but some gathered outside of convenient stores and on benches. The stone rippled and curved with the undulations of the road. It was if the masons who first laid the brick considered leveling the ground and decided what people needed more was a subtle altitude change on every street corner as they walked to and fro amidst the town.
We made it past the streets of hills to the center of the town where the festival was. It was almost like a medieval bazaar- small huts were cluttered with fragrant oils and blocks of brightly colored soaps. One vendor displayed an assortment of wooden toys to satisfy every knightly whim. The food was intoxicating. There was a stall dedicated only to cheese and if I hadn't been pulled away due to sheer embarrassment, I could've say there all day sampling the bits of gouda.
After we visited every vendor and stuck our noses in every oil and soap we could find, we found an awesome photo opportunity holding a massive yellow python. After seeing an eight year old wrap the creature around her tiny shoulders and smile for a picture, there was no reason we couldn't handle it. I got lucky enough to hold the head and hold it I did. With a vice grip around his wriggly little neck. Evidence:
Be patient, be kind, be open.
By the bus stop the streets were narrow and the buildings seemed to form an impregnable wall everywhere you looked. There were fewer people meandering down the alleys and sidewalks than in the city, but some gathered outside of convenient stores and on benches. The stone rippled and curved with the undulations of the road. It was if the masons who first laid the brick considered leveling the ground and decided what people needed more was a subtle altitude change on every street corner as they walked to and fro amidst the town.
We made it past the streets of hills to the center of the town where the festival was. It was almost like a medieval bazaar- small huts were cluttered with fragrant oils and blocks of brightly colored soaps. One vendor displayed an assortment of wooden toys to satisfy every knightly whim. The food was intoxicating. There was a stall dedicated only to cheese and if I hadn't been pulled away due to sheer embarrassment, I could've say there all day sampling the bits of gouda.
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After we visited every vendor and stuck our noses in every oil and soap we could find, we found an awesome photo opportunity holding a massive yellow python. After seeing an eight year old wrap the creature around her tiny shoulders and smile for a picture, there was no reason we couldn't handle it. I got lucky enough to hold the head and hold it I did. With a vice grip around his wriggly little neck. Evidence:
The night waned after we watched the parade and danced to the music blasting from the floats as they passed by. There was a custom, that I greatly liked and wish would continue at every parade I go to, where the people on the floats threw free stuff to the crowds. Not just candy or small toys, but whatever seemed to be within arms length at the supermarket when they were shopping for freebies for the parade. I'm talking packets of salsa, tissues, a pillow and best of all, free beer and rum and coke!
Now that's a parade I could get used to!
Be patient, be kind, be open.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Plaza Del Toros
Today was a learning experience to say the least. I saw my first, and most likely, last spanish bullfight. Before the desire strikes to shut the computer and refuse to read any more, hear me out. Although bullfights can be a controversial sport, there is an inherent richness of spanish culture in the tradition. Many places in Spain have outlawed bullfighting due a growing distaste for the sport, but here in Murcia there is a strong fan base for the "corrido de toros".
The stadium was packed with people toting their coolers of "estrella levante", the local beer, and trying to combat the sun and sweat with paper fans. My fan served a dual purpose: my only defense against the glaring sun and a eye covering when the bull fighters delivered their final blows. Once the man with red cape stepped into the arena I knew that the bulls' dance was over. What struck me the most was the idea that this charade was called a "bull fight". But how can the bull and the man assume egalitarian positions in such an uneven fight? It seemed like less of a fight than it did a prolonged execution for public display.
The lesson of the day is this: don't be afraid to try new things based upon pre-conceived notions, whether they be good or bad. Even if you disagree with the idea of for example, a bullfight, truly immerse yourself in the experience and understand the cultural significance from the inside out. Don't be afraid to take the beer from the guy sitting next to you because you're scared to talk to strangers. Just try to remember; it's not better or worse, it's just different. Even when someone passes down a plate of seafood jello at dinner and tells you it's a local specialty. Try it!
Be patient, be kind, be open.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
My first (worst) day
So I did not have an easy first day. My connection from Boston to Madrid went smoothly even though I couldn't get in touch with anyone because the airports didn't have wifi (for some archaic reason) and the kiosk I was going to buy a spanish cell phone at was broken! I found my gate and got off the plane in sunny Murcia without any problems, yet. I went outside and had to get a cab. Thank goodness I had exchanged money before I left because there was nowhere to exchange money at the airport in Murcia! Ok, "No worries," I reassured myself, "just get to your flat and you can relax". That was not the case.
I arrived at what I thought was my flat and my 'taxista' dumped my bags on the sidewalk and drove away. I tried calling my landlord on a pay phone nearby with no success. I stood aimlessly for a little while on the sidewalk then decided to buck up and ask someone for help. Although I can manage fairly well in spanish, I was so nervous and frustrated I could barely form even the most rudimentary of sentences. Thank goodness the woman I asked for help was very sympathetic. She used her phone to call my landlord, who as it turns out, had given away my room in the flat! I'm not much of a crier unless I'm watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, but I felt like I was going to slump to the sidewalk and cry my eyes out.
After I regrouped, I got a cab to the University in order to sort out the situation with the international relations office. Another stroke of luck for me, my cab driver was again, both patient and helpful. He locked all my bags in the taxi, went inside with me, got me an appointment with the international relations office, and waited with me over an hour until they called me. Maybe it was the sheer look of desperation on my face that kept him there, but in any case I'm glad the people of Murcia were so nice to me!
Finally, I had a temporary flat to move into that night. All I wanted to do was drop my stuff and facetime my parents to tell them what a horrible day I had. But a combination of having to pay for so many cab rides and the fact that every bank is closed after 2pm, left me with no way of buying a cell phone or finding some place with wifi.
LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES:
1. Even though it all worked out in the end, it was hard not being able to check in with anyone at home to tell them I was ok. Bring your cell phone even if it's just for emergencies.
2. Bring more than you think you need in the currency of your host country. I brought 100 euros and that wasn't enough! Bring enough to last you a few days. I would have needed about 300 euros not including my first months rent.
3. Have a contact sheet with the names, phone numbers, and addresses in the host language on you at all times in case of emergency as well.
4. Many domestic bank cards in your home country won;t be accepted or will charge you outrageous fees to use abroad. Buy an international credit, or a pre-paid card (AAA has a card that you can load with any amount of money and it is accepted MOST places).
I arrived at what I thought was my flat and my 'taxista' dumped my bags on the sidewalk and drove away. I tried calling my landlord on a pay phone nearby with no success. I stood aimlessly for a little while on the sidewalk then decided to buck up and ask someone for help. Although I can manage fairly well in spanish, I was so nervous and frustrated I could barely form even the most rudimentary of sentences. Thank goodness the woman I asked for help was very sympathetic. She used her phone to call my landlord, who as it turns out, had given away my room in the flat! I'm not much of a crier unless I'm watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, but I felt like I was going to slump to the sidewalk and cry my eyes out.
After I regrouped, I got a cab to the University in order to sort out the situation with the international relations office. Another stroke of luck for me, my cab driver was again, both patient and helpful. He locked all my bags in the taxi, went inside with me, got me an appointment with the international relations office, and waited with me over an hour until they called me. Maybe it was the sheer look of desperation on my face that kept him there, but in any case I'm glad the people of Murcia were so nice to me!
Finally, I had a temporary flat to move into that night. All I wanted to do was drop my stuff and facetime my parents to tell them what a horrible day I had. But a combination of having to pay for so many cab rides and the fact that every bank is closed after 2pm, left me with no way of buying a cell phone or finding some place with wifi.
LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES:
1. Even though it all worked out in the end, it was hard not being able to check in with anyone at home to tell them I was ok. Bring your cell phone even if it's just for emergencies.
2. Bring more than you think you need in the currency of your host country. I brought 100 euros and that wasn't enough! Bring enough to last you a few days. I would have needed about 300 euros not including my first months rent.
3. Have a contact sheet with the names, phone numbers, and addresses in the host language on you at all times in case of emergency as well.
4. Many domestic bank cards in your home country won;t be accepted or will charge you outrageous fees to use abroad. Buy an international credit, or a pre-paid card (AAA has a card that you can load with any amount of money and it is accepted MOST places).
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