Skyping with Spain & Oregon

Hasta Pronto

Hola chic@s!

Its so crazy that I've been in Spain for nearly four months already! Boy time flys. I bet you are all getting excited for Christmas break! I know I am. It was so great to be able to Skype with all of you this week. It was nice putting some names to faces. I really appreciated all of your comments! I'm really looking forward to meeting you all in person and celebrating our journey together! I want to thank all of you for your input and interest in my experience here in Alicante. I hope that you all have learned something new and that you've enjoyed hearing about my travels. I certainly enjoyed sharing them with all of you. I really lucked out with such smart and intrigued students. I loved the enthusiasm that you have shared with me. Each of you have added something special to my experience. Your questions and comments have really helped me reflect on my experience in Alicante. You guys are the best! I'm looking forward to our final celebration!
Lets start brainstorming of some fun activities we can do! Until then... Enjoy the Holliday season! Please fell free to email me with any further questions, comments, ideas,  or just if you feel like chatting! Keep in touch!  My email is: jordan.horner.7@gmail.com

See you next month!!

GOOOOOOL!

Hola chic@s!

After over 3 months of living in Spain I finally got to participate in one of the most treasured cultural events ...un partido fútbol. I'm not a huge soccer fan but I knew that a soccer game in Spain is much more than just a sporting event. Let me assure you.... it definitely was.

Sunday morning I woke up like any other day and sat down to breakfast with my madre. I told her I was going to the Hérucles vs. Elche game and her reaction was quite surprising. Apparently this game is the most anticipated rival game in our province. There is an enormous animosity between Elche and Alicante...you might be able to compare it to UofO and OSU, but professional soccer of course. Once she knew I was going that afternoon she ran into the kitchen to get me seconds because she said that I would need a lot of energy... oh dear. After getting suited up in my blue and black I set off to meet some friends on the corner by the train station...bad idea. As I rounded the corner I saw the street lined with police officers on horses and realized I was trapped. Somehow I had stumbled my way between the "line of defense" and the overwhelming crowd of elche fans pouring out of the train station. I stood my ground and was bombarded by the wave of hundreds of chanting fanatics waving banners and scarves. Once the crowd settled I saw my friends on the other side, far from harms way, laughing at me because they knew I had gotten caught up in the tussle.

As we approached the stadium I noticed that every single cafe or bar was overflowing with soccer fans drinking beer and singing prideful songs, many of them littered with foul language. We took our seats inside the stadium and waited for the show to begin. I never thought soccer to be a particularly exciting sport but let me tell you, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! Maybe it was the enthusiasm of the crowd, or the sunflower seeds, or the shouts and hollers that contributed to my excitement but one thing was for sure, I was a fan. With every call by the referee there was an instant uproar from one side or the other. My personal favorite was a little boy, maybe 6 or 7, sitting a few rows in front of me that would scream at the top of his lungs "IDIOTA!!" everytime the ref made a call in the other teams favor. While his mother didn't seem to appreciate this, I found it quite funny.

One of my favorite parts of the game was the people I was surrounded by. I was sitting in front of a few guys that were clearly die hard Hércules fans. Whenever I didn't quite understand why such horrid swear words were flying out of their mouths they would quickly explain what had happened in the game. I picked up quite a few phrases and cheers from my fellow fanatics, most of them not appropriate enough to share. By the end of the second half the score was Elche:2 Hercules:1 and you could cut the energy with a knife. When the clock stopped and Elche had won, the fans went wild. Elche fans poured over the fences onto the field and the players ripped their jerseys off in triumph. On our side, a few heads were bowed, chants errupted, and the masses started to flow out of the stadium. One of the most interesting things I found was that as we left I didn't see a single person from Elche leave the stadium. My Spanish friend explained to me as we were walking through the aisle of police on horseback that the Elche fans were not allowed out of the stadium until every single person sitting on the Hércules side had left the area. In the past they had tons of riots and violence between the two rival cities and this became very apparent to me as we walked behind the stands to find Elche fans yelling profanities, spitting and throwing trash over the top onto the defeated Alicantinos.

Soccer is a way of life here. I have never felt so much passion come from such a diverse group of people. The fans joined hands in the stands to cheer and sing and amongst the crowd you could find fathers, sons, sisters, grandmas, friends, students, babies, mothers, and everyone in between. As a part of their culture, soccer brings people in Alicante together and gives them something greater than themselves to believe in and root for. I had a blast being a part of it and definitely have changed my perspective of what it means to be a sports fan.

Nose bleed seats were definitely the way to go

moments before a GOOOLLL for Hércules

Half time and hopeful

I imagine that some of you are sports fanatics as well. Who is your favorite team? Have you gone to alot of sporting events? What is your favorite aspect of being a sports fan?

Cómo se dice.. "gobble gobble"

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This is has been the strangest turkey day I have ever had. It doesn't even feel like November here. I had to go to school (you lucky ducks) and I even had to give an oral presentation. I seem to be complaining a lot for it to be a holiday of thanks... oops. It has made me realize that I do have a lot to be thankful for here. As the end of my stay quickly approaches I realize that I am really going to miss it here. I am so lucky to have met all of the wonderful people I have. Its so strange to think that I will have lived here for over 4 months and then I just go back to the real world. This is has been a crazy experience and I am very thankful that I have been able to share it with you guys!

So PLEASE tell me about your Thanksgiving?! I would love to hear about what you guys are thankful for and what you did on your turkey weekend. I must admitt that the one thing I will NOT miss is black friday. I think I'm going to do some christmas shopping tomorrow... in peace.. and quiet withOUT the crazy lines and aggressive shoppers :)

Gobble Gobble, gang!

Hasta luego

A day in the life

This past week I went to dinner at my friend Laura's house. I got to sit down with her host family and get to know them and their daily life. Lucas (upper left) is 13. I was able to ask him a few questions about his life as an adolescent in Alicante. He is studying English in school and asked me if we could do the interview in English! It was a great opportunity for him to practice his English and share some insight into the life of a Spanish teenager.

Here are some fun facts that I learned about Lucas:

• Lucas lives with his grandmother (Pepa), his little brother (Alberto), his mom (Maria), and my friend Laura
• His favorite food is "American Hamburger"
• His favorite sport is futbol and his favorite team is Barcelona
• He goes to El Colegio de San Vicente where he takes classes in Math, Sciences, English, and Humanities
• His favorite show is the Simpsons (which is on TV almost all the time here)
• He likes to go skating at the skate park with his friends on the weekend
• His favorite way to pass time is to play on his Nintendo Wii (He kicked my butt at bowling!)
• Lucas' most prized possession is his blackberry because he can talk to all of his friends and family whenever he wants and he can access his tuenty account (thats like the Spanish facebook but they also use facebook too)
• He likes going to visit his Dad in Valencia because there is a lot more to do and the skate park there is even bigger than the one here.
• Lucas has a girlfriend named Atiana who is 14 and lives in the same apartment building
• He likes going with her to the mall or to the movies
• When he grows up he wants to study computers and design video games
• If he could go anywhere in the world he would go to Thailand and ride elephants
• His favorite music artist is Pitbull but his favorite song is "We found love" by Rhianna (we must have listened to it 3 times that night)
• In 20 years he sees himself living by the beach with his wife and kids but he says that he'll be rich enough to move his entire family into his giant house
• He normally goes to bed at 12:30 am.....depending on whats on TV
• His favorite part of living in Alicante is the beach 
• His favorite book is the 3rd Harry Potter
• His favorite movie is the Matrix
• He wants to become fluent in English (he practically is!) and he really likes practicing with the exchange students that live with him and his family year round. 

I was surprised to realize that Lucas is a lot like the kids I know in Portland his age. What do you guys think? What aspects of Lucas' life can you relate to? Does anything about him seem curious to you? Where you surprised by any of his answers? This weekend I'm going over to his house for dinner (really for a rematch on the Wii... I must redeem myslelf). Let me know if you guys have any questions you would like me to ask him! 

On a side note... there was a flash flood this morning here! I walked to the bus, without my raincoat or umbrella, and there was no sign of rain. Ten minutes into my bus ride thunder and lightening began followed by a crazy down pour! The second leg of our trip to school took twice as long because a bunch of the cars got stuck in the road because the water was above their tires!!! I literally walked through giant puddles of water up to my shins. Lightening hit my school building and broke off a huge piece of the roof! The power was coming and going and the ceiling was leaking! It never rains in Alicante... but when it rains, it POURS! 

Have a great week guys! 

Pero...es tu novio!?

Qué tal chic@s?!

I loved reading your responses to my previous post. Pretty funny stuff huh? I think I gave some of you the impression that Spaniards are antisocial. This is DEFINITELY not the case. People are constantly littering the streets sitting outside cafes, walking the boardwalk, shopping, or just hanging out in parks. While the sexes remain fairly segregated, everyone is out and about.

The other night I was skyping with my bestfriend Mark. My sister came in my room to borrow some clothes and decided to say hi. He jokingly referred to himself as my "novio", using one of the very few spanish words he knows. She giggled and went on her way. Later she started asking me about my "novio" and I explained to her that he was my bestfriend and definitely not my boyfriend. She didn't understand. She insisted that I had feelings for him, why else would I be skyping with some boy? After explaining again that we had always been just friends she started asking questions about our relationship. She still had it set in her mind that one day we were going to get married. Finally I had to break it to her, Mark is gay. While this opened up a whole other set of questions, I think she understood that it is possible for the two sexes to share meaningful, loving, platonic relationships.

Lili, you bring up a very good point. Living in Portland we see the LGBTQ population represented publically. That is not the case here. I have met a lot of people here but I haven't met any homosexuals. The only reference to homosexuality I've seen has had a very negative connotation. Sometimes, when definding their masculinity, boys will call eachother deragatory names meaning homosexual. Even on TV you can see jokes being made about homosexuality. It is interesting to me because Spain, especially with the upcoming election, is very involved and vocal in various social movements that bring "power to the voiceless." However, none of these movements pertains to homosexuality. This is a huge difference between Portland and Alicante.

I'm off to Valencia this weekend! I'm excited to travel a bit because its been a while since I've been out of Alicante. I'll be visiting some great museums and even an aquarium! I'll be interested to see how different it is from the Oregon coast aquarium. Vamos a ver!

Hasta Luego!

Chicos y Chicas en España

Qué tal chic@s?

Breaking news! Last night, in an effort to avoid the mountain of homework I have, I decided to roll up my sleeves and make dinner with my host mom. She asked me to come up with something different for them to try so I went to the store and picked up a few less than common ingredients. We made a delicious stir fry with tons of vegetables and.....tofu. My mom seemed to really like it but the first impression of tofu for my dad and sister.... not so much.

This week I wanted to share what I've learned about, well... boys and girls. Portland is a fairly progressive and liberal city, especially in regards to gender roles. We've come a long way from the 50's house wife family model. What I've encountered in Spain is very different from what you may find in Portland. So whats normal in Spain?

The way people dress here is much different than in Portland. Walking down the street it is almost impossible to avoid the click clack noise of 4 inch heels that a vast majority of the girls sport here.

Me and some friends going out for the night! I decided to trade in my t-shirt and beanie for a dress and some heels!

 I learned quickly that my birkenstocks were a little frumpy to wear out and about. Spanish women have a distinct demanor about them. They carry themselves with a certain elegance and pride. Rarely do I note women goofing off or laughing loudly; clearly I am not Spanish. It very common to hear countless "cat calls" like "ayyee guapa" from men to women on the street but never do you see a response. Women here keep very quiet in public especially if they don't appreciate attention. Some of my american guy friends have a hard time understanding this seemingly snobby attitude. Striking up a friendly conversation with a Spanish girl is almost always one sided. If she doesn't want to talk to you... she won't.

Spanish boys are quite interesting. I'm sure you guys are familiar with the characters from the Jersey Shore (as horrible as it is... their fame is unavoidable). Well imagine "Pauly D" or "The situation" but Spanish. Yes my friends. There are countless tight polos, faded jeans, ridiculous sun glasses, leather shoes, and the hair gel...OOHHH the hair gel!!

....I think I made my point. 

Now this doesn't cover the entire male population but its definitely the style. Like any city there are the "indie kids" or the "hippies". One thing I have never seen before that is everywhere here is the dreaded mullet. Sure we've seen mullets and we've seen dread locks. They have taken it to a new level here and created a business front with a rasta back. Despite the sometimes seemingly femenine style, men here are very masculine. They take pride in their male qualities, bringing a new meaning the the word "macho." They have no problem declaring their love or attraction to a female passerby, day or night.

Onto the dating world. Girls and boys don't socialize together as much as americans do. At home I have many close male friends but here that is much less common. In class the boys and girls are always segregated as if they each have coodies. Whenever I see the two sexes together it is almost always in a date-like setting. Spanish couples are very affectionate. PDA may be an understatement here. Almost everyone here lives with their parents until they get married. This forces any romantic practices outside the privacy of the home. You can imagine how seeing such blatant, in your face, mushy gooshy, baby talk etc.. might be a little weird for someone who is unfamiliar with this cultural norm.

Living in such a different environment in which the sexes are so segregated has been challenging for me at times. I've become accostomed to the strange looks and comments I receive when I go for an evening jog. My host mom explained to me that women don't really exercise here. I thought this was strange. She explained that it isn't very lady like to sweat in public. So I've been trying to take the scenic routes. Its been difficult to find a balance between respecting the culture while living the Spanish life style and staying true to my interests and personal beliefs about gender roles. Can you guys think of other challenges someone might face in this environment? What major social differences do you see between Alicante and Portland?

mmmm... Tapas

You guys already know that I'm taking a cooking class right now but I am proud to say that I am not a complete disaster in the kitchen anymore! Last night I succesfully cooked a tapas dinner for my family using what I learned in class. I NEVER thought I would be able to pull it off but its not as hard as it seems. I thought I would share a few recipes with you guys so you can try it out at home!

Pincho de Tortilla de Patatas!

2 patatas grandes picadas

1 cebolla picada

4 huevos

aceite de oliva

Pan en rodajas y tomate cherry para decorar

Cocer la patata y la cebolla en el aceite, hasta que estén tiernas. EScurrirlas bien del aceite, mezclar con los huevos batidos y formar la tortilla. Cortarla en cuadritos y pincharla con un tamatito!

Calamares Fritos

Anillas de calamar

Harina

Sal

Aceite de oliva

Poner la sal a los calamares, pasarlos por la harina, quitar el execeso de harina y freírolos en abundante aceite. Escurrir sobre papel y servir con un trozo de limón. 

Buen provecho!!

Living and EATING on the other side of the world- lastest facts on Spanish nutrition

Hola Chic@s,

Thanks so much for filling me in on some of the happenings in Portland. The occupy protest is really taking off around the world isn't it!? It will be interesting to see where this all goes. Thanks for sharing that video as well. It was very touching! I'm glad to hear everyone had a good Halloween. I'm very jealous of your candy intake. Speaking of candy... or junk food in general I learned some interesting facts this week.

One of my professors at the University was talking to me about health and nutrition here Spain. He recommended an article to me that had some interesting statistics and background information about current Spanish dietary health.Yes, I have noted that the meals aren't quite as balanced or healthy but I didn't really think much else of it. Typical Spanish diets don't provide a lot of nutritional value. They are high in carbs and low in vitamins and fiber. I was shocked to discover that 60% of adults in Spain are overweight!! Even further, 20% of those are obese. This is due to other life style factors as well but nutrition and lack of education have a large impact on these statistics. This last year Spain has calculated 14% of its population to have Diabetes. So where is the root of this growing Pandemic??

Tastey fried lunch....with not a vegetable in sight

Nutrition is not something people seem to worry much about or even know much about. I have noticed this in my host family and the families of other students. I'll occasionally hear my madre complaining about being overweight or proclaiming that she should go on a diet but rarely does this affect her eating habits. My sister, in an effort to lose weight, went on a diet of only white french bread and cream cheese. I have never seen my dad eat a vegetable nor have I seen a piece of fruit in the house.  Nutrition is not something that is taught in schools and many products in the grocery store don't even have nutrtional facts on the label. To me, the problem seems to begin here. But really this is only the beginning.

 Like much of the world right now, Spain is in an economic crisis. This has caused many problems but one in particular may not be as obvious. Funding for public education has been cut which means there is no hope of adding nutritional education to the curriculum. So in this case, what you don't know.... is really hurting you. In 2011 it was reported that 1 in 5 people in Spain live bellow the poverty line. In the last few years the average household income in Spain has dropped 5%. This shortage of money affects the type of food people can afford. So, whats cheap? Foods that are high in fat, low in nutrition, easy to make, and affordable become the only thing available to struggling families.

So...? What now!? La Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI) & el Congreso Nacional are currently working on passing a tax on foods with a certain amount of fat. Along with this they would like to begin creating a market for healthy foods at low cost to encourage healthy eating on a budget. Change won't happen over night but soon enough, health professionals hope to see a more balanced trend in the Spanish diet and a decline in the number of people suffering from obesity.

What factors make Portland so different from Alicante in regards to nutrition? Let me know what you guys think!

Happening here in Portland!

Breaking News

Hola chic@s!
Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! Spain doesn't really the holiday but they do celebrate el día de los santos November 1st. I saw a few zombies around town but no trick or treaters or crazy costumes to report. Thanks for all of your comments. It was interesting to hear about your learning practices. This week I plan on talking about a piece of local news. I would be interested to see how news hear compares to any breaking local news in Portland. Feel free to find an article that you find interesting to draw comparisons for your responses. Talk to you all soon!

Volvo Ocean Race!

Alicante is one of the fastest growing cities in Spain. While there is a large economic crisis in the country as a whole, Alicante reeps the benefits of its gorgeous landscape. The number one profitable industry here is tourism. It is one of the handful of cities that make up "La Costa Blanca" on of the largest tourist destinations in Europe. 

Being an ideal place to get away, Alicante takes advantage of its warm climate and beautiful shores to sustain its economy. The large flow of people in and out of her borders helps support local restaurants, shops, and tours of the city. These businesses create jobs for locals and lessen the devestating unemployment rate that has plagued the rest of the country. Alicante hosts festivals of all kinds year round, drawing people from all over the world. One of the most famous seasonal attractions in Alicante is going on right now.

The Volvo Ocean Race!

The Volvo Ocean Race is a sailing race that began in the 1970's. Its route stretches around the entire world! The race lasts for nine months and the sailors stop in 10 different cities along the way. Before the race begins this Saturday, Alicante hosts a giant festival for the sailors, locals, and tourists. Hundreds of people flood the port of Alicante to see exhibits, eat local food, learn about the teams, go to concerts, ride rides, and meet the teams. You can find many local artisans selling their goods to countless people. The past week the streets have been packed with all kinds of people from around the world. The resaurants lining the port receive a steady flow of customers coming from the festival. Hotels are booked months in advance to house teams, staff, and sailing fanatics from around the world. The Volvo Ocean Race is just one example of how Alicante utilizes the landscape to create economic opportunities for the city. 

Can you think of other ways Alicante could utilize its resources to gain economic stability? What about Portland? Can you think of examples of how Portland uses its landscape to sustain the economy or provide jobs for locals? 

Getting involved

Thanks for all of your comments! I'm glad you all are enjoying my photos :) My host mother is really into photography and she is taking a class through my university. I got to go with her one day and it was awesome. My madre here loves getting invloved in activities around town. She belongs to a book club, cooking club, and is taking a photography class! One thing I have noticed is that adults here are very active and invloved in the community. My university offers loads of classes for senior citizens as well. Today I went with my madre to sign up for a film club. We're going to see a movie this Wednesday and afterwards we get together at a café to talk about it. Here is the trailer for the movie... its called "La Voz dormida" and is based on a novel about the Spanish Civil War. I'm really excited! Can you think of ways to get involved in the community in Portland? Are you already involved?

Heres the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91yHMtLUKr0

Learning the Language

A huge part of the reason I chose to come to Spain was to improve my proficiency in the language.  I have been studying Spanish for nearly 5 years now and I’m anxious to gain fluency. At Portland State I am studying to become a Speech Therapist. I love language and learning everything about it. A large part of my degree involves studying the science of language and the process of acquiring it. I would love to be able to apply this knowledge to Spanish as well.

From the moment I started studying Spanish I tried my very best to pack as much information in my brain as possible. I’ve made flash cards, songs, and acronyms to retain as much of the language as I could. I did well on tests and papers. I loved reading literature and analyzing the language as best I could. I was sure that I was ready to move somewhere where I could use this skill in my daily life.

Arriving in Spain I knew it would take me a while to get use to everything. I didn’t expect to be able to communicate fluently, and I definitely wasn’t able to. My approach to learning language was to memorize information and acquire knowledge. My problem was that I never really put my knowledge into practice outside of an academic setting. This became very apparent when I would talk with my family, Spanish students, locals on the street, or sometimes even waiters in a restaurant. I could talk for hours about literature and linguistics but this didn’t mean that I knew the Spanish language.

My original strategy on learning the Spanish language helped me with my academic career, of course. Now I was going about my day surrounded by the language. I realized I knew a lot about the language but to really know the language itself I had to live it. I had to ask questions, learn new vocabulary, and above all practice as much as I possible could. I had to change the way I approached getting better at Spanish.

Now, I have obtained a better understanding of the balance and attitude I must have towards learning the language. When I’m with my friends who speak English, I continue speaking Spanish. When I don’t understand a word in a conversation, I speak up and ask so that I can increase my vocabulary. I’ve progressed away from my textbooks and towards daily life in a Spanish speaking country.

Here is a picture of me and another american girl with two of our Spanish friends.

How do you best learn? Do you prefer to practice or do things? Or would you rather observe and try to understand? Why do you think that is?

Finalmente en Casa!

Hola chic@s!

I loved hearing your surprising or embarrassing situations! I guess we all know that you can't take anything or anyone for granted. 

I just got back from my 10 day fall break and boy am I glad to be here. I had a wonderful time! 

My favorite part of Barcelona was Park Guell. It was so gorgeous and covered in buildings designed by Gaudi!

Venice was crazy because there were absolutely NO cars. Everyone travels by boat.

 After I made my wish in the Trevi Fountain I got to see the a giant crowd of protesters at the Coliseum!

Overall it was a wonderful trip but I'm glad to be back in Alicante. One thing that I found surprising was that when I got back home I could tell my Spanish was rusty! I usually speak in Spanish all the time but after 10 days of English it took me a while to get back into the groove. Well I look forward to hearing your responses to my last blog post! Hasta luego!

So, where exactly am I??

Here!

As shown in the map of Europe above you can see that Spain is located in the Southwestern corner of the continent. The eastern coast is lined with beautiful beaches leading into the Mediterranean Sea while the Southern tip leads into Africa. On the Northeast corner lies the border to France and over on the East you can find Portugal. Now to give you an idea of exactly where I live in this vast country......

I'm that little red dot. As you guys know, I traveled this last week up to Barcelona, over to Venice and 

down to Rome. One thing is for sure, I definitely didn't realize how much a few inches on a map affects the climate! Traveling North and away from the Mediterranean to Venice was quite chilly. I had to buy a scarf just to keep warm durring the day. Down in Rome the weather was a bit warmer but it got very brisk once the sun went down. I was very happy to return to sporting a t-shirt when I stepped off the plane in Alicante. While Alicante is warm and humid, it hardly ever rains. When I flew into Alicante the first time I was surprised to look out my window. I couldn't see a single green speck. Coming from Portland I think I take the lush green environment for granted. Besides the few leaves of a palm tree you won't find much green here. You will find a lot of sand and dust though. 

You will also find a lot of people. Alicante is home to 334,418. Thats 4,303.4 people per square mile. This is pretty similar to Portland. One thing I found interesting about Alicante is that nobody lives in a house. Everyone lives in apartments. Some are small and some take up entire floors of buildings. They come in all shapes and sizes. There are two very distinct styles of housing in Alicante. The old and the new. This is my favorite "street" en el barrio antiguo...

And this is the main street in the city's center where a lot of other apartments are....

Another difference between Spanish families and American ones is that in Spain you live with your family until you get married and sometimes even later. This means that one apartment could be filled with many generations. But still, they don't find a need for a backyard. 

As Oregonians, we may not realize how much our beautiful city's backyard affects the way we spend 

our time. I know that I personally love going hiking, taking a bike ride, or finding a river or lake to go to if its nice. I asked if there where any good hiking trails around Alicante and a few people laughed at me. One thing I love about hiking is enjoying the wonderful scenery. In Alicante, to hike a mountain would be similar to hiking a big blank rock covered in dust. Not as cool. So I've had to cater my activities to the geographical environment here. This means....I am in the Sea all the time. There is so much to do! So far I've been kayaking, snorkeling, boogie boarding, surfing, and paddle boarding. I love it! I have found that the waves of the Sea and the warmth of the sun have replaced my need for fresh air, rushing rivers, and greenery. This has become a new oasis...

 This is the San Juan beach. Its about 20 minutes away from Alicante but the surf is much better! 

How do you think the geography in Portland affect our lifestyles? How does it differ from Alicante?

Some Things, Like Lady Gaga, Are Just Universal I Guess..?

After having been here for six weeks I feel like I have become accustomed to the Spanish culture. I know that I will be served more meat each day than I usually have in a week. I know that on the bus, there is absolutely no concept of personal space. I know it is socially acceptable for people to stare. I know that when I make plans with someone at 7:00 that usually means they will show up at 7:20. Everything is so very different but finally I have settled into a routine. I go to school and pass the same people going to work on the streets, sit with the same students on the bus, and generally go through the same routine. I know I’m not quite a Spaniard but I was starting to think I was finished with surprises. Differences, I have come to expect.

One morning, as usual, I walked three blocks down to the corner café near my bus stop. I love this café because there is always a sense of calm and peace in the air. Usually there are two to three men sipping on their morning coffee with a piece of toast as they chat about their families and the news. Every morning I would listen to them as I reviewed my homework for my 9 am class. This morning was different.

I came a little earlier than usual because I had to finish some reading before catching the bus. I opened the door and the café was deserted. I couldn’t see anyone. All I could hear was the sound of radio stations coming in and out and finally it stopped. Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” came in clear. Then suddenly… it came in LOUD and clear. Diego, the owner of the café and a mere 5’ 6” tall, had been hiding behind the counter playing with the boom box. He stood up, still not seeing me in the doorway, and started to bust some moves like I have never seen before. He moved his hips every which way and threw his hands in the air. I didn’t know what to do! Should I go? Should I stay? But before I could decide he twirled around and we locked eyes.

“Qué tal…?” I said, with a quiver in my voice.

He looked mortified! He immediately stopped dancing. I felt horrible for ruining his fun.

“Me encanta esta canción también, la tengo en mi Ipod” I told him, trying to make it a little less awkward.

When he heard this, a smile grew on his face and he waved me up to the bar. The song was still booming so I thought I would dance my way up to the counter in an effort to break the ice. He must have appreciated this because it was as though I had invited him to our own 7 am dance party. We briefly grooved for 30 seconds before he cranked on the espresso machine and started my coffee.

I had never talked to Diego for very long. I only had a comfortable routine with him that we performed nearly every morning. For some reason, I already felt like I knew him before this morning. I knew what to expect. This morning, I faced one of the most surprising of surprises. I would have never pinned 55-year-old Diego for a Lady Gaga fan. I had put him in my “stereotypical Spanish man” box. He looked the part and I had never bothered to get to know him. After our encounter, we chatted for nearly 30 minutes. I discovered a lot about Diego that I didn’t know before. I also discovered that I can’t settle down into any routine. I will never know exactly what to expect. There will always be surprises. And some things like Lady Gaga, are just universal.

Can you guys think of a situation where someone surprised you by stepping out of the character you believed him or her to be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9IQ9Y93XBk

Alicante to Barcelona to Venice to Rome!

Cómo estais chic@s??

I am packing my things for a ten day adventure that begins in the morning! I'm off to explore the mediterranean borders! I'm looking forward to Barcelona but I can't wait to experience Italy! I've never been before but everything I've seen or heard of this country has been amazing. I'll be staying 3 days in each place with a few other students I've met here. I'm so excited to see the sites and meet new people! I'll have to tell you all about it when I return.

Hasta luego

Jordan

Aspectos de La Cultura

Qué tal chic@s

Thank you so much for your comments and questions this week! I loved getting to know all of you a little better. I enjoyed discovering some of your personal values and seeing how that reflects your culture. As you all know, I was lucky enough to travel to one of the most culturally rich cities in Spain this weekend: Sevilla. I really couldn't believe how beautiful it was there! I definitely was able to observe and immerse myself in the authentic Spanish culture that is living and breathing in this beautiful city. 

The first night we went to a Flamenco show. Wow. I was amazed at the talent, practice, and skill involved in this performance. There was a guitar and two people clapping with the dancers. The two dancers, one male and one female, filled the room with complex rhythms using their stomping steps. Along with the technical skill of the dance, the dancers incorporated so much emotion into their performance. Flamenco is a dance full of of passion, pain, and energy. It was as if the dancers where telling a story with their moves and expressions. The theater was full of nearly 100 Spanish locals of all ages. This seemed to be a customary outing for the people of Sevilla. I could see myself getting accustomed to something like that! 

The next few days of my trip were filled with sight seeing. I loved hearing the historical explanations behing the architecture and art. Here are a few highlights of the places I saw!

Catedral de Sevilla 

La Catedral de Sevilla is the third largest cathedral in the world. It was absolutely amazing. There were many toursits there but I found countless practicing Catholics in the various chambers of the cathedral seemingly practicing their weekly Sunday routine. The Cathedral was originally built as an Islamic house of worship but with the expulsion of the Arabic community in the 1400's the building was restored and expanded into the cathedral that exists today. Inside the cathedral there are countless statues of past Kings, religious figures, and even the burial site of Christopher Columbus! The detail and sentiment behind every structure and wall was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. 

Alcázar

This is where Royalty live when they travel to Sevilla. I definitely wouldn't mind staying here a few nights (or years). The entire place was a giant labyrinth of gardens, ponds, lavish rooms, and gorgeous decorations. The influence of Arabic architecture and style was greatly represented here. It was marvelous!  

Last but not least: La Plaza de España

This ancient piece of architecture quite literally left me speachless. I was in awe by the enormity and beautfy of this beautiful palace. 

 Both in Sevilla and Alicante, it has become apparent to me that history and tradition play a very large role in their culture. A few of you have asked me questions about daily routines and customes here. Even these are influenced in a historical way. The meals in Spain are scheduled very differently than in most places. 

Desayuno: 9:00 am. This usually consists of a small coffee with milk and a cookie or muffin

Almuerzo: 12:00 pm. Most people skip this meal, but it usually includes a light snack of fruit and cookies.

Comida: 2:00-3:00 pm. This is the largest meal of the day and sometimes includes 5 to 6 different plates. From 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm you will find most stores closed because everyone is at home eating la comida. This is a highly valued time for families during the day here.

Merienda: 6:00-7:00 pm. A small sandwhich and a coffee is customary during this time of the day. Like Almuerzo, many people skip this meal as well.

Cena: 9:00- 10:00 pm Unlike the US dinner here is very late and very small. A few small tapas are usually served with wine. 

The most interesting thing about this abnormal schedule is its origin. During the Franco dictatorship working long hours was vital to the survival of families. Heat is a large factor in physical labor and led to unproductivity. Franco decided to change the Spanish clock and create a long break followed by a long night of work. While many people don't still work these long hours they still adhere to the strict siesta policy in Spain. I must say, I don't mind at all! 

Now that I've shared a few aspects of Spanish culture I'd love for you to think about a few things. Can you think of an activity, like the flamenco, that is culturally relevant in the US? The Arabic presence in Spain until the 1400's was very influential; can you think of another country that has influenced the American culture? What is the general daily schedule of an American citizen? What does it revolve around and what is it influenced by? Think about these things and I would love to hear a few of your thoughts! 

Hasta luego

Jordan 

Saludándote desde Portland, OR  Have a safe and wonderful trip to Sevilla!

Encantada y gracias a tod@s!

Parece que estéis de acuerdo que Nueva York es una buena representación de los EEUU. ¿ Es por la comida? Es por el estilo de vida? Es por la población? ¿ Cuales cosas están incluido en la cultura de los EEUU? No creo que pueda elegir solo un lugar pero me interesa leer os respuestas.  Espero que hubiera respondido a vuestras preguntas con mi siguiente post!

Aspectos de la Cultura

La otra mitad de la clase te saluda Jordan!

Road trip!

I'm going to Sevilla!

This weekend I get to travel with other students from my program to the Southern province of Spain to visit Sevilla. While I am not looking forward to the 8 hour bus ride there, I am beyond excited to spend the weekend in such a beautiful city. The architecture, food and art all represent the traditional image of Spanish culture. Sevilla is the birth place of the flamenco and I am lucky enough to get to see a live performance this Saturday. When I arrived in Spain my host family expressed that I absolutely HAD to go to Sevilla to see and experience authentic Spanish culture. I can't wait to see what this city has to offer! 

If you had to think of a city or place that is an authentic representation of American culture where would it be? Could you just pick one place? What aspects of American culture would you expect to be represented? We'll have to compare notes when I get back! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jordan 

¡Buenas días de España!

I'm in Spain!

Welcome to our interactive blog where I, Jordan, will be sharing my experiences in Alicante with you, Hosford middle school students.  It has been almost a month since I first arrived here in Spain and it feels like yesterday that I stepped off the plane. As of now this entire experience has been a whirl wind! I've met many new friends and even new family members! The culture, customs, food, weather and people are much more different than I had anticipated. After a small period of adjustment I can defninitely say that I have found a second home. What I have learned about the Spanish people and their culture in one month amazes me everyday. 

My host mother suggested some beautfiul hiking routes around the southern tip of the city. The buildings around here are ancient and some were literally crumbling before my eyes!

Fortunately I like seafod... There is a LOT of fishing here!

And finally the view from the castle in Alicante. 

Before I share more of my experiences in my new home first I would like to share a bit about myself.

¿Cómo somos nosotros? “Todo sobre mí”

1.     Mi nombre es Jordan.

2.     Mi color favorito es verde.

3.     Mi música favorita es reggae.

4.     Mi deporte favorita es voleibol.

5.     Mi sitio web favorito es stumbleupon.com.

6.     Mi programa favorito de televisión es Human Planet.

7.     Mi libro favorito es Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

8.     Mi animal favorito es una jirafa.

9.    Mi estación favorita es verano.

10 Mi cumpleaños es el 20 de junio.

11  Tengo un hermano.

12 Tres palabras que me describen son amable, bromista, y aventurera. 

Now that I’ve shared a bit about myself, I would love to hear a bit about all of you. After fillingo ut la hoja de trabajo “todo sobre mí” please respond to this post and include your name and three pieces of personal information you would like to share. I can’t wait to get to know all of you better. I am honored to be able to share a bit of Spain’s culture with you through my experiences. Through out our time together please contact me with special requests, questions, concerns, or input that you might have. This is your blog too! Howard sends his regards and wants you all to know that he misses you all :) Talk with you all soon!

Ciao chicos!

Jordan  

Welcome Sofia