Observations

I just ended my second week at school here in Spain and while looking around, taking everything in, and trying to figure stuff out, I've made a few observations. Some are obvious and some are strange...

Fried ham anyone?

Spaniards eat so much ham, probably almost every day. I remember vacationing in Spain when I was about 15, and I remember going home and specifically asking for no more ham (for god sake)! Yesterday I thought I was being served pan fried chicken... no it was fried ham. Too bad ham is the one meat I could probably never eat again and be happy about it.

People here stare like it's their job. They will stare but they won't talk to you first. If you need help or directions, or even if you want to talk to locals, you have to make the first step. Everyone here has an attitude that screams, "not interested, nope, never, no how!" It just seems like they think they are so superior or something.

Dogs are hardly ever on leashes, even if they are being walked. And apparently owners don't have to clean up their dog's shit.

The Spanish are so damn relaxed. Siesta doesn't exist in the States because time is money and if you're closed for three hours in the middle of the day you're a fool. Not only that, but they are always late... that's the kind of stuff that can get you fired in America.

No one eats on the go, in the metro or in classrooms. I haven't seen so much as a person with a travel mug for coffee. I don't like that because I'm in love with snacking and coffees on the go.

When it rains (everyday in the winter) no one wears rain jackets or jackets with hoods, they just bring umbrellas everywhere.

No clothes dryers. Everyone hangs their clothes to dry, even in these cold/rainy winter months. Saggy pants syndrome will be rocked all semester. 

Possibly some time around 4 a.m. ?

And lastly, their idea of late nights are ridiculous. Nothing good ever happens after 2 a.m. and they party until 6 a.m. Last night and last weekend I was out until 6:30 a.m. and it's something that should not happen often for me. I wasn't even drinking that much, yet I still feel like I got run over by a bus because of how exhausted I've been all week and will to continue to be because of this never ending cycle of catching up on sleep.

What they don't tell you

The shoreline in Gexto

Before I left everyone told me how much fun I would have, how awesome this experience will be, and how many pictures I should take. What no one told me was, in reality I was going to feel scared and alone the minute I walked off the plane.

Growing up I always used to say how I was never going to live the rest of my life in Maine, how I wanted to live in a city and get of out my small town. Now I'm living the dream--internationally at that. And what do you know, as soon as I arrive in the beautiful Basque Country of Spain, my heart pangs for the New England I know and love.

New room

Everyone gets you psyched for the amazing trips, the chance for language proficiency, the night life, and meeting new people. Well I wasn't excited, I was sad to be in Spain. I found there is a lot of time spent alone, rather than out making memories. I find I am sometimes frustrated with the language and I feel lost. The first few days I literally hoped I could come up with an excuse to fly home.


Since classes have started each day has gotten better. I've been trying to accept and embrace the alone time that is not filled up with new and exciting activities. Not every moment of every day is awesome just because I'm in a foreign country. Sometimes that's what makes it harder--the hype of studying abroad.

My bed for the next five months

But it's the end of my first week, and I already feel more calm. The anxiousness is still there at times, but as I learn more about the city, and language it'll will start to feel more natural to be here.

I am learning, I am having fun, and I am making new friends. It's just been a rough transition, but I'm okay and it can only get better.

Growing up

The mountainous view I will miss on my drive home

Here I am at home, about ten days before my flight leaves for Bilbao and all I want is for my life to be on it's normal track. Normal meaning, going back up to UMaine for the start of the semester like I have done for the past five semesters.

I've been dreaming and anticipating studying abroad in Spain even before I was in college. It's easy to have dreams but I'm realizing now it's harder to live up to them. I'm about to embark on a really amazing journey, yet the feeling of cold feet is somehow creeping in.

A big change is about to happen and I'm not sure what I'm going to make of it. Change feels weird. So does growing up. My mom thinks it's interesting that I even acknowledge the awkward feeling of growing up. But damn do I feel it. It may be more awkward than being a preteen.

Growing up is hard. Making a very real realization can hurt. For me, it's knowing that my life can and will change a dozen times from where I am now.

I know being 20 and in college won't last forever, but what if I like what I have right now? Sometimes I wonder if I'm forcing this change on myself before I'm ready.