Archive for January, 2009
Es la verdad, Estoy en Madrid (It’s the truth, I am in Madrid)
It’s been approximately four days and I have NEVER spoken so much spanish in my life. My Senora (aka the sweet old woman I am living with) speaks no English, so my five housemates and I have all our evening conversations in Spanish and barely speak any English. It is truly the best thing I could’ve asked for and I have learned so many new words and expressions in the last week that are simply amazing. Additionally, no one in Madrid speaks English or desires to lol, so whether I am asking for directions, in the grocery store trying to find something, getting in a cab, ordering my food at a restaurant, talking with locals about Madrid, EVERYTHING is conducted in Spanish. Admittedly it is frustrating at times when I can’t think of a word, but after just four days I can DEFINITELY say that I will be fluent after five months of living here and traveling around South America for two months this summer. We haven’t truly gone too many places and I am trying not to look like a tourist by taking too many pictures, so unfortunately I only have a few to show you for your viewing. (Madrid is notorious for pickpockets, cell phone grabbers, and purse dealers). When I begin to travel around Spain over the next month and various parts of Europe I’ll be sure to snap a few so you can see what I’ve been up to though.
Travel list for this semester:
1. South of France & Paris
2. Greece
3. Morocco
4. Egypt
5. Germany
6. Sicily, Naples, & Capri
7. ALL OVER SPAIN (Canary Islands included!)
Las tias y yo (The girls and I…tia is slang for girl or chica en Spain even though it technically means aunt!)
Add comment January 16, 2009
Last Days in London
After every experience surfaces the inevitable question upon your return to your homeland, “How was (blank)?” Well, how was London…hmmm I had to ask myself. What exactly did I think, feel, and if I had to do it again, would I go back? London was interesting…that seems to be the response I have given everyone who asked. I like to call it a beautiful launching pad for exploring more about yourself and the world. The language is convenient for english speakers, the universities and their resources (at least at SOAS) are great, and the people (well most of them) are actually pretty nice. I really enjoyed myself in London, honestly. I enjoyed being away from New York, away from my friends (even though I love them), and having the ability to be in solitude when I felt like it and yet still build wonderful relationships with the friends that I met. London was everything I needed but the travel experiences it gave me actually was more. Although I only visited Wales, Portugal, and Italy, each site gave me a new story and a new sense of growing wisdom about my life. It gave me a sense of humility about my position in the world and truly made me realize how amazing God is in general and for giving me this opportunity to travel. I think that all of this came together during my last few days in London. I must admit, I was not ready to go home especially since we met ALL THE COOL YOUNG BRITS 3 days before we left. But we still made some pretty cool friends at my “uni” (university) since I was primarily attending the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) instead of just NYU’s London campus with the rest of the American students. There is so much that can be learned as a young person in college and I can’t even imagine how much I am going to grow over the next six months between my spring abroad experience in Madrid, Spain and in South America during the summer. As a result of all my experiences in London/my fall travels and their positive impact on my life, I have become addicted to traveling and placing myself in new contexts. Funny, because just when I thought it was over, I realized that getting on the plane home and eventually returning to Europe in January was solely the beginning.
“The mind I love must have wild places, a tangled orchard where dark damsons drop in the heavy grass, an overgrown little wood, the chance of a snake or two, a pool that nobody’s fathomed the depth of, and paths threaded with flowers planted by the mind.” – Katherine Mansfield
Add comment January 16, 2009
Italia: Rome, Florence, and Orsigna (Tuscany Region)
Honestly, I literally believe Italy is the most beautiful place I have seen on earth. The art, the culture, and (as expected) the FOOD was magnificent. During my time in the country, I stayed in Florence with my friend but mostly toured Rome (which is 2 hours away) and Orsigna (which is in the mountainous Tuscany region). Although this may make some of you go WHAT, I actually toured Rome by myself while my girlfriend went on a trip in the city with her class. In truth, that was the best decision I could have made for the first time I experienced Rome. It was daylight, so safety was not a major issue. But visiting the Vatican on my own was the most humbling experience during my entire semester in Europe. Additionally, being in the Roman Colosseum and literally standing in the midst of a vast history truly made me feel connected to all that God has created and all that humans have experienced. Being able to pray without my friends saying “Oh wow, how beautiful” and just being able to just experience the ruins in silence at moments really made Rome my best experience during the fall semester. There was so much that I learned in Italy, but Orsigna truly put the cap on my trip. Orsigna is an EXTREMELY SMALL town located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Tourists typically do not go there since the only way to get there is to drive on narrow roads up the mountain. But NYU in Florence decided to take myself and my girlfriend’s class up to a chestnut mill in Orsigna that had existed for almost a century. The current owners of the mill only spoke italian but showed us around the chestnut mill property and even allowed us to drink fresh water from a rock! Then, they cooked for us and I nearly slid off my chair in delight. THAT WAS THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EEEVVVVERRRRR HAD IN MY LIFE. Everything was fresh and made out of chestnuts whether it was chestnut flour or sauce. Mostly, Italy taught me the significance of food and family, the significance of valuing the symbolism of what you put in your body and how you feed it. I have to say I eat much healthier now from the experience and completely respect those individuals who are self sufficient and produce their own food. So many Americans don’t even know where the meat they consume comes from. It’s disgusting, and I made a vow during dinner in Orsigna that I would try much harder to be cogniscent of what I eat and feed my temple. If I must recommend 1 country to visit in Europe it would by far be Italy thus far.
Enjoy the pictures!
The Vatican
The Colosseum
Orsigna
2 comments January 16, 2009
