Today is my 51st day living in Spain, - yes, I'm counting. Soon I will have spent two whole months meeting new people, learning a new language, a new culture, new food... I think time has come to see what changes I may have gone through.
*Distraction* What's the point in shooting up fireworks when it's bright outside? Oh, well... After all, it is Spain's National Day. Not that people seem to bother much...
So where was I... Changes! Let's start with the most obvious physical and behavioural ones:
I'm more tan. Thank's to the sun, I'm quite rubia. I'm never on time anymore (then I would have to wait at least 10 minutes anyway). I walk more slowly. I'm more patient, - especially when it comes to waiters and service personal in general. I have no trouble sleeping untill 2 pm. I drink beer practically every day. Reading this I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear I've gained weight (let's hope that one isn't too obvious!). I eat dinner between 2 and 4 pm. I hardly ever watch television.
And then there're the more sublte, interesting and important ones:
My brain is reorganizing itself. I can feel it! Shortcuts, bridges, highways, fast lanes... Not only am I learning yet another language, I'm also little by little learning how to dance not one dance, but three (very similar, but nonetheless!). Furthermore, I have classes at the Uni where my brain have to work a double shift both understanding the Spanish speaking teacher and getting a grasp of the different themes in the psychology subjects I'm taking (neuropsych., psychoendocrinology, psychopathology and psychogerontology). Daily siesta is a necessity!
Needless to say, I'm getting painfully accustomed to being a noobie without a clue. Concentrating hard on almost everything I do. However, I'm also getting used to the feeling of pure happiness I get just from being able to learn and study. 16 hours ago you would have found me sitting by myself at the bar in the Barrio Latino with a smile and an expression of content and curiosity on my face. I was watching all kinds of people coming together for a night of no worries and no hard feelings, just dancing, smiling and laughing. I also felt the kind of happiness only intense gratefulness will give you. I was grateful that complete strangers actually wanted to dance with a novice like me, and take the time and effort to teach me. This is the place Roberto took me and the brasilieñas to, as I told you about in an earlier post. Roberto being the local guy who came up to us in the tapas bar more than 3 weeks ago. He has just started giving salsa classes himself in this bar.
I'm enjoying to the fullest getting to understand and know this people and culture. Of course I miss my friends back home, and I sometimes miss my old and known routines. But instead of wanting to go home, I want my friends and family to come here and have the same awesome experience as me!
PS: Don't try to translate the first word of this post's title. The Spanish are big fans of palabrotas...
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