Internet, finally!

I am writing this from my homestay! I haven't had internet since we left the orientation hotel, and it has been frustrating! But my señora had her son and grandson come to instal a router so now I will have internet here, making life infinitely easier.

It has almost been a week that I've been in Spain!  Orientation is still going on, yet dwindling as we are beginning to work on matriculation for courses today, and have more free time as well. We have done a lot of cool things though, like we went to an authentic flamenco show which was super intense.  I was sitting in the front row and it was very intimate.  The male flamenco dancer wore red patent leather shoes that were used kind of like tap shoes...very interesting.  There was also lots of snapping and noises that the dancers made, and the singing was like nothing I'd heard before.  The female dancer's dress was plain black, while I was expecting something more colorful it was still beautiful.

Flamenco video (it's sideways...sorry):

We also visited Itálica, which was a 20 minute bus ride from Sevilla, to see the ancient Roman ruins there.  It was really beautiful and unbeliveable how well preserved it was, and that people used to live there and had built so much!  This photo is of the amphitheatre pit.

My homestay is nice, I live with an older woman who has grown children and grandchildren who are from ages 10-16 I believe.  She uses a lot of words I don't know so I have to use my dictionary a lot and ask her to repeat things and talk more slowly and explain words.  But I am slowly understanding more.  We have had a lot of different things to eat, beets, lettuce, chicken, hot dogs, bread, stew, pasta...she is a good cook but the style of food is definitely different than what I am used to at home and at school.  I have watched some interesting TV shows with her, and we talk during meals but the TV is always on!  We eat in front of it at a table (which has a space heater under it to keep your legs warm) because it is FREEZING in the houses here.  I need to layer up just to be in here!  They don't have central heating, and even though it is very nice outside, its the opposite inside.  It is funny to see the locals walking around in down coats when I feel like all I need is a sweater.

I have been doing TONS of walking.  I live about 25 minutes from the university, and then another 10 from the CIEE study center. And since everyone goes home to eat, I end up making that walk several times throughout the day.  My legs are so sore!  I have met many people living in my neighborhood though, so its good company to walk back and forth with.

I just still can't get over the fact that people actually live in this beautiful place all the time.  Example: Plaza de España:

  It has to be one of the more amazing buildings/locations I've ever bee to.  Honestly everything here is so pretty and picturesque and the long walks don't matter because its really quite pleasant.  There is so much to say that I don't have time for right now, but I should be able to post here more often now that I have internet! phew.  I am off now to walk around with some friends and find a cafe!