Study Abroad e-diaries
Andrea DeRocco '09
Double major in Spanish and Government/International Relations
Studying fall 2007 in the TANDEM Center, Madrid, Spain
March 2008
Semana Santa in Seville
For Semana Santa: it's a week long celebration here in Seville and I think the entire country of Spain. For seven days or so there are pasos, they are carried by men who train months before hand because these "pasos" are very heavy, and delicate, also very ornate! Some aging hundred of years old. It all started with the Via Crucis, from the Casa de Pilatos in the 15th century, 16th. It is is an honor to carry these pasos because and at time the backs of the necks of the men will start bleeding because of the pressure. Thousands come to see these works of art in progress. All of the city are different desfiles.
Seville is a beautiful city cut in half by the river. I live in Triana, el puente de Isabel II is really pretty and I run everyday on the Paseo del Rey Juan Carlos I.
These pasos are religious dealing with the life of Jeuss Christ. It's very precious and cultural for the sevillans and for anyone really. It's really well known and nothing like it. Seville has it's own unique life. People stay up late to watch all the different processions around the city.
Moreover, people make visits to the churches here in the city to see retablos and the beauty that they posess. I feel it is something that Seville can boast about because it is so unique to this cultural and historical city. Not only is it surrounding of religous even, but it incorporates festivities and a familiar atmoshphere of friends and family and the thought of being alive and celebrating.
Andalucia
Andalucia is like its own country here. The weather has been nothing but warmth since when I arrived just over a month ago. The people here seem more anitmated as well.
Seville is a beautiful city cut in half by the river. I live in Triana, el puente de Isabel II is really pretty and I run everyday on the Paseo del Rey Juan Carlos I. It is really pretty and there are always teams rowing in the river and people walking, biking, running along the river and sitting and soaking the warm sun. The accent here is really different too. They eat their words and use the "Zeta" instead of the seseo, pronouncing z for the "s". After a month here I am ablet to understand them.
Moreover, the arquitecture here is different as well. In each "palacio" there is a patio, roman style that is open. It is beautiful and different from that of madrid. The only downfall is that there are a lot of american students, and calle betis is the american hot-spot. San Salvador is a popular gathering place and so is Buddha bar where basically all the americans go. Just stating the obvious. The intercambio system is not that reliable either. I was lucky to find a good one through one of the staff as well. You have to search around and talk to people. If you want to get anywhere, speak up and don't be afraid
Andrea
Tandem I- Fall 2007
Hey! When I first arrived in Madrid I was overwhelmed with excitement to be in a different country. After a while, one gets used to the culture of a city; I have adapted to the city life here in Madrid.
For instance, the Madrileños for el desayuno (breakfast) have dulces (sweets) like las galletas (cookies), or cereals with a lot of chocolate, toast, and drink a lot of coffee, and have juice. El almuerzo, (lunch) is usually eaten around 2pm, a lot later than in the United States! I had to adapt really quickly to that aspect. And la cena (dinner) is usually eaten 9pm or later. The typical food which I enjoyed the most is gazpacho, a soup usually eaten in the summer which is made with vegetables and other ingredients, but is whipped into a liquid soup, but is very tasty. The senora that I live with makes it very tasty, it's my favorite dish. Other food that is popular, is carne (meat) cerdo (pig) is eaten a lot, jamón, chorizo, vaca, mariscos (seafood), and quesos (cheeses) from different regions. The cheese "queso Manchego" is my favorite, it is just right. Usually for dessert people have fruits, however at times there are chocolates as well.
Madrid is really worth everything that I have worked hard for.
The night life is probably what most people are interested, Madrid itself is a party. The young people mostly, however, everyone on the weekends is out to 6am in the morning. However you can go home whenever you want. There are many bars and discotecas, (Discos, dance clubs). What is famous are tapas and cañas, (appetizers and cervezas (beers)). It is a big social thing to meet up with friends at certain hour to charlar (chat) and catch up. Also, vino (wine) or copas (house wine) are popular. Pretty much any day of the week you will find people out socializing. What I like are the intercambios in bars, where people from all over can practice speaking the language they are learning and find others who have the same interests. I have met amazing people going to intercambios, it is really popular all over the city. In conclusion, Madrid is an animate city, day and night!
Also, the Metro and public transportation is very popular, it is very expensive to have a car here in Madrid. Most students live with there parents while they are attending universities. There are also a lot of foreigners (extranjeros) here studying Spanish, like myself, and alquilar (rent) a piso (apartment) with other students or live with families, señoras. I life with a host family and get along great with them; my host sister is about my age and I have gone out with her and her friends. It is a wonderful experience.
The question is "Will my Spanish get better?" Yes, I have been here for five weeks and subtly notice that my understanding and level of conformability is getting better everyday. Each day I learn something new, vocabulary, or ways of life. My favorite is the toasts (Brindis) with wine, "Arriba, Abajo, a centro, a dentro." Which makes the sign of the cross; however it's a cultural aspect of the city. The most popular phrases are "Vale; Vamos a Ver; A ver; y Venga (used with the young people)" when responding to a statement or an interjection.
However, there is more to Spain that just Madrid. I have been to Segovia and Toledo with my school, and the cities are beautiful and have their own unique past. It is "vale la pena" (worth it) to go and explore other aspects of Spain. Spain is an interesting history like the United States has her own.
The most popular sports here are soccer (fútbol), tennis (ténis), however I run and especially see a lot of runner's in Retiro (the biggest Park, sort of like Central Park in NYC). There are even runner's who run at like 11:30pm at night! Madrid is really worth everything that I have worked hard for, in my opinion. However, I am going to Barcelona, because almost everyone tells me to visit the city; it has some mystique atmosphere to it. Hasta luego! (See you later!)