Finally, my name was called & I met my señora, Piedad. I think I muttered a sleep-deprived “Mucho gusto” before losing track completely of what she was trying to tell me. Outside, her husband Paco’s car had broken down, so she & I took a taxi to the apartment building while he stayed with the car. With the help of my dictionary, I asked if she had hosted other students; she replied that I would be the 18th. The taxi made so many turns that I lost any sense of direction in the narrow streets, but eventually we arrived at my new home in the Puerta Osario zone of Sevilla.
my neighborhood
my apartment building
my host family, Paco & Piedad
Piedad showed me to my room & left me to settle in while she prepared lunch. When Paco returned, we ate & talked as best we could. I asked why they decided to start hosting students, & they replied that they enjoy learning about the United States as well as helping Americans to learn about Spain. They are both very interested in my family, my hometown & my home university; when Piedad saw me unpacking photos, she & Paco immediately asked to see them & to know who everyone was. The next day at breakfast, Paco brought out an atlas & asked me to point out Pittsburgh. Then we read about the city’s history in his encyclopedia. Later, the three of us looked at pictures of Carlow, Oakland & Pittsburgh on my laptop.
my room
the bulletin board has photos of all the previous exchange students
These past few days, I don’t think that my host family could have been any nicer or more helpful. When I had to find the Palacio (the CIEE study center) only hours after arriving in the apartment, Paco & Piedad walked the 30-minute route with me to make sure I wouldn’t get lost. When I told them I wanted to read about Itálica before my group’s excursion there this weekend, both recounted the site’s history. They enjoy talking & asking questions, some of which I never would have anticipated; Paco asked if I like Glenn Miller’s music, & Piedad asked if I have ever played Rummikub.
Of course, living with a Spanish family introduced a few new rules. First, shoes should always be worn inside the house. There is an old wives’ tale saying that those who go barefoot on tile floors will catch cold, and Spaniards still observe this tradition. This is a new concept for me because I usually take off my shoes whenever possible. Second, anything not currently in use should be turned off or unplugged. My family uses electricity as rarely as possible, unplugging the toaster and shutting off the power strip for the television each time they’re done watching it. This is also a change for me, since I’m used to leaving my computer on, usually with several gadgets charging in the USB ports.
But perhaps the most unfamiliar rule I have encountered in my homestay involves parking cars. On my street & many others, double parking is necessary in order to have enough spaces. When someone does double park, however, they're not supposed to use the emergency brake. That way, a driver that is blocked in can clear a path herself by pushing the other cars backward or forward until there is enough room to drive. If someone forgets or chooses not to put the car in neutral, the driver hoping to leave lays on the horn until the offending driver appears to move his car; if no one appears, the police will tow the vehicle.
Of course, living with a Spanish family introduced a few new rules. First, shoes should always be worn inside the house. There is an old wives’ tale saying that those who go barefoot on tile floors will catch cold, and Spaniards still observe this tradition. This is a new concept for me because I usually take off my shoes whenever possible. Second, anything not currently in use should be turned off or unplugged. My family uses electricity as rarely as possible, unplugging the toaster and shutting off the power strip for the television each time they’re done watching it. This is also a change for me, since I’m used to leaving my computer on, usually with several gadgets charging in the USB ports.
But perhaps the most unfamiliar rule I have encountered in my homestay involves parking cars. On my street & many others, double parking is necessary in order to have enough spaces. When someone does double park, however, they're not supposed to use the emergency brake. That way, a driver that is blocked in can clear a path herself by pushing the other cars backward or forward until there is enough room to drive. If someone forgets or chooses not to put the car in neutral, the driver hoping to leave lays on the horn until the offending driver appears to move his car; if no one appears, the police will tow the vehicle.
[coming soon: videos of the parking situation]
After a few days of settling in, I am looking forward to next week’s events. Sunday, we take a day trip to Itálica. Monday, our intensive language course begins & I can sign up for the theatre special interest group. Thursday, there is a mixer for us & for Spanish students interested in practicing English. Plus, I still need to explore this gorgeous city, see the sights & find the pool hall my guide told me about! Nos vemos, Le <3.
4 comments:
Maybe you could introduce your host family to the Pittsburgh tradition of leaving a folding chair, a lawn chair, etc in their parking space to reserve it. We will have to try to find this in the Burgh and take a photo of it for you to share.
The power thing applies here too. In fact, all the outlets have on/off switches, so you always have to make sure it's turned on before you can power up. it was very confusing at first.
I'm kind of jealous that you're actually staying with a family. I just get a weekend visit.
:)
nice setup : )
In response to the chair in the parking space, I found this shirt recently on a PGH t-shirt shop's website and it reminded me of this thread. Enjoy!
Reserved Parking
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