Learned: the daily schedule is soooooo different here. I'm in a small youth exchange group called Joven Erasmus where we meet with Spanish kids our age every Wednesday and talk. When I was talking with the spanish students at our most recent meeting they said that on an average weekend most people stay out till around 2 to 4am (give or take a couple hours). I can say now after a week of fiestas that it is 100% true. Sadly during the fiestas we had a curfew of 12:30am and most (good) concerts began at 10 or 11pm near la Plaza de Pilar, so our night lives were short lived. Also another difference is the eating schedule is very different here. Lunch begins at around 2 or 3pm and dinner begins at 8 or 9pm. That's probably the biggest adjustment I have made. The dinners and lunches are always at the table and they last about an hour or so because, for my family at least, it's a time to catch up and talk about your day or your plans. My school schedule is different too. We begin at 8:30am and end at 4:30 pm. At my school in Georgia we had a rotating schedule, but here I have the same order of classes every day of the week. Also I walk from my apartment to the bus stop where I take the bus to school (which I have never done before). I pretty much use buses to get every where now. Another thing different here is the paper. In the US the paper has three holes but here it has 4 smaller holes and the paper is skinnier and taller. Another thing I've noticed is that people dress differently than they do in the US (or at least in Georgia). I almost never see people in t-shirts and shorts walking down the street or to the store, they only wear that if they are working out. It makes everyone here seem always on point with their outfits. For now that's all I can think of that I've learned most recently, but I'll keep y'all posted :)
Things I miss: I would break my own leg for chicken minis right now. Ok, maybe I wouldn't break my own leg, but you get the point. I mostly miss (besides my family and friends) the food. The only slightly american food I've had in awhile was a hamburger. I miss the sweet tea, smoothies, chicken biscuits, fried chicken, anything from paneras, and oddly enough salads. I cannot explain how much I do not miss olive oil or salt though. I do miss my dogs a lot. I'm lucky enough that I have a dog here named Quena (who I spoil rotten), but it really has made me appreciate my dogs. I also miss the freedom to drive places. Here I take the bus/tram and walk everywhere. I miss getting in my car and being able to play my own music with all the windows down. I also miss sleep overs haha. I don't really have them here because they're very complicated in the sense that we have to get permission from both host families, our director, and have a schedule of how it's going down 24 hours in advance. I miss american TV shows too. I'll admit I do enjoy the many dramatic TV shows I've watched here like Aguila Roja or Hermanos, but I miss understanding 100% of what everyone is saying haha.
Things I'm looking forward to: What's not to look forward to is the real question. I'm super pumped for when we are allowed to independent travel around Spain because I really want to see places like Andalucia, Galicias, Islas Baleares, and Valencia. Also I am really looking forward to the day I have a spanish dream because I feel like that will be so cool to wake up from. Of course I'm looking forward to the next festivals and holidays in Zaragoza, but most importantly I can't wait to see my family in the winter!
that's all for my month update :)
Besos,
Lauren Archer
P.S the food is amazing and impossible to describe!
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