Mi segunda familia (my second family)

So I’m blogging at 3 am…never thought I’d even be able to walk straight at this hour, let alone write coherent sentences.  Today was housing transfer day, among many other things.  Had my first Spanish breakfast which sadly did not consist of pancakes, eggs, and toast…but just toast.  However, the light breakfast was perfect preparation for the six-course Spanish meal I was served later on for lunch.  Four appetizers served one after the other, seafood paella, a Spanish staple, plus dessert. 

Paella

 Later on we were introduced to our host family.  I have wonderful host parents, Mari Carmen y Manuel, and an awesome host sister, Elena.  Oh, and a cat…(win) Luna.  They are absolutely amazing and accommodating.  I even got a personal tour from Manuel of the surrounding areas.  After an equally fantastic meal of chicken, mixed salad, bread, and cerveza (beer), I couldn’t have been a happier host daughter.  But honestly, they are so incredibly gracious and patient with my “in progress” Spanish.  I can’t wait to get to know them better over the course of the next five weeks J.    After skype dates with my mom and brother back home, and my best friend Anna, our group of GB students all went to see the fireworks for the festival of San Juan.  It was the last night so the place was PACKED.  But all in all the fireworks were beyond expectations.   I mean, seriously, it’s fireworks…on the beach…who could ask for more?? I guess you could say it was our make-up Fourth of July.  I think I might need to come back next year ;).

Afterwards we headed to la Terracita for drinks and conversation.  Enjoying the late LATE late night life didn’t even feel foreign to us.  We were having the time of our life, a life which has seemed to slow down to a leisurely pace we can all handle.  In the U.S. everything moves at a mile a minute, but in Spain, so far I can honestly say I’ve never been more relaxed.  It’s a pretty amazing feeling coming off of my busy sophomore year as a human bio and Spanish double major.  After drinks we even got a glimpse of La Rambla district, the “fiesta” district in Alicante.  While we were only passing through…we will DEFINITELY be back!  And on that note, tomorrow I get to sleep in on a Sunday for one of the very few times in the past four years.  It’s going to be strange not working, but we’re planning a trip up the coast to San Juan beach tomorrow, so I think I can manage ;).  Hasta mañana, todos, and remember, keep calm and hug your fam!