In my first days in Valencia, my primary concern was figuring out where to find and purchase the necessities I was forced to hastily remove from my suitcase before my departure. I didn’t mention before that walking into the airport in Boise, my bag weighed 63 pounds—13 pounds heavier than permitted by the airline. When I asked about the fee for the additional weight, the stolid representative retorted, “$200.” I laughed. He did not. And all humor was lost as I stepped out of the line so my mom and I could figure out how to remove 13 pounds of what I had thought I would absolutely need in Spain. I had to get rid of a great jacket, add a few more layers to what I was already wearing, cram about seven extra pounds into my backpack, and send some preferred toiletry items back to Fruitland.
Anyway, finding those necessities was a chore. I can be slightly particular when it comes to selecting the products I use. Soap is not just soap, as strange as that may sound, and I didn’t want to waste my money on something I wouldn’t use. At the supermarket, I had to pick out shampoo, facial cleanser, toner, etc. using a method that was partly a process of elimination and mostly a blind guess. Which brings me to a point I have yet to mention: paying with the Euro takes some adjustment (and this has very little to do with exchange rate). As far as I knew, only board game money was super colorful and no one outside a Laundromat took change/coins seriously. As Spain is largely a cash economy, and the units of their currency are a little different, the learning curve in this regard is rather steep.
The first week was busy with student orientation, school, schedules, socializing, settling in, and trying to stave off the still-lingering fatigue of jetlag. I decided in my orientation that because I wasn’t committed to any particular course (all of my credits will transfer back as Spanish electives), I could attend several of the classes offered and pick my favorite four. This selection process was slightly more informed as I chose my courses based not on the content or syllabus, but rather on the demeanor and presentation of the instructors. It wasn’t difficult to discern the professors whose Spanish I couldn’t understand from those who spoke articulately and slowly enough for me to keep up. In the end, I opted for Advanced Grammar, Phonetics, History of the Spanish Language, and Cervantes and Quijote, a literature class. (Specifics about these courses in posts to follow.)
One of the most difficult transitions was to the Spanish schedule. For those who are unfamiliar, things function within a much more liberal timeframe here. People are rarely…and by that I actually mean NOT punctual, which is perfect for me. I’m always late in the United States. And always almost on time here. ¡Es increíble! Breakfast happens whenever I wake up. Then class. Comida, which is like lunch, but is actually the largest meal of the day, takes place around 2:30. During this time, practically every business that doesn’t serve food and/or drinks closes until 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, or whenever they feel like reopening their doors. This break in the afternoon is the origin of the sort of lore of the siesta, but so far as I can tell, it’s more a time to sit and thoroughly enjoy a meal, probably with friends, and decompress before returning to the daily grind. I think it keeps people sane. I’m sure some people nap during this time. I know I have—and this is yet another cultural tidbit for which I find myself particularly well suited. After comida, most businesses stay open until maybe 7:00 or so, depending on the type. After 7:00, the city starts to stir as the evening commences. People are out having drinks, shopping, going to shows, games, eating dinner. My ‘host mom,’ Isabel, makes dinner, or cena, around 8:00 every night, but this is not the norm. Most eat dinner after 9:00. On the weekends, it’s even later. The nightlife is wild. Some places are open until 3:00 or so in the morning; others don’t close until 7:00 a.m. A few of the finer establishments (discotecas) open their doors at 12:00 or 1:00. Like I said, one of the more difficult, however lively, transitions.
I’m still not caught up with this damned thing. But, here’s what you can look forward to:
Thoughts on food and drink,
The City of Valencia and all it has to offer,
The beach,
An aching brain…and, most recently,
Barcelona!
Until next time. Hasta luego.
