Highlights of a Crazy Week

Contrary to popular belief, I have not indeed fallen off the face of the Earth. It's just that the past week has been pretty crazy. I'm sorry that I haven't been updating regularly while my family was here. That apology is both to all of you and to myself. It's to you because I've left you in the dark for more than a week. And it's to myself because now in order to bring you back into the light I have to remember everything that happened this week. That's going to be a little tricky...

In the interest of time and space, I'm going to just try to hit the highlights of this past week. I doubt I'll remember it all. In fact, I'll probably forget a lot and get it all in the wrong order and it won't make much sense. But, hey, a little bit is better than none, yes?

Arrival: So my family arrived on Saturday (the 21st). I met them at the airport, and it was so unbelievably wonderful to see them!!!! We rode the bus to the hotel, and then they were very quickly introduced to Spain when we headed to my house to eat a paella lunch prepared by Carmen. It was quite the experience. We had 8 people around a table that usually seats 3 (Fabi and Sergio were still here). I'm sure my family was overwhelmed, but I thought it was kind of fun. It helped to have Fabi and Sergio there because they know a little English, and my family could talk to them a bit. But still, I had to serve as the translator for everyone...a role I found myself in a lot throughout the week.

Soccer: This was probably Matthew's favorite part of the trip. We thought that Sevilla F.C. was playing on Sunday night, but thankfully we decided to go to the stadium Saturday, and we learned that the game had been moved to that night. I got to haggle with a scalper in Spanish which was quite the experience, but I was pretty proud of the fact that I could understand almost everything he said. Anyway, we bought the tickets (not from the scalper) and saw the game, and it was lots of fun. Sevilla won 4 to 1.

Um...this is harder than I thought it would be. I'm struggling to remember details. But other highlights included: visit to the Cathedral (I still LOVE the Giralda!), a flamenco show, a tour of the Plaza de Toros, Italica (Roman ruins that weren't so much a highlight for Matthew and I...but Dad liked them), a concert in the Cathedral, a daytrip to Cadiz, a visit to the Alcazar (gorgeous castle and gardens in Sevilla), etc. It was kind of fun to be somewhat of a tourist in my own "hometown." I did a lot of things that I'm sure I wouldn't have done if they hadn't been here.

A lot of our time together involved food. We tried a lot of really good restaurants while they were here (and a few not so good ones). This was really strange for me because I'm not used to having to go out and capture my meals since Carmen always cooks for us. In fact, meals were probably the most stressful time for me because I had to translate the menus, and I was the only one who could really communicate with the restaurant people. I think we confused a lot of people because it was obvious that Dad was the head of the family and the one with the money, but I was the only person who ever talked to the waiters. But for the most part we were okay, and I did feel pretty good when I could successfully order for everyone. Culinary highlights of the week included an incredible Morroccan restaurant, Italian on the last night, churros, a Cuban place, and of course lots of gelato. I also tried tapas for the first time. Yes, I know it is a bit pathetic that I have been here for 2 months and only just tried tapas (traditional Spanish meal that consists of small appetizer type things), but I maintain the excuse that I never eat out because I get free food. My favorite tapa by far was the fried eggplant with molasses. Yum! It was just really odd to me to eat in restaurants so much, but I did appreciate the fact that I was able to choose my own food. I ate a lot of vegetables and fruit this week!

Actually, the whole week was a little bit more stressful than I imagined it would be. It was kind of tough to balance school and life here with touristy things and spending time with my family. I was really worn out, and I basically neglected all of my studies which is something I am not used to doing. This all made me sad because I had been looking forward to my family coming for so long, and then I was almost too tired and overwhelmed to enjoy it at first.

However, the last several days that they were here were super great. I was so much more relaxed when I didn't have school to worry about. Also, I spent 2 nights with them in the hotel which was fun. It was really really good to see them and to spend time together as a family. Also it was good to show them a bit of what my life is like here. I am sooooooooooooooooo(etc.) unbelievably glad that they got to come!

But now comes the hard part: This week is going to be insane. I have a lot of studying to catch up on since I have exams Thursday and Friday. I never feel prepared for exams, but this time I REALLY don't feel prepared. Agh! Also, Saturday Erin and I leave for London/Switzerland, and we still have a lot of planning to do. Plus, I'd love to take some time to reconnect with some people, but I don't foresee that happening any time soon. Sigh. Please pray that this week won't eat me. I'm really afraid of it. Oh, and also please pray for my family. Currently they are in an airplane between Madrid and Chicago. They should get home around 8 or 9 tonight (Indiana time) I think. I really wish I could have gone back with them. I'm quite ready to go home. But right now I have responsibilities here. Hopefully the next 7 weeks go quickly.