This weekend is the first weekend when I have had nothing planned. No day trips or weekend trips, nothing. And it's wonderful. I have enjoyed relaxing. Lindsay's friends from Gordon are here for a week for their spring break so I've been hanging out with them which has been so fun. Yesterday we went to the top of Giralda at La Catedral, my third time. This shouldn't surprise anyone seeing as it's my favorite building. Then we went to La Carboneria, the free flamenco bar. We got there around 9:30 thinking it went on all night, but it really starts at 11. So we just sat around and talked and had some drinks. Also, Lindsay's host sister, Marta and her boyfriend Lolo came to the bar to hang out with us. I had so much fun talking to her in Spanish and helping translate seeing as Lindsay's friends don't really speak much Spanish. The flamenco was amazing. It's just so crazy how they are able to move their feet so fast. After we walked around trying to find food but just ended up going to get churros. On my taxi ride home it started to downpour and a thunderstorm rolled in. That thunderstorm lasted so long and it was scary because the lightning seemed so close!
The rain won't stop. Everyone is in shock here about how much rain we are getting. The rivers are getting so high and there is flooding everywhere. It's insane and I hate it. I want the sun. Thursday it was sunny in the morning and early afternoon so I just sat outside soaking up as much as I could between my classes. Since then, though, I have not seen the sun. I'm very sad. I miss it.
I've been learning a lot about the culture here in Spain in my Seminar on Living in Seville class and now I will share some of what I have learned. Pretty much, the most important values here in Spain are opposite of the values in the United States. Here family is VERY important. Especially extended family. It is normal for the children in the family to live at home until they are about 30. Also, they live for the here and now. Why worry about tomorrow when today isn't even over? I feel like in the U.S. it's all about planning for the future but here they don't worry about that so much. Also, they don't like change here. For example, they will go to the same place for vacation every year and not try anywhere new. Also, they will buy products that they have been buying for years, no matter if there is a better or cheaper product, they will continue to buy the same thing. Life is also much more laid back here. They take their time and they value relationships over anything else. I like this even though it's taking some getting used to. I always walk so much faster than the people here but am trying to take my time and slow down. There is a lot more that I'm learning but I just can't remember right now. I really do like learning about culture and their traditions and values. It's so fascinating and I feel that the most of my learning is occurring outside of the classroom, by just living in this culture. It's such a great experience.
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