It finally happened...!

So the day has finally come! The day I have been waiting for. I was sitting on the bus, on my way home from my internship, and a guy got on. I was only halfway paying attention when it suddenly dawned on me. I knew everything that they had talked about! The conversation was short, only about where the guy was going and a little more, but it was fluid in my head! Usually if I dont pay close attention, I might as well not listen at all, because if I come into a conversation halfway I cant comprehend it. But the guy said something about a street that is close to the one that I live on, and amongst my other thoughts I thought, hey, I know where that is. And I surprised myself because I hadnt been trying to understand! I hope you all understand how monumental this is!!!! haha.

I want to help you guys understand a little of the culture here. I have been having a little bit of difficulty with it, and am struggling with how much of my own culture I am really able to change. For example, people here touch a lot. I mean a lot a lot. I was at a bar the other day with some friends, and one of them asked me, ¨Whats wrong? Why are you so tense?¨ And it was only then that I realized that I had my shoulders hunched up because there was barely any space! But I didnt realize it before that I was trying to take up as little space so that there might be some space around me. But can I really help that? Or can I change it? I am not sure. Its not wrong that I like my space, and that I dont really enjoy strangers touching me. But if I really wanted to, could I become comfortable with it? Im not sure. It is a strange place though. This is a city where they touch you all the time, (I have had ladies get my attention by grazing my chest!) but they dont smile! I walk around, and when I make eye contact with people I smile. Here, people dont. Apparently they can basically be sitting in my lap but they cant smile! What is up with that?!

The other thing that is very interesting to me is the significance of the house. It is a very private place! Its very different from houses in the US, which are made for people to come and hang out at. The house is for everyone, all friends and family. Here, people dont hang out in the house. There have been times where Belen will have a visitor, and their whole 20 minute conversation takes place in the hallway, not in the spacious comfortable living room. My friend came over because he is going to take one of the baby rabbits when they get older, and he was really nervous about coming into the house. I had to force him to see the whole house, not just the kitchen where the bunnies are, because he kept saying, no, its your house, I shouldnt, no. And I was like, its ok, seriously, come see the balconey!!! Its a little strange for me, because these people hang out with each other till 6am every weekend, but they dont visit each others houses! Its not wrong at all, its just a different culture, and I am just trying to get used to it.

Other than that, everything is great! I went to segovia this past weekend, which was awesome, cause they have the ancient aquaducts there. Spain has a beautiful countryside! I will put up the pics tomorrow.

Hope this finds you all well!

Love, Kelly