Monday, September 26, 2011

What I have learned, or rather, have yet to learn in school

I am taking seven classes in Spain. I understand two of them. English, which I am only required to go to twice out of the four times a week and math, because well, numbers are numbers. Today in philosophy the class was learning something about Plato. I say the class and not me because I wasn't learning anything. I only understood one out of every seven words. Our teacher was telling us something about Physis -- I burst out laughing. Everyone looked at me. With a spanish accent the word "physis" is pronounced "feces."
It is safe to say since I was younger I have been a somewhat fan of poop humor. A little immature probably, but we all have our faults. 
The teacher did not see what was funny, nor did the class. I assume my face would have turned bright red, but it probably was already the shade of a sun ripened tomato considering it was 85 degrees, sunny, and our school has no air conditioning. The teacher said something to me in rapid spanish; I nodded, concluding that she was probably chastising me, she continued on with the her lesson about "feces." 

Saturday, September 24, 2011

A Neighborhood Find

Where I am living in Alicante is a mostly residential area, about a five-ten minute walk from the center of the city. It is perfect because it is quiet enough to be homey, but close to everything. It is also perfect because it has the best bakery. Note: this is my first attempt at food writing, we'll see how it goes.


Today, while everyone at home was still asleep (at 12:30pm), I decided to go for a walk to explore a little more of our neighborhood that I had not seen. I have walked by and through the small markets, the cheese and chorizo shop and Fred's Frutas y Verduras but I had yet to go down any side streets. When I left for my walk, I left with the thought that maybe I could find a croissant for breakfast. The croissants I have had so far in Spain leave much to be desired, Spain does paella and tortilla espanola and France does croissants, it is that simple. So, when I saw this bakery I assumed I would pick up a mediocre croissant and maybe a small pastry. 

Although my photography skills are lacking, I think it is clear the assortment of flaky buttery bakery goods is extensive. I got a croissant and what I thought was a miniature donut with some sugar on it. I also got a small fried looking pastry with an unknown filling and what looked like a chocolate chip cookie. I got all of these items for 1,75 Euros. 

Adjacent to the pastries is a case of fine deserts, it looked like a range between flan, chocolate cake and fruit tarts. First on my list to try when I go back is the eclair looking dessert. 

The choices I made were, interesting. The fried pastry was filled with a licorice filling; I hate licorice, and until today I didn't think anything could make it taste good. Picture a fried wonton, coated in sugar, filled with the sweetest anise flavor. I was shocked when I first tasted the licorice taste and even more shocked when I liked it. It was definitely something I would get again, after I try everything else. What I thought were donuts and a chocolate chip cookie turned out to be short bread of different sorts. Again, that would not have been my first choice, but it tasted like butter (in my opinion a very good thing) with a little bit of sweet chocolate or sugar to compliment the savory taste. And now, this brings me to the croissant which I saved for last to eat at home with Bi frutas juice in Mediterráneo flavor (peachy, apple V8 like drink). 

The croissant was not like the others I have had in Spain. This one rivaled the best of Paris and Standard Bakery (Portland, ME). Keep in mind, they were being taken off the baking tray when I stepped into the bakery, it was still warm when I got home and because it was so fresh it did not have time to become soggy instead of crispy. I think there must have been a whole stick of butter in the one croissant, regardless I could eat one everyday and be proud of my engorging stomach; they taste that good.  

I have found my new favorite spot for a small sweet for very cheap!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The first week

Hello All!
This will be a place where I can share stories, ideas, pictures and news about my year in Spain. I hope you enjoy it and will keep up with what I am up to.

I have been in Alicante, Spain for almost a week now. It is one of the coolest places I have ever been. There are mountains surrounding the city, a castle at one end, and the Mediterranean Sea takes up the eastern barrier of the city. My host family could not be more perfect, I live with my host mom, Lyana, my host sister María, and another exchange student Daniella. We all get along great and the food Lyana makes is to die for. She and my mother could do a Bobby Flay Throwdown, it would be very close.

The only thing that is difficult so far is school. All the classes are lecture style, move very fast, and are in spanish. I am always saying "no entiendo mucho," I don't understand much. Not being able to make friends easily because of my lack of spanish communication skills is hard, but everyone is kind and understanding. It has only been a week, so I have yet to set up any sports or dance classes, but those are two things I would really like to do.

I got lost in the city today when I went for a run/walk. I thought it would have scared me, but I just kept walking and eventually found my way home. I could not retrace my steps again, but I was surprisingly calm, and I saw more on my own then I would have while talking with María or someone else.

So far, I love it here.