It just occurred to me that I have neglected to include copious amounts of information in this blog. I never wrote about the Feria in Sevilla or Alcalá, my last days in Spain, how I came back and how I am currently writing this from my piso in Sevilla. It sounds like a daunting task right now (much like my scrapbook from my 2001 study abroad trip has been for the past decade. I'll finish it one of these days though.) Consider this the CliffsNotes version of
Spain May 2011- September 2011.
So, back in May I was walking out of school one day and by chance got invited to the Feria de Sevilla by one of my students, who had a casesta. (You go to feria to eat, drink, dance and possibly dress in a gypsy dress or suit). Here are the photos:
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| At the portada with students and an author (Chris Stewart). |
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| The Portada |
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| Inside the caseta |
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Some of the food: tortilla española, anchovies,
jamón ibérico & some other fish. |
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| Part of the menu |
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| Rebujito (Manzanilla with Sprite) |
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| The Feria by day |
I also went to the Feria in Alcalá (in June). I had a dress but will not be publishing any of the photos. A student was nice enough to lend me said dress but I felt uncomfortable and out of place in its shoulder pads and turquoise with white polka dot print. It crossed my mind that maybe the students had a dare as to whether or not I would actually wear it. Well, I did. And if I wear one again next year, it will be one that I purchase myself.
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| Clarisse and little Macarena |
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| The Portada in Alcalá. |
Then I spent a few more weeks in Spain hanging out, waiting to take my Spanish test on the 27th and feeling lucky I was getting out before it got any hotter.
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| The weather forcast for the week I left. |
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We may or may not have been on bottle #2, but it
was definitely before the bar. |
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| Saying goodbye to Shaelyn the night before I left. |
The morning I left I pulled my two big suitcases and two travel bags a couple blocks to the spot where there were always taxis waiting.
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| Please proceed to the taxi at the front of the chain o' taxis. |
I was having trouble maneuvering the bags and just as I got to the crosswalk that would lead me up to the taxi, my bag piling system fell apart and the bags toppled over and onto the street. The taxi drivers, who were standing outside their cars talking, didn't move. I picked them up, repositioned them, crossed the street and greeted the drivers. I don't remember exactly what I said first, but I know the driver asked me where I was going. Although an answer like 'to the prom' crossed my mind, I was choking back tears and could barely produce the word 'aeropuerto' so I kept the sarcasm to myself. (Besides I have no idea how to say 'prom' in Spanish). I was ready to go home, but that didn't make it easy to leave.
My flight took me from Sevilla to Lisbon, where I had a one hour lay-over. It just so happened that our plane arrived in Lisbon on hour late. As a result I, along with other passengers on a slightly later flight to NY, was escorted to the customs line before the rest of the plane (we didn't get to go
through the line any faster, but we
got to the line faster). Then I literally RAN through the terminal (with my two travel bags) to the gate that was at the very far end of the terminal. I was running and carrying a backpack and another bag that together probably weighed 50 pounds (or at least seemed like it) and the flight attendant was standing at the gate, flagging me in and saying 'Hurry!'. I'm not sure what it was about my actions that led her to believe I was not taking the fact that my flight to the US was leaving NOW seriously, but I once again kept my sarcastic comments to myself, knowing they wouldn't increase my chances of having the plane wait for me. I got on the plane and found my seat just before they shut the cabin door. Upon arrival in NJ I discovered that one of my suitcases had not made the plane (but miraculously the other one did). Then I left security, got my ticket to Milwaukee, got soft serve ice cream, went through security again and waited for the flight to board.
Once I got home I felt like I never left, except that I had missed out on the births and growing of many friends' children and one nephew, to all of whom photos and e-mails just don't do justice. I was glad to be home and happy to see everyone in person. Man, I missed you guys. I appreciated the reminder of the people that are always behind me. I am a lucky girl.
(These are just SOME of the people. The rest of you somehow escaped the camera.)
But absence makes the heart grow fonder so you'll find me once again in Spain. And you'll find a diversion from work at this website again. (Although I'm pretty sure that viewing my website still counts as a work-related task if you work at CB.)
