It’s Always Sunny en Sevilla

Today has been AWESOME. Ever have one of those days when everything just seems to be going right? A day that’s too good to be true it makes you want to knock on wood to avoid jinxing it? Yep, I experienced one of those today.

Not only is it literally sunny in Sevilla (we’re enjoying 60 degree weather, be jealous you Hooisers and Chicagoians), but my Intensive Spanish class has been going REALLY well, I have the most bomb dot com presentation group, two trips outside of Sevilla are now booked and I’m planning a third, I had Rosemary Chicken and chocolate covered strawberries for lunch AND there are only three days left in this week.  See what I mean? GREAT DAY!

But the highlight of my day was having “Afternoon Tea” with a friend’s intercambio.  At the beginning of the semester, each of us was assigned an intercambio (Spanish student from the University). The goal was to help American students improve their Spanish and eventually help the Spanish students improve their English…also making new friends! I have yet to meet my intercambio; we’ve only communicated via email since he’s in the middle of midterms.  However, I’ve sort of adopted this friend’s intercambio.

Carmen and I met my first weekend in Sevilla and became friends instantaneously.  From our conversations over the past week, I learned that she and I have the similar values and dreams for the future.  I was super excited to meet her this afternoon.  After classes, Carmen, MS, MF and I went to a tapas bar and had a great conversation over café con leche (coffee with milk).  We talked about everything: school, relationship (or lack thereof), trips to other countries, festivals…pretty much everything under the sun (all in Spanish). 

On my walk home, I couldn’t help but feel a great sense of accomplishment. I had just carried on an hour long conversation, in Spanish, with a local.  Almost suddenly I had this epiphany: I LOVE this place, absolutely love it (cheesy, I know).  It was in that moment, I truly appreciated being in Sevilla and having the opportunity of becoming fluent in another language, immersing myself in a different culture.

I’ve got to make the most out of my time here and today was a big step in the right direction!