¡Ya llegamos! We’ve finally arrived in beautiful little Segovia, and I couldn’t be happier!
On the plane ride across the “pond”, I sat next to a fellow 20-something year old who was returning to Spain to teach English as a second language (ESL) to 3-5 year olds. We chatted through dinner about our mutual love for Spain, the places we’ve explored, teaching methods, our experience learning Spanish, and much more. I couldn’t have asked for a better flight buddy!
After going through passport control and baggage claim, I was greeted by the lovely Dra. Pertusa at the terminal’s exit. I loaded my things onto the bus, waited around for the other students in my group to arrive, and we arrived in Segovia an hour later! I didn’t realize just how big of a piece of my heart I had left here in Segovia until our motor coach took a final turn around the Guadarrama mountains and the beautiful Roman aqueduct came into view. The other students were ooh-ing and ahh-ing as they took their first glances at the colossal 1st century A.D. stone aqueduct. As for me, a silent smile grew on my face as the memories made last summer came rushing back to me. All I could do was sit in awe that I had finally returned to my little home away from home. For me, el aqueducto symbolizes all of the memories made, lessons learned, challenges conquered, and wanderlust felt last summer in España. I can only imagine what will be in store for me this time around.
My señora with whom I’m living was eagerly awaiting my arrival at the aqueduct. Belén greeted me with a big hug and customary air kisses. We live just steps away from the Plaza Mayor in the center of the city, which is SUPER convenient for me, as my classes are held in a building facing the Plaza Mayor. She has hosted students for eight years now. I actually remember her from the goodbye cocktail party last year that we had with all of the señoras. She’s 41 years old and is married, but her husband works during most of the week in Madrid. She has a sweet little kitty named Becky and NO children (praise the lawd!).
Belén’s home is a whopping FIVE stories tall but very, very narrow. On the ground floor, there is a little seating area, a laundry room, and the bathroom. The bathroom is TINY, and the tub is about half the size of mine at home. Up the first set of stairs and on the second floor is the kitchen and living room. There is a beautiful balcony off of the living room where Belén has lots of flowers and plants growing. The third floor is where my bedroom and Belén’s bedroom are located. There is an extra bedroom on the fourth floor and some other room that is closed off. The fifth floor is like a loft, leading to a small storage area. Check out the pictures below to see mi casa!
For the first comida (lunch), Belén made some delicious pasta and pork filets. I showed her pictures of my family, friends, university, etc. I've really enjoyed getting to know her already! I think we're going to be great friends.
This afternoon at 5:00 PM, everyone is meeting at the aqueduct to do a brief tour of Segovia with Dra. Stewart, my favorite professor EVER/the program director. It’ll be nice to reunite with everyone and start learning faces and names. Classes start tomorrow morning. I already have presentation to do in Advanced Oral Spanish! So crazy! I have a feeling that this month is going to fly by.
That's all I have for now! :) Hasta luego, readers!
On the plane ride across the “pond”, I sat next to a fellow 20-something year old who was returning to Spain to teach English as a second language (ESL) to 3-5 year olds. We chatted through dinner about our mutual love for Spain, the places we’ve explored, teaching methods, our experience learning Spanish, and much more. I couldn’t have asked for a better flight buddy!
After going through passport control and baggage claim, I was greeted by the lovely Dra. Pertusa at the terminal’s exit. I loaded my things onto the bus, waited around for the other students in my group to arrive, and we arrived in Segovia an hour later! I didn’t realize just how big of a piece of my heart I had left here in Segovia until our motor coach took a final turn around the Guadarrama mountains and the beautiful Roman aqueduct came into view. The other students were ooh-ing and ahh-ing as they took their first glances at the colossal 1st century A.D. stone aqueduct. As for me, a silent smile grew on my face as the memories made last summer came rushing back to me. All I could do was sit in awe that I had finally returned to my little home away from home. For me, el aqueducto symbolizes all of the memories made, lessons learned, challenges conquered, and wanderlust felt last summer in España. I can only imagine what will be in store for me this time around.
My señora with whom I’m living was eagerly awaiting my arrival at the aqueduct. Belén greeted me with a big hug and customary air kisses. We live just steps away from the Plaza Mayor in the center of the city, which is SUPER convenient for me, as my classes are held in a building facing the Plaza Mayor. She has hosted students for eight years now. I actually remember her from the goodbye cocktail party last year that we had with all of the señoras. She’s 41 years old and is married, but her husband works during most of the week in Madrid. She has a sweet little kitty named Becky and NO children (praise the lawd!).
Belén’s home is a whopping FIVE stories tall but very, very narrow. On the ground floor, there is a little seating area, a laundry room, and the bathroom. The bathroom is TINY, and the tub is about half the size of mine at home. Up the first set of stairs and on the second floor is the kitchen and living room. There is a beautiful balcony off of the living room where Belén has lots of flowers and plants growing. The third floor is where my bedroom and Belén’s bedroom are located. There is an extra bedroom on the fourth floor and some other room that is closed off. The fifth floor is like a loft, leading to a small storage area. Check out the pictures below to see mi casa!
For the first comida (lunch), Belén made some delicious pasta and pork filets. I showed her pictures of my family, friends, university, etc. I've really enjoyed getting to know her already! I think we're going to be great friends.
This afternoon at 5:00 PM, everyone is meeting at the aqueduct to do a brief tour of Segovia with Dra. Stewart, my favorite professor EVER/the program director. It’ll be nice to reunite with everyone and start learning faces and names. Classes start tomorrow morning. I already have presentation to do in Advanced Oral Spanish! So crazy! I have a feeling that this month is going to fly by.
That's all I have for now! :) Hasta luego, readers!