Blog post 2 of my Sunday afternoon; I figured since I’m listening to some Nat King Cole and Sublime (I know it’s a weird musical combo, don’t judge) and my family is taking a siesta I might as well take advantage of some down time to catch up on blog posts.  Today I’m going to talk about my experience making an authentic Paella Valenciana! Last weekend my uncle Roberto showed me how to make paella, and this weekend he said it was my turn to take up the apron of apprenticeship.  Today I made paella de mariscos (seafood), instead of the chicken and beef paella de made last weekend. Roberto has taught me all these amazing tricks to making paella, which I have written down in my journal so as never to forget (in case I get Alzheimer's I want to make sure my future family will always be able to eat paella).

    I was very nervous to do it by myself, but with my incredible instructor looking over my shoulder I was at ease.  He said the secret is patience and of course to put lots of love into your cooking. We made all the preliminary preparations a couple of hours in advance because Spaniards like to go out on the weekends in the middle of the afternoon to take a walk, drink a beer, talk and eat some tapas…I LOVE this culture! We had some great conversation, talking about everything from the economic crisis, their favorite cities in Spain, to stories of the earlier lives. I am getting very involved in conversing, you really have to be aggressive and use lots of hand gestures to express yourself properly here, otherwise people will just keep talking and you can't get a word in edge wise.  They said I am starting to seem española to them instead of American…it was the best compliment ever!

    When we came back to the house I finished making la paella and some eur dourves: steamed muscles and clams with onions, white wine, and olive oil (they don’t really have butter here).  I was sharing my seafood cooking experience that I have learned from my Uncles Kyle and Neil on Lopez Island summer after summer, and bringing it to Spain: cross-cultural experience at its finest.

     Since today the weather was gorgeous, sunshine and a light breeze in mid 60 degree temperatures, we ate out on the terrace.  I cannot claim credit for the quality of la paella because Roberto taught me everything, but I have to say that it was simply delicious. As I write this I must say I am SOOO full...I cannot move.  If I liked taking siestas I would most certainly be joining my family, but since I don’t like napping I get to write instead.

   I end this post by saying this: I have rekindled my love for this country, I feel completely part of the family, and I can remember now why it was so hard to leave Spain last time: Spanish people, food, and culture are magnificent.

P.S

…I’m SOO excited to bring back my paella making skills to the USA and share the incredible dish with you all!  

Besos for everyone! 

- Tonada 

 Las almejas (clams)

 Awww cutest couple in Alicante!!!

 Me and Uncle Roberto with the Paella

Valencia

     Hola a todos! Sorry for not writing last week, it's been a busy first month, we are finishing up the "Intensive Language Period" next week, so my mind has been elsewhere. This post actually refers to a trip we took to Valencia 2 weeks ago; so I'm doing a bit of catching up, bear with me. 
     On January 12th all 55 + of us got on a big bus en route to Valencia, another costal city to the North of Alicante. Most everyone slept on the bus because Friday night "todos fueron de fiesta" (everyone went out to party)...except me because I'm an old lady. I spent the 2 hr bus ride reading Shantaram (I know I keep talking about this book, but it seriously is a work of art, just incredible). 
     We arrived in Alicante at around 11:00. We got to see the amazing City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia's modern crown jewel, a collection of futuristic buildings that truly is out of this world. We then headed city center first stopping at El Mercado Central where everyone buys their fresh produce, including whole animals (yes pig heads included: by the truckload). We then walked to La Catedral where they claim to have the Holy Grail (all I could think of was Monty Python...."that’s no ordinary rabbit, that’s the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on," and of course The Last Crusade comes to mind when thinking of the Grail.  Ok sorry, I get carried away with my movie references. 
    We were then given some "tiempo libre," so some friends of the group and I walked around the city, found a park, hung out and practiced our Spanish. We then met up with the group a couple of hours later, touring el Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias which had really cool ceramic artifacts and lots of 18th century interior decoration. After a full day of museum and city exploring, we were all tired. Yet again everyone except me fell asleep on the bus heading home...and as you can guess I was reading again...Shantaram...it's one hell of a roller coaster ride, concerning the plot and the reader's emotions, I nearly cried at one point.  All in all it was a great visit, and I plan on returning sometime this semester, it's such a short trip from Alicante! 

-Some of us girl with the Director Pepa and Marisa 

- The Holy Grail!...or should I say the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch      - Sorority pose in the Museum

Visita al Castillo de Santa Barbara

Yesterday the whole group got a great tour of the old part of the city and the Castle of Santa Barbara. We had some amazing views and great laughs. I also found out that I share a common educational experience with several of my new friends in the group: we are Waldorf kids! Maraya was likely at the same Potlach that I was at on Whidbey Island in 4th grade!!! (It's kind of a big deal for those of you who are not familiar with the Waldorf system/community). AHHH I swear the world is constantly getting smaller, and I love it. Anywho, school is going well. This first week we only have a single language/grammer class with other international students. There is a hilarious Russian student, 2 wonderfully nice Japanese students, and 7 american students.  Next week we start with a mandatory program class called Realidades Sociales (Social Realities) and a preparatory course that helps international students get accustomed to the Spanish higher education system.  Then in February, after all of the spanish students finish with exams, we enroll in normal classes at the University. I'm excited to chose my classes in the coming weeks, I'm going to try to set it up so that I don't have class on Fridays so that I can find more time to sail and travel on the weekends. 

         Representing L&C in Alicante!

    Nighttime view and a cliche jumping picture.

Los Reyes Magos

In Spain the Christmas festivities continue well after the 25th. Today was el dia de los Reyes Magos, the Three Kings, who bring presents to children in the night, much like Santa Claus. Last night we left candies and water for the Kings and lettuce for their camels. This morning we all opened presents, I got a beautiful scarf and my host dad got a bundle of sweaters. My host family is too generous. Spain is getting hit really hard with the economic crisis, tons of unemployment, and to show generosity and a welcoming heart to a complete stranger is just incredible; very moving. I understand now the importance of welcoming change in your life, of laughing and smiling at moments of happiness even in the hard times, and of opening your heart and your mind to new experiences and to new people. I hope that I am able to reciprocate the kindness they have showed me. 

Paula with one of her many cool presents.

Cesar got some new sweaters! La familia! 

Awwwww

El Roscon! A traditional pastry for breakfast during Reyes.

The view from the living room

Casa de mi nueva familia

The view from my room...words escape me

My room

The beautiful bathroom (I was compelled to post it because I was so impressed).

Hemos Llegado Al Sol

    After 5520 miles of travel, tired eyes from reading on the plane, a disheveled appearance on all fronts, and a nervousness rumbling in my stomach, I finally arrived in Alicante Spain in the afternoon on January 3rd of 2013.  This city is beautiful, palm trees everywhere, the sun shines with a brilliance that I cannot describe and the breeze from the Mediterranean sweeps over the city like a comforting mantel; I cannot wait to start sailing! We stayed in a nice hotel where we received our orientation and I got to take a well earned nap, there are 55 American students in total from different schools around the country...its a big group.
     The next day we took a tour of la Universidad de Alicante campus led by our Resident Director Pepa and an activities coordinator Nacho; Nacho and I are going to be great friends, super nice guy! The campus is a lot bigger than I thought, and it's beautiful, lots of great landscaping. We then returned to the hotel to meet our host families, I was so excited! My host grandma (her nick name is Abu, short for abuela=grandma) and my host mom's cousin were kind enough to pick me up since my host parents were at work. We walked from the hotel to my new home, the whole time I was going crazy with curiosity. We walked for about 10 minutes, winding through streets shuffling old ladies, young ruffian boys in sweat suits, motorcycles, and stray cats. As we rounded a corner onto another street they told me we had arrived at my new home. I could not believe my eyes. The apartment I live in is a 30 second walk to the marina. We live in "el ático" which is the top floor (7th). I have a beautiful room with a view; our living room (salon) also has an amazing view. My host parents are amazing too, my mom Carolina, my host dad César and my little sister Paula who is 2 years old (pesada y preciosa al mismo tiempo).

    Today I woke up early to go for my first run in Spain. Everyone thought I was crazy in shorts in a t-shirt because for them the cold of winter is biting, but I embraced the upper 50 degree F weather as a warm spring day. I ran along the marina and down to another part of Alicante with the Mediterranean sparkling, it's just unbelievable how lucky I am to be here. I also went out for un paseo with César his bother, my tio Fernando, and Paula. We had some jamón and aceitunas, sitting outside on the street (muy típico europeo) near la Plaza de los luceros. The city was bustling with people getting ready for Dia de los Reyes Magos (a Christmas tradition similar to Santa Claus but with the Three Kings bringing presents instead).  Afterwards we came home for a lunch of tortilla de patata una ensalada. Then César and Paula took a siesta while I read my new favorite book Shantaram out on our terrace, laughing at how ridiculous it is that I was soaking up the sun in the 60-degree weather of January. So far Alicante has exceeded my already high expectations. I am excited to start school but I am also nervous. All I can say is that I am going to be taking every opportunity for an adventure possible…which means I am going to be busy.