Where to Begin...

So now that I've been back in Spain for 2.5 months, I think it's about time to write about my new home and my new job...

I'm teaching in Lekeitio, Pais Vasco (Basque Country), Spain. Lekeitio is a gorgeous town on the northern coast of Spain, halfway between Bilbao and San Sebastian. Everyone in my town speaks Basque as their first language, and goes through a trilingual program in school, learning both Spanish and English as foreign languages. Some students even choose to take French or Latin as an elective. Language learning is just something they do here, which I think is pretty neat, as I have a passion for learning languages.

Most of the signs here are in Basque, sometimes without a Spanish translation!

However, my interest in learning languages is surprisingly inhibiting me from learning Basque, rather than aiding it. I'm a native English speaker with a high level of Spanish, began learning French from a friend last year, and have studied Mandarin Chinese with my brother in the past. Since I already have a basic foundation of two other languages, I want at least one of them to progress, for fear of losing all of them if I add a third language into my beginner's category. Plus, I live in close proximity to France, and other countries that speak the language (Belgium, Morocco), so I'm trying to set aside some time to study the language while I'm here. 

Recent trip to Belgium!

Although I haven't learned much more than a few phrases in Basque, I do really like their culture; I think it's so fascinating! I love when my students show me traditional dances, popular songs by local musicians, and tell me about their sports or traditions. Here is one band I was introduced to:

Living in the Basque Country gives me a new and rich cultural experience, while still allowing me to practice the same Spanish language with all of Europe at my fingertips.

Wordless Wednesdays 3/21

"Las Fallas Fireworks" - Valencia, Spain

[Almost] Wordless Wednesdays 3/14

"Springtime Spirit" - Munich, Germany

While I know it is somewhat late for a Christmas-y photo, the colorful, fresh produce does tie it into Springtime a little bit. Incase I do not get around to posting my December puentes, I wanted to share a small sample of Germany's Christmas Markets. With how warm the temperatures are beginning to get here, I am not sure I will find much motivation to post cold weather pictures after this week. 

Recent Highlights of Extremadura

Several of my posts are about traveling to other places, but I have found some pretty fun things to do in Extremadura as well! At the beginning of March, I explored the Roman theater and amphitheater here in Mérida with Doris. Two weekends before that, I went to Badajoz for a couple days with Fanchon - but it was not just any old weekend, it was carnival!

Roman ruins in Mérida

Carnaval is celebrated right before Lent in many Catholic countries. Spain has a few celebrations that are pretty large, such as the Canary Islands and Cadiz; ironically, Badajoz (Extremadura) is not too far behind!? We had a few days off at the end of February for the occasion, so I decided to take advantage of what was close to home instead of traveling far. Carnaval consists of parades, dressing up in costumes, and having a good time with friends.

Nikki and Elliot's terrace gave us the perfect view for the parade - can you see it behind us?

For the first half of the weekend, I stayed in Mérida. Last fall/winter markets had come to Mérida for the Medieval festival and for Christmas, and they were back again for carnival! I explored the markets on Saturday with my English friend Jess. While it was fun to "window shop" and admire all the interesting jewelry, I refrained from purchasing anything other than a crepe for lunch. That night I dressed up as a pirate and met up with another friend, Doris, and a few of her Spanish friends. It was really fun to see everyone in costume. Some people got really creative with a certain character or theme, and others just went crazy with ridiculous outfits, bright colors, and wigs.

A few of the market stands in Mérida, plus pony rides for the kids 

Sunday morning Fanchon and I headed to Badajoz for a couple days. After stopping for lunch, the rest of the day was spent watching the parade - it was 6 hours long!! It was really impressive - the costumes were intricate, the groups changed formation while marching down the street, and the music was good. We watched most of the parade from our friends' terrace, which was more relaxing than sitting/standing along the road for so long, and we were able to see more of the group at the same time. We also saw the first few groups up close as we were heading over to their place. I am glad we saw it both ways and definitely think the bird's eye view is best!

Monday night tons of people went out because Tuesday was a day off for most schools and businesses. Everyone, and I do mean absolutely everyone, was dressed up in a costume! There are three main plazas in the center of Badajoz, and each of them was filled with groups of friends mingling (or if you've been to Spain, think of a giant botellón). I was able to meet up with my travel buddy Taylor (her and I have been on one trip together all ready, and we have two more coming up this spring), in addition to the friends that I went with.

With friends during carnival - looks more like we're having a late Halloween celebration!

The Roman ruins are really impressive! The Anfiteatro was built in 8 A.C. to hold gladiator fights for up to 15,000 spectators. A few years later the Teatro Romano was built right next to it, and its audience can hold up to 3,000 people. Although slightly deteriorated, it is still usable and holds performances during Mérida's annual fair each September. I think it is incredible how intact both of these monuments still are. 

Me and Doris in the amphitheater 

Teatro Romano 

Sitting in the stands of the Roman theater 

Spanish TV

Television over here is a little different in the states. Sure, overall it is pretty similar, but the differences that are there are easily noticed.

For one, they do not take commercial breaks as often, and when they do break, the breaks are in random, illogical spots. Always in the middle of a scene, and it is not unusual to occur mid-sentence.

The commercial breaks are looooong. However, they do warn you ahead of time. "6 minutos y volvemos." Sometimes they throw another commercial break in back-to-back before returning to the show.

They periodically let you know how much time is remaining in the break
between commercials.

These breaks are convenient for cooking, cleaning, or completing any other task that you should be doing instead of watching TV. When the show is something you really want to see or you do not have something to do in the meantime, they can get annoying. Otherwise, it is nice to know you have time to be productive.

Also surprising is the list of American shows they play. ANY mystery/detective series is probably aired - CSI, Law and Order, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Criminal Minds... Other familiar shows I have noticed are Friends, Modern Family, Sex and the City, and the Simpsons. There may be a few others, but these seem to be the ones most played. Some of these shows I NEVER would have expected to be International.

Spain of course has their own assortment of programs too. I do not watch too much TV here, so I will have to wait and fill you in on those later. The other things I have mentioned were quicker to pick up. ...For now, I just needed something to do during one of those 6 minute commercial breaks. But I can say that the Spanish movie I am watching with one of my roommates tonight seems pretty good :)

Since last writing, I have taken trips to Málaga + Munich, Bilbao + Santander + Burgos, returned to the USA for 3 weeks, and spent a day each in Madrid and Sevilla. Check back soon, more updates are coming now that I am settled in again!

Visiting with my sister over Christmas break!