This post is probably my shortest yet, but I could honestly go on for days about how fabulous my homestay experience has been thus far. I am so grateful that I decided to do a homestay for my program, in the 5 short days that I’ve been here it has already been one of my favorite aspects of this experience. My roommate Sam and I are living with a 53-year-old Spanish woman. She is divorced and has two sons who live in Madrid. Her apartment is located in the los remedios region, which is about a 15-minute walk to the University and center of town. The apartment is much nicer and much bigger than I expected. We live across the river and the neighborhood is completely residential which I love because there are no tourists. Tons of families live in los remedios and the street next to ours, Calle Asuncion, is the main street of the area with tons of shops. Cars aren’t allowed on the street so it’s where all of the families and kids spend time outside. There are always lots of adorable little Spanish children and babies and I have loved getting to be around them. The Spanish also dress their children impeccably, and I don’t know how its possible, but even the babies are cuter here than in the U.S. Los remedios is filled with tons of little restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars where you can constantly find locals meeting up to enjoy time with their friends.
Now for Gertru, our wonderful homestay mom. Y’all this woman is amazing. On the first night we arrived she showed us around the apartment and we sat and had tea (orange flavored, it’s amazing) and got acquainted with one another. Later that night we had our first meal together and I instantly knew that everything she would cook for us was going to be incredible. One of my biggest worries about this semester was gaining weight, as the Spanish señoras tend to cook a lot of friend foods and want you to eat multiple helpings of everything. I lucked out because our senora is very health conscious and cooks healthy, delicious meals. Most families also eat bread with every meal, but instead we have these little breadstick type things… which is good because I like bread way to much to have any self control if it was constantly in front of me. The first night she told us we didn’t have to worry about gaining weight like most study abroad students do because she cooks healthy and we eat in small portions.
She doesn’t speak much English but loves to learn new things and keeps a book with Spanish words and what they are in English. She is also a fantastic painter and her paintings are hung all around the house. In the mornings she likes to turn on the radio and she is always singing or whistling as she does things around the house. She also loves to shop and is always wearing very fashionable outfits. We have gone on walks with her and she points out places that have sales and where to find the best deals. In many ways, she reminds me a lot of my mom, which is a really nice comfort being so far from home. Of course no one could ever come near to being as wonderful as my own mom, but I’m pretty sure they would be good friends if they met! Miss you mucho mama. (Dad and Tay too if you’re reading this!)
Now for Gertru, our wonderful homestay mom. Y’all this woman is amazing. On the first night we arrived she showed us around the apartment and we sat and had tea (orange flavored, it’s amazing) and got acquainted with one another. Later that night we had our first meal together and I instantly knew that everything she would cook for us was going to be incredible. One of my biggest worries about this semester was gaining weight, as the Spanish señoras tend to cook a lot of friend foods and want you to eat multiple helpings of everything. I lucked out because our senora is very health conscious and cooks healthy, delicious meals. Most families also eat bread with every meal, but instead we have these little breadstick type things… which is good because I like bread way to much to have any self control if it was constantly in front of me. The first night she told us we didn’t have to worry about gaining weight like most study abroad students do because she cooks healthy and we eat in small portions.
She doesn’t speak much English but loves to learn new things and keeps a book with Spanish words and what they are in English. She is also a fantastic painter and her paintings are hung all around the house. In the mornings she likes to turn on the radio and she is always singing or whistling as she does things around the house. She also loves to shop and is always wearing very fashionable outfits. We have gone on walks with her and she points out places that have sales and where to find the best deals. In many ways, she reminds me a lot of my mom, which is a really nice comfort being so far from home. Of course no one could ever come near to being as wonderful as my own mom, but I’m pretty sure they would be good friends if they met! Miss you mucho mama. (Dad and Tay too if you’re reading this!)