Submitted by Briana Tansey on the 2015 winter session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures…
It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve arrived in Granada and it has been nothing short of amazing! Our host family has welcomed us with friendly and open arms. They are very thoughtful and most importantly, great sympathetic listeners when it comes to our Spanish.
We have eaten all authentic Spanish meals and they are delicious. They range from pan (bread) for breakfast, to different soups, sandwiches, and meats daily. The seafood paella we had was 1000000% my favorite so far. I love trying new foods so this is very exciting for me. The fried fish we had on the other hand, was something I am not willing to try again anytime soon. I find it so interesting that it is customary to eat yogurt and fruit for dessert, when it is usually eaten for breakfast in America. We tried to explain it to our family and they thought it was odd to have anything besides bread for breakfast!
They love helping us with our homework, which I am always more than open to. Our “Dad” speaks the most English, our sister speaks some, and our mother does not speak any. It is very hard to understand her. The daughter even translates our Spanish for her mother to understand. I can only imagine that she speaks in slang.
They found it very interesting that both of my parents work. Neither of them work, while the daughter assists an elderly woman everyday for four hours. I believe that the mother used to be a lunch lady, and the dad is currently retired. They just hang around the house all day and I’ve only seen them leave to walk the dog. While this lifestyle is simple and carefree, it is hard for me to understand. I’ve only known both my parents working my whole life, so this is so interesting to have two “stay at home” parents. I definitely do not mind it though! 🙂