Top 5 things about Spain (after one month)

As mandated by my sister's going away present (a daily calendar with wisdom, pictures, suggestions, and orders like this one), I'm making a list of my favorite things about Spain.

1. The best of both worlds: As far as Rotary country selection goes, I know myself and a lot of other kids were stymied between the cultural splendor and geographical beauty of Europe, while the warmth and openness of South American people was tempting as an exchange student. Spain has the best of both! Geographically, it's part of Europe but historically has kept very secluded. The culture of lights and love that people encounter in South America came from the Spanish settlers, so I get the best of both continents here in España.
2. The night: It's a weird answer to give, but it's usually the first one that comes to mind when someone asks me my favorite thing about Sevilla. Yes, it's pretty amazing to be able to stay out until after midnight going to restaurants or hanging out with friends, but I mean "noche" in more general terms. I love the way the city lights up at night but in some places you can still see the stars; the way I can go for a walk just after the sun sets; the way the heat fades right away to the perfect temperature; I love the breeze that comes off the Guadalquivir that's almost like a night at Pine Point.
3. People aren't as PC: Political correctness can get a little out of hand in the US, and in Spain they just have too much history to care about potentially offending someone. This extends to television as well, where swearing and nudity are not regulated HALF as much as in America (caution: this can also lead to awkward host family moments).
4. The food: It doesn't need saying. Although I do miss spicy food (when I'm warned that something will be picante, it means that there will be some black pepper in it, and doesn't even register on the American spicy-scale), Spanish food has every other flavor and most of it is homemade. I've had amazing (and stereotypical) tortilla española, paella, and gazpacho, but also some surprises like moussaka, meatballs today, macaroni, and various other "normal" food. All with a Spanish twist, off course. It should also be noted that I miss fresh bread SO MUCH, because my host family freezes any bread they buy and eat it toasted, and do crackers with meals.
5. Public transportation: Also an obvious answer, but taking the city bus to school is pretty nice, and Sevilla also boasts the best bike paths in Spain throughout the city. I bike every day to the Nautical Club, about a 25 minute ride, that does become painful after a workout. Also, drivers are weirdly polite in this city and stop for any pedestrians. This means I will probably get hit by a car the next time I'm in Boston.

There are almost certainly more things that I love about this country and could add to the list, but I'm out of time (this post wasn't on my to-do list today, Hilary). ¡Hasta luego!

♫ "Feliz seamos todos"

     On a Monday morning seventeen years ago, much like this one, my parents were in a hospital for a Cesarean section. Most people can't say that their births were scheduled, but for once in my life, I was right on time. Most people also don't spend their seventeenth birthday thousands of miles from home, but the internet means I can still talk to you all. Today is an important day for me, measuring years as well as days. I entered the world seventeen years ago today, the third child to the most loving, supportive, and ultimately selfless parents anyone could ever imagine. One month ago today, I gave them impatient hugs and left.
     My dad and I have a running tally of how people react to my exchange. From my peers, the results are mostly: "That's amazing! You're so lucky!" which I sometimes think discounts how hard I worked for this opportunity, or "Why would you want to?" which I can't answer. Before, because it seemed obvious to me and the best answer I could come up with was "Why wouldn't you?" Now, I am starting to wonder why I did want to do this. Please don't misunderstand that - I am happy here and excited for the year, but I also am gaining respect and appreciation for those who choose to remain in one place for their lives. Of the adults, a few respond with enthusiasm about my exchange, but most look my parents up and down, subtly estimating their straight-jacket measurements, before bluntly asking, "Are you insane?" Frankly, I would like to ask them the same question, but madness is clearly hereditary.
     The Spanish birthday song that I received for the first time yesterday, and presumably many more times today, is a little different than I learned in high school.

"Cumpleaños feliz,

cumpleaños feliz,

feliz seamos todos,

cumpleaños feliz."

     The third line translates to "that we all be happy," which is the message of this post. Sometimes I'm sad about the past or worried about the future, but birthday should be about the present and, most importantly, about others. Today, I celebrate seventeen blessed years with the most wonderful people literally in the world. I hope that my family, friends, pets, and everyone back in the US are happy today. I hope my Spanish family, friends, pets, and everyone are felices today. I hope that my exchange family, spread out across four continents, are all feliz, joyeux, glücklich, sretan, lykkelig, senang, ยินดี, mutlu, खुश, or however you may say it in their language. (Don't let me down, Google Translate! Sorry for the mistakes, guys... I tried).I have two homes now, and I want you all to know that I am thinking of you. Thank you to Hilary, whose gift got lost in the mail, to Nana, whose letters I am anxiously waiting to open, to my Rotary family, spread out across the globe but always there for me, to my families, friends, teachers, coaches, classmates, and to you, who are reading this.
Feliz seamos todos... cumpleaños feliz. I love you all.

Un abrazo muy fuerte,

Meg