Raggle Taggle Gypsy: January 2011

At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the Spanish people because I was an outsider looking in. In the streets and in public, they seem abrupt and impacient. Like I mentioned before, we had people in the banks literaly throwing our money at us, grocery checkers pissed off cuz we didn't know we had to weigh our own produce...I even had a drunk guy yelling at me cuz I fed his dog who looked starving and seemed not to have an owner. And without good language skills I really didn't know how to defend myself and tell them to "screw off" or explain my situation better. I was just super-intimidated.

To be perfectly honest, I heard people say very prejudice things about other races and it bothered me a lot. I didn't like how quickly they were to stereotype people. It seemed like the majority of Spaniards just thought they were better than other people. I also got sick of being critized or questioned for every little thing I did without me having the language ability to really explain or defend my reasons for doing things or thinking certain things. People were constantly commenting on the types of food I liked or didn't like, they time of day that I ate, why would I like Mexico, blah blah blah. Anyhow, those were my first impressions as an outsider. That people seemed hard-headed and a little prejudice. I can only imagine what the first impressions of an outsider in the U.S. must think apon arrival. Something to think about. Although, I didn't realize it at the time, that was my version of culture shock. I guess you never know in what form you will experience culture shock. I didn't expect it to look like that. But they don't call it "culture shock" for no reason.

But now I must say that I have met some wonderful people through work and my private lessons who have really just been so friendly, pacient and welcoming. I am feeling more and more a part of society here and less and less of an outsider. Thank God!! I am such a people person and thrive off of the little things like interacting, chatting and laughing with people. So, this is an important development for my happiness.

I am becoming more and more amazed by how thoughtful these people have been towards me. Some bought me birthday and Christmas presents. Lola and Antonio brought me to a castle and took me shopping for Rebajas. Irene's parents took me on a day trip to Portugal, to el Rio Tinto in Huelva, brought me to find good quality boots way out of town, and made sure I got to sample the local seafood. Irene's cousin drove us all over Ceuta to different lookouts so that I could see the city from every angle and take pictures. Angela took me to her family's house for a big New Year's dinner, brought me to an unforgettable flamenco concert, took me to a flamenco dance course to watch the pros practice, and so much more. Juana met me at the parade for the Reyes Magos who bring the presents to the kids in Spain rather than Santa Claus. They threw lots of candy at us while she made sure I didn't get lost in the big crowds. Then, the next day she invited me to eat with the family and watch them open presents. She had a present there for me too. How sweet!!!

And today, I am going with Fransico and Olga to their country house an hour outside of Cordoba. They have a house out there with no electricity that they like to sneak away to on the weekends and what not. They just bought a horse and want to know if I want to try and ride it. I am little scared beings how its been ages since I rode a horse. Plus, they say this horse is a little sketchy right now. We will see if I feel safe enough to ride her. But whatever the case is, I am happy to be invited along on these expeditions.

And the best part really, is the fact that people are pacient with my language deficiencies. They take the time to explain things to me until I get it...like jokes and idioms or just new vocabulary. I am constantly in a state of learning and many people have been so amazing in their ability to teach me. They talk slower when they speak to me, they ask me if I understood and if not, they explain. Its amazing!! So many people have become teachers to me...and not just the people I've met through the school. Just about everyone I sit down and talk with becomes like a teacher to me and really have shown me a lot of pacience, sympathy and understanding. I have been extremely lucky!!! So, my request is if you meet a foreigner, take into consideration that they may feel like an outsider or lonely or miss their family. It doesn't hurt to extend an invitation to do something. You never know how much they might appreciate your hospitality or how much they may learn from you.