I could not be happier!
After my 27 hour travel day (3 planes, 1 bus, 1 cab) I arrived in the most beautiful city I have ever been in. I LOVE IT HERE. Looking back, i really had no idea what to expect from Northern Spain- Everything is clean, green, extremely safe, and incredibly friendly. I was explained to today that people here love tourists- because they are so rare. The town its self is very confusing. As are most cities in europe, streets go every which way- some are rounded and looking at a map still makes me confused. As i sit here, smiling simply of the thought of how wonderful Oveido is, i am realizing how incredibly hard it is to explain its charm- but here is my best shot at it.
Oveido is part little town, part city. Part Santa Barbara meets France meets a little farm in Ohio. The ocean in 30 min away, and the city is nestled into the mountains. People on the street KNOW each other, in that "oh what a small world" type of way. People get genuinely excited when I say i am from the US. A waiter at a restuarant sat down with me and told me all about Oviedos history during his work shift. There are department stores, beautiful parks, McDonalds, and tiny mom and pop bars. The city feels perfect dynamically- tons of kids, teens, young adults, midlife crisis-ers, and elderly. Its old ad historical and its young and hip. Its fashionable and trendy in the best possible way. Its incredibly romantic, AND it has a sense of fun and humor. aka- its too good to be true.
My favorite part of the city thus far is the old quarter. Its an area about a mile in width that is 100% car-less. The walking streets are huge though, and packed with people eating, drinking, playing soccer, and just hanging out- The floors are made of beautiful old tile and around every corner is a new spetactular church, fountain, or monument. Every street has its share of wonderfully cute cafe-bars, where people are packed into the outside seating areas that line the street. I spend about 50% of my time walking and looking around wide eyed and 50% of my time drinking a "cafe con leche" in one of these little cafes and chatting with waiters. I guess thats the pro of traveling solo for a week...the only english ive spoken is what i have murmured to myself- My spanish has already inproved ten-fold. MY LIFE: I offically have a HOME! Yes yes! On my very first day in Oviedo, a wonderful women named Charo took me around to interview / tour apartments. We saw three. And typically, my apartment experience followed the rule of threes. The first one was too small, the second one was too big (and scary!) and the third one...was just right :). I now live in a cute apartment right next to the University with a Spanish couple, an Italian (gender?) who i have yet to meet, and two wonderfully crazy dogs. My first night sleeping here was wonderfully inturpted by huge wet pooch kisses...i think i am in heavan. The couple is absolutly wonderful- They are very artsy and perfectly eccentric. The man, Ales, loves to sing and cook...both qualities I have already learned to love seeing as I just ate seared fish and avocado salad literally whilst listening to him sing Italian opera. Yes please!
School starts monday, so I am spending a lot of my time studying up for the placement test on the first day...I cant wait to meet everyone in the international school (there apparently are 100 of us, from all over the world!)
Updates to come....and pictures of my apartamento!
CHAO!
-Jackie
