La arquitectura

I just wanted to share some pictures with you all!

 

La catedral- all the similar pics are the sides. HUGE 

 

 

Don't judge the weather by my outfit. I was sick & freezing the whole day :(  

 

Happy Reading,

Fabiola 

Nerja

How I actually ended up in Nerja is a story in itself - here it goes. Stefany (SU student/housemate/ridiculous Boricua) and I signed up for a hike about 2hrs from school. We were the first to sign up. It consisted of hiking the mountain, cute little Spanish lunch, some class and pool time. Sounds perfect! (despite the fact it was from 9am -8pm). We arrive at school and we see the bus pulling off. Stefany runs to the bus and gets the drivers attention (sidenote: we're 3 minutes late, we're Caribbean it's the best we could do AND since when are the Spanish punctual?? Jamás! - I will not even indulge that thought at the moment. Anyways, we get the drivers attention and then he stops the bus and tells us we did not pay the day before so they took our names off the list. Clearly I became immediately enraged - hear me out. The Spanish explain nothing. I am not sure if they think we are all mind readers, but my school is horrible with that. Like true Americans we ask questions all day everyday. Specifically asked the secretary do we pay today or what? His response "No, paga el día del viaje" - ok fine. WRONG. So the bus is full we cannot go on the trip, we are absolutely heartbroken. So we go to our FAVORITE professor (we are actually obsessed with her- it's completely fine). We pull Bélen out of class and tell her the whole story and she says to us "Estar enfadada (Spain doesn't use "Enojarse") por 5 minutos y punto!" Then we're like now our absence isn't excused and we don't have books or anything. Like the angel she is she says "Shhh, go take your own trip y tell me all about it on Monday" CLEARLY this is just another reason of why we love her so much and are completely obsessed - again it's completely fine :).

So... We are annoyed for 5 minutes y no más! Then we decided ¡Vamos a Nerja! Nerja is about 2hrs south of Málaga and even hotter. This town is completely surrounded by beaches and mountains. BEAUTIFUL (as you will soon see)

While trekking along we end up here^^

There is no other way to describe this beach as nothing short of beautiful. The beach is secluded and not a touristy spot. It was so amazing and peaceful. I could not tell which was the sky and which was the ocean. Laying in our cabanas and looking out all I could do was talk to God. To see his hand in everything I felt so happy. I also felt a surge of humility invade my soul. In that moment I truly knew I was blessed to be 20 years old, a college senior and in Spain studying for four months. The happiness I felt I cant describe in words. 

See what I mean?!?

I cannot say enough how stunning this town is! And I have more pictures!

These homes look just like the ones in Greece. 

Everything in this town was also so cheap (blessing). We were so close to the ocean there was no way I would not have seafood. For an early dinner I had a Rosada Frita (Fried White Huss) - Delicioso! . Also we had a pitcher of Sangria only 7 euros

 

Since I have an innate quality for finding cheap and delicious food and drink, on our way to the bus stop we found a little place that had "Cana"(House beer) for 1.30 and it came with food - Winning!

Welp, that was my trip to Nerja and I loved every minute of it. We ended up getting home at midnight - Needless to say I was exhausted and crashed in my bed on a Friday night :) (it happens).

Happy Reading,

Fabiola

Pasarela Larios

Last week was fashion week in Malaga - clearly this was something I was completely interested in. The  Spanish people are so fashionable. Women of all ages dress so well here. They are completely accessorized and of course fashion trends start in Europe and then trickle down to us lowly Americans (Que triste!).

ANYWAYS let's just get to it. This blog will not be me rambling on about Spanish culture. This entry is strictly about the fashion. We were able to sit and watch the runway show with the invited guests (like a boss), instead of having to stand behind God knows how many people and trying to sneak a peak. Before, I start uploading the pictures I must say a few things. 1.) This was by far the LONGEST show I have EVER been to in my entire life - not in a good way either. There were entirely too many pauses, but the music was amazing and it helped to distract the audience from the organizers errors. 2.) I HATED the fact that a designer decided to emasculate these men by giving them teddy bears to walk down the runway with - I personally did not get the point. 3.) I definitely got some wedding dress ideas seeing this show ;). 

 

 

Such an exquisite dress!

See what I mean - Why do they have bears?? 

The best model. She was so confident and smiled so much!

 

The lion face thing was definitely a recurring piece for this designer.

The girls and I :)

                                                                Happy Reading,

                                                                     Fabiola

             

La diversidad

Hmmm. Let's talk about an issue a little bit more interesting that I have come across in Spain. Málaga to be exact. The topic I need to address is - Diversity. Now, I spoke to a friend who studied abroad in Barcelona spring semester and told me how I would see a rainbow of people in my new city. I also spoke with a friend who studied in London but visited Spain about how it will be like I am still home, but not. My view in this city is much different than what my two wonderful friends had seen. This is a southern, coastal city near the Mediterranean Sea and BEAUTIFUL with amazing weather (it does not rain here). It is not diverse - in my opinion and from what I've seen. I live in Silver Spring - that's practically the UN, I know we tend to see a majority but at the end of the day it is mixed - blessing of America being a melting pot. I am not complaining just informing my wonderful readers of my observation. For example one of the most amazing places here has to be "El Corte Ingles" this is like a mega mall.   

I mean this place has everything from a grocery store to designer makeup counters to appliances to a hair salon. Every time I go in I am mesmerized by all the beautiful jewelry and fun things just waiting to be bought. I am an American woman. True. Full of Caribbean blood running through my veins. Fact. I am also choooocolate colored I’d say. I went to the mall to see if Clinique (my favorite makeup brand) had my shade in Spain. The woman informed me they do not sell this color in Spain. She asked could I use this shade instead (their darkest) 

Clearly I chuckled and told her "No gracias". My classmates were shocked. I wasn't.  I miss the diversity of home. I miss how everyone is so different and the plethora of cultures is so rich. Just an observation :).

Happy Reading,

Fabiola

¿Qué hora es?

EVERYONE in Spain and I mean EVERYONE in Spain wears a watch. I know what you're thinking - that is such a weird observation Fabiola or Is this really something you think we need to learn about the Spanish people and your experiences?.. Yes, many Spaniards wear watches because they do not use cell phones or at least not very sophisticated ones. Imagine this. You're in DC and you're sitting at a bus stop or even underground waiting for the train - What are the majority of the people around you (including yourself) doing? On the phone. Whether that be texting, talking, checking email etc.. Americans are addicted to their phones. Having been in this foreign world for a couple weeks now the differences are apparent. Now, I am not saying the Spanish people are walking around driving stone cars like the Flinstones or using a cup and string to communicate - they just are not obsessed with it like I'm used to. I have no phone here and I have absolutely NO intention of buying one. The freedom is exhilarating (believe it or not) ! "When in Rome do as Romans do" of course I will tweak that expression for my new Spanish life. Luckily, my mother gave me a watch as a gift before I left so I now always know the time without having to look at a phone - go figure !

                                                               Happy Reading,
                                                                     Fabiola

¡ Siesta Siesta !

I LOVE SCHOOL !!! I just finished my first real day of classes and I feel like I am going to learn so much. To literally be in a classroom with NO english.  Have teachers not explain something you don't understand in English but actually with more Spanish. Is difficult, but in an AMAZING way ! This really changes how my mind thinks. It helps my brain stick to Spanish and completely think in Spanish. I am obsessed with my professors. They are AMAZING. I am excited to learn - I know how could I say that and I am not in kindergarten & surprisingly I do not think it's a phase or the first day of school excitement!

Now, on to something vital in Spanish culture that I have been having issues with - until now, Siesta. Siesta is pretty much the Spaniards "naptime" stores literally close (pretty much the entire city) for a few hours midday para descansar. I HATED this last week because it seemed so lazy to me. I may want to do grocery but I cannot because the freaking grocery store is closed. Annoying.. BUT now that I am in school I see it. I actually have a purpose with my days now. I wake up at 7am. Class until 1pm and by the time I make the 40min travel time back home it's siesta time.. and guess what?? I'm actually tired ! :) So I am officially a fan of the Siesta now.. Speaking of Siesta it's about that time...

                                                                Happy Reading,
                                                                      Fabiola

¡VALE VALE!

VALE ! is a word you have to get used to living in Spain. It is their FAVORITE word. It generally means "ok" , but Spanish people use it as often as a dumb blonde says "Like" ...... I personally would like them to add another "ok" type word to their repertoire. Por ejemplo - Alright etc.. Just saying ...

I have now been here for 5 days, and I still wake up not believing I am actually here. I have begun doing some touristy things and exploring the city. I guess I might as well do that and not only sleep and party - of course that'll slow down when school starts on Monday ;)

Everyone who has read my blog says WE WANT MORE PICS.. well sheesh I have that today.

I am honestly having an issue with Spanish food. I don't necessarily know why, but I do. I expected it to always be amazing like Italian or Mexican food. This picture is of an Omelet and Pancakes. Now for everyone reading this with eyes those are NOT pancakes. My heart was crushed. It's like a crepe I believe, and it had fruit inside -__-. Needless to say I was very disappointed in this. A girl just wanted some actual pancakes. Ohh wells ! Ok, let me not be "Negative Nancy" Spain is known for their Tapas (small appetizers that are shared amongst a group).. WHICH ARE AMAZING ! Finally I had a meal that I enjoyed from start to finish. 

ohh and did I mention they are CHEAP - 3euros.

Now, going to school out here really has its perks. The beaches are beautiful, pristine and clear. That is such a welcomed surprise if you've ever been to Ocean City - the "best" beach on the Eastern Shore.

This is the area that I live in. Too cute right??

More Pics.

I thought this was absolutely hilarious. Why would Spain ever need an 'Alcoholics Anonymous' I mean they do only drink with every meal and from sun up to sun down ;). I don't hate it !

Happy Reading,

Fabiola