Wedding Time!

Okay, this is a week late, but I finally had wifi on my phone! 

Today was definitely one of those days I will never forget. It was filled with beautiful sites and beautiful people.

The wedding began at 12. In the prettiest church I have ever been in. It was completely white on the outside. The insides was impressive, as well. 

It was an hour long mass. I was, and still am, obsessed with Maria's, the bride, dress. Absolutely beautiful. 

Her train. It was a bit longer. 

It had a modest amount of white lace, along with tan lace in the front on the shoulders. I loved her dress. More than any I have ever seen. And I have seen many. 

After the wedding, everyone went outside and threw flowers at the couple. 

Everyone wore hats, like in the UK. I definitely loved them. Very classy. 

This is Gabi, father of the bride and close friend of my host parents. He and his wife, Pepe, will have dinner with us every so often. They're so sweet. 

Please, notice his tie. I loved it and told him. Everyone was dressed so amazingly. 

 Okay, so Cayetano, the groom, has a farm of horses. So it was appropriate for them to arrive by the transportation of horses like a royal couple. 

After they had their grand entrance, a man and woman walked up, the man on a horse. The woman was a Flamenco dancer, which I have been obsessed with them and their dresses since I have gotten here. 

Then, they started dancing. Including the horse. 

 I will find a way to upload the video I took. It was ridiculously impressive. 

I had to take a picture of these ladies. The lady in the center, blue dress, is Pepe. She, also, has a peculiar head piece on. I haven't found out what they're called, but many women wore them. 

My host brother told me that he didn't really like them, so they ladies we were eating with shook their heads. It was funny. However, I really like them. They're different and very pretty. I saw tan, white, and black. Not sure of the significance of the colors. 

And that being said, I have never seen so much food at a wedding. We had a cocktail hour for two hours. The food was amazing, as always. I tried everything, so be proud, Mom. I wasn't picky! And everything was amazing. 

We ate a lot of ham, which is better here than anywhere in the world. Or so I am guessing. The man even made Ham Art, or "arte de jamón" as I called it. 

Once we say down for dinner, the menu took me aback. 

Every line is a different plate. The first section was cocktail hour. 

Then we had appetizers. 

Two kinds of ham and cheese, which I love. 

Then, more appetizers. 

Two different types of shrimp. I was in heaven. The shrimp here is amazing. 

Okay, the food here is ridiculous. For the 284660 time. 

Then, another appetizer. 

Lemon sorbet. Which I probably could have drank four of these because it was awesome. And pretty to look at, right?

Finally, the FIRST plate. I was pretty sure my first plate had been two hours before. But it was the last plate of actual food before dessert. 

Filet with caramelized onions, potatoes, and mushrooms. 

Sorry, family. I didn't eat the mushrooms or onions. You know my extent. But there weren't many on my plate, and Pablo, who eats for 2, ate mine. 

The filet was, again, ridiculous. The juices from the onions made it somewhat sweet. Which was VERY delicious. 

Finally, POSTRE. We literally don't even know what it is called. On the menu, it was "The Specialty of Pepita Vasquez". 

It was delicious, of course. 

I met a lot of people. They family we sat with were of three sisters, making me think that it was going to be me and my sisters in 20 years. They were all really nice. 

One of the couples lives near us in Écija. Their daughter was the cutest think I have ever seen. Her name is Elena. I have been told to come and visit before they live a minute away. 

I had so much fun, meeting new people and eating so much Spanish food. It is just one of those things not everyone gets to experience, and I am so glad that I got the chance! 

Hasta luego. 

Mikayla

Fun Facts

Okay, fun fact number one, I can't post my wedding blog post until I get wifi because it is on my phone, so I thought I would write about fun stuff or need to know stuff about Spain.

1. Lemon Fanta is ONLY is Spain. And it is really good, so drink it.
2. Orange Fanta here has JUICE in it. 8%, so drink that as well.
3. The little bity muffins here are amazing, if I do say so myself.
4. I eat a snack at 7 pm, when I get home from school. When, usually, it would be dinner time.
5. The milk here isn't refrigerated until you open in carton, so they buy boxes of them and store it in the pantry.
6. The radio is mostly English.
7. Siesta, or nap, has to happen if you plan to be awake during dinner if you had school that day.
8. Netflix isn't in Spain, so find something else to entertain yourself with.
9. Eat the muffins.
10. I have had meals that are only vegetables.
11. Go to a wedding here. They're so amazing. Especially, the reception.
12. If you're in the sun, you're smoldering. Walk two feet into the shade, and it is chilly.
13. Pienono is amazing. Go to Granada and eat it.
14. THEY HAVE WHITE CHOCOLATE NUTELLA AND I WILL BE GETTING SOME SOON.
15. Again, eat the muffins.

I will have more soon. I have plenty, but my brain decided to forget most of them.

Adios.
Mikayla

Ceremonies and Muffins.

My classes are going quite well. It makes me happy when I completely understand something that is going on in Chemistry or Math. Biology is harder to understand, but I am getting there.

Every day I take a little bitty muffin to school, and they are so good. Everything about pastries or deserts are done better in Spain. Probably in all of Europe, I have just yet to travel the rest.

However, the ceremony. Lord, I laugh just thinking about it. Not because it was funny, but because I had to speak in front of the entire course. In Spanish. Speak in English? No problem. Spanish? Can I have a piece of paper to go off of?

But it was a very interesting ceremony. If my school had more exchanges other than Germany and Spain, I would suggest it.

What they do is there are a number of flag poles out in a big courtyard area. There is one in the middle with the Spanish flag, and the others are the school's flag.

They take down the closest school flag to the Spanish flag, play the anthem of the country visiting, and raise that country's flag. So now, there is an American and Spanish flag flying with 5 or 6 other flags of the school. It is a whole ceremony and very interesting.

I said something, thanking them for receiving me.

The head of the school was there. He was extremely nice, telling everyone I was the "best". I promise, I won't get a big head.

Carlos introduced me, I talked, the principal talked, and then everything was over. It was quick but very appreciated.

I have a Spanish class where I speak in Spanish for the hour with the teacher. I am definitely learning new vocabulary words. His accent is different, so I need things to be repeated sometimes, but it is very cool.

I really like those muffins, though. I might bring a bag with me back. Along with Fanta de Naranja because it is so much better here. That 8% of juice definitely makes the difference.

I am having fun and getting to know my classmates better.

I will try to update more, but I mostly have the same day every weekday. This weekend I am attending a wedding, which I am excited to see something new.

Adios.
Mikayla

Back to School

I have been bad and haven't posted anything. Mostly because I have begun school.

I wake up at 7 am. Leave the apartment at 7:40 am. Walk 15-20 minutes to the bus stop in the city.
Get on the bus at 8:05 am. We don't get to school until right before it begins at 9 am.

Then, school ends at 5:30. Yes, pm. 5:30 pm. I don't know how these kids have stuffed in extra things to do after school. I am very impressed that they do this every day for 12 years.

I don't arrive to the apartment until 7:00 pm. Easily a twelve hour day.

However, we don't eat dinner until 10 or 11 pm. (Yes. What happen to nothing but water after 7?)

My body has been getting used to the change of times.

I, of course, have had to return to uniforms. They aren't that bad. Just hot in the afternoon.

My classes are mainly Biology and Chemistry, as I am in that group of kids.

It is so funny because there are some wonderful cognates in those classes. However, there are some words that don't have any resemblance to the English equivalent.

I definitely have been tired. I am used to resting in my room during breaks.

Everyone is really sweet and I have made good friends.

With seven more weeks left, I am sure I have much fun to come!

Mikayla

Lots of Things Happening.

We have been doing a lot this week, making me tired. But it's been really funny, especially the people I have met. 

They took me to a party for a group from a church one night. I had no idea that it was actually a Catholic traditional service. I am not sure what its name is because I am not Catholic, but it is when they have the group there to eat the bread and drink the wine. I understand the significance. 

Afterward was when fun began. It became a really big get together. There were 3 grills and they cooked and served everyone. It was kind of like a cook-out in the US. It was really amazing and fun. I had a grilled sardine, and yes, it was good. 

This was the set up, and it was so pretty on the farm that it was held. 

At around midnight, a group of them came out in Bollywood style clothing and danced. It was really funny and everyone enjoyed the faces that a guy in the group made as he danced. 

We had dinner a couple nights ago with two couples that are friends of my host parents. One woman was from Barcelona - I have never heard someone talk to fast in my life. It was really funny because she kept calling me "Macarena". It is actually a Spanish name, but it made me laugh. They were all really nice and made me laugh. 

We went to Sevilla for a party for a friend of my host brother. It was really fun and everyone was really sweet. Everyone kept saying "GUAPA" to me, which means pretty. It was formal and I met a girl named Macarena. It made me laugh. Her nickname is Maca. 

This is me with Maca and Paco, another party goer. 

It was really fun. We went to a McDonalds for dinner with a group of them. It made me laugh when I ordered my fries and drink to go and this is what I saw:

They put my drink in a bag and then put it in a bigger bag along with my fries. I honestly thought it was the weirdest thing. The fries were a lot saltier than I thought they would be. But the McDonalds here is very different. 

It's been a big week. We've been shopping and figuring out about the school. I am ready to see my friends from last year that I miss. Luna and Bea (Luna is a german exchange student from last year at my school and will be at the same school as me in Sevilla for 2 months, Bea is a girl who came to my school on exchange last year)keep messaging me because we all can't wait to see each other.

I am excited to start school but nervous just as well. 

I miss my friends and family. There is always someone I meet that reminds me of someone in the states. 

I will try to post as much as I can. 

Adios

Mikayla