On several occasions I've been almost inspired to start a blog and now, I finally feel like I have a legitimate reason to do so. My inspiration: I will be moving back to Spain this September. I see this blog as an opportunity to keep in touch, while also chronicling my experiences.
For the past couple of years I've been climbing up the ladder of social legitimacy and this year I decided to trade that all in (at the risk of sounding cliché) to follow my heart and move to Spain. In 2004-05 I studied abroad in Sevilla, taking classes at the University of Sevilla and trying, desperately, to integrate myself into Spanish life. This was more of a challenge than expected, but eventually I learned to embrace the more relaxed lifestyle and even came enjoy it.
My favorite part about living in Spain was the feeling of belonging that came with it. When Spaniards ask me my name and where I'm from, the response is always the same, "With your features and a name like that there is no way you are anything but Spanish! You're Spanish!" My host family started referring to me as "la trianera" and eventually I picked up the line, "soy de Triana," which is basically like saying "yes, I am so Spanish I'm from the most quintessential Andalusian neighborhood in Sevilla, Triana." This always seems to amuse people and I think it might actually be a local saying because then they follow up saying, "so really, where in Triana are you from?"
So here I am six years later about to embark on my second Andalusian adventure. To all my family and friends, I'll to to post as often as I can to keep you updated on all my escapades (except the life threatening ones, don't want to make mom and dad too nervous...FYI, I did learn my lesson back in '04 about not getting onto stranger's feria horses). Pues nada...To everyone else, hope you find this mildly entertaining, if nothing else.
