28 March 2011

When women fight





Perhaps one’s character grows into an exaggerated form as a person ages. If this is true, than the characters in Sevilla are full-size from birth. I find this particularly true among the women of Sevilla who have a distinct way of expressing themselves.

Each day is a pleasure when it is colored with the communication style of these women. Before I step out the door in the morning I get two scarves, two jackets, and six kisses. The world in which these women live is not just “pretty”. Rather, in the words of the sisters I live with, things in the world are be: “How gracious, how beautiful, how suave, how perfect, how skinny, how suave, how waaarm, or how very very cold, very very sick, and how very sorrowful!” all in one. With all these profound emotions and expressions exclaimed, life is colorful to say the least.

Consequently, the affection of these women boils just as openly as the anger. There is an art to the fights of these women. The fight is rich in emotions. “Eschuchame!” (listen to me!), says one nun quarreling about the best way to get to the market. These women’s quarrels are laden with facial expressions and hand motions; as well as the names Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Dios. It seems this type of fighting functions as a cleansing agent for the women’s soul. It is loud, blunt and quick. Both sides completely express what needs to be said. When the fight is complete, all is restored to natural order and both sides walk away satisfied.

The fights are loud. The love is louder. And the food is dang good.


17 March 2011

American culture's imperialism at work

I went on a walk today. Look what I found:

St Patty's Day poster for the study abroad students looking for a party. Not bad, but still out of place.

Burger King in one of Sevilla's nicer barrios, no me gusta. And here comes the straw that broke Maureen's lovely walk...

But of course, Starbucks. American imperialism at its finest.


O, and I would not be Irish if I didn't wish you a Happy St. Patty's Day!


15 March 2011

Thinking of you Japan

Dear Japan,

In this time of utter devastation, may your heart be warmed at this moment knowing that you are in the prayers of us at Sor Eusebia throughout the day.

With love from one brother to the next.

13 March 2011

Contenta

When there is much new in ones life, to express yourself in another language could be quite frustrating. One wishes to talk about the joy and challenges one is experiencing. But you can’t! What do you do? One word answer: contenta; meaning pleased or content in English. This one word that sums up all these things so perfectly.

I learned the word contenta from women that surround me. When I am at a lose for words in Spanish (quite often), others understand then simile and simply say “tu estás contenta.” With this word I can be at ease. This word perfectly sums up all that I want to say. At times it can be frustrating to learn a language with many words for things that seem to have little differences. However, one quickly finds the beauty in the language when one finds the exact word to describe one’s thoughts.

[pictured: A paseo with Sor Angustias. How great is that tile]

06 March 2011

3° Celsius, but oh so warm.


Temperatures in Sevilla are uncharacteristically cold this winter season compared to weather the town typically experiences. Yesterday the temperature averaged 3° C. Despite this drop in temperature, the vibrancy of the Sevillanos shines through. People in this town live with great openness and warmth of heart. As a newcomer to the town I felt that I was wrapped in a blanket of “Bienvendios!”. The Sevillanos live for each other.

Sevillanos greet and talk with strangers as if they were old friends. Take for example interactions around the bus. Without even looking to see who the other person is, elder women start conversations with anyone who sit next to them at the bus stops. When on the bus, a young boy can ask an elder lady for a tissue; and she obliges as if she was the boys mother. Walking down the street an elder may have a question with directions. Simply by approaching a younger person and saying “Joven!” (young) they find help. In fact, all passer-bys jump at the chance to chime in when one asks for directions. On a walk around the barrio with Sor Angustia, every other casa gives kisses to the hermana and I.

In a city known for its sizzling summers, the Sevillanos are group of people who stay warm in body and heart year round. Like rays of the sun, a positive frequency vibrates through the barrios. This a frequency that instills confidence and a love for socializing in inhabitants of Sevilla. If the climate of a city has any affect on a community’s attitude, this group is living proof that warm weather does a city good.



03 March 2011

Eusebia



Buenas dias from Sevilla. I now live in a barrio with six Salesian Hermanas. The barrio is named “barrio de musica” … or so 95-year-old Hermana Angustias says; actually the name of the barrio is “su eminencia”. The name of the casa is sor Eusebia. How do I start to explain life in this part of the world!?

For me, the things that bring the most intrigue are the small routine happenings that take place with fluidity in the Hermanas and Sevillianos everyday life. Though small and routine, these nuisances contrast greatly from life, as I know it. Things like how to peel and orange, attend to people and settle an argument are each specific to the culture Sevilla. Every moment of the day these nuisances immerse me in a world of different activities and sounds.

I can start by telling you that the life here at sor Eusebia lacks a lot of the “stuff” common to my life in California. Still, the life here is rich in so many other things. In part, the lack is due to the fact that I live in a house with religious hermanas. However, the different lifestyle is greatly attributed to the Spanish way of life.

The Spanish weekend, fin de semana, are days of great rest. Fin de semana in Sevilla holds a sacredness that rivals religion. One might say that the break from weekly routine is the universal religion in Spain. I arrived when the weekend was already at the forefront of the minds at Sor Eusebia; Friday night. After sleeping for ten hours that night I arose to go to a grand mass at the large Cathedral in Sevilla. On Sunday, the following day, I went on a voyage to a mountaintop church with great vistas. On this trip I celebrated mass, viewed the great vistas; and spend two hours relaxing, conversing, and eating lunch. Though the trip was three hours there and back, it was a pleasant day to say the least.

Later that night in a conversation with one of the hermanas, she sympathized with me that did not get that much rest over the weekend. She pointed out that tomorrow was a fiesta for the region of Andalucia, so I would have another day to recollect. This is when I realized that the Spanish put great value on the two days of rest. It is my impression that if one's weekend consists of more than enjoying the company of others, cleaning house, and eating – then one is not truly resting. Two days are set aside for rejuvenating one’s self. It will be interesting to see how this perspective plays into other parts of the culture.

Note: The mission of this blog is to take notice of different aspects of coexistence in every part of life. I do not anticipate to journal all events or trips of my days. However, for the purpose of this entry I thought a little context is necessary to be adequately equip for future entries. Enjoy!