All Settled in…

Wednesday, June 6

I started my morning with a run. It was so amazing. I had the setting moon on one side and the rising sun on the other.

Somehow it felt like I hadn't woke up yet. The ease of running at sea level is effortless. I just ran and ran. Realizing I still needed to shower before the twenty minute walk to class I headed back for the apartment. By the time I arrived I was covered in sweat. Literally. The humidity is high even at 6am. I am not sure if it was the sun or my run but when I showered I noticed that had broken out in a rash over several areas of my body. A sun rash, I am assuming. The itching is a nice addition to the dripping sweat. J

I had my typical yogurt and caprese salad for breakfast and grabbed a cereal bar for the road. Off to class we went. We like to go early to use the wifi. The class hours don't help with phone calls though. It has me either calling late AZ time or in the middle of the night. It is quite humorous all of us working away on our computers and iPhones, keeping in touch with those we love back home.

After class we found an amazing little market where we purchased a few essentials given my erupting skin condition. White girl problems! I bought an umbrella, a sun hat, aloe and a calming skin conditioner with calamine. J All for 12 Euros. I love that market. I call it the Spanish Circle K. I have yet to see a gas station!

We spent the day inside reading, relaxing and doing home work.

  We took a little siesta and then headed down to our favorite wifi spot. We are getting to know the shop owners a little bit. The rest of the group has started going here too so now when I get there someone else from the group is there as well. It's nice they have an outdoor sitting area with shade overlooking the beach. Not a bad place to hang out.

  It feels like we have been here for weeks. Everyone is very comfortable with each other.

The group met to go out to dinner and check out the night life, for those of us who had still not gone out it was a nice release.

The professors planned a field trip for the afternoon tomorrow so no morning class! We found a dance club where we were the only people for a while and it was fun to just dance around and be goofy. We were hot hot hot and decided to go for a night swim in the ocean. The water temperature is like bath water and it was very refreshing. It is amazing how late people stay up here. It is not uncommon to see families with children in the street at 1 am.

Thursday, June 7

Even though it was a late night I woke up early as usual. Grateful that I had not drank much the night before! The group had planned to go to Playa San Juan on a field trip with the professors however, they ended up busy trying to accommodate for Reina's return trip home to the states. Apparently not cheap or easy to do in a days notice, she will return home tomorrow. She has not adjusted well and the trip has been traumatising for her.  Given the new situation the group still decided to go to San Juan and Dr. Medill instructed us how to get there on the tram. We all got to the tram station and moments before the tram arrived Lauren needed to go to the bathroom. I decided to wait for her and Kae decided to join me. The others set off and we planned to meet them. Once we arrived we could not find them. Long story short they had gotten off at the stop before us for some reason and we would have had to walk to catch up. Us girls decided we didn't mind just doing our own thing. We walked around a little and found a place on the beach to do some reading and observations. 

Kye and Lauren cheesing it up!

Playa San Juan!

It's so amazing the reading we are doing. As a psychology major I have not delved into these subjects (ethnic diversity and child welfare) so all of the information is new. Coupled with observing the behaviors of Spaniards it gives you a unique opportunity. It's like putting on a pair of new glasses and seeing the world through different eyes. Just to give you a snippet of what we are reading…

"Finally this is told for the children who walk daily with careful steps through a maze of unthinkable pain and fear. Because they live it, we must examine it, and we must do so without blinking. If we blink, if we flinch or lose interest, if we get overwhelmed or become weary, if we turn away, they are doomed." -Turning Stones, My Days and Nights with Children at Risk.

We are doing case studies, observations, and presentations. It is life changing work. For those of the kids here that plan to make their life's work child welfare or social work, God bless them. And God bless Dr. Anne Medill for years of selfless sacrifice to help make the lives of strangers better. It must take the inner strength of a superhero! J

After San Juan I did some laundry and packed up for our trip to Barcelona tomorrow. Already back in a suit case. A full weekend of site seeing with our tour bus guides Armando and Armando Jr. They are well educated and from what I hear have more knowledge about Spanish history and culture than most. I have already been advised to stay close to them so I can learn as much as possible. I plan to. Even though I told myself I would be in bed by 10 it is almost midnight. The Spanish culture is already seeping into my soul. As Armando said in Spain they have 2 days in one. It starts at 8am, you take an hour siesta mid day and then wake up fresh for the second half which typically goes till 1am or so. Too bad I skipped the siesta!