This year, I am the language assistant at IES Sierra Morena! I am from the United States of America, and I arrived in Andujar in September. Since I arrived, I have been learning a lot!
Here are my first impressions of Andujar
It is very hot!
It feels like the sun shines brighter here in Andalucía🌞 During the day it can be so warm. But during the night it is cold. I love the warmth! But people tell me that the summer is unbearable!
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| Midday sun in Don Gome |
There is a relaxed/easygoing attitude here
People in Andújar seem more relaxed and less worried than people in Boston, Massachusetts, where I am from. In Andujar there is less rush, more time to enjoy, and more time to wait sometimes. I remind myself to slow down, be patient, and relax.
It is social
Everyone says hello and saying goodbye is longer😳🤗
This is a very nice part of Andujar, I like that people are accustomed to greeting in the streets - and almost always you will see someone you know! However it can mean a very long, slow goodbye. This I am still getting accustomed to.
There are so many Panaderías
I love this part of Spain! It smells so good outside the panaderia, and the sweets are so pretty and delicious! But, it also means I might need to buy bigger pants
😏 😋 😍 🥐 🧁 🍪
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| A giant palmera cookie |
There is a lot of meat. A lot.
Because I am mostly vegetarian, it can be difficult to eat out in a restaurant. Because almost every food has meat! Even the Alcachofa (artichoke) has Jamon!
Here is a conversation I might have in a restaurant:
“¿Tienes ensalada aquí?”
“-No”
“Vale...pido patatas picantes “
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| Jamón and cheese. Really, there is always jamón. |
Not understanding Spanish very well.
The first 2 weeks were SO hard. The accent in Andujar made me feel dizzy! Talking to people was like: 🤯🤯🤯
I would say: “Qué qué qué? Puedes hablar más lento por favor?? 😅🙏🏼
At first, all I wanted to do was close my apartment door and stop trying. Even learning to do the laundry was a challenge! But now, things are easier, and I am getting accustomed to things:)
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| A laundry machine, what do the symbols mean??! |
Not being understood very well.
On the other hand, it was also difficult for people to understand me when I speak Spanish. For example, the other day in Mercadona I was trying to find beans. I asked a worker where the “frijoles” are. ‘Frijoles' mean “beans” in Latin America. But everyone was confused! The store staff asked everyone. At last, finally, I found “alubias,” which is what I wanted, but I didn’t know the word before. (They are the same...But they have different Spanish names.)
In the end, I think Andujar is so pretty and the people are so kind. I am very happy to be here and excited to work in the school helping with English!
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Andújar sunset
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