Well, now I've been away from home for a little over two weeks. It feels like so much longer! Homesickness comes and goes, but overall I'm enjoying my time here. I suppose the first few weeks are the hardest as we're getting accustomed to the way of life here. It's similar in a lot of ways, but obviously very different. My uncle e-mailed me a couple days ago and asked if it's difficult to be immersed in another culture, and I answered yes, without any hesitation, it is very difficult! Sometimes I think about the fact that I still have 4 more months ahead of me, and I can't imagine being away from home that much longer! It's mostly simple things that I miss. For instance, convinience stores, driving a car, and a shower bigger than a 2x2 box and with almost unlimited supplies of hot water. Also, living 5 minutes away from campus (it's a 30 minute walk to school every day here!) It's also very frustrating not being able to express all that I want to say in Spanish. I can't wait until it comes easily and I don't have to think so hard about everything I'm saying. But every day it gets easier and that gives me hope that finally at the end of my trip this will pay off!
Most of all, I miss my friends and family. Yesterday's lunchtime became a little emotional when our madre, Torcua, started talking to us about the heart of a mother, and how wonderful our mothers are to us. We couldn't help but get teary-eyed, thinking of our own mothers at home, and us here without them. I miss you, mom! Torcua is so wonderful and understanding and wants to make sure we feel as comfortable as possible while we're here and away from our family. She insists that, while she can't replace our mothers at home, she is our mother while we are here. She's told us several times that if we're sick, she'll bring us food in bed, and if we need a shoulder to cry on, her's is available. She says every time students leave she cries and cries because she becomes so attached to them as if they were her own children! Honestly, I don't think we could have been placed with a better family, and I'm so thankful for the blessing they are to us, especially while we're away from the comfort of our own homes.
Despite the fact that I just explained all the reasons this trip is hard, I really am enjoying it! There are so many things I'm looking forward to in the next month. After the intensive month ends I'm travelling with some friends to Paris, Geneva, Rome and Venice. Then we come back we start our semester classes and two days later I leave for Morocco for 5 more days! After that, who knows? The possibilities are endless...
Right now I'm just getting used to day-to-day life in Spain. Wake up, go to class, go home, eat lunch, siesta time, free afternoon of anything, eat dinner, and then sleep. It's pretty normal life. Sometimes so normal that I foget I'm living in Spain! Anyway, I miss all of you at home and can't wait to see you again!
I miss you and love you mom, dad, and kate!
Hasta luego.
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Dear Kyla,
Reading about your experiences in Spain is very rewarding to your mom and me. We miss you a lot, but we are very thankful that you have this opportunity. I really encourage you to embrace the people and culture of Spain. It is so enriching to learn a new culture and language, and making friends from a foreign land is something to be cherished forever.
Please tell your Spanish mother that we are very thankful for her love and kindness towards you. I hope we can meet your host family someday.
We’re looking forward to talking to you soon.
With much love,
Your dad
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