Lessons From Sevilla So Far
It’s completely safe and normal to walk through dark alleys at any time of the day (contrary to every instinct in your westernized body saying no).
Every season is patio season.
You will probably cry the first day because you don’t know anyone here and you don’t speak the language. Let it out. (Don’t try to facetime your sister at a public Starbucks though, the wifi is weak and you may/will cry more).
When you get invited to meet other Au Pairs the first night you move into your new apartment - go. Drink Cruzcampo’s beside a random fountain with them to (temporarily) cure the first-day transition-blues.
When the Au Pairs from the night before invite you to hang out by the river the next day and listen to music; go. Bring a notebook to make a Spain bucket list and don’t forget your sunglasses - debate taking a spontaneous trip to Berlin. (Decide not to take the Berlin trip after you check the prices).
When the girl who has been taking Spanish for five years beside you in language school tells you she doesn't understand the content you're learning, you're definitely in the wrong class.
Saying, “I’m Canadian” won’t change the fact that cold still means it is fucking cold in Sevilla. On that note, the buildings are not made for temperatures less than 15 degrees, so layer up inside.
Olive oil is better than butter, wine is basically water, and carbs are king (bless).
Random people will stop you on the street because they want to practice their English, you have power … until you remember you’re in Spain and don’t speak the language.
It IS possible to do a yoga class led in Spanish (the execution is shaky and you may have no clue what’s happening, but chaturanga is the same).
When you get stressed out, take a walk along the river. Remember where you are and how long it took you to get here.
Filo, Jester Coffee, Orfeo Cafe/Bar are absolute must-visits.
When you and your friend meet a group of Scottish students, probably not a good idea to tag along if the only one who wants to talk to you just had a dispute with the rest of the group. You’ll spend the majority of the night talking to one person from that group and getting glares from all the other Scots.
Triana has the best Tapas. Go there with a random assortment of Au Pairs from your language school (half of them you just met), realize you have people from five-countries at your table - you’ll feel pretty lucky.
Whenever Drake, The Weekend, or Shawn Mendes comes on at a party you’ll feel weirdly patriotic and make it a point to tell everyone you’re also from Toronto (tricking people into thinking you’re cool by association is key).
You’re kind of lame when you come home at two in the morning and the kids in the house are still awake (officially lame if your host mother says, “you were home so early!” the next morning).
When you take a Sunday morning walking tour through the city, make sure you talk to the exchange students from Madrid that are in Sevilla on a weekend trip. You’ll make friends, end up spending the afternoon with them touring the Plaza de España, and have a place to stay next time you go to Madrid.
Two great things to come out of Sweden, ABBA and Lova.
You’ll feel lonely - don’t listen to sad music. Call a friend, FaceTime your family, look at a picture of your dog.
Just because people are expecting you to have the time of your life, you may not, and that’s okay. It’s not a failure to get into a situation and realize you’re not as happy as you thought you would be.
As much as you try, you can’t leave your issues in Canada.
You may realize that planning a trip to Spain was a way to trick yourself into thinking you were further along in your recovery. It may have also been a way to prove to yourself and everyone that you were better - it is okay if you’re not.
An eating disorder is still an eating disorder in Spain and will try to control your life here. It’ll probably also team up with anxiety and OCD to make your transition extra special (read: shit).
You may have the urge to travel around the country instead of staying in Seville, you may have the urge to go home and take care of your mental health - you don’t have to decide right now but it will stress you out. Breathe.
