First Impressions at Santa Eulalia

   So I know I told a few of you I'd be somewhere unprounciable, but it turns out that the health group got sent there and Water sanitation and Environment are at Santa Eulalia which is gorgeous. I was very very lucky in that I got assigned to a host family that is actually down the street from the Center where we train from 8am to 5pm. So that means I don't have to try to brave the combis just yet. There are about 5 others that leave around me as well. I have my own room, although it is next to the bathroom and I am a light sleeper, I love my room. The bed is great, and we're literally 20 meters from the river, Rio de Santa Eulalia, which acts as a great white noise (in place of a fan). Between our house and the river, we have a nice grassy area where they keep the rooster, hen and chicks. There's also a little round pool (piscina) right there, which I haven't gotten a chance to use yet but looks really nice. There's a futbol field thats pavement, but has a fence around and bleachers. I wanted to play yesterday, but the local police were playing a game until dinner so I went home (three houses away haha). Between the futbol field and my home is a discoteco owned by one of the tios (uncles), but haven't been there yet either. We've been kept really busy, training most of the day and then struggling through conversations and developing relationships with our host families. I have a young mother as my host mom. She has a one-year old baby, and a 5 year old. The 5 year old, Hilary, is very affectionate and always wants to play with me, use my iPad for games, and have me make her a perro de globo (balloon dog). Unfortunately, the iPad is almost dead so I haven't used it much, and I'm waiting to buy a converter and surge protecter before I trust the plugs here. So far, I've been enjoying my time immensely, and am learning non-stop. My Spanish confidence is already way better, although I'm not sure I've yet learned much. Its my confidence that's improved drastically in these few days, the vocab will take a bit longer. I taught my host tia and prima (aunt and female cousin who live with us or us with them not quite sure on that distinction) how to play Skip-bo last night. That experience was great because I was really forced to get creative and explain the entire game and strategies in Spanish. They enjoyed it and asked to play again. Hopefully, we'll get my host mom and grandma to join in.
   Some interesting cultural things that I've seen here so far is that many many houses have Roof Dogs. My fellow trainees have decided this would be an awesome band name or perhaps a discoteca. Anyways, basically people leave their dogs on their roofs to act as an alarm, deterrant and doorbell. Also, they never drink water. Its always coffee, tea, or various types of soda. I knew this going in but it's really striking to see. I'm constantly getting different juices or sodas and so far I really don't care for any of them. Guess I'm just an agua type of girl. Also, the mountains around us here are completely barren, naturally. Its just brown dirt and rock. Its very strange, but also kind of neat. We're surrounded by them here at Santa Eulalia. It's relatively dry and warm. I'm wearing cargo pants and a tshirt until evening when I put on my coat, more as a bug deterrant than because of the temperature.
   I got place in Spanish basic-mid level, and have to reach intermediate-mid level by the end of training in order to swear in. I'm of mixed feelings for that. I am nervous about a deadline or interview that I have to pass, but on the other hand, I really feel that I'm placed a little lower than absolutely necessary right now. I have a relatively good grasp of the basics we've gone over so far. So I think I can do it...hopefully. Can't jinx myself.
  Of my packing job, so far things have worked out. I couldn't find my watch until yesterday which made things a ton easier. I also discovered only one bottle of my bugspray emptied itself which is a relief, since I've definitely needed and used it. Shout out to Shelly, Chuck, 'laney, and Char' for it; it's definitely necessary and doubles as a perfume haha (its lemon eucalyptus, sin deet which is the best part). I'm not quite sure what else to say here, so I think I'll wrap it up and when I've had more time to reflect, I'll write more. Please give me questions or ideas about what you want to hear about on facebook or here, and I'll gladly fill you in.

Things on my mind:
1. Will I have time to myself to read all the papers and notebooks I've been given during training?
2. When will communicating be less of a headache? Its been a difficult mental exercise the last two days, constant learning and attention given at all hours. No relaxing yet. Even learning to use the shower was a lesson in language, culture, and technique. By the way, I do have a shower with a faucet, but it is COLD and only works in the mornings. As a fellow trainee said, it was REFRESHING, very REFRESHING, at least that's what we need to keep telling ourselves. It really is all about the mindset here :)

Hasta luego (formal goodbye)