The place that I will be living for almost a whole year is called A Coruna. It is in the Galicia principality of Spain. Dad believes that I'll come home with a lisp because the people pronounce Galicia like Galithia. We'll see if that happens. I don't think it will.
Here it is in comparison to the rest of Spain. And France. 'Cause that's cool. It has the same climate as my dear old Washington State, where I am originally from. It's rainy and cloudy most of the time, doesn't get get lower than 45, doesn't get higher than 80, and it's muggy when it's hot. Woo! Just like home! Of course this is all according to Google, but Google tends to be pretty truthful.
Besides similar weather to my favorite state (I still love you Virginia) it also has some cool touristy things to do. I'll get them done and over with and then be a local. Tourists are my favorite prey of people watching. It's entertaining to watching them find their way around the metro with their group t-shirts and fanny packs. Perks of living close to D.C. I see them every time I go into the city. Hooray! No but seriously I love them but don't want to be one. I'm sorry I'm a horrible human being.
Anyway......back to touristy things to do there! I think one of the things I'm most excited to see is the Torre de Hercules.
This is the oldest WORKING Roman light house in the world. It was built in 2 A.D. and was last renovated in 1791. The fact that even the renovation was an extremely long time ago is amazing to me. I love how over in Europe there is so much history and culture way older than anything we have here in America. I can't wait to learn about the history while I'm over there.
Another thing I'm excited to see is Plaza de Maria Pita.
This plaza is named after a fierce warrior woman named Maria Pita who protected A Coruna against an invasion . She led the people into battle after her husband was killed in the fight. She was successful in warding off the invaders (obviously) and this beautiful place was built in her honor. Besides that cool back story they have an outdoor market there. May I just say that I'm so excited to buy everything from markets. I need to become fluent in Spanish first but still it's going to be amazing. These are the main touristy things but of course there is the beaches, markets, and everything else foreign and new to me.
And here is A Coruna in it's entirety.
I think it's beautiful. I genuinely can't wait to go there and immerse myself in the culture and history. I honestly have never had Spanish food before so that's going to be a new adventure. Everyone says, "Tapas!" I'm like, "Ok. I don't really know what that is." I talked to the family's current Au Pair and she says they eat a lot of fish. Figures since they live on the coast. Good thing I like fish. I'm not a very picky person, but I'm training myself now not to be afraid to try things that sound gross. Just in case. I tried wasabi last week. Not that it's Spanish food. But still. It was extremely difficult for me. I hate hot things like that. But I did it! Woo!
As for trying new things Church is going to be a very new experience. There is a branch 15 minutes away by bus from where I'll be living. I've always lived in areas with a fairly numerous Mormon population and have been in large wards with hundreds of people. Branches I hear are quite small in comparison. I'm excited though. It's going to be my chance to love people. I feel like that's one of my main reasons for going away. To love them and make them feel wanted. Both the children that I'll be tending and everyone else that I meet. At least that's the plan.
Until next week, Adios!
I really like you
ReplyDelete