Venga, esta casa es tu casa!

Tengo suerte ( I am lucky) because my family here es la leche ( the bomb). The moment they picked me up from the bus from the airport I knew that I was going to be welcomed into their family for my short six week stay. Due to my very grandma like lifestyle in los Estados Unidos ( the US) I am lucky that my family goes to bed here early! The main reason for their early rest and early rise is mi hermano pequeno aqui (little brother), Ricardo. He is such a character and at age 4 has already managed to transform into Spider Man and a Ninja Tortuga ( Ninja Turtle). I have had the luck of getting to dine with both Spider Hombre ( as I call him) and Ninja Tortuga for two of our large almuerzos ( lunches).

Below is a walk from my habitacion, to 57 Camino de Rhonda each morning.

My family has included me from the moment I set foot in their apartmento. My first full weekend here I had the chance to experience a true spanish first communion ( primera communion). We ate more food that day than I think I have ever had at one sitting.

We also had the chance to visit both my padre and madre's pueblos. My padre is from Malaha and mi madre is from Durcal. Malaha is a small pueblo that is only 15 minutes outside of Granada. It is full of welcoming families that made me feel very included and laughed alongside me at my lack of ability of saying "fuegos artificiales" ( fireworks). We were there during a procesion and I had my first churros sin ( without) chocolate allí. I would say they were the best churros I have had yet in España. We also visited my madre's family in Durcal, a beautiful green pueblo located at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas. There I watched Euro Vision( a European voice competition where each country has a selected singer compete) with her younger brother.

A typical day consists of my madre preparing some of the best stove top coffee I have ever had, me grabbing some fruit and a croissant. Relaxing on the couch talking to Ricardo before we both head off to school. After clase I come home to a large home cooked almuerzo cada dis ( lunch each day). Despues, after, we all take our siestas and relax. Here is a picture that sums up mi hermano pequeno here perfectly.

In Los Estados Unidos I am also very lucky to belong to a familia que esta unica y cercana. I have a hilarious dad Seth, a wonderful mom Beth, and inspiring sister Allie. Unlike here, my family in the US all lives in different locations, we have the Windy City, Cannonsburg Hill in Grand Rapids, and Armpit of the South ( South Carolina) covered.