First and foremost, I would like to wish all Jewish people reading this a belated happy and healthy new year. I didn't make it to a synagogue, and honestly I was too busy with classes and work (more on that later).A few days ago, I was talking to my housemother, Myriam, and happened to mention that the Jewish New Year was coming up. She asked me if there were any special foods prepared for the holiday, and I eventually managed to say apples and honey in Spanish.
The next day, we had lunch with my roommate, Ben; Myriam's son Carlos (who lives with us); and Myriam's daughter. Myriam (whose name is in fact Jewish) brought out a plate of apples and a container of honey with lunch. My eyes lit up.
After soaking in Spanish culture for two weeks, it was nice to share a piece of my own culture with my house family. I had some trouble explaining the significance of dipping apples in honey, but I think they got the idea.
As for Carlos, he's been home the entire week. Last weekend, he went out with his girlfriend, had a few drinks and then tried to dance. He hurt his ankle and wound up in a cast. Thankfully, there was no major damage, and he's going to try to get out on the street this evening for the first time in about a week.
He talks to us like it's nothing, but Myriam was, well, not exactly thrilled when she found out. Still, the relationship between them is really great. I came home last night, and they were sitting in Myriam's room hanging out and watching television. I do think once kids get through the rocky teenage years and make it through college they learn to appreciate their parents more.
As for me, it's been a long week. I started an internship at a magazine company on Wednesday doing regular intern work. I've been typing up letters, writing introductions to stories, trying to transcribe interviews (that didn't work so well). So far so good, it's tough to gauge how the people there feel about my work, because they talk super fast in Spanish.
I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning for a two-day trip to Granada. Details and photos to come. For now, the photo above is of my street.
1 comment:
The significance of apples and honey are for a sweet year so you can explain that to your family. I had guessed that you have too busy to write since I knew you were working for a magazine, school work etc. I am looking forward to seeing pictures of your spanish family etc. but know you can only take a few pics until mom and dad get there with a new camera. Holidays were very tiring, cooking constantly and dinner at Sues one night which was very nice and dinner at a friends last night. And so on to the next holiday, having company for dinner on Friday night before fast and then Sat. night either here or at Sues.
La Shana Tova Josh, enjoy Granada.
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