Mi ano enfermo en España

So I'm thinking of renaming this blog "Mi ano enfermo en España," and for those of you who know me well, it goes without saying that, yes, I am still sick.  But I only say that now to get it out of the way, and as a defense for why I don't have any exciting stories about the legendary bar culture in Madrid.  However, I have been able to get around a little, making a point to take a long excursion through the city everyday in order to familiarize myself with it.

Today's excursion was particularly fun, as I spent it catching up with a friend I had not seen since the three weeks I spent here when I was sixteen.  My big lesson from today's excursion is the realization that Spaniards speak slower to me than when they speak to Spaniards.  Since I arrived, a number of people have asked me how much Castillian I understand, and I tend to answer, "Most of it, I think!"  Well, I was telling the truth when it came to the Spanish spoken to me, but I realized today that the Castillian spoken between Spaniards is much more difficult to understand.  I am not sure if people speak slower to me (as a foreigner) consciously, or if they automatically do it because of either their knowledge that Spanish is not my first language, or because of the vacant look on my face when I am listening to them.  Either way, to all of those wanting to travel to Spain, but worried about your grasp of the language, do not fear, they will speak slower here for you.

I get the feeling that, until I begin to travel around the country more, this blog is going to be more a number observations, than accounts of things I do.  That being said, hopefully soon (tonight, perhaps?) I will have a good story about a fun (and educational, clearly) night out.

Un beso.