Mi Mama

I wanted to tell you a little bit about Julia, my host mom, since I keep mentioning her in many of my posts. She has two children, Ana and Luis, and they both live with their significant others but neither is married yet. Her husband died of cancer, but I'm not sure how long ago. She is retired, and I would say in her late 60s, maybe even early 70s. She has very strong opinions on certain things, such as the fact that she hates how many Chinese people have opened up stores here and are ALWAYS working. She doesn't really get into politics but did have a lot to say about the Spanish and US economies, which was very interesting to hear. I am finding that I can understand a lot more than I can speak. Communicating has been very difficult but once I start classes tomorrow it should get easier as the weeks go on. She also spent a year (I think) studying in France so she knows French very well, as her second language. But that also makes it hard to understand her sometimes too because along with the Spain accent, she has a bit of a French accent as well! Confusing but not terrible. She's a very caring and sweet person. She checks up on me every once in a while to see if I'm sad or tired and she get's worried when I'm not hungry for breakfast, partly because she doesn't understand how I never eat breakfast! I think I'm really going to love living here, I just need to give it a little more time!