So it's been about three weeks. I'd love to say I haven't posted because I've been up to my eyeballs in wondrous adventure. Which in some cases hasn't been wholly inaccurate. But more truthfully, the last three weeks have been really hard. I knew there'd be a period of transition, an inevitable culture shock, but I really had no idea just how jarring it'd be. I guess I figured that western Europe couldn't possibly be THAT different from the US...drinkable tap water, internet, paved roads, etc. And yes, a lot of things are similar enough that at surface level, nothing seems that different. But I've still been having a hard time with the details.

I'd say the thing I'm struggling with most is living with a host family. Not just because they don't speak English, but because at 23 I've been taking care of myself for a long time, and having someone cook my meals and fold my laundry is unnerving. I am not a picky eater by nature (and I spent plenty of years as a fat kid proving that), but being an achalasic vegan has made my diet terribly restricted. Which doesn't bother me, but is a major pain in the ass for my host mother, a 70+ widow who spent decades living under a fascist regime and who considers a diet consisting of various soups made with beans, rice, and vegetables to be proletariat and common, if not horrifically boring.

The language barrier doesn't help much, though things are getting better slowly but surely.

Later today I'm hoping to get around to posting about my trip to Barcelona and my more recent observations of the city/Spain in general. Maybe I'll even get around to posting my pictures! But right now I have homework. So later it will have to be.