When I left Oviedo in May 2009, I wasn't even sure I'd ever get back. Then, less than 2 years later, I've been to Oviedo 5 times in the past 4 months and even brought two of my favorites from home. Here's Amy and me in front of my old apartment. I said, "Take a quick picture before Merce (my host mom) sees us, or I'll get yelled at for not calling her, and she'll never let us leave!" Fact. She yells because she loves me. And apparently she loves me a LOT.
We met up with our friend David, and as we were heading up to his apartment, I turned to Mike and Amy and said "David speaks Spanish so when you meet him say "Encantado/a...or don't say anything at all, just smile." My directions were quick and blunt, and apparently didn't go across to well. I noticed later when Mike had been nearly silent for over a half hour, "You told me to speak Spanish, or not speak at all!" Fair play. I am sometimes unaware of the way I say things. I prioritize situations in my mind and leave out feelings and people who deserve that extra minute of clarification or comfort. Learning (painfully) slowly.
We went out to have Paella with David. We also ordered croquetas and huevos rotos. We attempted to be very Spanish, and the food was great, as was the awkward table conversation between people of all different levels of Spanish and English.
We had to visit La Gorda. This statue itself isn't very exciting, but I can't even list all the fabulous people I've met here to go off and have adventures. Quedamos en la Gorda? Siempre.
Yes, I realize how unflattering this picture is of me, but I have to post it. Because. It captures (so very well) Mike and me. He is sweet, patient, genuine. And I. Am a pain in the ass. For no good reason, except just to be one. He saw this and said "Leigh, all you had to do was look at the camera, it would have been such a nice picture!" He makes it sound so simple.
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