The Basics

So...I have never blogged before and I don't really know how interested people are, but I thought that I would start this and write every once in awhile and post some photos if people want to see. First of all, I am always happy to receive emails from anyone and everyone!! My email address has changed and is now laelena.brooks@gmail.com  Please email me so I can keep in touch!

Right now, I am in Bilbao, Spain. Bilbao is on the North coast of Spain in the Pais Vasco (also known as the Basque Country). It is very rainy here at the moment. It has rained every day for the past month and apparently, this is the worst winter they have had in 30 years- lucky me! However, it is not that cold. The average temperature is about 50 degrees. It does not pour, but it drizzles many times a day. The upside to the rain is that it is beautiful here.  There are lots of parks and everything is lush and green. I am surrounded by mountains, which still have some snow at the peaks, but are also full of life. I will take some pictures soon and post them. 

I am living with a family in the city center. The family consists of a mom, a dad, an 11 year old girl and a 7 year old boy. The kids are both very cute and sweet. The boy is a little naughty, but no more so than any other 7 year old boy. I speak to them in English so that they can learn, and they help me speak Spanish. The parents speak to me only in Spanish. Unfortunately, I am pretty lost most of the time. They speak SO fast here and with a different accent from what I am used to. I am trying to catch on, but I think it will be a couple months before I can really get by.  I am taking language classes, which I really enjoy and I hope that will help me improve.

This is where I'm at right now...I will update soon!!