Sunday in the Campo

{Sunset in the campo. 1/16/11.}

This past weekend was one of the best I’ve had in a long time, even though I’m still a little sick. I have stories about Friday and Saturday, but for now I’m going to skip ahead and post about the phenomenal Sunday I had.

Yesterday, I made a new friend! Now let’s just hope I don’t scare her away with the enthusiasm in this post.

I actually “met” the delightful Irene via the internet back in September. Irene spent last year working as an auxiliar (what I’m doing now) in France. She taught Spanish in a very small town there. She originally found my blog thanks to the one and only Busy Bee Lauren and when she saw my posts about having a difficult time adjusting to small town life without friends all while trying to converse in a foreign language, she empathized and reached out to me. I’ve had the pleasure of exchanging emails with her for the past several months but it wasn’t until yesterday that we were finally able to get together.

Irene invited me out to the campo (countryside) of Córdoba capitol to spend the day with her and her family and enjoy some delicious authentic Spanish cooking. To say I had the most joyful day would be an understatement. I was a little nervous getting off of the bus in Córdoba but both Irene and her Tía Teresa immediately put me at ease. Irene is instantly loveable with a huge contagious smile, a willingness to laugh loudly and brightly, and an easy-going manner. And I adored her entire family! They made me feel completely at ease, welcome and not (too) intimidated to speak Spanish with them. I loved walking around Irene’s abuela’s casa and seeing where the animals used to be kept, meeting the pups, and chatting with her family while eating a sweet orange right off the tree! (Usually Andalucían oranges aren’t actually edible because they are bitter, but I guess this tree was the exception. Her tía let me pick my own orange off the tree.)

I had such a good time helping out in the kitchen while Irene and her mother cooked and sitting around the brassero chatting with other members of her family. I loved sitting back and enjoying the flow of the conversation and the constant laughter during the meal. I’m sure I made a ton and a half of mistakes when I did chime in but what I loved was the feeling that I could make mistakes. Sometimes I feel so nervous with certain people that I don’t even want to try to speak—Irene and her family made me feel so comfortable that I was able to put myself out there.

After lunch, Irene and I spent several hours just chatting and getting to know each other. I love this girl! I was so excited to discuss all the things we have in common and like. Irene also likes: chocolate, Harry Potter, How I Met Your Mother, Taylor Swift, and Glee. She even had Glee on in the car and I may have been unable to resist singing along a little. She’s also just plain adorable—I wanted to steal her stylish white hat every time she put it on.



Irene, thank you so much for inviting me to spend the day with you and your family. It was just what I needed! I hope we can get together again very soon. Una abraza muy fuerte, xo Kate.