Day by Day | givemewinter

Our first day in IKSO

11/01/13

Our first day at school was, at first, a bit strange as well as exciting because we knew no one, nor talked their language, but, thanks to some very nice girls who helped us a lot, speaking in English and making a grand tour in IKSO, went from strange, to feel like in our own home, at zero degrees, but as in our own home.

Shopping, Party and more Shopping

The second day that we arrived to Belgium, we were shopping to Brussels, my "mother" thought that it could be a good idea because I needed a real winter coat! Everything was fine until we realized that there was my size in any of the shops. We also look at the kids store. We finally found a sports shop and could find a nice coat size 36 adidas brand. Then, while Hans and Andrea were looking at some jackets for them, Mathias (my Belgian brother) and me went to look for some snow boots and... we found them!

Last Friday evening had dinner, and then we went to the reception of the new year with my three friends and theirs families. There we could meet some people of the town, taste the WAFFLES (cofres) and listen some Belgian music.

On Saturday Mathias woke me up, because we had to go to the bakery, we had breackfast and then we went to a supermarket called "tacos". I have to say that they have much more variety of cookies, chips and meat. I couldn't resist so...

That Saturday evening Andrea (my Belgian mother) and me went to Aalst to shopping again!!! It's the paradise of shoes and high heels.

At 19:00 we were prepared to have dinner and say good bye to Melany (teacher of english and coordinator of this project) There, it was waiting for us a biiiiiiiiiiiiiig surprise!!! We finished dinner and started snowing!! yes, SNOWING SNOWING SNOWING.

Last Monday night

Yesterday, 14 January, when I was in my room peacefully talking on skype with a friend, my "mother" knocked on the door and opened the window curtain. I could see as the snow fell, and not really peacefully... I took my camera and started taking photos without rhyme or reason, then we took ours boots, hats, scarfs and gloves and we went out to take a walk. IT WAS EXCITING! we were the first to walk on the snow!!!!!! After throwing snowballs, slide on it and fall to the ground subtly ... We came home soaking wet but happy

A very special evening

On Friday the 18th, after leaving school at half past three, we went with the girls in our class for a walk and then go to "FRITUR". "FRITUR" is what we call in Spain a burger, there are very good fries, with some sauces ... mmmmm! We also eat a Biky burger. There, we were talking about girl stuff, laughing and especially having a greeeeeeeat time!!

Dior, Chanel, Abercrombie & Fitch!!!

Yesterday evening, girls went to Brussels! Irene's mother, Alba's mother and we three moved from our beloved town to go to the big city of Brussels, where we could visited:

Grand Place: A unique mix of beautiful 17th century architecture and modern social life.

Town Hall: This Gothic-style tower remains one of Belgium's finest civic buildings.

The Royal Palace: A stunning palace in the heart of Brussels that is open for public visits.

Manneken Pis: The infamous statue serves as an symbol of the spirit and humor of Brussels.

The Royal Saint Hubert Galleries: Home to lively cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques

Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula: A beautiful Cathedral at the center of Brussels.

Place du Grand Sablon: Classic European architecture, now houses high-class antiques stores, restaurants, and chocolate shops.

Jeanneke Pis: is a modern fountain and statue in Brussels, which forms a counterpoint in gender terms to the city's trademark Manneken Pis at the Grand Place.

Place du Petit Sablon: Just above the Grand Sablon is the jewel of a square.

The Avenue Louise is one long catwalk of famous fashion brands, including big international names like Chanel, Vuitton, Hermes, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace and Christian Dior. The first section is one of the most attractive shopping districts in the city.

Days pass

Days pass and every time I feel like in my own home. These days when I could not write in the blog has been for not having time and inspiration.

On Saturday, we went to the St. Martin's basilica. First we hear the Mass, not very different from Las Palmas. Here are a chorus composed of men who sing 40% of the mass. It was not bad, hard to understand, but not bad. When the Mass ended, first they were explaining me the history of the basilica and then proceeded to climb the tower, before stopping at the various plants. Finally we reached the top of the tower. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen!

On Wednesday, after school, we went with Irene's father, Alba's father and my mother to Brussels We visited the museum to see the TERRACOTTA ARMY. It was incredible to see all the soldiers together, theirs weapons, jewels... We listened an explanation in English and we took many funny photos.

Pills, carnivals and birthday cakes

I have been sick for almost one week, I had fever and flu. It started on Monday and it finished on Friday just to party on carnival!
Last Saturday we went to Belinda's party, it was in her house. We were dancing, singing and having fun. Here they celebrate birthdays completely different than in Las Palmas. They do it at home with their parents and give invitations before going. It was funny at all.

On sunday we went to Aalst to see the big parade. We stood there for a few hours watching the floats. They are not the same as in Las Palmas. Here each float has a specific carnival song (a carnival song is a normal song but with different lyrics in Dutch), they could be funny if you understand them. Afterwards our parents took us to Hans' parents house to change our clothes and put the costumes.
At 00:30 p.m we return home because our feet were completely frozen and we could not dance well.

This Monday we went to Antwerp. There we saw some monuments, shops and a very nice and big cathedral. The city is also well known because it is the most important city where diamonds are sold and bought, it is also because Jewish people always have their most precious (=gold and diamonds) things with them, they couldn't stay on one place so it was easy to have their belongings with them, so thanks to them the business started.

On Tuesday, I woke up at eleven o'clock! We ate lunch together and then... again to Carnival Aalst. It was a parade but without floats. There were only men disguised as women, but not normal women, mmm... "dirty women". After the parade we went to a pub to take something to drink, and then wait two hours in a square to see "the end of the carnival" it consists of burning a doll while they sing a very emotional song.

1º and 2º week of February

Last week we went to Aalst, with Mathias and we three, Aalst is a city where the carnival is really famous in Belgium. We went there to buy our costumes because we needed to wear it on Carnival next weekend. We took the train at 11:00 a.m but only Irene, Mathias and me, Alba fall sleep and she couldn't arrive on time ¬¬
First of all we decided to go to a Carnival shop, it was full of costumes and strange things for carnival. We found a veeeeeeeery nice dress of snow white. Finally we bought it and Mathias bought a strange dress that I don't really know how to describe.
At half past two we had lunch in MC DONALD!!!!!!!! The first time after one month. It was delicious. In the midst of the food started to hail, I've never seen anything so strange but funny at the same time, is how balls come out of nowhere and you don't know exactly where they come from.
After lunch we did a little bit of shopping and we return home.
The next day we went to a part of Flanders where we saw the Bicycle museum, carpet museum and the church. It was really nice, we liked the view a lot.

Ice skating

Today, 13 February, we went to do ice skating with some friends from IKSO. There were a lot of children and some guys practising professional ice skating, it was amassing! I really liked it. I didn't fall but Irene does and it was very funny, much more for me than for her but... finally, she did it as good as the other ones.

Skiing

This Thursday, we went to the south of Belgium to do ski! It was amazing, one of the funniest things that i have ever done. We went with Alba's mother and brother. They know how to ski and they were who taught us. In the beginning it was a completely disaster. But little by little, after a few falls, fifteen or twenty or so, I could do it easily. The worst thing for me was the elevator. I fall down three times. The second time it was in the middle of the ski slope and i had to get to the top forced because the others were waiting for me to drink something. I HAD TO WALK WITH MY SKI IN ONE HAND AND THE CANES IN THE OTHER ONE. It was really hard, and not easy.

Gent

This Wednesday we went to Gent. It's the city where Mathias (my brother in Belgium) is studying. We took the train after the school at 12:15 a.m and then, when we arrived to Gent we took the tram to visit the main street, eat and start our tour in Gent. We ate at the Pizza Huts, in a Buffet :O !! Afterwards we started our tour. First we went to visit some monuments, a big castle and the big church. Finally we went to the shopping street.

Brugge

This Saturday we went to Brugge. Brugge is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the Northwest of the country. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port. At one time, it was the "chief commercial city" of the world. There you can find a loooooooooot of tourists visiting monuments, taking a walk on a boat and taking photos.

My Belgian mother had the great idea to prepare a map with great dedication to all the monuments, squares and important places that we should visit. Thanks to that we could see a lot of things and a important date! WE DIDN'T GET LOST!!!!

The places/squares/museums/buildings that we visited were these ones:

Arentshuis, Belfort, Bruges canals, the Choco-Story museum, english monastery, large market squares, Holy Blood, Hof Bladelin, Huidenvettersplein, Jan van Eyck Square, Mansion of the Liberty of Bruges, Onze-lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church), Princely Beguinage, Sint-Janshospitaal/Memlingmuseum, St. Saviour's Cathedral and the City Hall.

We also had the big opportunity to visit an exhibition of famous Spanish painters, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró among others...

Cent limites

This Friday evening the three "Spaanse meisjes" went to Cent limites. Cent Limites is a party organised by the girls/boys who are in their last year of the high school. Honestly, it was one of the best parties that I have ever gone. There was good place, good music and above all, a very good company of friends.

De Panne

Last weekend Anne (Severine's mother) took us to the coast, FINALLY!! After two months we saw the see for the first time. I have never been without seeing it that long time :S At half past seven we took the car and we started our adventure. We arrived at the coast and it was dark, but we couldn't wait to the next day to see the sea wich we had missed that much.

On saturday we went to see the markets and the sea again. It is completely different than what we are used to. There was a lot of shells. The water wasn't blue, it was like green-brown... In the afternoon we took the car and we drived to FRANCEEE!! It took only five minutes. There we took a walk along the avenue. At night, after dinner, we sang with a karaoke and then we watched the movie "Grease", well... they watched the film, I fall sleep after twenty minutes. I was really confortable in the sofa and I couldn't resist.

On sunday, after lunch, we went to Ieper. Ieper is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. There, we explore Flanders Fields and visit the remains of the Great War in order to never forget what happened.....

In Flanders Fields Museum and the battlefields reveal the truth about the Great War fought in Ieper.
We were touched by the Last Post, played every night at 8pm in memory of the soldiers of the British Empire and Allied Forces who fell in Ypres Salient during the First World War.

Relax but nice week-end!

This friday after school, we went with some friends of the high school to drink something in a restaurant near my house. There, we had a great time, we took photos, videos and we were laughing a looooot!

Today, Saturday, we went with our mentor and his wife to see the Atomium and Mini Europa but unfortunately it was closed :(

We had a great view of Brussel even though it was raining.

Spaanse dag and Leuven

This Friday, some girls of the high school had the idea to do a spanish day in IKSO, they thought to do a Spanish dish, put some spanish songs and dress in red and yellow. Thanks to the help of a Spanish mother which her daughter is studying there, we could do a lot of sandwich with... TORTILLA DE PAPAS!! It was a great idea, and I think every body liked it :) At night we went to the party of the chiro, and there we were with some friends of the high school, dancing, talking and having a looooot of fun!

Today (Saturday), we went with Andrea to Leuven. It is located about 25 kilometres east of Brussels. Nowadays Leuven is a real "student city", as during the academic year most citizens in its centre are students. The university, with about 35,000 students every year, is the oldest Catholic University in the world, founded in 1425. The historic centre is one of the most beautiful in Belgium. The city has a long and interesting history, being founded probably in the 9th century. It was particularly interesting because of the location, at the river Dijle and close to Brussels. Most of the city was thrashed and burned to the ground by the German invasion in World War I, and was again damaged during World War II. The historic centre itself however has been preserved and historic buildings like the University Library have been restored, partly with foreign relief funds.

There, after eating in the McDonald, we bought some macrons. They were delicious!!

Shooping in Brussels

This Friday, 22, we went to Brussels at 13:30 to start buying some presents to our friends and family. But.... we also bought some things to give a good impression to our parents when we arrive in Las Palmas!!

It's only 10 days to return home agaiiiiiiiiiiiin!!! OMG I must be honest and say that every time I think back to see my parents, my brother, my friends ... I am so glad! but, on the other hand... I don't like to thing that i won't be with my new parents, my new friends...

Irene's surprise

Last saturday we went to Aalst to celebrate the party for IRENE. She didn't know anything. Alba, Mathias and me hidden some letters in the shop and then she has to find them. Some friends from the high school came with us to look for the "treasure".

After find the letters we went to the bowling and there our other friends from the high school were waiting for us.

On Sunday I went with Mathias to the "CHIRO". I really had fun, the people were very kind with me. We took some photos, we did a snowmen and we did a snow fight. It's a pity that I couldn't go before :(

Last days

Last Friday, it was the last day in IKSO, we could say good bye to all our teachers and some friends. After the school, we went to De Frede to eat something with our friends and take our last funny photos together. Then, we went to eat french fries and there we received some present from our friends. We really liked them. We had a really nice time together. We will NEVER forget them. Moreover, with the pinky we promised to meet again soon.

On Saturday we went shopping with Inge and Anne, there we bough the last presents and so. When we arrived home we had to dress up to go to our last dinner with the families and the mentor. We did not know what awaited us!!!

WE ARE FAMILY

A night filled with laughter, confessions, kisses, emotions, stories and many hugs was what was waiting for us at the restaurant, the same in which we made our first dinner with Mélany and what is now... OUR FAMILY.

Many people say that you can't change your family, it's true, but I must say that in this three months that I have been here, they have made me feel like as comfortable as in my own house, I never lacked anything, indeed, they have given me more than I ever wanted. I will never have enough words to thank them every they have done.

We are not your ordinary family but we can all agree that we are close as close can be so it don’t matter what it looks like we look perfect to me. We got every kind of lover we’re so lucky indeed, they can keep on talking It don’t matter to me cause... We are, we are family. If we hang just a hang and no shame, we both do what we want to cause we come from everywhere searching for ones to care, somehow we found it here we found us a home.