Nick

17th of July, 2006
My name is Nick Williams and I am a CET student at Southern Poly. I arrived here in Valencia about two weeks ago. I am taking classes here, however I did not register for them. When I arrived I made a last minute decision to take classes in an effort to improve my Spanish as much as possible during my visit. The primary reason I am here is to work in an internship or service learning project. I am one of two students from Southern Poly working in service learning projects in Valencia this summer. I think that this summer will turn out to be a great learning experience for everyone participating in the program.
The company that I am working for is called Reinns, it is a civil engineering firm which specializes in natural gas lines that run below streets. I am currently looking at the book that they use to create project budgets to see if there is anything that can be improved upon. I am also reading through the latest standards for installing underground natural gas lines and making any necessary changes to their existing construction drawings. I must admit that I spent a few days just reading through the information that they gave me to try and come to a better understanding of what exactly I was to be looking for and what types of changes I am to be making. I think that I have it figured out more or less. I really like the people I work with, they are very pleasant and helpful to me. The primary reason for my visit this summer is to improve my Spanish. I have been placed in an ideal environment to accomplish this task. In addition to what I learn through reading and talking to my co-workers about work related matters, I also have the perfect opportunity to practice everyday conversation and learn by listening.
Not only is this a great opportunity to improve my Spanish, but also a great opportunity to experience a professional environment in a foreign country. I am still geating used to the environment and I know that by the time I have a general feel for how things operate it will be time for me to return to the United States. I have decided to just sit back and try to learn as much as I can during my short visit.
Valencia is a relaxed city in my personal opinion. The people are friendly and laid back. Many of the houses and building in the city are clearly older than those in the United States and that is part of the city´s charm. While there are plenty of new buildings, older architecture can still be found in many parts of the city. The cars in Valencia, as well as the rest of Spain, are much smaller than those in the U.S.. Motorcycles and mopeds are also more common here. The motorcycles are also much quieter than those in the United States. Another thing that has caught my attention is the city´s sanitation proceedures. There are far more public garbage cans, as well as separate containers for glass, plastic and paper products thougout the city. Garbage is collected much more frequently and the streets as well as the sidewalks are swept periodically. The steets are typically swept by special street sweeper vehicles and the sidewalks are swept by broom and leaf blowers. In Madrid the streets, in addition to being swept, are sprayed with water by special trucks after major events. I am very impressed by the addition the Spaniards pay to sanitation. Something else that caught my attention was the airport in Madrid. It is the cleanest airport that I have ever seen. Just in case I have not made my point by now, I am very impressed by the level of cleanliness that I have found here in Spain.
Since I have been here in Valencia the Pope has visited the city. Not wanting to be trapped in the masses of people I tried to avoid the imediate vecinity of the Pope, but my efforts were useless. The crowds of pilgrims were everywhere. Streets were closed and police were everywhere. I was awakened on the day of his arrival by helicopters flying overhead.
The city was decorated with yellow banners to honor the Pope´s arrival. One week after his departure there are still pilgrims and banners to be seen.
Last weekend I walked accross Valencia to a large park on the other side. The park, which I am told was once a river, is long and narrow. I tried to follow it to see where it would lead me, but I gave up when my feet started to hurtand the end was no where in sight. On the way back I took a nap on a park bench and walked under a small castel-like structure. I wanted to go inside, but it was closed. I have also seen more fountains than I can remember and several plazas with palm trees and, of course, fountains. One thing I hope to do durning my stay is watch a bull fight. I have seen posters advertising one the week, I just need to purchase a ticket. La Plaza de Toros, the arena where the bull fights take place is one if my favorite buildings in Valencia, it looks just as I have always imagined.
The building I am staying in is called La Finca Roja. Everyone in Valencia seems to be familiar with this building. It is a very large and old building with a private garden on the inside. It is easily recognized by the top of the structure which resembles a barn. I must say that it is very old, its electricity and plumbing were clearly not installed when it was built. Pipes run up the exterior walls and wiring for the lighting and electrical outlets runs along the interior walls. Inspite of its obvious age, the building does have its charm in the fact that it is part of the Valencia´s history. According to my host mother La Finca Roja is visited frequently by arquitecture students from local universities.
One thing thing that struck me as odd, even though I new about it well before I came, is the fact that businesses close in the afternoon for the traditional nap known as La Siesta. The primary reason for Which this struck me as odd, or rather as an inconvenience, is that I have had trouble finding a place to purchase such items as notebook paper and botteled water. I have learned to make my purchases during normal business hours during the week, however on Sundays many businesses remain closed almost all day. My first Sunday in Valencia was a rude awakening for this reason.
All in all I am enjoying my visit. I am trying to learn as much as I can about both the language and the culture. I am also getting plenty of exercise walking to and from school and work, and I think that I have been eating a healthier diet since I arrived. Overall I think that this will be a very possitive learning experience for us. I hope that everyone is having a good time and trying to take advantage of this opportunity, we may never have a chance to do something like this again in our lives.