Adjusting

Well, I have been here in Sevilla for less than a week, but it feels so much longer than that. I want to write down everything I am experiencing here in my journal, but that would take forever, so I am learning how to be more concise.
My thoughts are becoming a mixture of English and Spanish, so I sometimes mix up my words, especially when I switch back to talking or writing in English. I feel like it´s getting worse too, so I hope my blog is still worth reading in a few weeks!
I had an interesting cultural experience on Sunday. I went to Mass in the Cathedral at 12, which was really neat. The cathedral here is the third largest in the world, and I think that it is absolutely breathtaking. When I walked by it the night before, I thought that it is perhaps the most beautiful thing in all of Sevilla. The stained glass windows inside and the huge columns make the inside just as beautiful as the outside. I was able to understand most of the Mass too, so that made it more interesting as well. It was really hot inside though! The weather here is quite different from my home in Oregon.
The really interesting cultural experience that I had was that I and the girls I was with that Sunday were confronted by some women that wanted to read our hands and tell us our fortunes. Three of the girls realized what was going on and tried to warn us as they hurried away, but three of us got caught by the women because we were being too nice and polite, which is a bad idea in those situations. The women (probably gypsies) were very forceful. The woman took my hand, gave me a small branch from a plant, and read my palm (all good things of course, haha). I then thanked her just so she would leave, but she told me to pay her. The other two girls and I refused to pay and finally got away from them, although they were a bit miffed. Nothing worse happened though, for which I was extremely thankful, but I think it was a good experience overall because I learned a lot from it. From now on I will just keep walking and ignore them!
I have ups and downs emotionally, but overall I am glad to be here and I want to make the most of my time here. Whenever I feel lonely or scared or overwhelmed, I just read the cards from friends and family that I brought with me and then I pray and ask God for help. I am always encouraged by both of these things, and God keeps giving me peace, hope, and courage. I just want to live for Him while I am here and somehow be a light to those around me. If you could remember me in your prayers, I would be extremely grateful!