¿De dónde eres?

¿De dónde eres? Where are you from? This question is at the base of any experience in a foreign country, thus as well when studying a semester abroad. Anywhere I go my hair, eyes, clothes, height, and pretty much anything physical is almost an incentive for random strangers to ask where I'm from. Spanish people, foreign people, in school, in a bar, studying, going out.. ¿De dónde eres?

Even though the question might seem simple at first: where are you from appears to be quite basic. I first have to think where I'm from. Obviously I'm Dutch, born and raised. But then again, I am pretty much as American as I am Dutch. But the person that someone is, is influenced by many different factors if you look purely geographically. And if one wants to understand the question as where are you from it often refers to what part of the world has made you who you are. Looking at it this way Sevilla has definantly got to be in that list of places I'm 'from'.

When I just got to Bilbao Charlene and I were walking around the center and we ran into two security guards (OK, did not run into them, they stopped us..) who told us they were from Córdoba. Córdoba is a city in Andalucía which is about two hours from Sevilla. I reacted overenthusiastic with a: 'Oh funny! I'm from Sevilla!' Of course it only took a split second to correct myself (while trying to stop the blood rushing to my cheeks) and explain that I am actually Dutch, or well, Dutch American. No well, I never lived in the US but I feel American since my family and I visit. Yes I have an American passport. Yes I get to vote there. Well, yes, also in the Netherlands. Get the dilemma?

I would not call myself a girl without a home country, but I am international. Obviously there are many people who would laugh at me for saying that. For example, diplomats' children who have lived all over the world etc. But as I like to think once in a while, there are people who have seen less of the world than I have - I feel blessed. Because of my background I have been able to appreciate the sincerity of different cultures. And although I am not a big fan of cultural relativism, I am aware of the fact that sometimes, even though you try really hard, you might just not really 'get' something.

Back to my point: let's just agree on the fact that I was raised quite internationally and I am very grateful for that (thanks mom and dad). As globalization is almost the new main stream religion it is of utmost important to realize how big of deal it is not to expect that what is normal to you is normal to people from different cultures. Because of my parents I have been aware of this at quite a young age. Dad used to make a fair amount of business trips, and whenever he came back we would organize theme-nights in which we would eat the food of the country he had been. Before dinner Stellan, Joël and I would set up a play. This play meant looking in library books, asking people, researching and realizing the unique aspects of these other cultures. My parents have always made it a big point to educate us with the knowledge of the existence of other cultures.

So back to Spain. Am I Spanish? Any documents that you would be able to find concerning my upbringing etc. would tell you that I am Dutch/American. So why do I feel Spanish? I guess because at a crucial point of development in my life I lived in Sevilla, because I have become the person I will be in ten years a little more.

Just as Sevilla has helped me become my future me, Bilbao will do the same, and I notice it already is doing so. I am learning about Law, the fundaments of Law if you will. I am learning how the idea of Justice is constitutionalized by a society. Just as everyday bureaucracy teaches me patience and tact (!! - Hoorah for me), Law teaches me what is at the base of this 'so-called democracy' I live in. What are my fundamental rights, and even more important, what are somebody else's fundamental rights? Because I see it as following: ones liberty stops where someone elses liberty begins. So one can study their own liberties, but start by studying someone elses and you'll reach the same conclusion and become more social in the process.

Viva Bilbao






Slog: Courtney Jaye - Can't behave

Thanks again for the reactions! Thanks for taking the time!
- Marleen: haha, ja is wel leuk voor de afwisseling! and don't worry, deze keer kom ik zeker terug ;)
- Anonymous: tq
- Gerard: Love is always in the air!
- Laine: you should lais!
- Rudy: ooh ja, ik ben vroeger begonnen met mijn vorige blog, en de datum waarop je 'begint met schrijven' is de dag die daarna op je blog gepubliceerd wordt.. maar nee, je bent hélemaal bij! en ach de kleine kamer: elk nadeel heb ze voordeel :)
- Carine: zou superleuk zijn! misschien een keer als jullie bij iemand thuis vergaderen na de vergadering ofzo?
- Sandra: no te preocupes guapa, que me hace ilusión que me escribas en espanol! y ánimo con 'aprovechar tu Dutchness', jaja! un beso