Embracing Spanish Life

I've been here less than a week and I've already found out that there's a lot of great things about the way Spaniards live. Daily siestas, food, family, the language, futból, more futból. Did I mention fútbol? They are definitely as crazy as everyone says. Last night, I watched the second half of the Real Madrid and Madrid Atlético game with my host parents. My host mom really likes Madrid Atlético. Unfortunately for her, Real Madrid came back from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game, and then scored three more goals in overtime. I learned some new words watching the game, too! If you were wondering, pelota is ball (which I knew, but had forgotten) and prórroga is overtime. Today, I went to see the local team, Real Racing, play, which was quite an experience. Spaniards really love their fútbol. Before the game, the fans lined up on either side of the street as the team buses entered. They had noise makers, flags, scarves, and flares and were all singing, chanting, and jumping as the players arrived at the stadium. Then, once we were inside the stadium, they were really, really loud about every single play. They made sure the refs knew when they didn't like a call, and would sing and chant during much of the game. It was definitely a different experience than Spartan Stadium. We could bring bags, umbrellas, cameras, noise makers, and probably pretty much anything we wanted. Even though the stadium was much smaller and more rudimentary, I think the fans were just as loud.
Some pictures of the game:

Flares inside the stadium...how is that allowed? 

Much of Spain is Catholic, but not many Spaniards actually practice. However, there are churches everywhere. I tried to find the Church of the Annunciation for Mass today, but instead found another church before I got there. They were already most of the way through mass, though. I then found two other churches and stumbled upon another only two blocks from my house, but it is brick and doesn't really look like the other churches here. I couldn't really understand much of what they were saying, but luckily, the structure of the Mass is the same no matter where you are, so I was able to understand what was going on. I know I learned the basic prayers in Spanish class in high school, so I should probably brush up on them.
I have gotten used to eating at 9pm or later now (I ate at 7:30 last week because mi madre had to go visit her mother in the hospital and I wasn't even hungry because it was so early), and take a siesta when I can. Unfortunately, I have class at 3:15pm, which is prime siesta time. All of the stores are closed from 1:30 or 2 to at least 4:30 or 5. So never plan on doing anything during that time. This weekend, my host parents' grandchildren were over, but since they are 2 and 4, they didn't really understand who I was or why I was there. I tried telling them that I am living here for two months, but they just told me that I don't. But I did appreciate their simple words, and mi madre has given me some of their books to read like a comic book version of Don Quixote. We have a lot of free time here during the week, so books will be great! And keep me thinking in Spanish, since I find that when I talk or read a lot in English, it is harder to switch back to Spanish.