I was really looking forward to gymnastics in Spain before I got here—a new team, a new gym, a total new world. But, it was a TOTAL letdown. We got to Spain and found tons of gymnastics classes, but they were all different types like rhythmic or acrobatic gymnastics. They didn’t have artistic gymnastics which has a beam, uneven bars, a vault, and a floor. I was so disappointed. This is what had motivated me to to move to Spain, and it wasn’t working out.
In the fall, I decided to take rhythmic gymnastics at school and a trampoline and tumbling class in Vigo. Some of the older kids at my gym are actually international champions. Yesterday I went to watch one the competitions. It was cool. Here is a video:
Rhythmic gymnastics is what you might have seen in the Olympics where the gymnasts have a hoop, a ribbon, a ball, or batons. This is the gymnastics most Spanish kids do. My rhythmic class is doing a dance performance at school.
They have really fancy costumes and they wear half ballet shoes.
I’m looking forward to going back to Colorado to do artistic gymnastics there.
P.S. We recently got fan mail with some questions about our time here. Here are our answers:
What is the best thing you’ve had to eat?
Milka chocolate — Alana
Breaded chicken — Jonah
Spanish cheeses — Kelly
Pulpo (octopus) — Jon
What has surprised you most about your classmates and new friends?
They LOVE Spanish candy — Alana
They are a lot smaller than me — Jonah
What is something about your new culture that makes you happy?
Sunsets — Alana
Friends — Jonah
Beautiful old buildings — Kelly
The cariño — Jon
What is an important phrase I should learn if I get to visit?
Joder tío (warning—a bad word but Spanish people say it A LOT) — Alana
No pasa nada — Jonah
Graciñas (gallego for gracias) — Kelly
Baño — not just a bath, also a surf session — Jon
You can send us fan mail to alana@kelsus.com
I love reading about your adventures! Thanks for keeping the posts coming.
Alana, I like artistic gymnastics too, but your open-mindedness has shown you (and me) some interesting and fun other types of gymnastics. If I had the opportunity as a kid to do the trampoline version, I probably would have chosen that.
Great post Alana. Its so interesting to hear about the different types of gymnastics around the world!