He llegado finalmente . . .

After a combined 17 hours in the airport and on the plane, I finally arrived in Madrid without too much trouble. After splitting with Mitch at the airport I took a taxi to the hostel where I am staying for the next two nights until my program officially begins. The taxi ride was interesting to say the least, considering that I have never ridden in a taxi before. The driver didn't have much to say but did ask where I was from. I told him that I was from the United States and he immediately asked whether I supported "McCain o Obama." I'm not sure if I gave the wrong response because he didn't say much after that. He dropped me off in front of the hostel, but the facade of the hostel is currently being remodeled so I walked up and down the street a few times before I found the correct address. Then I couldn't figure out how to use the elevator so I lugged my 58.5 pound suitcase up four flights of stairs before finally settling in my room. I've also noticed that people have a bit of difficulty understanding me and have been giving me dumbfounded looks when I speak, which was a little disconcerting at first especially because my Spanish is a little rusty, but I was told it is because I have a heavy American accent. I really hope that is the case. Later this evening Amanda and I are going to navigate La Plaza del Sol, one of Madrid's most famous areas, which is two blocks from our hostel.

More from Madrid later . . .
Jen

Tengo una familia nueva!

I finally received my host family information yesterday! I have a host mother and two older brothers, Alejandro and Javier. This is a complete role reversal for me and it will be interesting to live with boys. Javier is 22 years old and is also a student, so hopefully he'll be able to show me around! The family also has two pets (hopefully dogs) because I told them I was allergic to cats ;)

The description of the house sounds nice; it's brand new, really close to downtown Sevilla, and a short bus ride from the university.

I also received my itinerary for my first week in Spain. Mitch and I leave Minnesota the afternoon of August 30 and after a short stop in Amsterdam, we arrive in Madrid on the afternoon of August 31. His program starts that day, so I am meeting up with one of my friends and we plan on exploring the city for a few days before our program officially starts. My tentative first week itinerary is:
September 2-Meet group at hotel, panoramic city visit by bus in the evening
September 3-Visit el Museo del Prado and el Palacio Real
September 4-Visit el Valle de los Caidos, travel to Toledo in the evening
September 5-Tour of Toledo
September 6-Travel to Sevilla, meet my host family in the evening!

A couple of my friends are in Spain already and they say it is absolutely gorgeous so I am anxious to leave! More posts to come . . .

Jen