Update on my past month of Spain...I mean week

Hola amigos!!!

I am already slacking on my blog, and it has only been a week! I'm not a fan of writing/reading long posts, so I will try to keep this short & sweet. For some reason time is going by SUPER slow in Spain...I think this has something to do with the siesta (basically nap-time from 2-4PM in Sevilla, everything shuts down) I take almost everyday, because every time I wake up I feel like a new day is beginning. Here is a rundown of my past week:

• I moved into my homestay with my roommate Katie. We live with Mamá Inés, a 75-year-old that looks spectacular. Our house can hold 8 people, but there are only 3 of us. Every meal I've had has been great minus one (lentil soup with no flavor). No complaints here except for the sketch internet!
• My first day of class was Thursday. As of now I go to school Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9AM-1:20PM--I get home right on time for lunch! My classes are Translation from English-Spanish, Spanish Culture and Civilization, & History of Spanish Art. I'm not officially in the art class, I don't find out until Tuesday, so cross your fingers for me!
• I'm mastering the art of public transportation! I have to take the Metro to get to classes, and hopefully I can figure out the bus system to Córdoba, Granada, Cadíz, & other small, nearby cities.
• I crossed the street the other day when the cross-walk guy was green...but then it turned red while I was in the middle of the street. I tried to run across the street but couldn't because some old Spanish lady grabbed onto me...glad I could be someone's human shield.
• Flamenco watching is my new favorite thing of Spain after stumbling upon a show in T de Trianna. My goal--learn some Flamenco & buy the dress!
• Clothes are super cheap & fabulous here! I've already bought a skirt & sweater--must.slow.down.
• Mamá Inés' daughter, Inésita, stayed at the house for a week (she's from Holland). She gave us an extreme makeover her last day in Sevilla! She's a beautician & apparently we were in desperate need of a beauty update....uh?
• I've been speaking Spanish so much lately that I am mixing up my words/phrases in English. I cannot speak in any language right now!
• I'm supposed to be working on my honors research project abroad--over gymnastics in Spain--but all the artistic gymnastics facilities are about 20 minutes away ($50 taxi roundtrip). I'm considering switching my topic to the impact Spanish gypsies have on their respective communities, more to come later...
• I'M GOING TO ITALY.

Those are the big hits of the week. I'm definitely missing the Texas weather, HGTV, & my rollerblades, but all is well in España!

Sevilla

Current Likes:

• Tortillas Española/the food in general
• Heater located underneath the dinner table
• When my señora Inés sings when she cooks/cleans
• Drinking café solo 3x a day
• Not showering very much
• Neutral colors worn during the winter time
• Starting school late (Jan 26)
• Many giant Catholic churches everywhere
• Not texting/calling people ever
• Siesta
• Not knowing exactly where I'm going

Current dislikes

• People constantly smoking in the streets
• Lack of grass in the city
• Graffiti everywhere
• Sketch Internet
• Money
• Not being able to articulate everything
• Constantly feeling tired
• The cold
• Not knowing exactly where I'm going

I'm Here!!!

I made it to Sevilla!!! After 18 hours of travel, that is! The trip here was surprisingly easy and not as bad as I thought it would be.

I got to DFW airport at 3PM only to find there were 4 other TCU students traveling to Spain on my flight too--such a good surprise. It was great knowing that I wouldn't have to do my 9-10 hour flight alone. Even one of the airport workers was part of the frog family :) Discovering these small things made me feel better about the flight I was about to board. I fell asleep for most of my flight (I woke up for the food though!) and caught the rest of Shrek the movie as we landed in Madrid at 10AM Spain time (3AM in Texas).

The Madrid airport was pretty ginormous! I got off the plane and power-walked to customs in order to avoid the long line. Although I got through customs super fast, I had NO clue where I was going! My ticket had no gate or number, and my flight was not listed on the information screen. Mildly freaked out, I asked the info desk where to go. They told me that they don't post gate information until an hour before the flight is scheduled to leave! So, I sat in the Madrid airport from 10AM-3:50PM, reading magazines, Skyping, & people watching. I love to people watch, but I think Spaniards love it even more! I have never been stared at SO much--to the point where I feel uncomfortable.

I left Madrid & finally arrived in Sevilla at 5PM. I got my luggage, which luckily came really fast at baggage claim, & got a taxi for the hotel. I'm not sure what my driver's name was, but he was super friendly! We definitely bonded over our taste in music--Shakira, Maná, & Juanes to name a few. He gave me small tips & history facts over Sevilla, & 20 minutes later we arrived at my hotel.

Everyone I met on my journey over here has been mega helpful; I've met a girl studying abroad from Mexico & Tennessee, as well as some other students in my program. All the Sevillanos I've talked to have been nice, which was not what I was expecting at all!

So, here I am in Sevilla, reunited with my fellow frogs! It's siesta time right now--AKA nap time...so hasta luego!

Today is the day!

I officially leave for Spain today, I can't even believe it!

For the past few days I have been packing, packing, &...packing. I surprisingly had no trouble packing for the next 4 months--I'm taking 2 big suitcases (which each only weigh about 33 pounds) & a backpack. Since my bags are so light I'm convinced that I'm forgetting things...I will soon find out!

I'm so grateful for all the people that have helped me thus far with everything--from where to go, who I should meet up with, & just with the general Europe stuff. As of now, I am so excited to leave & start this next chapter in my life. I love experiencing new cultures, & I know Spain will not disappoint! The most stressful part of the trip will be my flights: DFW-Madrid, Madrid-Sevilla, taxi to the airport. I'll be by myself for this whole part of the trip & I am definitely not looking forward to 12 hours on a plane. I hope that God blesses me with a safe journey & an awesome experience abroad!

Talk to yall in Spain!!!! xoxo

Jeremiah 29:11