Madrid

Yesterday morning we traveled to Madrid for the day. We took a bus from Segovia and it took a little more than an hour. Upon arriving in Madrid, we took the Metro to the heart of the city. There we met one of our teachers and she gave us a tour of downtown- in Español of course. I understood almost everything she said. The first few hours we were here I thought I was in big trouble Spanish-wise, but I’m surprised how rapidly my Español has improved. I still have a little trouble writing and reading, but my conversational skills are much better. Back to Madrid- we ate lunch in a typical restaurant and it was very good. After lunch our program director, Tío David, took us to a park that is most comparable to central park. The weather was great compared to that in Segovia- a 12˚ difference Centigrade. After the park, tío David left us to take a siesta at a friend’s house and we went to el Museo del Prado. [Side note about the siesta- it exists and it is amazing. The stores in Segovia close every day for a few hours so that everyone can come home for la comida and take a nap. It is also important because the Spanish stay up very late and get up the same time we do; however, in Madrid the mindset is more business oriented and there is no siesta.] The Prado was amazing, but I wish we had more time to wonder around- we felt a little rushed. I’m sure that I will make another trip to Madrid to see more of the Prado and also the Reina Sofia- a museum of more contemporary art. Madrid was teeming with people- it has the population of Tennessee. I saw a Starbucks on the way back to the Metro, and of course, I had a cup of coffee; however, that was my last cup of Starbucks for the rest of the trip. There are so many neat little cafes on every corner, it would be a shame to bypass them for something I can have at home. There is a café two doors down from our school called Las Tres BBB that I have been to almost every day. Un café con leche cuesta 130 centicimos (It costs 1.3€). Last night we watched a very important futbol game with some locals. Tomorrow the bartender is going to give me a new name because Clay is difficult to pronounce. Bueno, its time for la cena.

Mi primer día

Up and down-The first day was amazing, but pure culture shock. At first I was excited, but after trying to communicate with my Señoraa for the first 30 minutes, I realized that this was going to be much more difficult than I had expected. The food is very different, but good. Already I have eaten stomach, tripes, and tongue. Classes start on Monday and we are going to Madrid on Saturday. Everyone here is very friendly and the students in the program seem nice as well. And most importantly, the coffee is good. It is much colder than I thought it would be- it snowed the entire first day. Time here is so different too. We eat la comida (dinner in the South) at 3 and dinner around 9:30 or 10 and then go out. Breakfast is at 9, but the Spanish don't eat much. At about 11 or 12, everyone goes to the bars to have una caña (small glass of beer) or un vino (wine) and eat a tapa. ¡Las tapas son tan ricas! (the tapas are very good). Spanish life is so fast-paced and fun- everything is about today. Eat alot, drink alot, and visit with friends and family as much as possible. I'm glad to be here.

España

Pack, pack, pack- I think I'm going crazy right now. I can't seem to complete my thoughts in either Spanish or English. Only 3 days left until departure date. A week from today I will be breathing Spainsh air. Everything is surreal right now.