I've met a ton of students from all over the place and I have been hanging out with the gals from Queens and another from Fresno. Im pretty sure some of the other kids in our group think I'm weird because I have been very quiet...I think I'm still in shock and just absorbing everything I see and hear. I feel so comfortable here...maybe because I have had the opportunity of traveling before (a lot of the students in my group have never been abroad before) or because Madrid reminds me of San Francisco. I love listening to the conversations and get lost in translation...literally. But I feel so comfortable here, maybe I lived here in a past life.
My Spanish is ok so far...I have the amazing capability of understanding a lot (just like with Greek) but don't have the confidence to spit the words out. I also feel like my Spanish is a jumbled mix of knowledge in my brain that needs to be sorted out. Hopefully this intense course I am taking will pushing past the threshold.
I have to laugh because, if you know me or have traveled with me, I have been known to ALWAYS over-pack and bring waaaay to much. This time I promised myself I didnt want the hassle of lugging huge suitcases up the metro stairs (which are 2-4 flights, not as bad as London but still significant) so Eve was kind enough to lend me her backpacking backpack. THANK GOD I did because I have already had like a million instances where I was relieved I had a pack and not a huge thing of dead weight. Plus I have to mention the cute first timers abroad coming with two huge suitcases and a carry on that have no idea what they are doing. Which I have to say puts everything into perspective. I definately have been very blessed to have the opportunities to travel and that alone gives you a sense of maturity.
My roommates are cool, both from Chicago and totally different. Agata is Polish and Sonya is half Indian and each have been to their families countries. So nice to have people who have cultural backgrounds for me to learn about! Plus they understand my life more because of my background. Our landlord lady is crazy...yesterday she gave us the lowdown on the flat and how it works, she likes to repeat herself and yell at Agata because she speaks the best Spanish. During our tour of the flat she managed to misplace her mobile, and when we returned from the store her handbag was dumped all over the couch. We called it and it was in the toaster!! I had to leave the room because I was laughing so hard, but she blamed it on the two boys that showed us around that work for USAC, and said they weren't normal especially the one with the earring. And she always talks about the last group of students that stayed here who were boys and destroyed the flat...yea she's still angry she's talking about it right now.
The university is nice and small, kind of like TMCC. I will be taking two classes there, composition and a women's study class...so Ill be in class early in the am and the afternoon. My commute by metro to school is about 45 min so Ill have plenty of time to observe and read on the way.
Well today we are sight seeing so I will write again later.
Besos,
Anna Maria
