the first five days

Hola! It has been five days since I left the USA on the way to Spain, and what a few days it has been! My parents saw me off at Dulles airport, where I was to fly to Frankfurt and then connect on a flight to Spain. I know, the geography of it all makes zero sense but I wanted to take the group flight. After the longest flight of my life (8 hours) where I was luckily able to sleep and watch the movie Fame we landed in snowy Germany. We were delayed in DC due to strong winds, so we run off the plane when we land to connect to the next flight due to take off at 9:10 am. For a second, I thought we were going to miss the flight, but luckily it was delayed half an hour due to the snow. And then it was delayed an hour. And then it was canceled. Frick. So then we heard over the poorly translated announcements we were to go to the customer service counter to see what the airline can do to help us. The problem was, 300 other people had to do the same thing.

So, we waited in line at the Frankfurt airport. For 6 hours. For some reason beyond me, there were only four people working at the desk. We sat on the floor, slept on our bags, and made up games to pass the time. So when we finally got to talk to a real human, they put us on the next available flight, at 5:50. After asking many times, we were assured our luggage would be put on the same plan as us.

Finally, we took this silly German people-mover to the plane from the gate. By this time, almost all of the snow has melted. We finally took off and landed in Madrid around 9pm. As we waited for our luggage to come on the baggage claim belt, we realized our luggage did not follow us, and were resigned to filing claims with the airport for our bags. Somehow, I was not surprised at all by the fact they lost our bags. I was, at this point, much to tired to be angry. We greeted our Resident Director Mercedes, who had a long day at the airport waiting for us, and got on a bus to go to Alcala and have dinner. We went to a great restaurant right from the airport for dinner, even though we were all tired and just wanted to go to bed. There, we met the lucky travelers who took other flights and didn't lose their bags or have to wait in line for a quarter of a full day. From there, we went to a hotel where I have never been happier to lay in a bed.

We got up early the next day for a desayuno and a brief orientation with Mercedes. She tried to teach us the ways of the Madrid subway and bus system, but I doubt any of the info really sunk in. Around 1, we waited in the lobby to be picked up by our host family. Someone in the group described us as "puppies in a pet store waiting to be adopted". This analogy is pretty accurate to how we all felt, hoping to have a family who came on time to get us and give us a good home. Esperanza, my host mom came to get me and we drove to her apartment. The apartment is small, but centrally located and very convenient. Esperanza seems like she really knows what she is doing with hosting students, and wants to have me learn as much Spanish as possible. I then followed the popular pattern of eat/sleep/eat/sleep.

The next day the whole group of us went to Madrid. We took the train in which was about an hour ride, and met Mercedes. We took the metro with her to the puerta del sol, el corazón de Madrid. It was a beautiful day in Madrid and we walked around for hours and had a wonderful 3 course lunch (comida). We walked back to the train station, where we left hopeful our bags would be there when we got back to our casas. When I return to the casa, I learn my bag won't come until Thursday, because Wednesday is a holiday, dia de los Reyes, and no one will be working then. I definitely want to go back to Madrid as soon as possible to hit up the Rebajas (sales) after dia de los Reyes. However, no stores were open on Wednesday either, so I couldn't go out to buy some new clothes like I planned. I'm pretty sure I was seriously starting to smell from wearing the same 3 pairs of socks over again. Oh well.

Dia de los Reyes is like Christmas, where all the kids get there presents from los Reyes. Esperanza's sister and brother came over with their little kids who were all pumped to get their presents. Her brother has 5 year old twin girls who were little divas in the making but so cute. The sang and danced for me and asked me how to say everything in English. They even knew how to sing a Demi Lovato song? I also noticed on the news they use American songs in the background of the news clips. Some commercials are even in English. But most are dubbed over commercials which were clearly originally in English. I didn't think they would care so much about America.

And today, I went to my school, Alcalingua, to take a Spanish placement exam. It was pretty hard considering my last real Spanish test was last year. They they had an oral exam part where you just chatted with someone and they told you where you would most likely be placed. From there, we took a tour of Alcala in the freezing rain and snow. From there, we ran some errands and returned home...where my bags were waiting!! I was so happy to see them. They looked a little beaten up but still intact. I happily unpacked, showered and took a siesta. It is still gross and snowing out, which is what prompted me to write such an extensive blog entry. I was hoping to explore the nightlife, but I guess that will have to wait until tomorrow night! I have my first day of classes tomorrow 10-2:45 (aye de mi). I'm excited to meet the other students and see what my schedule is like! I also intend to explore the town more if there is nice weather.

I will post the few pictures I took in Madrid and any others I take ASAP.
Hasta Luego!