Espana: Day 3

Today Zury and I decided that we were going to have more of a relaxing day. We are both very sore from walking so much the past few days and then also from carrying our suitcases and such. We were going to go swimming in the morning but only had one card and apparently we had to have one for each person. So we sat around for awhile because we couldn't find the other card and then we decided to go get something to eat. We ended up getting a cheese burger (SOOO American I know). Since we don't know many people here yet, we find the first place to eat that we think looks good. I'm hoping and expecting that once our program begins on Monday we will be able to find other people that have been here for awhile or even live here to show us where is good to eat.

We also received a call today that the excursion that we were going to go on was cancelled for us for tomorrow. We were told that there was some miscommunication. We then decided that we were going to try and go to Barcelona or something, so we found our way to the train station to see how much things were. I told Zury that I felt like I was in Harry Potter land even though I'm a few countries off. It's okay, a girl can dream and pretend! After this we decided that we were going to wait to go until another weekend. We don't know everything yet and we don't know what to buy. I think it would be better for us if we just waited till we had some friends here to guide us on which way to go with buying tickets, hostels, etc. So this weekend we will go shopping and look around Madrid a lot!

Much love,

Brianna

La estacion atocha renfe (AKA Harry Potter Land in my eyes)

España: day 2

Last night, Zury and I rode the metro into the city to find out that we were late and that every one had left for karaoke, so we ended up just walking around the city some. I found a lot of places that are in the United States in Madrid like McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, and Subway. Zury and I went into McDonalds and found that it is different than the one in the United States. I was able to buy macaroons which is definitely NOT something that you can find in the United States! I'm glad that these are here because the fries will be good comfort food if I need them even though they are probably much healther than those in the United States! ;)

This morning I woke up about an hour too late and felt awful! Zury and I went and got phone numbers here and then I bought a new phone because they could not unlock my phone from back home. However, I was needing a new phone... so this worked out in my favor! After this Zury and I went to the school and they joked with us that we were late. I explained to them that I had overslept and that I was very sorry. They seemed to understand. Many of the people in the program are very kind and willing to explain things to me in English or Spanish if I don't understand. There are a few people that talk to Zury when they are talking to me because they know that she understands them. This is something that I hope will get better as I begin to understand the language better. Although, it is a huge blessing that she is here with me because she knows Spanish so well when I have a problem understanding something. 

I had a small scary moment today when a strange man starting following me and Zury a little. He noticed that I had a belt under my shirt that I was putting stuff in. He gave me a look that I did not like at all. So Zury and I went into a store and waited for a little. He was outside again, but we lost him shortly after that thank goodness! 

It was a very good day despite some of the craziness involved in it. Tomorrow we are going to relax and enjoy the pool!

Much love, 

Brianna

España: Day 1

Despite having a difficult time falling asleep last night, once I did I slept all the way until I needed to be up. My host mother woke me up with a small "Brianna, Pienso que te levantas temprano" meaning I thought you were getting up early. Little did she know that I had my alarm clock set for 4 minutes after she woke me up, but it was fine. I was more scared that someone was whispering to me! 

Zury and I went with her host mother to the Tandem building at 8 in the morning and once we arrived we found out that we didn't actually need to be there until 1 in the afternoon so we wandered around and took some photos and tried our absolute best not to fall asleep in front of the parliament building. Around 1:30, Susana, a professor in Tandem, took us around the city and showed us where the stores are and where to get a phone. She also took us to some tapas where we had paella, some pepsi, and other miscellaneous food that was all pretty good. I did try a pepper there that was so spicy that my mouth was burning. However, I told myself that I would try everything so I just suffered a little while my mouth was burning. 

Tonight there will be some music at the building where the school is and we will be able to meet some people that are in the program! After a little nap, I think I will be able to stay awake some to enjoy meeting some other exchange students that are here to learn Spanish as well!

Much love, 

Brianna

Bienvenidos a España

I have officially arrived in Spain and have been here for about four hours! It is incredibely hot in Madrid right now and my host family said that this is the hottest that they have ever experienced Madrid. So basically, i'm sneaking my body splash and deoderant everywhere so I don't feel too gross. 

Our plane ride here was not terrible at all. In fact, the worst thing that really happened was the fact that my water bottle "had an accident" when I opened it in the plane because of the pressure on the bottle and went all over me in the air plane. I am very tired and have tried to do my absolute best to just stay awake, but I did just wake up from a small nap. Now that I am in Spain, I have noticed how difficult it is to understand what they are saying. They speak way too fast for me to fully comprehend what they are saying. Alll of the spaniards that I have met thus far have been understanding to my language barrier. Despite this, I still had a little moment where I broke down some just because I was overwhelmed and tired. Additionally, the fact that I can hear everyone in this apartment complex talk. That's a strange feeling. There is not much to do tonight since I don't really know my way around the city and don't know anyone besides Zury at the moment. So it looks like tonight is just a night to relax and hang out and play with their cat. Although I'm biased, it's probably one of the cutest cats I have seen next to mine. 

Tomorrow I will have orientation in the morning! I can't wait to see what all it will be like!

Much love,

Brianna

T-Minus 2 days Till Take Off

The excitement and nerves are STRONG right now. I have nearly everything packed into my checked bag and my carry-on bags. I have officially finished my summer internship and I am officially moved out of my summer housing and into my fall housing. Now, I must wait until Monday at 6 when I hop on my plane and am in route to Madrid, Spain. 

I am most nervous about traveling by myself. Yes, I will have someone there with me, but I mean without my family especially my parents. The last time I travelled abroad I was 16, so I don't remember much of the plane ride except for sleeping on the plane on my mom. I know it will all work itself out and will go well, but I can't help to have a little bit of nerves before I leave. 

I can't wait to see what this adventure brings for me and I know that it's all anticipation that I am feeling right now! Until next time!

Much love,

Brianna