It is the end of my first day here in Spain, and it certainly was interesting.
Our plane arrived on time, so we were able to pass through customs around 8:00 this morning. A group of us who had met at O'Hare then claimed our baggage (luckily nothing was missing) and then went to be driven to our homestays.
My roommates and I met our host-mom, Mari Angeles, at the door and she showed us to the apartment she shares with her husband Arturo. It is cozy (which I was expecting) but it is already starting to feel like home.
We then went on a walk around the neighborhood to change money and find a store that sold European sim-cards for our phones. Walking about the city is an incredible experience, and even small differences/similarities jump out at you. For example, an enormous crowd of hundreds of protesters from the transportation union rode by on their bicycles shouting chants in demonstration, and I was immediately reminded of the Critical Mass bike rides which take place in Chicago.
After exploring a little, my roommates and I came back home and crashed. I had been running purely on adrenaline and my body had had enough. I was very happy to get some rest, and what was supposed to be a quick nap turned into a 5 hour sleep (one of the reasons I hate to nap).
Unfortunately, the day was not all roses. I accidentally broke my surge protector when I plugged it in because of the higher voltage used in Europe (I thought it wouldn't matter for a surge protector, guess I was wrong) and it turns out I didn't need to bring it anyways because my computer doesn't even need it. I also learned that I applied to receive a phone with the program wrong, and as a result, I won't be getting one; which is great because I left my charger for my phone at home. I will probably end up getting a pay-as-you-go phone here, but not for another couple of days.
Tomorrow I have yet another free-day because orientation was pushed back to Monday due to the strike and I plan on exploring even further.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
El primer día, 80 días se mantienen
It is my first day here in Madrid, 80 days remain in the quarter... and I'm on no sleep.
I'm sure you're all wondering how I'm doing, so I'll keep it short.
Flight: boring, no sleep
Homestay: family-nice, apartment-nice
Roommates: seem cool, getting along well
I woke up on Sept. 28th, at 10:45AM Chicago time and it is now Sept. 29th 6:25AM Chicago time. I got MAYBE 1hr of sleep on the plane. Luckily orientation was postponed until Monday, so I have time to rest/get acclimated before then.
More details about my family and the city will follow, but now I need rest.
I'm sure you're all wondering how I'm doing, so I'll keep it short.
Flight: boring, no sleep
Homestay: family-nice, apartment-nice
Roommates: seem cool, getting along well
I woke up on Sept. 28th, at 10:45AM Chicago time and it is now Sept. 29th 6:25AM Chicago time. I got MAYBE 1hr of sleep on the plane. Luckily orientation was postponed until Monday, so I have time to rest/get acclimated before then.
More details about my family and the city will follow, but now I need rest.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Alba del último día
It is the dawn of my last full day here in the States, and I'm ready to go.
Well, that's not entirely true, I still have to finish packing some last minute things and make sure that my flight and arrival plans are all tied up. But I spent last night saying my final goodbyes to my friends at DePaul, and I feel ready to leave.
This summer has probably been the longest and possibly greatest one of my life. I remember each summer by the theme of what I did, and this one will definitely be remembered as the summer of storytelling. The very first day of summer I participated in a role playing game, I played in a game once a week for the whole summer, I became heavily immersed in the rules and mythos of Dungeons and Dragons, and I ultimately decided to run my own storytelling game when I return this winter.
When I was not involved in role playing, I was usually watching TV. This summer, either through DVDs or the internet, I viewed a total of 12 series of television (1 of Lost, 1 of Dr. Who, 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 3 of Avatar: the Last Airbender, 1 of Glee, and 1 of Coupling). It was entertaining to say the least and hopefully helped me to further understand how to develop an interesting, grounded character.
My flight leaves tomorrow afternoon (if it is not delayed) and I expect to be out of contact with everyone back home for a couple of days due to orientation and getting my internet hooked up there. So, I wish everyone lots of love and ask that you keep in touch whenever you have the chance.
Well, that's not entirely true, I still have to finish packing some last minute things and make sure that my flight and arrival plans are all tied up. But I spent last night saying my final goodbyes to my friends at DePaul, and I feel ready to leave.
This summer has probably been the longest and possibly greatest one of my life. I remember each summer by the theme of what I did, and this one will definitely be remembered as the summer of storytelling. The very first day of summer I participated in a role playing game, I played in a game once a week for the whole summer, I became heavily immersed in the rules and mythos of Dungeons and Dragons, and I ultimately decided to run my own storytelling game when I return this winter.
When I was not involved in role playing, I was usually watching TV. This summer, either through DVDs or the internet, I viewed a total of 12 series of television (1 of Lost, 1 of Dr. Who, 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 3 of Avatar: the Last Airbender, 1 of Glee, and 1 of Coupling). It was entertaining to say the least and hopefully helped me to further understand how to develop an interesting, grounded character.
My flight leaves tomorrow afternoon (if it is not delayed) and I expect to be out of contact with everyone back home for a couple of days due to orientation and getting my internet hooked up there. So, I wish everyone lots of love and ask that you keep in touch whenever you have the chance.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Seis días hasta la salida
Six days until I depart, and I'm on no sleep.
I'm so excited and anxious about my (incredibly fast approaching) departure that I can't turn off my mind when I try to fall asleep. A never-ending barrage of thoughts cascades through my head. Endless questions about what-ifs, hows, wills, and whens. "Will I get along with my roommates? What will my host-family be like? How will I adjust to the culture?" All of these swirl around like a raging tempest in my mind, keeping sleep just out of reach.
I would be frustrated, if there weren't so much to do. I still need to finalize details for my arrival, purchase last-minute items, and of course pack. I expect the next couple of days to be an interesting mix of hectic preparation spotted with 11th hour summer enjoyment.
Here's hoping that I can squeeze the last out of this summer in the few days I have left, and of course, for some much needed rest.
I'm so excited and anxious about my (incredibly fast approaching) departure that I can't turn off my mind when I try to fall asleep. A never-ending barrage of thoughts cascades through my head. Endless questions about what-ifs, hows, wills, and whens. "Will I get along with my roommates? What will my host-family be like? How will I adjust to the culture?" All of these swirl around like a raging tempest in my mind, keeping sleep just out of reach.
I would be frustrated, if there weren't so much to do. I still need to finalize details for my arrival, purchase last-minute items, and of course pack. I expect the next couple of days to be an interesting mix of hectic preparation spotted with 11th hour summer enjoyment.
Here's hoping that I can squeeze the last out of this summer in the few days I have left, and of course, for some much needed rest.
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