Off to a sweet start...

Tonight, after a much needed nap, Melissa and I went to el centro de commercial (mall, if I spelled it correctly) to find towels. We were unsuccessful, but I did find some inexpensive mascara and all that is caputured in this delicious photo. Que delicioso!

I am finding that on top of the terrible exchange rate, merchandise is still quite expensive. I look at the price tag (in euros, of course) and think, "Geez, I wouldn't pay that in the US!" and then I remember that I multiply it by 1.46... and then I walk out of the store. Mom and dad, thanks for that.

Dinner was great tonight. A greek-like salad, bread, chicken and rice, and melons (OMG, I LOVE MELON!!!). I also snatched the oranges my roommates did not eat to keep in my room for a snack (hey- that's better than stashing snickers in my closet).

We are hanging low tonight, resting from travel and happy to be comfortable and together. Tomorrow we have an excursion to Toledo (that's where the swords from Lord of the Rings were made... okay, probably something more significant about that city but that's all I know tonight). It'll be an adventure!

I LOVE the coffee here. I put almost an entire cup of milk in my espresso, as any good American would, and it's delicious.

On the way home tonight a lady stopped me and asked for directions (in Spanish) and I was able to direct her to a place I had just been. I felt pretty cool. Then I tripped over the sidewalk ledge and felt as though there was an American flag draped across my face as a warning that I'm pretty new here. I'm learning to talk my way around the city. Maybe next week I can learn to walk as well.

Buenos noches!

¡Estoy en España!

We finally made it! The flight from Miami to Madrid was not too bad. I slept off and on. The plane was very big and I watched movies the whole time on the screen in the seat back in front of me. (I am already converting what I type from Spanish to English in my mind... I bet I will return with even poorer English!) Before we could exit the plane, we had to fill out forms for swine flu information. I kept a copy and thought ``I´ll scrapbook that!´´

I had a wonderful surprise waiting on my at the airport! Melissa Lang was there to greet me. She rode the train about 25 minutes from Alcala where her apartment is located. I almost cried I was so happy to see her. We took pictures and I will upload them later this evening. She has followed me to my host home orientation and everything. It´s great to have her along. Especially when it came to meeting my host mother...

Her name is Tania (prononced tan-nya) and she seems awesome. OMG... there will be ELEVEN students living in our home. It is more like a hostel. But she is so sweet. She places breakfast on the table every morning at 7am and does not mind if we do not eat until 9am (kind of like a continental breakfast) and buys fresh ingredients everyday to make dinner with at 8pm each evening. AND she does our laundry for us every Saturday and irons on Sunday! I have a room to myself until Tuesday when another student from Texas will be next to me in the other double bed. Tori Martin and Jordan Hahn are also in my home, both KDs from Southern Miss. Tania is actually from Brazil and says that she makes ``Àmerican coffee´´ every morning. She speaks no English! The men and women have separate bathrooms... but I do need to purchase towels.

Tori, Jordan, Melissa and I are using a Locutorio right now. It´s 50 cents for 25 minutes of internet use and it is only 100 yards from our house. However, this afternoon we will get an internet code from the school to use my laptop in our home. I should be able to upload pictures, make new posts and respond to email daily, as long as I am not traveling.

The city is gorgeous and easy (so far) to navigate. I think I will have the time of my life... but certainly be ready to come home June 29th.

Muchos abrazos,

Cirino

One day to take off...

Although I'm off to a slow start, I have a few things remaining to knock out before I depart for Spain in the morning. I am feeling both sad to leave friends here, and super excited for the experience I'll have over the next 6 weeks. I spent time with Michael's family yesterday and we'll cook out with my parents tonight. I am thankful for the quality time with them.

Because I had not yet received my passport, last Friday, my mother and I headed to New Orleans for my appointment with the passport agency. But of course, when I was just minutes away from CBD, I get an email saying my passport is in the mail on its way to Hattiesburg. Ironic, yes, but it meant I saved the $60 fee for picking it up in person and was able to spend quality time, share a great lunch, and shop a little with my mom. I counted it a great day! And my passport finally came in the mail on Tuesday.

I think I am ready to go to Spain now! I bought a fantastic backpack from The Outfitter on Tuesday and Michael gave me a sweet Marmot rain coat. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, right? I am thinking "minimalist" as I pack and I have only selected one pair of heels to take! (That's not to say there will only be one pair in my suitcase when I return.) I bought my flight from Madrid to Paris on June 20th so I can connect with Laura for our tour of Italy (what I think will be the most amazing trip ever). I am thankful for this opportunity and can't wait to share stories and photos!

Okay, I have to finish packing and maybe grad lunch at Crescent City just one more time...

Dozer's home!

Although the preceeding week was swamped with final exams and papers, I enjoyed Mother's Day weekend as we got to visit with Daniel, Casey, and Dozer. The week was Daniel's "spring break" so he came to Hattiesburg. We ate way too much at MumMum's on Saturday, but it was well worth it. I'm glad I got to see them before leaving for Spain this Friday!

The first thought...

I took a minute to avoid finishing final papers to create the pages that will record my experiences abroad this summer... I better get back to work.