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| Mom's dog Baxter was so depressed when he saw the suitcase |
Friends and Family,
After
months and months of planning and hoping, we are finally here!! Por fin llegamos!!
Below is an outline of what has gone on this week. Enjoy!
Below is an outline of what has gone on this week. Enjoy!
Monday
Mom and Dad agreed to drive us to Chicago, and dropped us off at O'hare Airport.
The gate number for our flight changed, and our plane was changed. After some confusion, we boarded the right plane, and flew to Washington D.C.
We then boarded the plane to Madrid and I began feeling sick. Migraines tend to visit me at the worst possible moments. The flight to Madrid was seven hours, and I had a migraine for five. Despite the headache, the flight was very comfortable. International flights offer excellent meals!
At the baggage claim in Madrid, we started meeting other study abroad students that were in Madrid with the same program. There are probably 30 students in total that are studying in Madrid with us, not to mention all the students heading to other cities in Spain. We located our USAC directors: Susan, Gabriella and Álvaro holding USAC signs and beaming from ear to ear. All USAC students were packed on a bus and driven to our orientation hotel.
In the afternoon, we purchased a mobile phone and signed our rental agreement, then met our new roommates Hyung Jung (Spanish name is Ines) and Hye Sung (Spanish name is Sofia) who are from South Korea.
USAC treated us to a Spanish, gourmet dinner later that evening, hosted by the four-star Hotel Huso Paseo del Arte.
I would like to mention that while trying to purchase a phone, Rajesh and I attempted to use four different ATM machines to no avail. I have never been so stressed out before. We owed rent (in Euros), an apartment deposit (in Euros) and needed Euros for expenses during the week. Each ATM were about five blocks apart, add in jet lag and a six hour time change, you get two frustrated, tired people. :) It all worked out when Álvaro noticed that we had come in and out of the Hotel five times trying to figure out how to use the cajero automático (atmin Spanish). He told us that the cajero automático has a limit of how much you can withdraw. Problem solved. But now we were hungry. We ordered (in Spanish) at McDonalds :) Lets just say that the guys behind the counter were laughing by the time we got our food. Rajesh and I were used to ordering in Spanish, but here in España (Spain), all orders come as a value meal. Who knew that saying "I need a burger and some fries" could be so hard? Laughing at ourselves has become crucially important this week!
Mom and Dad agreed to drive us to Chicago, and dropped us off at O'hare Airport.
The gate number for our flight changed, and our plane was changed. After some confusion, we boarded the right plane, and flew to Washington D.C.
We then boarded the plane to Madrid and I began feeling sick. Migraines tend to visit me at the worst possible moments. The flight to Madrid was seven hours, and I had a migraine for five. Despite the headache, the flight was very comfortable. International flights offer excellent meals!
At the baggage claim in Madrid, we started meeting other study abroad students that were in Madrid with the same program. There are probably 30 students in total that are studying in Madrid with us, not to mention all the students heading to other cities in Spain. We located our USAC directors: Susan, Gabriella and Álvaro holding USAC signs and beaming from ear to ear. All USAC students were packed on a bus and driven to our orientation hotel.
In the afternoon, we purchased a mobile phone and signed our rental agreement, then met our new roommates Hyung Jung (Spanish name is Ines) and Hye Sung (Spanish name is Sofia) who are from South Korea.
USAC treated us to a Spanish, gourmet dinner later that evening, hosted by the four-star Hotel Huso Paseo del Arte.
I would like to mention that while trying to purchase a phone, Rajesh and I attempted to use four different ATM machines to no avail. I have never been so stressed out before. We owed rent (in Euros), an apartment deposit (in Euros) and needed Euros for expenses during the week. Each ATM were about five blocks apart, add in jet lag and a six hour time change, you get two frustrated, tired people. :) It all worked out when Álvaro noticed that we had come in and out of the Hotel five times trying to figure out how to use the cajero automático (atmin Spanish). He told us that the cajero automático has a limit of how much you can withdraw. Problem solved. But now we were hungry. We ordered (in Spanish) at McDonalds :) Lets just say that the guys behind the counter were laughing by the time we got our food. Rajesh and I were used to ordering in Spanish, but here in España (Spain), all orders come as a value meal. Who knew that saying "I need a burger and some fries" could be so hard? Laughing at ourselves has become crucially important this week!
Tuesday - Breakfast,
checkout, and a four-hour tour of famous buildings in Madrid
I wanted to take pictures of these marvelous sights, but did not have my camera with me. We toured Plaza del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. Spain is very proud of their historical buildings. Rajesh and I were so thrilled on the tour! We could of walked around for hours.
Back at the hotel we met our intercambio (our student guide), Jaime. After introductions, we headed to our new apartment and to meet our landlady, Loli (pronounced Low-lee). Gratefully, we found Loli to be sweet and hospitable. We live on floor two, door two, and Loli conveniently lives on floor three, door two in case there are any issues. Loli has assured us to come and knock on her door if we need any help whatsoever. Although she speaks only Spanish, we can understand almost everything she says because of our previous, language studies and past, Spanish experience. We were comforted by her hospitality and kindness. As soon as we dropped our baggage at our new home, we were whisked away for a tour of our suburb area of Madrid on Calle de Hermana Graciella Noblejas. (Noble Sister Graciella Street). We are a walk away from a los grande centro comerciales (large malls), los bancos (banks), unos restaurantes buenísimas (excellent restaurants), renown restaurant for tapas (a famous snack of Spain) and of course, and the METRO station Ciudad Lineal (Line City). Our guide and friend Jaime took us grocery shopping (because there was nothing in the apartment) and we discovered... a bit of America, shall we say. There is a chain of grocery stores here in Madrid called Lidl (pronounced Leedil) that is also chained in England and other European countries. It is run by the same company as Aldi. Prices at Lidl are very affordable! Needless to say, we got some sleep as soon as we could.
I wanted to take pictures of these marvelous sights, but did not have my camera with me. We toured Plaza del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. Spain is very proud of their historical buildings. Rajesh and I were so thrilled on the tour! We could of walked around for hours.
Back at the hotel we met our intercambio (our student guide), Jaime. After introductions, we headed to our new apartment and to meet our landlady, Loli (pronounced Low-lee). Gratefully, we found Loli to be sweet and hospitable. We live on floor two, door two, and Loli conveniently lives on floor three, door two in case there are any issues. Loli has assured us to come and knock on her door if we need any help whatsoever. Although she speaks only Spanish, we can understand almost everything she says because of our previous, language studies and past, Spanish experience. We were comforted by her hospitality and kindness. As soon as we dropped our baggage at our new home, we were whisked away for a tour of our suburb area of Madrid on Calle de Hermana Graciella Noblejas. (Noble Sister Graciella Street). We are a walk away from a los grande centro comerciales (large malls), los bancos (banks), unos restaurantes buenísimas (excellent restaurants), renown restaurant for tapas (a famous snack of Spain) and of course, and the METRO station Ciudad Lineal (Line City). Our guide and friend Jaime took us grocery shopping (because there was nothing in the apartment) and we discovered... a bit of America, shall we say. There is a chain of grocery stores here in Madrid called Lidl (pronounced Leedil) that is also chained in England and other European countries. It is run by the same company as Aldi. Prices at Lidl are very affordable! Needless to say, we got some sleep as soon as we could.
Wednesday
On
the morning of Wednesday I felt extremely sick. As far as we can tell,
I ate something while wandering about the streets of Madrid, and my
stomach did not agree with it. (I also believe that my sickness was
slightly induced by high stress levels, jet lag, and all things related
to traveling abroad :) I was sick for ten hours, so Rajesh had to get on
a bus and head for college orientation, sign papers for both of us,
take a proficiency test, and register (both of us) for classes. I was
still sick when he came home. I will never take being healthy for granted
again.
Thursday
We awoke bright and early and headed for our first day of class. We have a twenty minute bus ride into the east side of Madrid, Vicálvaro, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (University of King Juan Carlos). (the same Juan Carlos is the current King of Spain). Our profesora Sara Elso, is bright, energetic, and full of surprises. That afternoon, we headed to Lidl to buy more groceries, (the ones we were too sleepy to remember last time :) and finished off the day with my grandmothers recipe of Spanish Chicken soup and percolated coffee over the stove. We finally took some time to sit on the balcony and enjoy los edificios Madrileña (Madrid designed buildings).
We awoke bright and early and headed for our first day of class. We have a twenty minute bus ride into the east side of Madrid, Vicálvaro, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (University of King Juan Carlos). (the same Juan Carlos is the current King of Spain). Our profesora Sara Elso, is bright, energetic, and full of surprises. That afternoon, we headed to Lidl to buy more groceries, (the ones we were too sleepy to remember last time :) and finished off the day with my grandmothers recipe of Spanish Chicken soup and percolated coffee over the stove. We finally took some time to sit on the balcony and enjoy los edificios Madrileña (Madrid designed buildings).
Friday
Back
to School, meeting with Gabriella on how to handle culture shock, met new friends at METRO and traveled to Alonso Cano to buy textbooks.
We went home to study, finished off the night with all-day, Spanish conversation and
Korean food cooked by Ines and Sofia. Who said you couldn't learn two
cultures at once?
We thought it wise to mention some important things we have noticed...
1.
Madrid buses go wherever they want to go, and they will run you over
when you cross the street. There is nothing that you can do about it.
Either run across or best, wait for the Go signs.
2. Residents of Madrid are multicultural. None of them look alike. Rajesh and I both agree that Madrid is more diverse than the cities we have been to in the States.
3. There is a sidewalk and a lane for bikes. Don't walk on the bike lane, they won't stop either.
4. The espresso and cafe is so strong, that if you can get it down, you could be caffeinated for days.
5. Speak loudly in English and they will all look at you. It is most embarrassing. Therefore, we are always speaking Spanish in and outside the apartment.
6.
Residents and restaurants in Madrid eat ham and eggs for breakfast, ham
and bread for lunch, and ham, potatoes and a vegetables for dinner.
7. Madrid has the best Metro system in the World. That is, if one can understand it.
8. Knowing the METRO station near you is as important as knowing your address. When you don't know it, anyone can tell. It is also quite embarrassing.
8. Knowing the METRO station near you is as important as knowing your address. When you don't know it, anyone can tell. It is also quite embarrassing.
Thank you all for everything! I will do my best to update this blog often...
Nos Vemos!!!
Un Saludo (Best Regards),
Sarah (from Rajesh as well :)
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| The arrival to Barajas Airport, Madrid (I wanted to take more pictures, but had to hurry to the bus! |
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| A Typical Breakfast in Spain |
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| More breakfast (yep, pasta salad!) |
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| Espresso. Need I say more? |
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| Culture Shock |
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| Our balcony |
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| Living/Dining/Study Room More pictures soon to come!! |
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