My First Few Days...
Yesterday was my first day in Madrid. When I first arrived, however, it was a complete mess! First our plane was about half and hour to 45 minutes late. I already had someone waiting for me, and yet I had no way of communicating to them that I had just landed or anything. Then we had to go through the Passport/Visa check and customs. That in itself was another 30-45 minute wait. Can you imagine how late I came out of there? We were supposed to have arrived at about 10A; I actually did not get out of there until almost noon. Then came another hurdle- finding that old family friend whose appearance I had forgotten almost completely. I was coming out of baggage claim into a crowd of unfamiliar people- who was I looking for? My classmate found her host quite easily, as she had told her what she was going to be wearing. I should have done that as well; it would have made this process much easier! Also, I had not changed currency yet- and I still have not. I have to wait until tomorrow because that is when the banks are open (thankfully there is one right downstairs from my domain). I placed a collect call- but used my card- in order to call this family friend. Andrew, as is his name, was waiting for me and had been there since ten in the morning. We finally met up and it turns out, we were on opposite ends!
Once we actually met up, the first thing he said was, "You're mom is dying because she has not talked to you! and so is you're host mother! We'll call them right away." We tried calling my mom, and who knows why, but she did not answer. On our way to my new home, we took the metro, which is nice and clean and very organized! Calls kept coming, from you guessed it- my mother. Unfortunately because we were underground, calls would come in but voices were not heard. At last, one call came in and Andrew answered. He handed me the phone and the first thing I hear is, "Isabel! Why have you not called us!?....." I hurriedly tried to tell her that it was not my fault! There were many delays in my getting out of the airport. As she heard this, she felt better and then she told me to call my host mom because she was worried to; then the line got cut off as we started moving again.
Our final stop on the metro was Argüelles, which is the one that I will be taking if I use the metro a lot. We came out on a street called Princesa, and across the street was my host mother. I have to tell you, this place is magnificent! The streets (although there is a lot of construction) are amazingly clean, and the buildings so spectacular. Once I realized where I was, I had to stand for a moment to let it all sink in, mostly because it reminded me of another home- México. It was like El Zocalo, which is downtown México, only insteadof just being one area, it was everywhere. I saw people dressed in the latest fashion, and not to mention all of the store- shoes, bags, coats, clothes, dresses. This place is just amazing. I found out that I live pretty much in a very commercialized area. Just down the street are so many department stores, shops, Zara, Corte Inglés- and not to mention all of the cafe/bars!!
Throughout these past few days, there has been soo much more exploring. We had orientation both on Sunday and today. Let me tell you, Sunday was quite funny. Professor Huergo explained to us that he wanted us to have a very genuine experience of living in the city, especially one like Madrid. So that day was all about learning to live in their lifestyle- learning how to "spend time doing absolutely nothing." Trust me, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only does that mean that classes are not going to be loaded with work, but it means that we actually will get to experience and enjoy life in Madrid. Already I have walked for more than 10 hours, combining these three days, and frankly I am enjoying it. I do not know when I will get to do this again, but I know that while I am here, I am taking advantage of it. Tapas, cañas, el menu del día- I am learning about everything. The transportation system is very nice and organized as well. I mean really, I do not think that words can describe how great this city is thus far. I have yet to experience all of the night life, but really, I do not mind. I will have plenty of time. Besides, I am still dealing with jet lag- which is awful considering I woke up at 4:30A only to lie in bed for a couple of hours, fall asleep, then wake up late so as to almost make me late for orientation.
Well, this post is long enough as it is, and I still have not even come close to telling you everything that I am seeing. No worries; that will all come later. In my next post (which should be right after finishing this one or maybe tomorrow), I am posting just pictures so that you too may see only a slice of what I see almost everyday. Take care and enjoy yourselves!
Once we actually met up, the first thing he said was, "You're mom is dying because she has not talked to you! and so is you're host mother! We'll call them right away." We tried calling my mom, and who knows why, but she did not answer. On our way to my new home, we took the metro, which is nice and clean and very organized! Calls kept coming, from you guessed it- my mother. Unfortunately because we were underground, calls would come in but voices were not heard. At last, one call came in and Andrew answered. He handed me the phone and the first thing I hear is, "Isabel! Why have you not called us!?....." I hurriedly tried to tell her that it was not my fault! There were many delays in my getting out of the airport. As she heard this, she felt better and then she told me to call my host mom because she was worried to; then the line got cut off as we started moving again.
Our final stop on the metro was Argüelles, which is the one that I will be taking if I use the metro a lot. We came out on a street called Princesa, and across the street was my host mother. I have to tell you, this place is magnificent! The streets (although there is a lot of construction) are amazingly clean, and the buildings so spectacular. Once I realized where I was, I had to stand for a moment to let it all sink in, mostly because it reminded me of another home- México. It was like El Zocalo, which is downtown México, only insteadof just being one area, it was everywhere. I saw people dressed in the latest fashion, and not to mention all of the store- shoes, bags, coats, clothes, dresses. This place is just amazing. I found out that I live pretty much in a very commercialized area. Just down the street are so many department stores, shops, Zara, Corte Inglés- and not to mention all of the cafe/bars!!
Throughout these past few days, there has been soo much more exploring. We had orientation both on Sunday and today. Let me tell you, Sunday was quite funny. Professor Huergo explained to us that he wanted us to have a very genuine experience of living in the city, especially one like Madrid. So that day was all about learning to live in their lifestyle- learning how to "spend time doing absolutely nothing." Trust me, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only does that mean that classes are not going to be loaded with work, but it means that we actually will get to experience and enjoy life in Madrid. Already I have walked for more than 10 hours, combining these three days, and frankly I am enjoying it. I do not know when I will get to do this again, but I know that while I am here, I am taking advantage of it. Tapas, cañas, el menu del día- I am learning about everything. The transportation system is very nice and organized as well. I mean really, I do not think that words can describe how great this city is thus far. I have yet to experience all of the night life, but really, I do not mind. I will have plenty of time. Besides, I am still dealing with jet lag- which is awful considering I woke up at 4:30A only to lie in bed for a couple of hours, fall asleep, then wake up late so as to almost make me late for orientation.
Well, this post is long enough as it is, and I still have not even come close to telling you everything that I am seeing. No worries; that will all come later. In my next post (which should be right after finishing this one or maybe tomorrow), I am posting just pictures so that you too may see only a slice of what I see almost everyday. Take care and enjoy yourselves!
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