The First Two Days

These past two days have been amazing. We got into Madrid around 10 yesterday and waited in the airport for two hours to take the bus to a stop where we were put in taxes. Laura got there before me so we had biffle catch up time on the bus. When we reached our homestay we couldn't believe it. The apartment is HUGE.


The mother, Maite (Short for Marie Theresa), is an amazing painter. Throughout the house are her paintings, in the bathrooms, our rooms, the kitchen, living room, etc. She makes amazing food. Last night we had the traditional tortilla of Spain. This is not what Americans think it is. It is mostly egg and potatoes. Delicious!! Then tonight she made us some version of paella. yums yums. Enrique, or Quique as they shorten it in Spain, is very nice. He is lawyer and from what I understand works with life insurance. Carlos, their son, attends a university outside of Madrid where he studies film. He also does Martial Arts. Apparently he used to work with nunchucks. lol. But we are getting to know them a lot better, which is really nice.

Mostly we have been walking all day. When we came in we unpacked, ate lunch, and went on a walking tour with a the NYU people for like an hour. Then they let us roam. We started out with a group, but we saw a side street we couldn't resist. We just walked around really. I think Laura and I have walked at least ten miles in the last two days. We walked down that street and around a really big shopping area. Around 6 we were hungry and got tapas. I think that's going to be a staple here. We came home around 9 and ate, then walked to campus and home. It's far haha.

Today we had orientation. It was booooooring.... I was dying. I mean it was helpful information, but I was restless. Laura and I met these two girls, Monique and Traci (sp?), with who I think we are going to be good friends. All of us decided to meet at the metro stop Santo Domingo at 5:30. We had some things on the agenda today, like buying:
1. A hair dryer
2. Cell phones
3. Shampoo and Conditioner
4. An alarm clock

Well at 5:30 we got to the stop. No amigas. When then realized about after ten to twenty minutes there might be two different stop entrances/exits. There were and we didn't get to the other one till 5:50 ish.....With no way to contact them we decided to go on. We walked and walked and walked looking for a Vodaphone store. We made a circle around the area. We made it to chueca, an incredible part of the city! It's the Village of Madrid. Rainbow flags everywhere, cute boutiques, bars, and couples holding hands everywhere. We finally found a Vodaphone here. YAY!! After, we stopped for tapas and directions to fnac, the Best Buy of Spain, at a local bar. We left and went there. Alas... they didn't have alarm clocks or hair dryers as we were told. BUT we have an alarm on the phone so check for phone and alarm clock... As for the shampoo and conditioner lets just say I won't give up my American products. We went to a nearby pharmacy and they had some funky European brand. I need my Pantene or Fructis. hehe.

So now we are done with dinner and sitting in our rooms relaxing. We probably will be so tired during the week to go out haha. BUT at least class doesn't start till 11 tomorrow!! WOO HOO!!