Days 3 and 4

Hola!

Yesterday was the start of classes! We only had a half hour of each class just to get us started. I am taking three classes which are art and civilization, modern literature, and classic literature. During my art and civ class we will get to go visit the different cathedrals and places in Segoiva that are very much so a part of the history and arte of Spain. It will be fun to actually get to see what we are being taught in the classroom and in the books! My two literature classes are going to be more difficult, because they involve quite a bit of reading and reflection, because they are upper level classes. After class was time for lunch and a siesta. For lunch we had some REALLY good chicken and a lettuce salad. It is weird because before this trip I really hated tomatoes, but I am starting to get use to their flavor, because Spainerds use tomatoes for almost EVERYTHING. Compared to the rabbit and lamb meal this was perfect. I am already starting to crave American food for example a greasy hamburger and fries would be perfect, but since I would still rather be here I had a peanut butter sandwich for dinner last night as a substitute for my cravings. LOL

Yesterday afternoon we went to the Alcazar or the castle. It literally looks like it is out of a Disney movie with blue peaks and everything. We climbed 150 spiral staircase steps to get to the top and we could look out over all of Segovia. It was so beautiful! After looking up their, Ricardo gave us a tour of the rest of the castle. Ricardo told us all about the history and stories behind everything to do with the Alcazar. It was really cool to see so many artifacts from SO long ago! After the castle we went to the paper store to pick up some of our books that the professors photocopied for us. It is weird, here there are separate stores for every product. There is a store for just bread, just paper, just sweets, just books and so on. It is more separated then stores are in America, there is no Walmart or Target to go to and get everything you need which I kind of miss because it makes things so much easier. Last night before dinner my friend Bria and I went to a cafe where we sat on our computers and drank some really good coffee. I had a cappuccino that was REALLY good and full of caffeine. They serve their coffee in small cups because the coffee is so strong. Today I had cafe con leche which is a little bit of strong coffee with milk and is really good. Today is my day off with no class or activities so I am keeping up with my two blogs and my homework. I am feeling the jet lag today I must of jinx myself thinking I skipped it. I will probably take a siesta after this and then tonight I am going to go out to the cafes and bars with a group of friends. Segovia at night is absolutely beautiful no matter what you are out doing and the night air feels so good compared to the hot days. I will probably go shopping for fun before class tomorrow afternoon just because I can. I am off to nap and prepare for tonight so I will blog more later!
:) Love, Jen <3

I finally made it to Spain! (Day 1 and 2)

Hola! I finally made it to Spain at 10am Spain time which is around 3 am your time. We then proceeded to have a full days worth of activities. We went through customs in 2 minutes because all they did was check our passports. Then Ricardo (our professor/trip leader) picked us up at the airport with a coach bus. Once we got to Segovia from Madrid we were picked up by our host families. I of course was the last one picked up, and the more I waited the more nervous I became. Carmen (mom) and Angela (16 year old sister) came to pick me up and they were very nice. The way you greet everyone is a kiss on each cheek which of course is so NOT the American way of greeting but I am getting used to it. My room nice and cozy. I have only 1/2 a closet but could not even fill it with all of my clothes, because I don't have that many with lol. Unusual for me I know. I moved in and then had lunch with my two host sisters and a foreign exchange student that is also living here, Natsuki. I had pure, which I found out later is pureed vegetables, which I ACTUALLY like and we also had chicken and yogurt. I met up with my group later and we went to the aqueduct again and then all over the oldest and most central part of the city. It seems so surreal to be here and even though it has only been 2 days I feel like it has been a week. We have done so much already and the time change is throwing us all of.

Today we meet at the aqueduct and went to the center where we will be studying. Only we will be studying there. We then went down the street to get all of us cellphones at MobiStar. It took forever but finally we came out with phones to use like when we get lost...which of course I will multiple times... we can call someone!!! We then went shopping for shampoo and stuff. It is actually really surprising how many brands they have that are in America. For example: herbal essences shampoo, Skippy peanut butter, frosted flakes, and chips ahoy. Then lunch was the real adventure. I, yes, I tried rabbit and lamb. I have tried lamb before and it was ok, but was better the way they prepared it today. But the rabbit was gross it was mostly all bones but I politely ate one piece which is like 3 bites. Gross. That's all I can say...so just be proud I ate it. LOL After lunch is siesta time which is when every shop shuts down except some restaurants. They close from 2 until 5:30 or 6ish it is weird. They close during prime American hours and go home to their families and eat then sleep. We went walking around the outer part of the city today. We walked through the park and saw the river and nature. At the end of the walk we got to see the castle and take pictures by that. It was SO cool. After that we all skipped tapas time (where everyone goes to restaurants and bars to have a drink and eat free tapas) and returned home which is where I am now. We all decided to rest up. I am writing this and then I am going to try and nap before dinner at 9. Then after that some of us are going out to the bars for the first time. It is going to be awesome!!! Tomorrow our classes start and we get to go tour the castle, and maybe I will hopefully get some time to go buy some souvenirs! Hasta luego! (Talk to you later!)

3 days until departure!!!!

Only 3 more days until we leave! I have been busy meeting up with everyone before I go and busy busy packing. We repacked and repacked only 4 times tonight trying to figure out the best way to pack everything and what stuff to leave behind. I can just lift it up the stairs now...barely! I can't wait to go and I am ready to be DONE packing! If anyone has any good packing tips you got to let me know!

My next post will probably be when I arrive in Spain so until then, God Bless! :) Jen

Only 22 days until I leave for SPAIN!!!!

Only 22 more days and time is flying by so fast! I have not starting packing yet but have bought everything I think I need. There is so much to get done and so little time to do it my head is starting to spin. I only have 1 more full week of work left for the summer. Where did summer go? All I can do is look forward to the experiences that await me!

Jen