el primer dia en Madrid!

It's now about 10pm in Madrid.. only 1pm at home in Las Vegas! This has seemed like such a long day. I didn't get any sleep on the plane flight from here to Philadelphia, but talked a lot to friends that are in the same program. There were a lot of USD students on the flight. Our flight got into Madrid about 45 minutes early because of high tail winds! We walked to the baggage claim area and were pleasantly surprised because using a luggage cart at the Madrid airport is FREE. This made us very happy. So even though most of us had 2 huge suitcases, a carryon and a backpack, it wasn't that hard to transport.

Conchi, our host mom, met us at the airport and we all took a big van to her house. We then met her mom, Concha, who ate breakfast with us. They are both very nice and fun! They have only spoken Spanish with us, and I've actually been surprised with how much I have been able to understand.

The apartment is really cute. I am sharing a bedroom with Lexi, and Erinn and Rachel are sharing another bedroom. There is also another student, Michelle in the other bedroom next to us from Marist College in New York. The 5 of us share a bathroom, but it is a nice size and we all have our individual metal baskets in the shower to keep our stuff in.
Conchi and her sister Cristina share another bedroom and bathroom, and there's also a kitchen and living room.

When we first got to the house, we ate breakfast with Conchi and her mom. We talked a lot and jumped right in to using our Spanish! Then we unpacked a lot... I took a shower and then about a 2 hour nap. Then we got up and Concha cooked us the big meal of the day. She had a little of everything... meat, salad, bread, potatoes, pasta, and dessert. It was good but it was kinda weird eating at that time because at home it would have been the middle of the night. Then it was time for 'siestas' and I took another 2-hour nap. :)

After that we went on a long walk around the city with Conchi's dad, Santiago. We walked probably about 2 hours.. we walked through El Parque Retiro, we passed the Prado, and lots of other beautiful buildings and shops.

When we got back we met Cristina (Cris). She is so sweet! The 5 of us ate dinner with Conchi and Cris. We had pasta, bread, cheese, and sangria. Now we are all just relaxing and at our computers. I still have a little more unpacking to do.. and then have to pack a small bag for our orientation. We leave tomorrow morning for Toledo and will be there for two nights.

I will write more when I come back and hopefully have pictures!

Hasta Luego...