Thursday, September 9, 2010

Where to begin!

I'm in Spain!
I have an awesome flat!
I'm taking classes at the University of Murcia!
It feels like I eat tapas for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
I go out like typical Spanish youth does!
I walk EVERYWHERE!

To sum up: I'm having an EXCELLENT TIME!

AND the days keep on getting better.

Phase one: arriving at Murcia
The train here was a piece of cake. Once we got to the train station Maria's brother picked us up and we headed to their house, where we had an amazing meal prepared by Maria Jose (Maria's mom).  It was so yummy, I wished I never had to leave that table! Promptly after eating, Maria proposed that we head to the beach for a few days, since my program didn't start til that Friday. 3 hours later we were on a bus to La Manga, which is a skinny strip of land separating el Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Ocean. One side had water that resembled a lagoon (mar menor), and the other has much more waves and is a little chillier. IT WAS AWESOME. Plus we hung out with Maria's friends and their family which was such a fun way to practice my Spanish... you know, out of the classroom kinda stuff.

Then we came back Thursday night, and I won't worry you with the fiasco/tornado turned Spanish woman that is my landlady.  She was crabby. I did not enjoy her.

Phase two: exchange program begins
Friday was orientation, followed by a bunch of us ISEP students hanging out together and getting to know one another.  Since then we've been roaming around the city in various packs, trying not to stand out too much.  I was realizing one of the biggest wishes I have for this coming semester: I wish to walk around Murcia and go completely unnoticed.  To blend in with the university students would be SO COOL.  Since Murcia is a relatively small place, I've found that it's easy to spot someone who doesn't belong.  It doesn't help that half the time my friends and I are absorbed in a map of some kind, but we're working on it.  To accomplish this goal I just need to A. speak Spanish like true Murcianos; B. know my way around town without stopping and contemplating from time to time and C. dress up on a daily basis and stop wearing flip flops.  I CAN DO IT!

Right now the only class I'm taking is a two-week course designed to brush up on concepts and get us international students prepared to speak mucho espanol.  It starts at 4 which is incredible for my sleeping habits :)

Phase three: living situation
Initial feelings-ugh
Current feelings- YAY YAY YAY YAY!
NEW FLAT! IT'S AWESOME!! I'm excited to wake up and not find new bug bites, and to shower in hot water for more than 3 minutes! I live with Annalisa, and she's such a sweetheart. I'll post photos of the place very soon!!

Miss you all!! :)

2 comments:

Kerri said...

do they salsa dance there???? :)

Lauren said...

they do! I haven't been anywhere cool yet but I've for sure impromptu salsa danced with friends!