Wow, has it been a crazy, busy, emotional, exciting, five days! I’ve finally been given a chance to sit down and write and catch you all up on my life.

I arrived in Madrid on Sunday morning at 11:00 (30 minutes ahead of schedule!). Virtually as soon as I stepped off the plane, I was hit with the realization that I’m actually in Spain, because all I could hear was Spanish chattering all around me. This is when I had my first moment of “Why am I doing this again? I don’t understand anything.” Fortunately, I met up with two other women, and after lots of gestures and seemingly frustrated taxi drivers, we arrived at our hotel. The first important task was completed successfully!

Sunday afternoon was spent walking all over Madrid, including seeing the beautiful Retiro Park. We stopped at a couple of different small restaurants for tapas and wine, which gave me my second reminder that I was in a foreign country. In total, we walked about six miles, and I finally collapsed in my bed at 9:30 and slept for fourteen hours.

Life has been a bit of a crazy blur since Monday morning. A hundred other people from around the country showed up and orientation activities began: Endless presentations regarding health, safety, our role as an Auxiliar de Conversacion, getting our residency cards, and so much more. Our days began at 7:30 or 8 in the morning for breakfast, and didn’t end until at least 8:30–later, if you chose to stay up and check out the bar scene.

I haven’t felt much homesickness since getting here, with the exception of Tuesday afternoon, when I was incredibly emotional due to getting zero sleep, thanks to a loudly snoring roommate. Fortunately, my mother is the best mother in the world, and virtually made me get my own private room in the hotel so that I could sleep. I’m very relieved that I’ve not only been sleeping well and not missing home too much, but that I’ve been making a circle of wonderful friends. Everyone here is very kind and sociable because we all recognize that we’re in the same boat of feeling excited and anxious for this crazy adventure that we decided to go on.

Tomorrow, I move in with my host family: A 56 year old woman, and her 25 year old son. Her son speaks English, fortunately, but this will be a good opportunity for me to practice my Spanish and see what a real Spanish home is like. I’ve been in touch with my host mom and can already tell that I’m going to love her. On Monday, I begin my Spanish language classes–three hours a day, every day, for two weeks. During that time, I have to find a place to live: Eep!

I can’t wait to write more about my experiences in this amazing city/country!

Hasta entonces…