¡Saludos de Madrid!

Well, I have been in Madrid for just over 2 days, and so far it has been challenging, exciting, frustrating, and basically the longest couple days of my life. It´s amazing how many little things you take for granted that are different. Like for example the doorknobs turn the other way. And I couldn´t figure out how to turn on the lights in my hotel because apparently you have to put your keycard in a little box inside the door first-did anyone else know that?

The first couple days have been focused on finding an apartment. I visited a couple and decided on one with another American girl from my program living there. There are also a 31 year old German guy and a 23 year old Belgian girl living there that I didn´t get to meet. I am definitely really leery about this situation. But it was the best of the options I was given. It is funny because they keep saying that this apartment is so expensive. It costs 550€ a month, and I think it is really funny that that is less than we pay for our dorm rooms at Rochester.

I went to the Universidad Nebrija today to take a placement exam and register for classes. I decided to take a class about modern Spanish culture, and one on common grammatical mistakes. I have class from 10-1 on Mon and Wed, so now if I can work it out so that I only work on Tue, Thur then I will have long weekends to travel!

The craziest thing was that the woman at the school who was helping me register asked where I am from. I told her Los Estados Unidos and she asked what state, so I told her Michigan. Then she asked what city and I told her that she would not have heard of it. But she said to tell her the name. So I told her Holland, and she was like `oh I know Holland, my husband went to Hope College.´How crazy is that! I guess it really is a small world. Especially since I was sitting in the middle of Madrid tonight in a Turkish restaurant and that song "I´m a bitch I´m a lover" came on the radio. I thought was very strange.

Also, I would like to say that my efforts at looking Spanish have clearly been successful since 5- count them 5 - people have come up to me on the street and asked me questions. Too bad I didnt know any of the answers, except the time. I think the trick is to buy some sweet European shoes, wear black or neutrals, dress up, and have dark hair. So basically I blend in, until I open my mouth.

The plan for tomorrow is to take a bus tour of the city, paid for by the program. And maybe walk around and try to explore a little without getting too lost.

¡Adios!