So here I am, being very European- drinking coffee in a cafe and using them for their internet...it's fabulous- maybe I'll become a regular?
Things are starting to progress here in Madrid. Kate and I are still searching for an apartment...possibly the most frustrating experience of my life! It's not enough of an issue to find a place that we might like, but having to call the people, ask about the apartment, set up an appointment, and then actually try to find the place is such chaos... I'm really hoping we find something soon (and don't worry Mom, we're not being that picky)
My homestay is still going very well, though. Rachel and I are getting along great and have gone out together several nights. There's always so much to do here, especially at night, and it's been a great way to get out, meet new people, and practice speaking spanish. Most nights we've been going to the "Sol" area- the center of Madrid, where there are plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants (most open til 5 in the manana) but a few nights we've gone to other areas and have found some great spots to party- pricy though (usually 7-8 Euros for a drink, 3-5 for a beer)
I'm most likely going to be getting a Spanish phone soon, so as soon as I get that number I'll post it on here (and Facebook). I also have some pictures from a trip our group took to Toledo last weekend (which by the way was so cool- Toledo is this old, Medieval town about 45 minutes away from Madrid- it's absolutely beautiful and a perfect day trip to get away from the craziness of Madrid) so as soon as I get a chance I'll put them online. Since we don't have internet at our homestay, I can't really use Skype yet, even though I'd love to- but I check my email every other day or so, so please send me an email to stay in touch! I'd love to hear from everyone!!
As soon as I get my schedule I'm going to start planning some trips. So far we've talked about going to Ireland, England, Scotland, Paris, Italy....how exciting to have this opportunity!! I know it's going to be hard for me for a few more weeks (until I get settled) but I am definitely loving it more and more each day.
Well, all for now!!
-Nicole
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
One week down...
TONS more to go!
Anyways, hola everyone! I finally caved in to paying two euro per hour and am at a small internet cafe right by my homestay. This place is really crazy- the radio just played ¨It´s Raining Men¨ and there are little kids running around all over the place. It´s nice to be able to connect to the outside world, though.
Right now the WIP-ers (that´s what they like to call us at the university: Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue) are in the middle of orientation and ¨piso¨(apartment) hunting. It´s extremely stressful because the apartments in Spain are very small and do not offer very much. Kate and I are trying to find one with two single rooms available, hot water, a somewhat working kitchen, and internet (Wi-Fi) and so far no luck. At worst we´d have to share a room, which wouldn´t be too terrible and definately cheaper, but most of the apartments have multiple people living in them right now, so we might end up feeling a little crowded.
I will be taking classes at Complutense, a HUGE university in Madrid (the campus has over 100,000 students!) I´ll be taking three classes taught in Spanish, with all American students, and two classes actually offered from the Complutense- these classes will be much more difficult as they are meant for the Spaniards and not us extranjeros. Should make for an intersting semester, but if these classes don´t help me improve my spanish then I don´t know what will!
Overall, Madrird is a pretty crazy place- it´s a huge city with tons of people and it´s very easy to get lost here. Spaniards are on a very different schedule: up early for work, everything closes around 1 for a siesta then open up again around 4 or 5. They don´t get home from work until around 7ish, dinner doesn´t start until 8 or 9, and clubs and bars are practically dead until midnight, and the metro closes at 1:30 and doesn´t open again until 6....
Besides adjusting to the schedule and frantically trying to find an apartment from speedy spanish talkers, I am enjoying Madrid. The other kids on my program are very fun and it will be nice to get to know more Americans, Spaniards, and other foreigners as the months go on.
Hope all is well with everyone!! Missing you all like crazy!!
-Nicole
PS: GO BEARS!!! We got to watch the games on Sunday night at an Irish pub called ¨Dubliners¨where there were a ton of Americans- the place was packed! I cannot believe I´m not at Purdue for all the Bears-Colts madness, but you all know I´ll be doing the Super Bowl shuffle in spirit!
Anyways, hola everyone! I finally caved in to paying two euro per hour and am at a small internet cafe right by my homestay. This place is really crazy- the radio just played ¨It´s Raining Men¨ and there are little kids running around all over the place. It´s nice to be able to connect to the outside world, though.
Right now the WIP-ers (that´s what they like to call us at the university: Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue) are in the middle of orientation and ¨piso¨(apartment) hunting. It´s extremely stressful because the apartments in Spain are very small and do not offer very much. Kate and I are trying to find one with two single rooms available, hot water, a somewhat working kitchen, and internet (Wi-Fi) and so far no luck. At worst we´d have to share a room, which wouldn´t be too terrible and definately cheaper, but most of the apartments have multiple people living in them right now, so we might end up feeling a little crowded.
I will be taking classes at Complutense, a HUGE university in Madrid (the campus has over 100,000 students!) I´ll be taking three classes taught in Spanish, with all American students, and two classes actually offered from the Complutense- these classes will be much more difficult as they are meant for the Spaniards and not us extranjeros. Should make for an intersting semester, but if these classes don´t help me improve my spanish then I don´t know what will!
Overall, Madrird is a pretty crazy place- it´s a huge city with tons of people and it´s very easy to get lost here. Spaniards are on a very different schedule: up early for work, everything closes around 1 for a siesta then open up again around 4 or 5. They don´t get home from work until around 7ish, dinner doesn´t start until 8 or 9, and clubs and bars are practically dead until midnight, and the metro closes at 1:30 and doesn´t open again until 6....
Besides adjusting to the schedule and frantically trying to find an apartment from speedy spanish talkers, I am enjoying Madrid. The other kids on my program are very fun and it will be nice to get to know more Americans, Spaniards, and other foreigners as the months go on.
Hope all is well with everyone!! Missing you all like crazy!!
-Nicole
PS: GO BEARS!!! We got to watch the games on Sunday night at an Irish pub called ¨Dubliners¨where there were a ton of Americans- the place was packed! I cannot believe I´m not at Purdue for all the Bears-Colts madness, but you all know I´ll be doing the Super Bowl shuffle in spirit!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Hola Amigos!
So I only have a few minutes until I have to be at orientation but I wanted to let everyone know I made it to Madrid safe and sound-
My homestay is going well- the señora is so nice and funny and seems to love taking in American students every year. There is another girl living with me who goes to MIT- her name is Rachel and she is also very nice, but busy with her program during the day so I usually only see her for dinner.
Madrid will take a lot of getting used to- good thing I have six months to do so.
If anyone wants to give me a call, my number is: 001 847 917 0823
K, I´ll write more later when I have more time!
Muchos besos a todos!
-Nicole
My homestay is going well- the señora is so nice and funny and seems to love taking in American students every year. There is another girl living with me who goes to MIT- her name is Rachel and she is also very nice, but busy with her program during the day so I usually only see her for dinner.
Madrid will take a lot of getting used to- good thing I have six months to do so.
If anyone wants to give me a call, my number is: 001 847 917 0823
K, I´ll write more later when I have more time!
Muchos besos a todos!
-Nicole
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