Goodbyes and Arrival

Posted by: Maryn on January 10, 2007

I have arrived in Alcalá.  The first two days have been orientation.  We have explored the city and have begun learning about how to use the public transportation, telephones, and ATMs. 

The weeks before my flight to Madrid were exciting and sad.  Saying goodbye to my roommates, friends, boyfriend, and family wasn’t easy, but the anticipation of the experience I was about to begin was exciting.  Packing for four months was challenging.  It is hard not to want to bring everything.  As I packed I was wondering what people wear in Spain, what the weather was going to be like, and how I was going to fit all my sweaters in to one suitcase.

The day I left I was nervous.  The newest regulation insists that all liquids must be in a small plastic bag and each item could not be over three ounces.  The travel size shampoos and soaps were the perfect size.  I had a flight to Miami at 11:30am and a connection to Madrid at 6:00pm, which in Spain is midnight.  I was going to try to get some sleep on the plane, but that is nearly impossible.  Eight hours sitting straight up, with my head on the tray table, or curled up in a ball and freezing from the air conditioner was not a wonderful feeling.  When the plane landed it was a great relief. 

The airport in Madrid was big.  I had to collect my luggage and take a bus to the location where we were supposed to meet.  At first I was very nervous and had no idea how I was going to find my way, but the employees at the airport were very helpful.  By the time I had found the group I had forgotten about the uncomfortable plane ride and was excited to get to know the group of people I would be studying with.  It was not hard to make friends because we had so much to talk about, such as, plane rides, majors, and hometowns and families. 

At the end of the first day we had settled into the hotel, eaten at a Spanish restaurant, and taken a tour of the city.  After being awake for over 24 hours I was ready for bed. 

I am going to be living in an apartment with other international students.  Tomorrow I move in.  I am excited to learn more about the culture and to be immersed in the Spanish language.