Siesta y fiesta

I have officially spent my first night in my homestay. No more hotel with Spanish guides, we have been released - for better or for worse. So far, so good.

On Tuesday we attended sessions about cell phones, classes, etc. at la Universidad de Sevilla after having breakfast at the hotel. Later we went for tapas with our group and our group leader, Miguel. BTW, Miguel es muy guapo. We definitely got the best looking guide. After tapas, Sam and I went and checked out our rooftop pool to read and nap. That evening we had to go through a short interview process to verify correct placement in our Spanish intensive classes. I ended up being interviewed by the most non-responsive woman who asked me about the economic crisis of the world. Sweet, because I can answer that in English. Almost everyone else just got asked where they were from and if they liked Spain. I'm a little nervous because I think that might be my teacher for the next two weeks. Vamos a ver (We will see). After tapas in the evening and a flamenco show we went to the Discover Seville travel center for a little fiesta with the CIEE students. On our way back to the hotel, a few of us stopped for some gelato. Mmmmmm. I started off the semester with chocolate with orange, it was interesting but delicious.

The pool on top of the roof. La Giralda in the background.

Tapas restaurant

CIEE center. The center is uncovered since it rarely rains in Sevilla.

Wednesday morning I got picked up by Marguerite at the hotel and we went to her apartment en Los Remedios, one of the major neighborhoods in Seville. I spent the day unpacking, shopping for a cell phone, and eating my first real almuerzo (lunch) in Spain! Then comes my favorite custom of Spain: la siesta. Yes, that is correct, it is socially acceptable to nap every single day. No wonder I love Spain. Later we met with other people from our neighborhood to walk to the CIEE center. After another informational meeting we went to a pizzeria, where we found out Miguel has a twin. Yes, an identical twin, Guillermo. No es un chiste. Gemelos guapos. AND I ended up sitting next to Guillermo and his friend at dinner, where I managed to maintain (for the most part) a conversation in Spanish. Phew. Then we all went to Plaza Alfalfa for some agua fuego and to hang out with our Spanish guides for the last night. And, the most important accomplishment, we all got back to our apartments with walking buddies and without getting lost! Don't worry parentals, I'm being very safe :)

Marguerite in our living room

My bedroom

This morning we met at the Universidad de Sevilla again for another couple orientation seminars. Then Samm, Jen, and I bought some pastries to eat on the steps of La Giralda. We people watched for a while and I walked back to la Residencia de Santa Ana (the student dorms for Spanish students) where they are living for the semester. Before leaving, I checked out a map, only to find I was at the complete other end of Sevilla. Luckily, they have a fantastic biking system where you can take a bike from any station and return it to any other station within 30 minutes. Me encantan los bicicletas!
After lunch and a siesta, I went to the main street in my barrio (neighborhood) to buy a hairdryer. Unlike the USA, however, stores are extremely specialized here and I ended up having to go to an electronics store instead of the beauty store. Go figure.

Las bicicletas

Main shopping street in my neighborhood

Tomorrow I register for classes - hopefully I get the ones I want! Hasta luego amigos :)

Here's my address for those who wanted it:
Amber Rogers
CIEE Study Center in Seville
c/ Muñoz y Pabón 9
41004 Seville
SPAIN

At laaaaaaast.

I left my house yesterday with both parents in tow (or perhaps my parents left with me in tow) at 9:30 AM. We made it to Starbucks when I realized I didn't have my plane ticket. Luckily, this was because I never had my plane ticket. We then continued on our journey towards JFK (after I checked to make sure I had my passport and license, AGAIN). Thanks to 9:30 AM departure for my 6 PM flight, we were not late. Instead, we were three hours early. So we had a farewell lunch at the South Street Seaport in NYC before going to the airport.

This is where I must admit, my minimalist attempt did not entirely succeed. I did manage to take one suitcase, one carry-on bag, and one backpack. I didn't manage to keep it within the weight restrictions. Yes, my suitcase barely passed the weight limit for overweight luggage at 69.5 lbs. Lets just say I must lift with my legs to get it up and down the stairs. It seems as if space bags make things smaller, but not lighter. Go figure.

This is where I must shout out to all my wonderful family and friends who made my departure special: Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me a nice farewell parting and Mom for (of course) hiding a homemade Hershey Kiss pillowcase in my backpack while I wasn't looking. Thank you to my wonderful friends at Hope College who sent me farewell messages (and Miss Jackie who managed to send me not only a farewell message for yesterday, but a hello message for every week I am gone). Thank you all for the texts, facebook messages, and well wishes from everyone over the few days; the excitement you have for me has helped to mask my anxieties and focus on the adventures to come. And most of all, thank you to everyone who kept me in their prayers as a traveled across the big "pond" for an unforgettable semester. So far, so good.

Brief synopsis of the travels:
- Bought The Art of Racing in the Rain in the airport. Light read but good so far.
- Left from JFK on time. Six hour flight included the movies 'Just Wright' and 'Devil Wears Prada'. Queen Latifa - not your finest moment.
- Longest layover of my life in Madrid. It was only four hours but it spanned my biological clock of 1 AM to 5 AM and with no gate assigned, there was nowhere to sleep or veg.
- Quick 45 minute flight from Madrid to Sevilla allowed for a quick nap. I sat next to a girl who wants to learn Flamenco too! We exchanged e-mails so we can take classes together.
- Got to the hotel about an hour ago after waiting for the bus to drop off the first load and come back for those of us who didn't fit. I met my orientation leader, Miguel, who went over a ton of information with me (en español, of course), to which I responded to every, "Vale?" with a nod and "Sí!" All Spanish, all the time. So it begins :)

Well now I am off for a shower because I feel disgusting. A quick meeting tonight and dinner at 8. Orientation until Thursday and then I move into my homestay!