Day 1

Hola a todos!

I am finally in Spain, all nice and settled.  Here I sit on my bed in my room that is so simple and small and perfect.  It's been a long two days.  Three flights, two bus rides, getting lost in Sevilla by foot, trying to find the right apartment with two obnoxiously red and bulky suitcases. So funny. I just giggled to myself, thinking, this is the best problem to have.  Getting lost in Europe. And the many people I asked for help along the way were very nice and willing to assist.  I ended up in the wrong apartment complex...found that out right away when a guy answered the door.  Then generous nuns brought me right across the street to the right place. I guess you could say I have had much Catholic influence in the past two days; an Italian Catholic priest, Giovanni, sat next to me on the plane to Lisbon.  He was a lovely neighbor, and he kindly fanned me when I threw up a little bit from the tremendously sickening turbulence. Thank God that is all in the past!

It's been a beautiful day; fortunately I was in the right place before the big thunderstorm came!  Because I was focused on getting to the right place, I did not get to really soak in all that I saw, but I noticed the delightful orange trees everywhere and the restaurants with outdoor seating that I passed.  I plan to roam around tomorrow and go to church; Guille, my wonderful, instantly likeable host mom and her best pal from downstairs, Camino, recommended the third biggest cathedral in the world.  Umm, yes please.  Guille prepared delicious meals today--interesting pepper and jam sandwhich, french fries, flan, clementines, pasta and tomato sauce, and so on--and it was so nice to sit and talk to her.  Thank God she is so patient with me and my speaking/understanding skills.  I think we are going to be good friends.

Ann, the other American student who will soon start her second semester, is another friend-to-be; I can tell without having met her.  That sweet thang wrote me a nice and helpful letter and left me a cellphone, printing card, and a metro card from a previous roomie.  She currently is in Greece, but I can't wait to meet her!

I hope this blog finds you all well.  And I also hope this was not TOO long of a message.  I admit, writing this is for some selfish reasons, too, as I enjoy reflecting on every detail of today and need to save these memories for later.  Have a wonderful start to your New Year! 

Allison :)