Quirks of my new life thus far

chirping crosswalk signs

The little lights at the crosswalk with the green walking person and the red standing person chirp like birds telling you when it’s safe to cross.  It’s very vision-impaired friendly, and still kind of charming to me.

myth of siesta

It’s kind of a myth.  Not everyone goes home to eat a ton and sleep for a few hours midday.  Sure, some do, but it’s becoming much less common.  I admit, I totally participated today and power-napped the heck out of my siesta.

style

Mostly everyone is very stylish here.  In general it is less about the brand and more about the fashion.  Spaniards would be in shock if they walked around an American college campus (or in America at all).  Walking to class with my hair wet today seemed to be a little frowned upon.  I better step up my game if I want to be a madrileña.

lack of tissues

Not too sure what’s up with that.  I haven’t asked yet.

unrefrigerated milk

This one really gets me.  I’ve seen it before, but it just confuses me.  Somehow it’s still healthy..

drink preferences

People like coffee at all times of the day.  It could be 2am and they’re going home to sleep but still drinking caffeinated coffee.  Fascinating.  Alcohol is also constantly flowing.  I guess they hold it much better than Americans.

two-button flush

Again, not new to me, but still entertaining.  I don’t have a bidet in my bathroom though, which was surprising.

precious oven

The oven in my apartment is adorable.  It’s pretty good size.  Smaller than the one in my real home, but bigger than/equal to the one in my American apartment.  And the cutest part is that it has a lid.  When you finish using it, you can fold the top down for my counter space.  I love it.

energy conservation

Spaniards are all about saving energy and water.  If you leave a room or hallway, you turn off the light when you leave.  And I mean instantly.  As you walk down the hall you change the lights.  The whole apartment could essentially be dark except for the room you’re in.  I prefer daytime in here so I don’t have to worry about tripping or walking into anything.

multiple locks

My building has a locked main entrance, and then three locks on my front door.  Let me tell you, it’s confusing.  Not all of the locks turn in the same direction.  Some keys are inserted upside down.  There is an order for unlocking the locks, and if you go out of order, it won’t open the door, thus creating more confusion.  Also, the doorknob does not turn.  It is strictly for pulling the door shut.  The doorbell looks like a light switch, so when I thought I was turning on the outside hall light, I really rang the doorbell last night.  Oopsies.  It worked out though, since I was locked out for a bit struggling with my key order.  I’ve only successfully opened the door once (yay!), but I’ll keep trying.

doorknobs

The majority of the doorknobs inside the apartment are just below my shoulder level.  Being the klutz that I am, I’ve walked into the kitchen doorknob about eight times already.  I’m shocked I don’t have a huge bruise.

 

It's only Tuesday?

Today seems like it was about 4 days long.  Hard to believe that 18 hours ago I woke up in the hotel where orientation was held.  We had breakfast and then a few orientation sessions – nothing special yet.  Then I got adopted!!!!  Well, at least that’s how I imagine it would feel like.  My host mom met me at the hotel and the anticipation was almost too much to handle.  Looking around the room at all of the students’ faces was hilarious.  We were giddy and nervous and no idea what to expect.  We looked like a combination of toddlers and puppies (if possible…).  I kept getting more and more anxious as the other hosts were arriving and mine still wasn’t there.  

And then there was one.

I was the last student to be picked up, so my expectations were lowered just a tad as I thought that she forgot about me.  However, I totally think she made up for it.  I think she is adorable and super nice.  She is quiet and very patient with me.  I told her I was really nervous and embarrassed that my Spanish was coming out all jumbled through the excitement.  She told me not to worry, that she was nervous too.  That was really comforting, and made me relax.  We went to the apartment, which I can now proudly call home.  It’s gorgeous.  I was expecting it to be tiny and that my room would be a bed in a closet, more or less.  Incorrect.  It is spacious and adorable with a lot of character.  My room and bathroom (yes, I have both to myself!) were redone about a year ago and are really nice.  There are huge windows and balconies and I adore this place.

What's that you ask?  A balcony in your room?  Why yes, yes it is.

My trusty travel companion loves his new home too.

View from the balcony.

Other side.

After unpacking, my Span Mommy and I went grocery shopping.  We went to a cute market about a block away and got some food to cook up for lunch.  I continued unpacking a little bit before we ate while she cooked.  Another three-course meal was served up and quite delicious.  The first course looked like just about the last thing I would ever choose, and it was surprisingly delicious.  It was a salad of beans, olives, tomatoes, peppers, tuna fish and hard-boiled egg.  That course was followed by a tasty pork dish that I couldn’t really identify.  And then the best melon I may have every tasted was for dessert.  Yum!

We tried setting up my computer on wifi but that was unsuccessful at the time.  After this, my Señora showed me how to get to campus from apartment.  The program center is on the campus of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.  It’s a great school – the best in Spain.  I may take a class there, but I haven’t decided yet.  The walk was a leisurely 20 minute stroll (leisurely is key when it is 90 degrees and your feet are aching).  We passed by a few monuments such as the Arco de Triunfo, a few government buildings and museums, and one of the biggest transportation centers in the area.  It also consists of a brief pass through the Parque del Oeste (which is huge and gorgeous).

Once at the program center I had my first grammar exam.  It took forever, but wasn’t difficult.  I walked home after the exam all by myself without getting lost (so proud!)!  My Spanish Mommy and I attempted to fix the internet situation again.  We couldn’t figure it out so she called Movistar (the equivalent of Comcast or Verizon).  I spoke on the phone to a service tech who was able to help me configure my computer.  Double yay – one for fixing my computer in Spanish, and the other for having wifi now!!!  I really appreciate the effort that my Momma put into getting it all set up and not just saying "oh well, no internet for you."  I was pleasantly surprised.

It was then time for another paseo through the neighborhood with the other students and their mommas who live nearby.  There were about 8 of us in this section of town, which is great.  All of the hosts are precious.  Most of them are older, while mine seems significantly younger than the rest.  They're all sweet, cheerful women who want to love you and feed you.  We walked for a while, then the students, not being adjusted to the time zone and customs, decided we really wanted to eat by about 8:15ish.  We found a tapas bar that was pretty good.  I randomly picked something off of the menu so I’d be surprised with what I ate.  It ended up being a cheese and jam toast type of thing, and pretty good.  I also got a glass of the house wine (which probably was a mistake at that kind of locale), and it was less than delicious.  However, I made up for it with the yummiest vanilla ice cream I’ve had in a long time.

Then my friend and I ventured out to find some necessities like shampoo and such.  It was successful in all respects except for price.  Everything was so gosh darn expensive!  I managed to get a pretty good deal on a hair dryer, which made up for the rest.

I made it back home and am now updating this lovely blog for the first time in days.  I’m exhausted and my feet resembled hour 17 of THON – swollen and aching

So, first impressions of Madrid are beyond anything I hoped for.  I had the same reaction as my last visit in Spain – love at first sight.  Sorry Grandma Syra, I know you said I can’t stay forever, but boy is it tempting.

I’ve only taken about 6 pictures so far (shocking I know), but I promise there will be some worth sharing in the next week or so.  It's already starting to get confusing the switch between English and Spanish and when to use which language (kind of cool I guess).  Soon I'll be forced (and wanting) to only use the Spanish.  It’s about time for some shuteye, as the first day of the intensive grammar class starts tomorrow.  ¡Hasta luego!