Alcala adventures

Today was dramatic to say the least...
I couldn't sleep until 2:30am so I was basically a zombie throughout my first class.
The class in itself was great, it studies American cultural politics through articles written about it.
The professor's Spanish was abysmal, I knew this was to be expected but I didn't think it would be this bad. It was almost impossible to understand him - half of the time he didn't know what words to use.

Thankfully we had a guestlecture by an American who kept things comprehensible.

My next class was disappointing, the teacher's English was better but the class was pure chaos. The title "communicational strategies" was not appropriate. The teacher spent two hours explaining the course outline - apparently she did the same thing last week.
She was enthousiastic and passionate but whatever she did get to say about the course content seemed nothing new to me.
If there are other options left I might opt out of this one...

I had lend my house key to Jessica, my housemate and that resulted in me standing in front of the gate for half an hour, pushing the intercom button like a madman with no response.
Until our neighbour was getting suspicious and texted one of my other housemates to say their was a random girl in front of the gate that kept pushing her bell.
Save to say I was near desperation at this point trying to think of ways I could gracefully trespass on my own property.

Before that I'd taken yet another trip, this time to El Corte Ingles, which is pretty much the Belgian Inno but way cooler. This store was gargantuan.
Next to it, the supermarket from my dreams - they had Guylian chocolate.

Yesterday I went to Madrid yet again, this time with my housemate Jessica.
I'm happy to say I've found a potential friend :D
We have SO much in common, and in a weird way, she finishes my sentences and even after a long silence she can suddenly start talking about something that I just happened to be thinking about!

She also recognises my passion for fashion and lets me do my thing - she was a joy to go shopping with!

Also, I'm asleep more than I'm awake, this is getting out of control.

Breaking down barriers

I'm happy to say there is a lot of progress in my Alcala house,
I've proposed to have a dinner date with my housemates to get to know each other, some were more eager than others :)

This first week has been one giant panick attack really, it just seemed like everybody's Spanish was better than mine, and Spanish people being Spanish people, they don't adjust their speech and that made for some very odd and akward conversations where I would just say "sí" after every sentence.

But getting into some deeper conversations with my housemates showed me my Spanish was just a little rusty, it's been improving rapidly - and one of them even said she thought my Spanish was a lot better than hers!
I'm also glad I haven't pulled the English card on anyone yet, let's see how long that will last...

My housemate from Venezuela has kindly offered to correct my mistakes if I would teach her some English, more progress!!

School has been less eventful, I had a one-hour class, another one I couldn't find the classroom (turned out it was hosted in another Unesco castle) and another one was cancelled.

Also, some of my shoes arrived  - but they miss their siblings...

Settling in

On Sunday I finally moved into my new place.
I have to say I was quite hesitant to leave the hotel, I was liking the vacation vibe.
Immediately I met all 4 of my housemates, 2 German girls, 1 french girl and 1 from Venezuela.
They all speak Spanish, they all study Spanish -
I know this is what I wanted, but I'm already missing English...

I picked the nicer apartment over the one closest to school, and I haven't had any regrets.
One street to McDonalds, one to Burger King, one bridge to Carrefour and Mercadona, one bridge to the gym, bus to the city centre and Madrid around the corner...
Also a mall in walking distance, and the shops all over Alcala stay open until 10pm!
Basically everything is near.

Today I went to school to sort out my paperwork: I still had no clue about what classes I was in or where to go.
Sorting all that out is getting me rather excited, no school on Tuesdays and Fridays, yiiiiiihaaaaw!

Not to be complaining about the weather but it's killing me!
The heat is making me so tired, all I can do is sleep, I'm thinking this siesta thing has a purpose...
Thankfully every place has air-conditioning, except my place of course :)

Can't wait to see how my first classes go!

Madrid for beginners

How could I forget?!
Alcala has an American Food Store!!! I only fainted a little bit when I saw that...

Today I went to Madrid, I'd never been there before and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
For some reason I thought it'd be chaos, crowded, dirty, etc.
One thing that did live up to my expectations, SHOPPING!
It reminded me of this one time in Barcelona where I actually ran towards Primark simply because I was so excited :D
Today the same happened for Louboutin.

But Madrid was many more things, the city centre is much richer in culture than I had imagined.
The buildings are beautiful, the Plaza Mayor the perfect hang-out in 35 degree weather.
I saw a bride throw her bouquet down the town hall balcony to a horde of screaming women.

Back in Alcala, my landlord once again proved to be the best landlord in the world...
He dropped off my contract in the hotel I'm staying at, took my bags and dropped them off at the new place (even carried them upstairs), he even offered to help me more tomorrow.
Also, he's very good-looking.

First day

BAAAAAA first day madness!!

After the worst night of my life, stressing over what clothes to bring,
I still ended up paying for extra kilos in the airport.
Once I arrived in Madrid I took a taxi to my hotel; immediately I felt overdressed -
it's so damn hot here! But I'm not complaining...

On a first glance, Alcala overwelmed me - it's so beautiful here!
The historical centre was right to become world heritage, my school is actually a museum!
Basically, the buildings are really old, and the Calle Mayor is the cutest street you've ever seen - filled with little boutiques and overhead lights.

Hundreds of people gather on the main square at night, old people, young people - suddenly I feel less alone.

I had planned to go sort out my paper work at school, but of course I forgot about spanish people's need to take a nap in the middle of a working day :)
So figuring out my school stuff will have to wait till Monday.

In the afternoon I had an appointment to see one apartment, in the evening another.
Without any knowledge about the city, what the good areas are, how to get from one place to another, choosing an apartment is difficult. But I choose the one with the double bed!
The owner was nice enough to drive me around Alcala and show me the interesting spots (sales technique?)
I'll have to ride a bike to school though, Spain is already inspiring me to exercise!

I"m also on a restaurant quest - I will NOT sucumb to eating tapas every day!!

My spanish number for anyone who wants to gimme a call:
0034638102004

Write you later!

SKYPE ME!

Once I know my schedule and I have free time, I'll anounce the best times to contact me -
You want to call me, see my face, don't hesitate!

I'm under: Marjan Pipijn