The First Days

By the title, it is already a given that I have made it safely to Spain. It was an interesting journey. I got on a flight in a incredibly small aircraft and flew from Minneapolis to Chicago, which was only an hour long flight, which departed late due to weather conditions and so arrived at O'Hare late (though not late enough to make me worry about missing my connecting flight to JFK). I only got a few winks of sleep before, during, and shortly after take-off, but I felt fairly refreshed after that little cat nap. 

I made it to the terminal at O'Hare and waited around for just a little while before my plane to JFK was boarded and taking off. I got a lot of reading done on that flight, and only a brief few seconds of sleep. After my plane arrived in New York early, I got to my next terminal (which was forever away from my arrival location), and then sat down at the terminal after paying nearly $13 dollars for a turkey wrap and a bottle of water. While I was sitting there, I planned to read some more of my book, but got distracted when a group of Hassidic Jews arrived near my terminal. If you do not know what Hassidic Jews are, they are a sect of Judaism that look similar to orthodox or ultra orthodox Jews, but are different in that they are very active when they pray. They move around a lot, singing, nearly dancing, and reciting prayers. They all seemed very fidgety across the way from me. Their "leader," which I understand to be called a Reb (Easter European Jewry slang/shorthand for rabbi) was praying near a pay telephone. I wanted to know more, as there was airport security (also Jewish) watching over them, presumably so they did not get assaulted or harassed. Having finished the praying, the Reb boarded a plane and the group dispersed. It was by far the most intriguing and curious sight I had ever seen. I wondered for a brief moment what these Hassidic Jews were doing at this airport and then remembered that I was in New York (whose skyline, by the way, is amazing - I saw it as I flew in). The accents floating around that place were stereotypically New York, and I could not help but chuckle as Minnesotas get crap all the time for having silly accents when the East Coasters have funny ones as well. 

Thinking about my life after the Hassidic Jew experience, I thought about how great it would be to work in an airport. There are so many cultures to encounter, tongues being spoken, acts being performed. Given how mesmerized I after watching the Jews, I thought that the airport would be the perfect place for me to work, but only an international one (such as MSP). I think I might consider getting a job there one day. Who knows.

Anyhow, after I got on board the international flight out of JFK, I found out I was flying in a 757, a fairly large aircraft. But even though the engines on the machine are huge, the leg space is definitely not. I was constantly squirming around, trying to find the right position or one I had not used for a long time so I could get comfortable and give the other parts of my body a rest. The roughly seven hour flight was difficult to sit through and try as I may, there was no way I was able to sleep. I kept trying new position, closing my eyes, counting sheep, everything! But sleep would just not come to my eyes. So instead, I stayed up virtually the entire flight. This was probably due to the rate at which my mind was moving and all of the different topics it covered in such short, sporadic bursts. One moment I was thinking about what Madrid would be like and the next I became anxious about arriving, but then found that I was really excited to get there. Another factor that contributed to my less than desired flight experience was my aisle seat. I was constantly being bumped and asked to move my legs and other appendages so that people could get through and get on with their day. Never again will I have an aisle seat because even though I get a lot more room, at the same time I was extremely uncomfortable. Oh well, a lesson to be learned. My mind would not stay still for two seconds. 

During the flight, two movies played and we got two different meals (dinner and a light breakfast). As the countdown on the flight time to our destination slowly dwindled, I became more and more excited for my arrival in Madrid. We arrived in Madrid around 8am, just as the sun was coming up, yet was still dark enough to see all of the lights. It was a real bummer that I was not sitting in a window seat and had my camera handy, because it sure was a sight to behold. It made me excited and nervous at the same time. 

We went through customs (which consisted of a simple exchange of greetings, a moment to look over my passport, and then a smile and a wish for a good day), I got my luggage (which was super nice, might I add. When I checked it in at MSP, they told me that it could be picked up when I arrived in Madrid and so I did not have to get it at every airport I entered and transfer it to another flight. This is probably standard protocol, but I thought it was really quite handy and neat.) and then tired to look for a shuttle that was supposed to take me to the other terminals (as my arrival terminal was far from the others and was not connected to them either). After going around the place, following the signs like a crazy, and having no luck and not feeling confident enough yet to try my Spanish on locals (because I tried that with the woman who exchanged my currency and all I got was a reply in English and confusion), I kept looking. Finally, I found a family headed in the similar direction that I was and simply followed them to the bus, boarded it, and then arrived at Terminal 1. After walking through virtually the entire terminal, I finally found my area where I was supposed to meet the rest of the group and the company sponsoring my program. I sat down and then a guy came over and asked if I was with ISA, which I was, and so he sat and we chatted, exchanging information. Finally the people ISA sent to the airport found my new friend, Matt from North Carolina, studying at the University of North Carolina, and I and then we waited for the others to arrive.

We finally were all there, we loaded up the bus with another group of students that were going to do their own programs in Granada, just south of Madrid, and we went to our hotel. We got to our hotel and after taking a quick shower and throwing my things down, I went with the group to get some tapas, Spanish for small plates called appetizers. As the drinking age is not 21 here, I ordered a glass of wine (it was only 2 euros, or about $2.60 American) and some jamón (ham) on toast, which came with some complimentary potato salad (pictures to be on Facebook most likely in the near future). It was really some good, filling food. After that, the group decided that it would be fun to walk around and explore Madrid a little bit. We had to stop at the hotel first, and then we started walking around. After about twenty minutes, the majority of the group decided that they were tired and were going back to the hotel to nap. I totally wanted to walk around Madrid some more while the sun was still up and so I asked Matt if he would like to accompany me, he said yes, and we walked around for another hour or so. It was incredibly fun. We got back to the hotel and I took a little siesta because I was tired and we did not have any activities until 5:30. I slept for a good hour or so, and then woke up in time for the meeting, which was largely informational about Salamanca and Spain more generally. After that, we went for a little scenic tour of Madrid, and I got a sense as to where things are and where I would like to go tomorrow (as we have free time all afternoon). I am super excited to see some of Spain's landmarks (photos to follow). Now, after having a little calamari sandwich and some Coke, I think it is time for bed. But before I do this, I would like to make a few final observations about the Spanish people/culture.

(1) They are really touchy and super personal. They look you straight in the eye and touch you without asking and without any hesitation, even if you are a stranger. 

(2) They all smell REALLY good. I was walking through the airport to get to the place where my company said they would be and the colognes of men wafted around me and even though all of them were very different, I thought they all smelled delicious. I did not smell as much perfume on women, but when I did, I had a similar reaction.

(3) They all seem really panicky and spazzy. When we went to dinner for some sandwiches, what I took to be the manager was running around, cleaning things up, and acting all crazy-like. It was ridiculous. People were screaming things to other people, with those people hollering back at them. Man. And they spoke so quickly too! Sheepers!

(4) They are all incredibly beautiful. Their eyes are something else, especially in conjunction with their olive skin tone. Man. 

(5) It never ceases to amaze me who knows Spanish and can speak it as well as a Spaniard. Some people look really light, others incredibly dark, but they all know Spanish so well. It really is a melting pot of different cultures and peoples. I never thought that Spain was so diverse.

I think that is about it for now. It has been a long day, followed by a long post, and so I think it is time for bed for everyone. Good night, and until tomorrow. Nos vemos.