Baptism by Fire

Let me get the point across that our program sticks to the titled method. September in Madrid is a hectic time for American and international students for the following reasons:

1) You must find an apartment.
2) You must brush up on your Spanish BIG TIME
3) You must become oriented to, perhaps, the largest city you have ever lived in (at least in my case)
4) You must travel because, hey, you’re in Spain!

Balancing these four things is an art – and especially due to my summer of nothingness – I am getting back into overdrive mode. However, I’m thriving off this pressure.

THE SEARCH

I have seen eleven different apartments in Madrid, all in different areas of the city. Adding insult to injury, I was required to call different landlords and Spanairds over the phone to ask questions, set up meetings, and tour facilities completely in the Spanish language. Let’s just say I could find you a mean apartment due to the vocabulary I have been using everyday here. It was not without challenge but this process has been a rewarding one. I found a place with three Spanish students, one Italian, and the other to be rented soon. It is in a very nice and quiet area of the city called Arguelles/ Chamberi and very close to my university. Many other program participants are living in this area as well. More to come on this once I move in on the 15th!

SPANISH

Because my Spanish is nowhere near fluent, the kids and I in the program are required to complete a September course with an intense focus on Spanish grammar. My grammar teacher speaks very fast but is perfectly coherent – unlike many people you’ll find on the street or in the bar. I started school this past Monday and I am already learning colloquial phrases that I have been incorporating into my everyday language. It’s a good thing because I have met a lot of Spaniards with my new and improved Spanish. I’m even using vosotros for those that are familiar with the language!

THE CITY

The best way to get the know the city is to get lost in it. Through my search of apartments from all the way in Salamanca to as close as Ciudad Universitaria, I have been slowly orienting myself to the city. The center of the city, Sol and La Latina areas are a strange creature – you’re typical windy roads and small cafes. Its easy to get lost down there, and a lot of fun to. The public transportation here is the best I’ve ever used so there is no need for long walks because there is bound to be a metro stop half a kilometer from you.

TRAVEL

I traveled to Segovia this past Sunday with my group from the program. BEAUTIFUL. Imagine a quaint town with old Roman churches made out of stone, golden rolling fields surrounding, architecture and city plan to match, and a huge castle looking over the whole thing. Gotta see it to believe it. We were guided by my professor of art here at La Complu. He focused on the mix of Roman/gothic/Moorish style of architecture in the city. Trying to soak in all the history of the old seat of power for Castilla is a daunting task but nonetheless a memorable one.

This weekend I’m going to take it easy here in Madrid. We have La Noche en Blanco which is a huge street party where they open all the museums here in Madrid for free with open bars in all of them. I will have to check it out. Homework has begun but I have enjoyed taking advantage of all the outdoor cafes and parks in the area to make it less painful. Retiro Park is by far the most scenic point in the city – you can easily spend a day picnicking out there and that’s exactly what I did yesterday! Gotta run but more to come as always!

Retiro Park with American friends Jeremy and Allison

More pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052793&id=1206150007&l=337848b2f3