First few days in Spain!

Hello Everyone!


I decided to start a blog so it is easier for everyone to follow my adventures!! I will try and update as much as possible!


So I have not been here a full week yet so I am still adjusting. The first few days were pretty rough. I'm going to start from the very beginning!


I started packing my things Wednesday night at my apartment. My bed was full of things. My floor was full of thing. My roommate's (Morgan) bed was full of things...My room looked like a disaster. I didn't know how I was going to fit everything in two suitcases, a carry on, and a backpack. The first thing I pack was my shoes (of course)! My shoes alone, in one suitcase, weighted 25 pounds.... Suitcases for international travel can only weight fifty pounds!!! So now I started getting nervous! Thanks to vacuum seal bags, I managed to fit my sweaters and a few other items in that suitcase! Over the next few hours, some wine, and a few swear words my suitcases, carry on, and backpack eventually got packed!!!! We weighed and reweighed the suitcases about fifty times because they would weigh too much and then only one would weigh too much. Then the other would weigh too much....WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!


Wednesday night (January 12th) I stayed at my parents house. We went out to dinner at Nakishimas. But before we went out to dinner, my mom and I made me a mini tie-blanket for the plane! It is purple with hearts all over it. She kept some squares of left over fabric to always have me close to her!!! At dinner, I ate EVERYTHING I COULD POSSIBLY FIT IN MY STOMACH!!! My parents kept commenting on how fast and how much I ate! I felt like it was going to be my last dinner! After dinner we drove to my apartment to pick up my suitcases and finish last minute things around that apartment before I left. I felt very weird leaving, knowing i was not coming back for 4 months! Of course I cried, too :) When we got back to my parents house I kept checking to make sure I had everything and that everything weighed under the fifty pounds. I checked my wallet to make sure all money, credit and debit cards were secure....One thing was missing....MY CREDIT CARD! I had no idea where I put it! Thank goodness my mom asked if I had it because I would have left the country without it! I had to make copies of my cards, passport, visa, etc and of course I left the credit card on the scanner at my house. So my dad drove me back to the apartment to get my credit card!!!!


After returning back to my parents house, figuring out how to use the video camera, and a few tears, I finally went to bed. The feeling is indescribable knowing you won't be coming home for four months! It's hard knowing that you won't be sleeping in your own bed, eating your own foods, waking up and going to bed at your own time, and talking to your friends and family whenever you deem necessary. There were quite a few tears that night. Then my parents brought me a photo album that they put together. It has pictures of family, dance, Brock's hockey team, friends, coworkers, Bailee, and of course LUNA! Of course we all cried when they gave me this!!!! (If you haven't noticed, crying was a main theme preparing for this trip!)


When Thursday morning rolled around it was tough to get up. We weighed the suitcases one last time and of course one weighed over the fifty pounds!!! So along with more swear words and tears, we eventually got the suitcases ready to go. The drive to the airport was extremely hard for everyone (except Brock. I think he was more excited about missing school and sad I was leaving!!!). I got everything checked in and the tickets were in my hand. Now was time for the goodbyes. It was really tough to say goodbye to my parents (and even Brock!). Even though it wasn't goodbye forever, it was see you later for now.  So I finally had to go through security and of course the people at the airports are rude. Im balling and they kept asking me questions and making me take my shoes off, and rings off, and everything out of my carry ons. TIP: ONCE YOU FIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR CARRY ONS, IT WILL NEVER BE ORGANIZED THE SAME WAY AFTER THAT!!! I had an extremely difficult time trying to close up my carry on after security!!!


Getting on the plane to Chicago was tough. There were lots of tears!!! The flight was only about 30 minutes long, so that amazed me a little!!! When I landed in Chicago the terminal for my next flight was listed differently on my ticket than the terminal listed on the TV screen. Good thing I wasn't traveling alone! While I was getting Starbucks my friend Jake arrived at the airport! He told me that he wouldn't be happy if I cried. He said no more tears only smiles! So that was the last time I cried (until I got to Spain!). We also met up with our three other friends. We all go to St. Norbert together so it was nice to know people to travel with. Right when I met up with them, I got a call from my mom saying that the fraud alert company was already calling her about fraudulent charges!!! What a mess!!! I hope that is all sorted out now! You would think that once you originally tell them you will be leaving the country they won't hassle you anymore....that must not be the case!


Waiting for our flight to Philadelphia, we all got McDonalds! I sure wouldn't want to work at the McDonalds in O'hare's airport!! It was a mess!!!! I got food so that's all that matters!! They also don't have a dollar menu :( 


While we were boarding the flight to Philly, I hand the lady my ticket. Then she proceeds to tell me that the plane ran out of overhead room for carry ons and I would not be able to bring mine onto the plane!!!! I had a few choice words streaming through my head at this point!!!!! Not only could I not bring it on this plane, but I would not be able to get it back until MADRID!!!! My carry on had everything!!! It had my change of clothes, my tennis shoes, my camera, blanket, travel pillow, EVERYTHING!!! So with some more rearranging I smashed everything into my backpack (that already weighed about thirty pounds!). This flight went really quick as well!!! Next stop MADRID!


Philly's airport was really big, so most of the layover consisted of walking through the airport. Once we got to the terminal, it was packed with students. A lot of kids were leaving to study in Spain and Italy. I only waited about twenty minutes to board the plane. A few more tears fell once I got on the plane. I was texting right up until the plane took off!!! I don't know if I was more sad about leaving everyone and everything in the States or because of the fact that I wouldn't have my cellphone/lifeline anymore?!?!?!


The flight to Madrid was TERRIBLE!!!! It was about 7 hours from Philly and I was miserable!!!! We had REALLY bad turbulence for about an hour and it made me so nauseous. Good thing I packed dramamine!!! I only slept about an hour that whole flight! Jake definitely didn't have a problem sleeping seeing that he was probably only awake for about an hour!!! Our food on the plane was amazing so that was a plus!!! We were served dinner (pasta, salad, dinner roll) and breakfast (an apple toaster strudel type thing!). When we landed, the real fun began!


Getting through customs was a breeze! There was no line and they didn't ask me any questions. Getting my luggage was the difficult part! There were about 23897239751 people standing around the luggage claim thing. Luckily, all my luggage arrived with me. But, it weighed more than I did!!!! Can you guys picture me walking through the airport with two huge suitcases, a rolling carryon suitcase, and my HUGE backpack....well it was priceless to say the least! Finally I decided to get a luggage cart and that made it a little easier!!! When we met up with the group it was finally time to head to Toledo. It is about an hour or hour and a half bus ride from the airport. Luckily I was able to fall asleep a bit on this ride. When we got to school it was like everything was moving in slow motion. We had about an hour to explore Toledo before orientation started. So I went to my carryon to grab my purse and it is GONE!! So of course, once again, I start to cry!!! I thought someone stole it! I looked in my big suitcase and thank goodness there it was!!!! 


Once orientation started my mind was just shot. All I could think about was everything back at home and how much I stunk from the plane ride!!! Orientation was of course in Spanish....that was the last thing I wanted to hear after traveling for many hours and more tired than I've ever been. After the do's and don'ts of the staying with families, we met our family. My Spanish dad, Alfonso was there to pick me up...Once again all I want to do is eat, sleep, and talk in English!!!! After a little while of introductions at school we headed home. My house here is about fifteen minutes from school. The first question I asked was if anyone in my family spoke English.....Answer: NO! One of my brother's here knows very little, but that was about it. When we arrived home I unpacked my things and my dad cooked lunch. Lunch consisted of spaghetti noodles and hamburger meat. It was actually really good!!!! After lunch I of course took a ciesta (nap!!!). Before dinner my family took me on a walk around Toledo and showed me the way to walk to my classes. When we got home, then came dinner........for dinner we had raw bacon and come other type of uncooked meat and eggs. I saw my dad cutting the bacon right off the pig leg we keep in the kitchen. Yes that is right a pig leg is in the kitchen.....It's just hanging out....like it's no big deal!!! He cut it off the leg and then put it on a plate...no cooking involved!!! Then he cut slices of what looked to be more legs of something (I really don't want to know). Being the nice, gracious person I am, I tried the raw bacon.....It has a name, but I don't know what it is (so for now it's raw bacon to me!). It was soooooooooooo disgusting!!!! It stuck to my teeth and was slimy!!!! The thought of me eating something, not cooked, off a leg just chilling in the kitchen (not even in the fridge) disgusted me!!!! I just took a big gulp of water, sucked it up, and swallowed it!!! During dinner my dad received a call from my oldest brother saying that he hurt is neck and wanted him to come pick him up from Madrid. So my dad left to get him. His name is Jorge. He is 20 and goes to school in Madrid. My younger brother is 16 and goes to school somewhere around my house here. He reminds me so much of Brock!!!!! It must be the age :) After dinner I just went to bed.


I had to be up early Saturday morning to take placement tests. The placement tests were really easy and I don't even think they meant anything!!! After those, we scheduled our classes. I signed up for Women of Spain, Grammar, Spanish Cinema, Spanish Art, and an Internship class. After all those tests, I went home for the rest of the day. When I got home it was lunch time. For lunch they decided a nice appetizer would be good. So they pull this brat thing out of the fridge. It was shaped just like an brat from the States. They only thing different was the color. This one was a DARK BROWNING RED color. I was thinking oh great....what is this. When I asked my family what it was they told me that they weren't going to tell me what it was because then I won't try it.....WELL THAT SURE DIDNT MAKE ME WANT TO TRY IT!!! So the smash it up into what looked like pieces of tobacco. The cut some bread and put some if this "appetizer" on top of it. I tried it....it wasn't the WORST taste I have ever had, but if it was the last thing on earth I wouldn't eat it.....They finally tell me what it is......BLOOD SAUSAGE. When they kill pigs they inject their blood with someone to be able to preserve it. Yes that is right.....pig intestine filled with blood!!!!!!!!! Sorry if I just made anyone toss their cookies, but that's exactly how I felt when I tried it. They ate it like it was equivalent to our chips and salsa!!! My mom here was even eating it plain with a spoon!!! When everyone was turned away, I scooped it back into the pan so I didn't have to eat anymore of it!!!!!! Then to top it off we had mushroom soup on rice...yes pure mushrooms over rice. I HATE MUSHROOMS!!! But, once again, I ate the whole plate! I get so excited for bed time because it's when I get to talk to my parents and not have to think about food anymore!!! I get so nauseous when I think about what we might have for lunch or dinner!!!


Sunday was pretty casual. We went to three different plant stores looking for I don't even know what!! For lunch we had spaghetti casserole!!! It was really good!!!! Finally some food I like!!! Every time we eat something that is normal or that I really like....I always tell them OHHH THIS IS SO GOOD I LOVE IT....I hope I'm getting the point across!!!! For dinner I had tomatoes and sausage. I have never tried a full tomato back home so this was another first for me. It actually wasn't that bad! I might even eat them when I go back home!!! 


Monday I started my classes. Walking to my first class.....at about 9:30 in the morning I got lost!!! Imagine that!!! Everything looks the same over here so it was tough. I just wondered around hoping for things to start looking familiar and good thing they did!!! I haven't got too lost since so that is a good thing!!!! My first class (Women of Spain) went really well!!! One of my friends is in it with me too. The teacher was so nice! She told us not to worry about anything and that she would work with us. She even told us that she was going to talk slower in the beginning so we can adjust to everything! HOW NICE!!! My second grammar class also went well! I have 3 of my other friends in this one so that is nice!! The teacher was super nice and she was born in Argentina!!!! My third class....Cinema....went TERRIBLE. The teacher was a complete idiot (he reminded me of a mix between Hitler and Stalin!!!) He was so rude! When he handed out the syllabus I almost died! It consisted of 2 exams, 5 debates, and 4 papers of at least 4 pages long.....HOW MISERABLE!!! I'm sorry, but I was not planning on working THAT hard here!!! Soooooooo I am dropping that class for a class on Spanish history :) 


Tuesday I didn't have anything until a meeting at 2:50. It was nice to sleep in and relax a little! I got up and even read 100 pages of my book!!! Then I went to school for a meeting on Intercambios. These are people from Spain that want to practice or improve their English. They are mostly students from universities around here. In exchange for us helping them with English, they will help us with Spanish! After the meeting I didn't have class until 6:00 so I went home for lunch. IT WAS CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP AND A CHICKEN PATTY!!! Hopefully the bad food has come and gone!!! I returned to school for my 6:20 class. This was my class about my internship. I am doing an internship once a week while I am here. I am working at an addiction center near my school. I don't know what I will be doing there yet, but once I know I will update everyone!!! For dinner last night we had GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE!!!!! How awesome is that!!! Grilled ham and cheese! I really hope the disgusting spanish food is gone for good!!!


Today has been pretty good so far! I had my grammar class again and that should be very easy! For lunch my dad made beef and potatoes! Another great meal!!! I am just resting now before I had back to my last class of the day....Spanish History. I just took a class on this at St. Norbert so I am hoping it will be nice and easy!!!!


We are starting to plan trips for the weekends ahead. Next weekend is looking like Madrid! We have a guided tour through some museums. It is only a day trip through school, but Brittany, Taylor, Jake, and myself might stay until Sunday instead of just the Friday trip! This Friday we have a guided tour through Toledo. There are so many picture opportunities here!! I will also be uploading some pictures for everyone to see! I will let everyone know when they are up and how to get to them!!!


I wish everyone the VERY BEST!!!
I hope all is well back home!!!
How about those Packers?!?!?!? I brought a jersey with me and I will be watching the game on Saturday!!! It will be a little easier to watch than the one last Saturday. It was on at about 2:30 here!! I set my alarm to wake up and watch it, but I never heard my alarm go off.....So when I woke up it was already into the 3rd quarter and we were winning by so much that I just went to bed!!!! GOOD LUCK TO THE PACKERS ON BEATING THE BEARS!!! THEY CAN DO IT :)


I will try to update as frequently as I can! Sorry this post got quite lenghty, but I just wanted to fill everyone in on my time here!!! I promise the next posts won't be as long :) I also apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes! I didn't go back and proof read any of this!!! MY BAD!!! I'm here for Spanish not English, anyways!


I love everyone lots!!!
I miss everyone tons!!!


Feel free to email me at brooke.sanborn@snc.edu or sanbornbl@hotmail.com!!!
Or skype me! Just search for my name...I'm the only Brooke Sanborn on there :)


Talk to everyone soon!
xoxoxoxoxo
besos y abrazos (kisses and hugs)
B