Seville

I'm finally here!!! Wahoo!! It felt like it took forever for me to get to Spain, and then the last few days before I left it was like everything happened so fast! I guess thats the way that it always works though. So I packed up my as much of my life as possible into 3 bags and I just want to say thank God (and Mya) for vaccum bags. I am truly amazed at how much I was able to get into those bags... which once looking at them packed I was thinking How in the world am I going to be able to carry all of these?! Welp I figured it out haha. My Dad and Tina helped me bring it all into the airport, and then I was obviously overweight on one of the bags... so there I was in the middle of the airport throwing clothes and shoes all over trying to make the weight even. Good thing I arrived 3 hours early! Also to have a nice goodbye dinner of bagels and water on the airport floor with pops.

The flight was easy, although I did freak out a bit when I was sitting in my seat and see a bunch of teenage boys in soccer gear start flooding in and surrounding me. They were so loud I thought it was going to be worse than sitting next to screaming baby. But luckily they all passed out shortly after we took off, the coach must have been smart and put sleeping pills in their gatorade or something. My first stop was Madrid where I had a 5 hour layover... have to wonder why I chose to pick that flight, but I did read more than half of my book which is nice. Once I finally figured out my terminal I realized everyone around me was American which I found pretty bizarre since I was in Madrid, and going on a flight to an even smaller Spanish city. Come to find out it was full of exchange students and people who work with CIEE which is very similar to my program, they just charge a fee to apply and have an intensive language course before the school year starts (which I would LOVE to have p.s.) So that flight was good, but I wish it was longer cause I wanted to sleep sooooooo bad!

Next came the fun part of finding a way to get ALL my luggage from the airport to my hostel. HA hello overpacker! I had a little trolly thingy until I was getting on the bus where a nice gentleman thankfully helped me get the bags on the bus. Then I was a big ol mess trying to get them off the bus! It was like one bag outside then run back on the bus and get the next bag, umm Im pretty sure the bus driver hated me. There was no chance of me lugging all that to my hostel so I took a cab from there and BAM were there :)

The hostel is pretty nice, but the rooms are tinnnny. Im in a room the size of an office with 6 beds, myself and 5 girls from Belgium oh and zero floor space because I think they overpacked too! Luckily they are sweet and super respectful, since when I arrived all I wanted to do was sleep and any time I was they were whispering and keeping the light off which I totally didnt expect, but REALLY appreciate.

Day 1 here, I was exhausted so I took a little nappy, but was determined to get out. I contacted a girl that I met last year while I was in Amsterdam named Jessica who I knew was living here in Sevilla and she is actually part of a group called "We Love Spain" and they direct all kinds of tours, and she had one yesterday evening so I went on it which was really nice. Afterward we went to a hookah lounge and they gave us yummy tea and I got the chance to meet a bunch more people who I ended up having a few cervecas y chupitos with. We stayed out for a a while walked around the streets checked out a few bars and it was a good time. Definitely a nice first night out in Espana!

So today I woke up super early, still tired, and slightly hung over. I got up and tried to eat breakfast, but my body is so jet lagged still I took a bite and decided hmmm Im gonna go back to bed :) Which was a great decision! I slept until near 1 but I needed it! Then it was off on my first proper adventure.. buying a cell phone! I asked around a bit to decide on the best option for a cell plan and I decided to go with Movistar which is really big in Spain. Talking to the guy to buy the phone was my first legit conversation in Spanish here so far (well more than asking a simple question or basic how are yous) and I was really impressed with myself! Now I have a phone and I actually know what my plan covers. Wahooo!! After getting my phone, I went on another tour and this one was on the total opposite side of the city so it was really nice to get more background on Seville and see more of the sites. This is an absolutely gorgeous city and so walking friendly.

I just stopped by the grocery store and grabbed some food to make tonight since I havent had a decent meal since the night before I left. Im not a big fan of Spanish food, which I suppose I will have to get over at some point! But for now, time to eat some dinner and meet up with Jessica and a few others at 11 for another night out on the town. Were going out right near where I'm staying which is a huuuuge thumbs up for me :) So thats all thats gone on so far. I will be sure to update again soon. Miss you all at home!