Some girlfriends

More new friends

Art Museum

Torre del Oro at night (between the two bridges I take)

Hi there! Sorry I haven’t written- I’ve been busy with school. One week down of my two-week “intensive” language course. It’s the exact opposite of intense. We have a nice little old lady as a teacher so we accomplish/learn nothing in class. It’s frustrating but hey at least it’s easy. Had the first test Friday, hopefully that went well. Otherwise I have been just hanging out around town and going out at night. Went to the art museum for school which was really neat. I hated having to do homework while there so I hope to go back sometime and really enjoy it. I am continually meeting people which has been great. Last night some of my friends from UW (Erica and Hannah) came in to Sevilla from their program in Barcelona and we went out to dinner and a bar. It was really nice seeing them! It was refreshing to see other people from home in a similar situation. They love Barcelona and I can’t wait to go visit there, as I have two best friends from home (Sirisha and Shaun) studying there too. Next weekend, after my final for this language class, I am heading to Granada with my school program. It is only a few hours away and it will be fun to have my first official trip all planned out for me. There has been talk of traveling but it is hard to decide where to go- I want to go everywhere! I am thinking I want to hit the main cities in Europe- like London, Paris, and either Florence or Rome. I also want to go to Portugal since it is so close! I’ll be traveling to Morocco with my interest group in April. I am in the group called "four cultures", which is about the cultures of Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Gypsies so it should be really interesting! I can’t wait to start up with regular classes and activities I signed up for such as volunteering. It is always nice to chill here at the house but it can be awkward. Maria had a benign tumor taken out this week so I was fed by her daughters that are difficult talk to. Maria is okay and back home! I missed her! I got her flowers and had a fun time chatting with the old flower guy, who insisted I come by today so he could give me a rose. I laughed but didn’t go. Creepy... It’s getting easier to talk in Spanish as long as I ask the person I’m speaking with to slow down. I’m sure it'll get easier; it will only have been 2 weeks tomorrow! I also hope the urge to buy everything I see in every possible color gets easier. There are SO many stores its ridiculous. I’ve decided that in Sevilla there are a plethora of shoe stores, orange trees, dogs and children. Its fun to walk through the city and see these things, but boy has it been hard to adjust to how slow everything is. They do not speed through each other on the sidewalks, don’t eat or drink anything on the go, and take 3 hours out of their day to go home and eat lunch with the family. It’s wonderful but a difficult adjustment. Also, they don’t eat past 10ish at night, and I get hungry when I’m out! It is strange not to have late night snacks, but nonetheless very healthy. Except we did find a stand open late this week with churros con chocolate. It is fried dough that you dip in hot chocolate. It is delicious but of course you don’t feel so great after you scarf them down. The food is awesome. Maria is a wonderful cook and I eat everything she makes, which never seems like a lot of food but always fills me up. It’s a good way of life, the vida espanola. Of course I miss home, but I’m doing much better. Hope all is well back home and that everyone stays warm!

Nothing much new here. I got my schedule, which seems to be pretty awesome! I have two classes Monday and Wednesday from 15-19 (3-7) and two classes Tues/Thurs from 9-12:30. It'll be great for traveling on Thursdays! Tomorrow I start my intensive language course from 3-5 for two weeks. I placed into the average level which seems right. I hope it's not too hard, but it will definitely help. I am also trying to set up an intercambio, which is a spanish speaking person you meet up with to practice your spanish and their english. That will be awesome. The weather is always nice but it has been really windy and a bit chilly. Last night my madre Maria tucked me in like a little kid! Here are pictures of my two dogs, Blanca (the white one, blanca means white) and Leo who is my buddy. I also put up a picture of my small but cute room. Today I slept in late and have the apartment to myself. Hopefully I'll meet up with a friend later to walk around the city. Just about everything is closed today, Sunday, but it'll be nice to get to know everything a little better. I finally am learning my way around! It only took a week :) I'm still adjusting, but my friend from school just got here so hopefully I'll see her soon.

Talk soon,

Emily

Hi again! Everything is going well here and I'm getting more settled in day by day. We've been having meetings and getting more information about the program and our time here all week. Yesterday they took us to Italica, a city of roman ruins about 15 minutes away. It was awesome! We saw the remains of a theatre, the floors of a huge house (they used to live with the entire family-aunts uncles cousins grandparents- how fun!!) statues and even the public baths they used to use. I really enjoyed it. I also signed up for a bunch of trips and activities to do here which I am excited about. Last night was my first true night out and it was a blast. The bar environment where it's so crowded you can't move is not my scene, but I had a great time talking to some spanish kids outside. It was so funny- all of them were crowded around me and a couple friends as if we Americans are so interesting. Today I sign up for classes; I  hope I get the ones I want. I am also going to try to figure my way around. There is SO much walking it is ridiculous. If I don't lose 20 pounds I will be surprised ha ha. My body simply aches, but it is a good ache knowing I'm actually getting exercise :) I miss everyone at home. Keep me updated on what's going on!!!

Attempting to try new foods


The beautiful river

The University of Sevilla

A Park

Hola a todos! Hello everyone! Here I am in Spain, so far so good!!! It is absolutely beautiful here- palm trees, the river, cobblestone alleys, colorful buildings and so many stores and restaurants. It is a bit chilly, but way better than Wisconsin at this time of year. I spent the first couple of days in a fancy hotel. We learned a bit more about the program and got to meet lots of other students. Everyone is really nice and we all seem to get along great. I had a roomate from Colorado that was nice. There are tons of kids from Penn State and quite a bit from Wisconsin. I'm a little homesick, but that's only natural. I just finished unpacking at my homestay! I got the family I requested, Maria, that my friend Cassie had last Spring. I was greeted with kisses by her two dogs, Leo and Blanca. They are so cute! Maria is as wonderful as Cassie told me. She already made me some breakfast, took me to the phone store and showed me how to get to school. She has four grown up kids, one of which lives here sometimes that is 27. I don't know if I'll get the chance to meet her because Maria says she's always busy. I also have yet to meet her husband, Paco. I'm sure he's great too. Tonight we have interviews to evalue our level of spanish (ahh) and then are going to get tapas (appetizers) like we did last night. It is hard to communicate but I understand everything- just don't know how to say what I want back to everyone. I'm sure that will come with time though. I'm glad to be settled in but still exhausted. I found an internet connection in my room, which is VERY exciting! I'll be able to keep in touch much easier I hope. Going to go take a nap but I'll write again soon. Miss you all back home! Take care!

So the six days flew by and I leave TOMORROW! I am sooo excited!!! Thanks to all my family and friends for the gifts and safe wishes. I will miss you all so much you have no idea!

My flight leaves at 4:45pm, I get into Madrid at 7:45am their time and into Sevilla at 11:45am. I know that a few people in my program will be on the same flights so I'm not too worried about finding my way through the airports. Then we'll be off to a hotel for a three day orientation. So the next time you hear from me I'll officially be in SPAIN!!! AHHH!

p.s. to comment on my posts, click the link that says "X comments" (X being the number of comments), comment as "anonymous" and write away. you can sign your name right in the little box so I know who you are :) thanks! let me know if you have any problem with the site, if so I'll try a different site. otherwise, you can always e-mail me at erobin@wisc.edu

Six Days To Go

I can't believe I have one week before I am in Spain! It is still so surreal but I am extremely excited (as well as very nervous). I know it will be the trip of a lifetime and I'll love every moment of it. Make sure to download Skype (www.skype.com) if you have a webcam/microphone so that we can video chat over the internet! Hope to see you all before I leave!