What is lacking in America.

There are just some things you will see in Spain, that you're way less likely to find in the U.S.
For example:

• A couple of old people in full-length fur coats.

I never managed to get in front of them, and I still have suspicions that one of them may have been an old man.

• Beautifully-detailed drain pipes.

Now you might not think this is cool, but that's alright because I think it is way cool. These are all around the Plaza de Cervantes, which is the center of my little city of Alcala de Henares.

• Really amazing food and food markets.

I really like it so much, that I don't think I'll go into much depth right now. But here's one more picture of me enjoying Crema de Catalana (It's a Spanish creme brulee that you can see half eaten in one of the above pictures).

I look so happy because it was very delicious, and on my list of things to eat in Spain. So far, I've hit all the big ones; paella, churros con chocolate caliente, and crema de catlana. 

• Giant walls in the middle of the city, covered in plants.

So cool.

• The Prado.

I have never in my life been in such a close proximity for an extended period of time, to as many beautiful works of art as I am now. There are a ton of art museums here, and I have to visit most of them for my Madrid Walks class. The Prado is the only one I've been to so far, but later this week I plan on going to the modern art museum, Reina Sofia. It is the home of Picasso's Guernica. I'm very excited.

• Beautiful, historical cities and architecture.

Well, things are great here in Spain. My Spanish is still coming along. I really love all the amazing things I get to do, and see. I hope everything is well at home. Thanks to everyone for all their love. Coming soon, Segovia....

Que esta en mi estomago.

What is in my stomach:

• more fish bones than I have ever before ingested. They fry almost the whole fish, and then with one swift flick of the wrist they lift the all of the bones out with their fork. I guess I just don't have the manual dexterity of a Spaniard. I feel like a monkey trying to pick through and eat between all of the bones. They also eat the skin which surprised me, but the crunch helps mask all the itty bitty bones I'm eating.
• a variety of new and foreign meats. I have eaten a lot of new meats, mostly in the form of sausage. They definitely have a different flavor, but none of them are bad. I especially like albondigas, which are some meatballs my host mom made for me, over rice. In the picture, the sausage doesn't have a tumor, it's a beret, because it's foreign....
• mandarin oranges. Spanish people are very healthy and eat fresh fruits and vegetables every meal. They always offer fruit after you are finished eating. I have had so many oranges so far. After dinner, sometimes they offer dessert or postre, so then I get excited because Spain is famous for it's churros and hot chocolate, and pastries. However, by dessert they mean, hot milk, yogurt and honey, or more fruit. In my stomach the oranges are so happy they are considered dessert that they are wearing party hats and beauty queen sashes proclaiming them, "postre."

That's all for now. My Spanish is getting better, and my vocabulary is growing most especially in the food department. For example the word for juice is zumo, pronounced like sumo wrestlers, but with a soft th. They don't use the word jugo which is what I learned, and will not understand you if you don't use the theta (much to the dismay of all of my friends who served in South and Central America who encouraged me not to use such lispy nonsense). Thanks again for love and prayers. I miss you all.

A Very Long Day

I'm here in Spain, and it is wonderful! But first let's recount this very long day in a game I like to call "Good News, Bad News."
   good news: It is early in the morning, but I have all of my stuff packed and I'm ready to go.
   bad news: Because of some snowy roads and cautious driving we are a little late getting to the airport.
   good news: It didn't matter that we were late because the flight was canceled.
   bad news: My flight was canceled.
   good news: Through the diligent work of a very lovely old airport worker, we find another route through Vegas that still gets me on the same flight to Spain.
   bad news: He had no record that I had paid for my ticket.
   good news: Through some more diligent work on our behalf, the lovely airport worker tracked down a travel agent and was able to work out the ticket issue, and once again I'm on my way.
   bad news: Just as I go through security my body decides it's cool to feel wretched.
   good news: The color of throw-up really accentuates everything I'm wearing, and I got to use the words, "tossed my cookies," all day.
   bad news: I prefer to keep my cookies.
   good news: The entire TCU basketball team was on one of my flights.
   bad news: I will most likely be remembered by them as that pukey girl.
   good news: Though some of the planes were slightly delayed, and my layovers were tight, I made it successfully onto all of my flights.
   bad news: Ginger ale also accentuates my clothing.
   good news: You find kind people everywhere you go. I would like to use this moment to thank purple-striped eye-shadow lady in Vegas, red-haired flight attendant, southern accent flight attendant, all of the girls in my study abroad group I flew in with, especially Lexi (sorry about the ginger ale), and anyone who had to sit in my general proximity in the last day and a half. Thank you.
   bad news: It was a very very long day.
   good news: The bad news is temporary, and the good news is the only stuff that matters anyway.
   bad news: I have successfully wrapped up this post in a schmalzy Hallmark original movie sort of way. Okay, okay, that's just good news.

Thanks for all of your prayers. I really like it here, and will tell you more of all the cool things later. 

Here it comes...

Almost two days and the adventure begins.