June 1-3, 2013

June 1, 2013:

I began my adventure at 11:15 am when my Dad said goodbye to me at security in the Phoenix Airport. I had a connecting flight in Dallas, TX and then it was 9 hours and 30 minutes to Madrid, Spain! In Madrid I had to catch another connecting flight to Bilbao, but only an hour to go through customs and security...then change terminals, and find the correct gate...I made it with 10 minutes to spare! The flight from Madrid to Bilbao was about 30 minutes so it was very short! 

Right before taking off from PHX! 

June 2, 2013:

Once arrived in Bilbao I met a few people from my program at the baggage claim but once we walked out the doors to the main area I was immediately met by my host family! I am living with a couple with a family that is in their 50's and really nice! When we got to their home, I realized that we had to walk up two flights of stairs!! (I am not a light packer-each of my bags 40-50 pounds!) I was very grateful for their help with my baggage. My room is a good size, I have two closets built into my room, a set of drawers and a desk for all the studying I will be doing ;)  

My room! 

After my first Siesta (nap) my host family showed me around the town I will be lining in, Getxo. Getxo is close to the beach, only 5 minutes or 15 minutes walking distance from my home depending on which beach I want to go to!

15 minutes form my home! (Getxo)

June 3, 2013:

I woke up at 7:30am to take a shower and eat breakfast. I ate toast for breakfast, but was very surprised to find that it came from a bag- pan tostada can actually be purchased at the store I guess! Not bad with a little butter...and the coffee was absolutely amazing.

Toast in a bag...not bad!

I left for my orientation at 8:30 with my host mother. She walked me all the way to school. We had to take a metro because I will be living in Getxo and taking classes in a nearby town called Bilbao. The metro was so efficient and easy! It is the main form of transportation here. After the basic orientation and placement testing we toured Bilbao!

I love this city! (Bilbao)

 Bilbao is a very city interesting because there are some areas that are rich in history with very traditional and intricate architecture, while other areas are very modern in design. Bilbao was founded originally in the 1300's. Later on it became very industrialized and had factories and places for ships to come into port as to ship out their goods. Then in 1980's there was a huge shift, and a lot of unemployment for a period of time. Now the people do many different things.

A dog made out of flowers! Designed by an American! 

The modern part of Bilbao.

  Something that is also very unique here is the history that the people of Basque country keep. (Basque is the region I live in). 25% of the people speak in Basque, which was the original language of this area of the country. In fact just across the border in France, there are also many people who speak Basque- as they are apart of Basque country!

It is SO green here!! (Bilbao)

After I went home and had dinner I went back out and met up with two of my new friends. We decided to walk around and explore the city of Getxo. It was so beautiful! 

The port area. (Getxo)

It was my second night in Spain, and I just can't get over that the sun does not set until around 10pm! It makes the day so much longer, it is no wonder that the Spanish people take a siesta during the day! 

Stunning sunset...at 10pm! 

All in all I would say that these past few days have been great! I am adjusting well and I do not have too much jet lag. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me while I am here...Classes start tomorrow, wish me luck!