¿Ingles Por Favor?

Well we are finally here, in the lovely city of Madrid.

The flight over was the best flight I´ve had yet. From Miami to Madrid, the plane was underbooked and, consequently, I had to occupy two seats all by myself...that, or I accidentally bought a large man´s airfare...either way, I was comfortable but still could not sleep due to poor timing of a coffee break and, no doubt, anticipation.

Located in a quiet University district, our hostel is clean and offers free breakfast. The first night we went out to eat and pointed at random items on the menu for lack of understanding Spanish names for food. Cate ended up with soup; I, however, was served a spicy pot of chicken niblets that seemed naked without a tortilla and lettuce. Afterward, we went out with some French fellows, Spanish chicas and a South African. I tried the Sangria (red wine mixed with fruit juice) and may have found a new favorite drink. After trying to communicate with the Spanish ladies, however, Cate and I have decided to sign up for a Spanish course of some sort, so we don´t have to rely on our teaching skills to produce English speaking friends.

Orientation was today and boring, but free breakfast, and now we are beginning the great housing search. Right now we have found an apartment for 290 with furnishing and kitchen, but some sort of bunk bed I think, so we are still looking elsewhere.

Thanks to all who have been praying for the trip and all its details. I´m grateful that this trip has been smooth and an less jarring than South Africa, and God has certainly provided for the things I have been anxious about.

Other than that, I´m really excited to be here and can´t wait to get started!

Hello all,

In a few days I will be leaving behind Memphis and the world of cubicles and invoices for Madrid, a city of late nights and long siestas, with a little work smathered in between.

The first few weeks will likely be full of confusion and excitement. My friend Cate (coming from Greenville, South Carolina, another English Major at Clemson, and one of 5 sisters in the Raff family) will arrive a few hours after me, and thereby join me in the pursuit of housing and work, or, if need be, purchase of a guitar and a tin cup so that we may accomplish both at the nearest subway station.

I hope you enjoy reading about a little life in Spain, and will keep me in your prayers as I enter this new phase.