QUE BIEN

EL GRUPO

REGRASADO

España Parte II

     I cannot express how thrilled I am to be visiting Spain again. My professor has said that it is better the second time around several times, but I didn't believe him until our plane landed or even until I was reunited with my Spain Madre on Saturday. 

Primera Dia (Sabado) 

     I saw my Madre as I was exiting the bus, and went straight to her before even getting my bags. She's the same from last year, so it was a happy and familiar reunion. The transition into the culture this time around felt more sudden and drastic. I don't know if it's because I'm more confident in my Spanish or if it's because I've spent more time with my Madre the first few days than I did before. My roommate and I are about at the same level of Spanish, so it works out perfectly. We both are really good about encouraging the other to mostly speak Spanish. This has helped immensely with the transition. I'm already thinking and dreaming in mostly Spanish now!  Immediately, upon arrival and after unpacking, my roommate and I joined our Madre for Churros in the Plaza with her friends. Our Mother is in her 60's as well her friends.  Listening to 6 sixty year old spaniards converse for a few hours my first day, was a struggle, especially with the jet lag. 

     To avoid taking a nap, my roommate and I decided to go to a birthday dinner for our Madre's granddaughter Jimena. We had a BLAST! The grandchildren were eager to practice their english with us, or help us with our Spanish. It was a little bit easier listening to 12 year olds converse than the sixty year olds. The dinner was full of conversation about politics, traveling, music, etc. It was a great way to be welcomed to Spain. 

Domingo

     The next day was less eventful. We took a placement exam at the school, walked around my most favorite place in the world Parque Retiro, and shopped a little at H & M of course. It was an exciting feeling to be Retiro again. Once I started walking around memories began flooding back of all the times I spent in the park two years ago. Not much has changed about it, from what I could tell, and I prefer it that way because it was always perfect how it was. I'm excited to make new memories there also. 

     Now that my vocabulary is more vast than before, I'm excited to learn more about the history of Spain on the excursions. I am able to express my wants and needs much easier on this trip, but I need some serious help with comprehending when people talk to me. Anyways, I'll try and write more later in the week. Hope all is well in Estados Unido!

Hannah