Orientation Week

Up early on Monday for our first day of orientation!  Jorge walked us to school, I felt like a little kid but it was fun!  Veronica gave us TONS of information about Granada, which was helpful.  We also got assigned in our excursion groups.  At first Abby and I were separated, but someone was willing to change with her so we could be together and avoid separation anxiety haha!  On our way home for lunch we stopped and got cell phones- first time we had to use our Spanish speaking skills in the real world.  It was a success!  Kelsey and I were not big fans of whatever we had for lunch.  First, we had some soup- I think it was some sort of beef soup? Very odd, but ate it with some fabulous bread so I managed to finish it all.  Then Alicia gave us what we thought were cheese sticks.  A fried crusty outside, with a cheesy inside.  Only when we asked Alicia what it was she said, “jamon” which is Spanish for ham.  Immediately we both looked at each other with looks of doubt on our faces.  We managed to eat a couple more, but could not finish them all.

After lunch, I met back up with Abby and her roommate to walk to class for our epically long Spanish pre-test. Blahhh! We finished the tests and had an hour to spare before our excursion, so we went and got yogurt smoothies and churros.  During the excursion, we learned about the history of Granada and saw some excellent places to shop.  After or two hour tour, we were finally able to go home and eat dinner.  Absolutely loved the hamburguesas:) Alicia showed us some pictures of past students that stayed with her and Kelsey and I both knew a couple of them! After that we were pretty beat, so Kelsey and I went to bed.

Woke up early for a quick shower and then enjoyed a fabulous muffin and roll as well as the usual cold milk.  At our meeting we found out our results to our tests! Hooray I’m in level 5!! Which is what I needed to be at to take the classes that I need to take.  We then got to sort out our classes; hopefully I’ll be taking 1 grammar class, 1 conversational class, History of Art in Spain, Spanish Literature, and Culture and Civilization of Spanish America.  Had our first day of grammar class today too, 3 hours long ah! But it went well and I really like my professors.  Afterwards, Abby and I and our new friend Katherine went to the local café to get some drinks and tapas.  Love the tapas here!  We then window-shopped for a bit and all headed back to our homes for dinner (a fabulous salad with bread).  After dinner I went to the internet café down the street from our house on de Ronda.  First thing I did was call my dad through Google! He was so surprised! I loved it! Afterwards I Skyped with my mom, then called my sister through Google who was also very surprised to here from me.  Abby messaged me and convinced me to go out with her and her roommate and Katherine, so we went to a bar for more sangrias and tapas.  The bar was great, two guys from la Universidad de Granada were there playing their instruments so we stayed out late to watch.  Got back home and back in bed in my stealth mode so I didn’t wake anyone up!