(Post #1) One week down, a whole semester to go!

From packing up my life into a few suitcases in my Minnesota bedroom with negative temperatures outside to being reunited with my Spanish sisters in beautiful 60 degree temperatures all within a calendar's seven days, a lot has happened in the beginning of this adventure!

(January 3rd, 2022) Pictured here is the sight of a slightly frightened, but mostly excited, sophomore in college trying to fit all her most needed belongings into two checked suitcases, one carry-on, and one backpack. Trying not to forget anything can be a nerve-racking thought, but luckily our family's 10-year-old Collie Lexi was ready to offer support, cuddles, and motivation. I had this constant fear that I would forget some dauntingly essential item at home and be doomed without it, but I just kept reminding myself that Spain is not in fact a deserted island, but instead a booming place with lots of amazing things, and stores, to offer. After two days of packing, I was ready!

(January 4th, 2022 - Departure Day) Here we go!! You may think that I only woke up nervous and anxious because of my adventure that would begin later this day, which I did, but I also woke up thinking about which items I should remove from checked suitcases and how to move things around so that they are not so darn close to the 50-pound maximum weight. After lots of lifting, weighing, and sweating a little as both of my big suitcases were right in the 49-pound range, I packed up everything in the car (quadruple checking that I had my passport and vaccination card- something I would make a habit of) and my parents and I headed to the most classic American establishment of Denny's to have our ~last supper~ (otherwise known as breakfast). After chowing down on some yummy eggs, sausage, and a strawberry crepe too for good measure, we headed to the origin of my journey- the Minneapolis Airport. After checking in and getting a few last goodbye hugs from mom and dad, I had my first flight to Dallas.

Somehow I scored a priority seat which means right behind those fun and fancy plane pods where people sleep, you could find me in basically first class where there we only two seats instead of three, plenty of leg room, and a complimentary pillow and blanket- how thrilling. The best part of this flight though besides actually sleeping and enjoying the plane dinner and breakfast (I flew from 7pm central time to 4am central time which translates to arriving at 11am at the Madrid airport because Spain is 7 hours ahead), was my seat neighbor, Maddy. This sweet New Orleans native was returning to Madrid where she lives and teaches English after visiting home for the holidays, and she gave me so much advice for my trip which I am so grateful for. We chatted a lot and then fell asleep promptly after dinner.

(January 5th, 2022) As we arrived in Madrid around 11am local time, I said bye to Maddy and then had many hours to kill as my last flight was not until 7pm (having a long layover was my only option to make it to Sevilla before the holiday on the 6th and I honestly did not mind). I had been told some conflicting information on when and where I would have to retrieve my checked bags, so after playing detective and talking to 6 airport employees and going through security twice, I settled in and killed time. As time dwindled by and I needed to charge my phone, I asked a kind-looking girl, named Paula, if I could break Covid-19 protocol (oops) and sit at the same charging station with her. She said yes with an amazing American accent and so I asked if she was from the states, but she proceeded to tell me that she is from Madrid and is returning to Paris for her year abroad of studying (the majority of the young generation is so good at English in Europe because they have made it a priority to learn). We exchanged contact, she went to her flight, and then I got an email with the information for my host family! I am so excited as they look so welcoming and they live in a great spot in the center of Sevilla.

After taking my last flight which was only an hour long and that I slept for most of, I arrived around 9:30 on now January 5th in my new home, Sevilla. This whole journey alone was worth it as my first Spanish sister, Alicia, and her best friend Marta (who I have been in contact with for 3 years) welcomed me with open arms and a cute sign that made me feel famous (you know when limo drivers pick up celebrities with signs? Kinda like that). Marta's father drove us to their neighborhood which is technically in Montequinto, a little outside of Sevilla, and I met so many family and friends and was just in time for the parade on the eve of 3 Kings' Day.

After, I went to Alicia's adorable flat and met her mom, now my mamá, María Jesús and her

sister María along with Alicia's amazing girlfriend, Luzma. We had a traditional dinner of jamón, croquetas, queso, y empañadas de atún, with uvas (grapes) for dessert. I then met Alicia's father Joaquin as he arrived home from work. This family is so amazing and kind, I am so truly blessed.

(January 6th, 2022) After settling in, it was time to sleep after two days of traveling. The next day, we woke up at 9am to celebrate 3 Kings' Day. They had decorated with balloons and laid out all the presents from the 3 Kings. I was spoiled and very thankful as the 3 Kings brought me presents too of perfume, a keychain, a bag, some notebooks, and Spanish candy. Mamá received some headphones and a massage table and it was fun to see her so excited. We then ate a traditional breakfast of tostadas with ham, tomato, and olive oil, and the 3 Kings cake called Roscón. (There is a little plastic king hidden in the cake which I found in my piece the next day which means I have good luck!) The family also liked the gifts I brought of Christmas socks, the game Spot it, Minnesota Stickers, and many American foods like Poptarts, Sour Patch Kids, Reeses, Cereal, Hershey´s, Skittles, mac & cheese, and more!

We spent the afternoon hanging out, watching their family videos of past 3 Kings' days (which is so interesting to me because of the cultural parallel of Americans having home videos of celebrating Christmas) and then we attended a big parade that night in the center of Sevilla. There are many floats with American figures such as Spiderman, Disney Princesses, and Mickey Mouse,

but then of course the 3 Kings each had a float. There are many excited kids on each float aggressively throwing candy to the crowds, I honestly had to duck a few times but it was worth it to try kanchas and their version of popcorn called palomitas. I also tried cola-cao at a restaurant before the parade which is very popular in Spain and is the equivalent of Nesquik in America. My first full day in Spain was absolutely amazing, and it was even better that it was also a very important holiday for the people.

(January 7th, 2022) This blog post is starting to get long very, very fast which definitely shows just how much I have

experienced and seen, but I will try to summarize a little more for you all. The following day, I took the metro for the first time with Alicia, María, and Luzma, and seeing the downtown central district of Sevilla for the first time gave me goosebumps, the architecture and atmosphere is amazing! We walked by the gorgeous river where I saw La Torre de Oro (The tower of gold) and then we saw the large Cathedral and Giralda which are connected.

Next, we went on top of Las Setas (which literally translates to the Mushrooms) and I got such a beautiful view of Sevilla. I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up thinking about how lucky I am to be here. We then walked around the city and saw more historic buildings until we visited Mamá at her job working for

the government in a gorgeous building. After departing from María and seeing the shopping district (where we also saw Alicia's day hard at work in the store Corte Englés with all the holiday sales), Alicia and Luzma brought me to a restaurant called La Gorda de Las

Delicias and I tried Ensaladilla, Salmorejo, Albondigas, and a couple of other things like a dish of french fries mixed with eggs, potatoes, and ham- so good! We returned to Alicia's house where for dinner (might I add

that dinner is normally served around 10pm) and we had a yummy pea dish (I explained to mama that peas have a bad reputation in the United States for being boring, but hers were amazing) and then we chatted for a while before sleeping.

(January 8th, 2022) The next day, where I will end this post, is when my younger Spanish sister, Noelia, and her father picked me up so I could spend time with the family for a week before going back to Alicia's for another week. I was so excited to see her!! I met her parents Mariano and Mañe and then they took me to the coastal town of Conil, about an hour and a half from Sevilla, where they have a flat.

In Spain, it is normal to order "tapas" which are basically sampler plates, and then share them. We got so much. I tried cordon blue (amazing!), squid, kalamari, a seaweed dish, more

ensaladilla, tortilla de camarones, and some meat on a stick that tastes better than my description but I do not remember the name. We then walked on the beach more before visiting their flat and getting some desserts from the local bakery. We then returned to Sevilla (it was a quick ride as Nolie and I both slept the whole time) and then for dinner I tried boquerones and

cerdo con salsa for dinner with natillas for dessert. In America, you would never catch me eating fish where you have to remove the spine, but I told myself that I would say yes to new adventures here and honestly, the boquerones (which are anchovies) were pretty good! It definitely helps that the fish was fried. Nolie and I then watched a movie and went to sleep.

To recap my first days, I love it here. But I must be honest, the Spanish is challenging me as they have a different accent in Spain compared to Latin America and it is taking some getting used to. I am so grateful that Alicia and Nolie speak such good English. Also, the time change and culture are a little different, but I am getting used to it and this new way of life. I am seriously so glad I picked this beautiful country as there is so much to see, do, and learn. This week has truly been a dream. I will elaborate more in the future, but for now I am signing off! ¡Hasta Luego!