Last night...

...was awesome. I went out with with my fellow students from Loras and some of the other international students for some chocolate con churros. It was a very fun group: One girl from Brazil, two girls from Japan, a man from South Korea, another girl from Maryland, and four students from Loras. We sat and talked and had a number of laughs. We also played "icebreakers" which was Meghan's idea. We played 2 truths and a lie, and 10 fingers, but in Spanish! What an experience! The chocolate was also amazing. I finally got to satisfy my need for chocolate, because my host family is not like my family at home. In Wisconsin, my mother always has some sort of dessert made, but that is not the case here.

Tonight we will be going out again and tomorrow we are going to A Coruna! No puedo esperar!

Estoy frustrado

I hate those moments when I cannot think of a word in Spanish that I should know. Like today I could not remember the word "again" in Spanish for the life of me. Otra vez!! Duh! I know this is only the first week, but it sure is frustrating. I met some of the other international students today at class and they are very friendly. I think we are so kind to each other because we are in this foreign country trying to learn a new language. We are all in the same situation. I think its really cool that we have to communicate in Spanish to each other because we all speak a different language at home. It's great practice. I just hope to meet some of the other Spanish students here, so they can help me with grammar and vocabulary.

Well, tonight we get to go on a tour of the night life here in Santiago. Can't wait!

A long day

I don't feel like writing much today, but I finally have access to my bank account here (thank god). It didn't start working until about a hour and a half ago, so I was very frustrated throughout the day. My frustration only caused me to have a rough day of speaking Spanish. It seem to take forever for me to find the right word when I wanted to say something. Luckily I could vent to Geovanni in ENGLISH about frustration with my bank. I'm trying really hard not to speak English, but today it was necessary for my sanity.


In other news, I walked all over Santiago today with Geovanni. We ended up on the North Side of the City. Geovanni says I was bad at directions, but I wanted to get a nice long walk in because I haven't worked out in a while and I have been eating alot, haha. We stopped by the Cathedral on our way around town and this time we went in to check it out. I though the outside was incredible, but this inside is even more beautiful. I also found what time mass was at so I could go this Sunday (JUST FOR YOU MOTHER). During the walk we got to see a number of interesting sights. There is Fraggle Rock Cafe in Santiago! Talk about bringing back the past.

Tomorrow Lola, a woman from the University, is going to take us around 10 at night to get a taste of the nightlife. I am very excited because I really want to go out at night and meet other students.

Well it's time for bed. I need some rest. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Hola Todos!

I think I underestimate myself sometimes. I was so worried about not being able to communicate well, but so far it has been much easier then expected! There are times where I stand there and think "what on earth are they saying?", but otherwise I am able to pick up enough words that I can understand most of what people say. The TV is another story because it seems like they speak a million words a minute.

I really like Santiago. Everything is close and as los profesores say "Santiago es muy seguro. Uno de lo más de Europa" (Santiago is very safe. One of the most (safe cities) in Europe). I love that Santiago has bookstores all over the place, because in Madison I know of only two. You can walk everywhere and there is basically no need for me to use public transportation, and I love walking so this is no problem.

Now I want to cover somethings I have learned this past couple of days:
1. In Spain when eating a meal you do not put your piece of bread (French bread) on your plate. It's a custom Marina told about at our first dinner together.
2. Make sure your bank knows you are leaving the country. Like really let them know. I told the bank in December that I was leaving apparently they didn't bother to right that down and make sure that I am able to use my card. I need money and I still don't have access to my account!!
3. Do not drink espresso at night unless you need to stay up, because I could not sleep at all.
4. Going off the last point, make sure your waiter knows what you said. I did not order that espresso, but I drank it anyway.
5. Banks in Santiago close at 2.
6. Buy an alarm clock that works.

I have plenty more lessons but that's all I can think of right now.

¡Qué día!

Today the group and I explored Santiago. What a beautiful city. I love the old part of it. It has the narrow streets that I love, small shops, and the Cathedral de Santiago. All are beautiful. The park is also incredible. I love the trees and the paths. I hope to join all those who run through the park soon (plus I need to run off all the great food I have been eating haha).


I love talking with my host family. Marina y Paco are awesome. They have taught me so much so far, and its only been a day! I am already starting to feel more comfortable when speaking Spanish. I still have errors, but I'm able to communicate very well with them. The moments are few when we don't understand each other.

Orientation starts tomorrow and I can't wait!


Hasta luego!

I Made It!!!!!!

After a bus ride, a long journey across the Atlantic ocean, and spending numerous hours sitting at airports, I am now in Santiago de Compostela! Thank God for the safe travels. I didn't sleep at all on the plane over to London, but I could barely keep my eyes open on the short flight from Madrid to Santiago. (That picture is the sunset in Chicago while we were waiting to board.)

My host family has been great so far. In the short hours I have been here, they have already provided me with a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, some tea and Spanish grammar advice. Their home is also very nice and comfortable. I think I'm going to like it here!

Now all I have do is catch up on some sleep so that I can be well rested to explore Santiago tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

Ah, a new year and a new beginning. It also means that I leave for Spain in a short few days. I cannot believe it is almost here!!! It is surreal. I've been waiting for this moment ever since high school and the fact that it is almost here is so exciting. But with this excitement comes with a lot of anxiety and nervousness. I keep on thinking that I will forget something when I pack or that the trip over could turn into a total nightmare. I just have to stay positive and be prepared. I am also nervous about my ability to speak Spanish. I felt that during this past semester my Spanish went from good to just ok or even worse. I am hoping that once I arrive in Spain I will become more confident in my speaking and my ability to speak will reach the level it once was (and hopefully by the time I arrive in the United States I will have reached some level of fluency).

Today my mother and I went shopping for some last minute travel needs and I also bought two Wisconsin coffee mugs and hot chocolate for my host family. I hope they like it!

Yesterday was Christmas with the Stauffachers. It was a great time filled with football, amazing food, and a lot of laughs. My Aunt Lori also made a video containing a collection of photos from my family's travels in Europe this past summer. Seeing those photos only made me more excited for my own travels. Anyway, spending time with my family was awesome and I will miss them all when I'm in Europe. (The picture to the left is Grandma and Grandpa Stauffacher with all their grandchildren, but missing Logan)


New Year's Eve was also a great time with some friends I don't get to see very often. My journey with Jamie for pizza at four in the morning was a hilarious and memorable moment. It was probably the best New Year's Eve I've ever had.

I guess I should wrap up now, I'm watching the Badger game and I need to start paying attention. Go Badgers.

Happy 2012 and I wish all the best!