¡ Finalmente, Hola todos!

I hope that all of you are good and are having a great summer. This is my first blog from Spain, and I am so excited. I have so much to write and only a small amount of time.

First, yes, I am alive and my family has killed me...yet. Friday I went to Toledo, and I am still without words to describe how amazing it is. The cathedral....how amazing! but, I couldn´t take pictures, so if you want to see it, you´ll have to check on the internet. I loved the mixture of Arabic, Judaism, and Catholicism in the architecture. This was my first excursion, next week is Granada and Cordoba. Alright, now what else?

¿My journey by plane?
So, my journey was very long. I was suppossed to leave from Indy at 10:30 and ended up leaving at 4, because of rain in Chicago. Then, I had to run to my plane for Madrid....not fun. But, I met people from my group on the plane, so it was good...and I watched Alice in Wonderland in Spanish.

Here in Spain is so different from the US, but at times the same. Here are some differences:

• They hardly ever use their lights, even at night, and never during the day.
• They shower for 5 to 8 minutes and they don´t use water the entire time...and yes, its very cold water
• They don´t really eat fast food like McDonald´s or Burger King. In fact, I only know of one Burger King in my town, and its on the outskirts. And there is one McDonalds in the center of Toledo.
• They eat so much...and its true, I can´t eat this much, but my mother here is always : "eat more!"
• They walk everywhere. Or they use the bus. and their cars are tiny.
• They live for "No pasa nada" and "Vale" or "it doesn´t matter" and "ok"
• Their houses are so tiny and many live in apartments. (Although, those who live in Miguelturra live in mansions)
• Their icecream has "drugs"....its addictive
• Bread is always fresh and with every meal
• There is more, but they are for another time.

Speaking in spanish the first day was impossible. I only wanted to sleep. Each day gets better. My only problem is that almost all of their music is in English. So I try to think in spanish, but want to sing in English.

OK! My family here is very nice and I like them a lot. My mother is very talkative, and I don´t know my father or brother very well because they are always working.

I love my school and the people in it. Yes, there are always bad eggs, but for now, I think most if not all have good intentions. I have two very good friends, one who lives very close to my apartment. I also have two other neighbors from my school. Now, school is easy...eventually, no...

For now, I think this is all. I´ll write again next Sunday,

With love from Spain,
Kahle

PS This is for Christian, my first words in Spain were "Es ist mir kalt" You´re welcome :)