It has been just over a week here in Madrid and I can't say I have one complaint! I am loving every minute of my time here. I meet wonderful people and have made great friends with the other students in the program. My host family has been great; I already know I will be sad to leave them. All of the locals are great, my host family, my professors, and even strangers, always willing to help me learn. And I definitely am!
My comprehension is ten times better after just one week and I am becoming more confident in my conversational skills. I am anxious to see my improvement at the end of the month.
Madrid is full of beauty and history. There are beautiful buildings lining every street and historical monuments and statues scattered throughout the city that don't even seem real. I visited El Museo del Prado where I spent hours looking at paintings and sculptures more beautiful than I had ever seen. There are parks all over the city, filled with people and plants and it seems that everyone has a dog, which I love. I watched my first Flamenco performance and I sure do not want it to be my last; it was incredible!
Just yesterday I had the best time at a Real Madrid game. I knew Spaniards liked their futbol but I had underestimated. There were so many fans and so much excitement! There is no shortage of things to do. I hope to see more shows, visit more museums, markets, and restaurants, and travel to more cities in Spain while I am here. I am enjoying participating in the culture very much. I am becoming a pro with the siestas and the fiestas. The food has been delicious; there hasn't been one meal that I didn't like.
Can I stay here forever?
Larin McMartin
