Viva la España!

Hola! Well...I FINALLY landed in Spain yesterday around 12:45 Madrid time!! The trip out here was definitely something I will never forget nor will ever wish anyone to go through. My flight to Dallas from San Diego was pleasant and on time, reading helped the time fly. Once I landed in Dallas I had a few hours to kill so I did a little shopping and road the train around the terminal. I was so glad to see other Baylor students there because I was dreading a 9 1/2 flight to Madrid by myself. Boarding time was initially 5:30 which gradually changed to 6:30 which was something I can handle and had a patient attitude about. I find my seat and sit next to a women who was reading a book to her daughter, who was in the row behind us! I couldn't believe how someone could be so inconsiderate of others on the plane and I tried to give her a look to stop but she didn't care. Two hours pass and we haven't moved from the gate. The captain came on the speaker and said that maintenance was changing out the fan's filters. About five minutes later it started to rain really hard. The captain gets on the speaker again and orders everyone to evacuate the plane because a tornado is headed towards the airport. Naturally, I start to freak out because of all of the terrible tornados recently on the news so I start running off the plane. Just with my luck, I get stuck behind an elderly couple that clearly needed wheel chairs but there wasn't enough time. Once we got into the terminal they ordered everyone to stay clear from the windows and sirens were going off. I am starting to realize that I probably wont be flying out that night..its true what a surprise. I was very frustrated and upset because I spent 9 hours waiting in the airport total that day. All the flights got cancelled once the storm passed because of the hail damages to the plane, apparently it was the size of grapefruit which may have been an exaggeration...I grab my 70 lb beast of a suitcase and drive with Ashley and Jamie to a friends home who lives in Dallas. Justin picked me up from their house to take me to Waco because I start to realize how unrealistic it is for me to haul around this beast in Europe. My poor mom stayed on hold for hours with the airlines trying to book me the next flight. I ended up getting ahold of them and the next flight was not until Thursday afternoon. 
So, Justin and I wake up at 6 in the morning to drive to DFW and things all begin to work out: no security check line or scheduled delays! Ah finally I saw a bright light at the end of a tunnel and sign of hope! Once we boarded the plane the captain came on the speaker and announces how we will be leaving 15 min earlier than expected. I was just tickled! Well, since God has never let me down with his funny sense of humor....once the plane left the gate and the engines started to rawr, the captain announces that there is something seriously wrong with the plane that they cant leave until maintenance checked it out. At this point I didn't know whether to start busting out laughing or cry. We eventually had to evacuate the plane and reboard another plane, but it would be delayed another 2 hours. My friends and I were about to start crying and found a couple next to us who were also on my flight from Tuesday night. While sitting in the terminal I saw Avril Lavigne which brought my spirits up a little. I swore if the next plane had something wrong with it or was cancelled I was on a direct flight to San Diego. Well it all ended up working out and the flight to Madrid wasn't too bad because I took a sleeping pill. Once we landed and were waiting in baggage claim I realize I can't find my brand new iphone (which has no insurance on it). Good job Rachel! Panicking, I ran to the lost and found desk and begun my first experience with trying to speak Spanish on the trip. Thank goodness the woman was patient with me and called the airlines and they found my phone on the bathroom floor (who knows how it got there). All in all it was the most interesting/exhausting traveling experience in my life and I hope I don't have problems while traveling back to Texas. 


So I don't want to bore anyone who is reading this, hi mom and grandma, anymore with my traveling experience. Spain is beautiful and I love my Senora, the woman whom my roommate Courtney and I are living with. Although she does not even know how are you in English, she is a doll. She loves to talk and cook for you. I have not seen her eat, go to the bathroom, sleep, or even leave the apartment since I have been here. I can somewhat communicate with her but most of the time my roommate Courtney and I are lost (we smile and say "si and gracias"). My room is about the size of my closet at home and my feet hang off the bed (imagine that!). Everything in Spain is very small which makes it literally impossible to get around if you are obese. Maybe America should start investing in some small elevators so the people who can't fit in it would have to take the stairs. Sorry...that was kind of insensitive, but totally true. Oh and speaking of fat people, my Señora knows that my roommate and I are studying nutrition and I have noticed everything she has cooked is healthy (keeping us regular so to speak). Courtney warned me that she only serves fiber cereal in the morning and sure enough it was HIGH fiber cereal. Anyways, there are many things that I have caught onto since my arrival yesterday:


1. Always wear shoes in the house being barefoot is rude
2. Always close the lid of the toilet after use
3. Don't wear shorts unless you are a prostitute (which is all I brought for the trip, fantastic)
4. Realize its normal for your senora to just stare and watch you eat even though she doesn't eat with you
5. They don't refrigerate their milk or eggs (strange)
6. Dinner time is at 10 pm and people don't go out until 11:30-12
-its only day 2 in Madrid and I am sure I have so much more to learn


Tonight will be my first adventure of going out at night to the bars and such so wish me luck. Yes mom I have my swiss army knife and a big group going with us. But for now, I am going to take my "siesta" because I had a long day of school this morning and the time change is a killer. Miss you guys!! xoxo


ps: Sorry I have no pictures for my first blog, but I promise to have pictures up once I get a connecter for my camera!!