Officially Adopted: Host Family Chillin

Bus ride to Salamanca

     After a 2 ½ hour bus ride from Madrid to Salamanca, me andthe other 7 American students walked off the bus into a small crowd of friendlyfaces that was anxiously awaiting our arrival. I nervously stood on the sidewalk with my excessive amount of luggage,waiting for my name to be called.  One byone our program director, Maica, paired us off with one or two Hispanics thatwe would be spending the next 5 months with. Maica called 7 names before mine, which left me facing my new hostmother. 

     Her name is Mari, short for Maria Rosario and she has thekindest face one could imagine.  Mari’spleasant face has crows feet that make her appear to be ever smiling.Instantly, I was bombarded with questions while I struggled to manage myluggage into her European-sized car.  Iwas terrified when this aging woman tried to haul my suitcase into hertrunk.  The car jolted down about 3inches lower after I dropped my 50 lb bag in. 

     A quick car ride with her husband brought us back to her apartment where she escorted me to the room and gave me the rules of her housein a calm, soothing voice.  Intuitivelyshe knew that I would not be breaking rules, but it was part of theprotocol.  In her apartment, I do nothave a curfew but her one living condition is that I keep my belongings neatand organized.  She must’ve said shelikes orderliness about 5 times in 10 minutes. I am a person that loves structure, and I was relieved to have clearexpectations. 

     Mari is an experienced host mother of Emory and otheruniversities.  She currently has 2American girls from Wisconsin and 2 other American girls in other rooms.  I have not had the opportunity to get to knowthese girls yet, which is why I cannot provide much detail. 

     To my great pleasure, I have a fun-sized room all to myself and there is even wifi! J Once I finishedunpacking my 100 lbs of luggage, I thought to myself… “Is that it?”  I’m terrified that Spain is a dog eat dogworld where outfit repeaters are thrown to the trenches.  I will keep you posted on how much clothingis enough.  Regardless, I am in love withmy new room, my new family, and I cannot wait to meet new friends.  I have the opportunity to reconstruct my lifehere in Spain however I please.  However,knowing myself I will fill up my schedule and try to encourage efficiency andtime management among these “lazy” Spaniards. I have already compiled extensive lists of To Do’s and Goals inSpain (I will post these later.)  Wherever my journey takes me, Iwill be sure to take advantage of everything this beautiful country has tooffer because before I know it, I will be on my flight back to New Jersey.

My room in Spain :)