I am going to put China on hold and write about my journey to Spain. I haven't had internet in weeks so I that is the reason for my lack of blogposting.
Last week I arrived in Caceres the city of storks. The trip here was (to say the least) "interesting". I had just arrived back from China on September 27th and had just gotten over some sort of "flu" (that will go into the China post...ohhh the details" and was ubber jet-lagged.
First task...get the visa. YUP. I had one day in the states to get my Spanish visa. Since the Junta (the education department) did not send my letter which was necessary for my visa on time, the Spanish Consulate in Boston had to process my visa while I was in China. I arrived the 27th and then had to go in Monday morning on the 28th to get my visa in order to leave THAT NIGHT at 9:30.
Two hours after sitting in the consulate I grabbed that visa and booked it, and i mean BOOKED it out of that consulate.
And back to the airport.
I get on my seat and take a deep sigh of relief, I hope we start moving. I fortunately sat next to some nice german students who were the first and probably only german vegetarians i will ever meet We talked about american parties, how americans go to bed to late and drink terrible beer. It was quite entertaining. We finally lifted off and Only bother was the person in front of me whose seat was basically touching my forehead. but whatever. Im going to Spain!
I land in Madrid and go through the easy customs I have ever experienced. Literally a customs lady stands outside of the terminal, glances at you visa and that is it. THATS IT. I was convinced I had to do something else, some other line, but then I there was baggage claim. GREAT! I made it.
I get to the bus station buy a ticket to Cacers and realize I have two hours to wait. So I decided to call my teacher.
Easy enough right??? Oh if only someone was video tapping me trying to drag my two monster sized luggage bags as I go buy something to get change for the pay phone. Nothing was really open but the heladaria (ice cream shop) so I think..ice cream is good why not. I break my euros and get an ice cream.
Now I am dragging my two bags, which dont roll very well, and my ice cream, across the bus station to the phone, two of which dont work and one which ate my coins. Finally I get to one that worked.
"HOLA! Otilia. Es Mai Lombardi, tu auxiliare de conversacion"
"OH Mai, how are you?? (english thank god). Where are you? Do you need me to pick you up?"
"I am on a bus to Caceres I should get in at 9:30?"
" what time?"(phone hangs up).NOOOOOOOOOOOO. This happens atleast four times. Finally the last call.
" Mai, I am wearing a white shirt, I will see you at 9:30.BYE!"FINALLY. So I wait for my bus. Why isnt it posting the terminal? I drag my bags AGAIN now to the ticket counter. "donde es el autobus?"
Terminal 57.
I finally get on the bus. ALMOST THERE. Someone is getting me. Halelueigh!!! I also fortunately met another Auxiliar (english conversation assistant) who had done the program for three years. We arrive in Caceres together and my teacher drops her off at the Albergue (the hostel). I go back with my teacher and get a full meal and shower. Finally some luck!!!!
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