In Madrid
Well, today is my second full day in Spain. I arrived yesterday at around 8am local time. First impressions: boy is it hot here and all those people who say, "It's the not the heat it's the humidity" are just plain full of it. While being very dry the heat is still quite capable of zapping every ounce of energy from my body. Heat exhaustion and a wee bit of jet lag aside though Madrid is a fascinating city with much to discover and learn. I'm a little overwhelmed by the fact that I can't really communicate with anyone but that will hopefully change soon.
Other than the fact that planes are inherently cramped and uncomfortable and one small scare about a misplaced bag, the travel was pleasantly uneventful. All our luggage made it in once piece, we didn't miss any connections, and our new friend April was waiting for us at the airport.
April & her husband Kelly have been so wonderful. They are letting us stay in their house until we can find an apartment and in the meantime they're showing us the city. We've gotten a crash course in riding the metro, navigating bus routes, buying groceries, and staying cool in the middle of a season that sends more than 70% of native Madrileños running for the hills. I'm telling you it's really hot - 100+ degrees in the shade.
The fact that I don't think I've heard one Spaniard speak more than two words of English yet is a bit overwhelming. When I lived in Amsterdam I didn't really have to know Dutch to get by. Here it seems I will need at minimum a working knowledge of Spanish to survive. I just hope it comes quickly.