My first thoughts of Spain

04 January 07
I spoke my first Spanish words of the semester while on a plane over the Atlantic Ocean. My exact words were “Vino Rojo.” Is this a sign of what’s in store for the next six months?

08 January 07
Yesterday afternoon we met and moved in with our host families. I am living for the next month with Ana María and Roberto. They moved from Argentina five years ago and Roberto’s mother lives with them, as well as their 22 year-old son José. Their daughter is 25 and lives in her own apartment. Our apartment is big by European standards; it has 1 ½ baths, 4 bedrooms and a kitchen, living room, etc. They also have a computer with Internet and a flat-screen TV with cable, so I have a pretty progressive family.
I am now a card-carrying bus rider and have successfully made it to the University and back on the bus. I am also adjusting to the mayhem and crowdedness of Alicante living, but have a little more left to learn. For example, I still flinch every time the bus narrowly misses rear-ending or side-swiping another car, which is about every block or so. But, I do enjoy being able to walk or take a bus to anywhere that I need to go.
I am also becoming very fond of the siestas. It’s actually starting to make sense; after the big meal of the day, you’re all full and tired, so you take a little nap. Actually, that’s what I’m about to go do now.
Oh, and I learned quickly that it’s not “vino rojo,” it’s “vino tinto.” See, Mom and Dad, I’m learning tons of useful Spanish.