monthly report

It's been a month since I've arrived in Madrid, and I can honestly it's been one of the best of my life. There are still times where I feel like I'm going to wake up in my bed back in California and realize I've just been dreaming this whole experience. Of course I miss all of my family and friends, but when I stop and think that I'm actually here living in Spain, it still takes my breath away. It's only getting better too, which is the best part. Once I meet more Spaniards and improve my language skills, I know my love for this city is going to grow even more.

Today was the final test for our "pre-classes" classes. I now have a week off, which means seven days of traveling! That's the reason I came after all. Tomorrow afternoon some friends and I are departing by bus to Córdoba in the south of Spain, about four hours away. It's famous for the ancient monuments there left by the Romans and the Moors when each had empires on the Iberian Peninsula. The most famous is la mezquita, or the mosque, which is one of the more blatant reminders of how influential Muslim culture still is on Spain. Luckily, my roommate's girlfriend arrived today, and she's a Córdoba native. I have a list from her of all the best places to visit while there.

After that, I'll be taking a short trip to Ibiza next week also. It's an island off the eastern coast of Spain, and they are famous for their parties. (Don't worry. I'll be safe.)

I keep talking about how much I love Spain, but I really haven't seen any of it yet other than the capital. I'm excited to get out and explore the country. Plus, the four hour bus ride should give me a pretty decent idea of what it's like.