Pre-Departure Thoughts

I'm sure the fact that I will be in a foreign country on my own in 48 hours will hit me harder when I am actually in the airport, it may not even hit me until a few days after I've landed in Madrid.  Don't get me wrong I am incredibly excited to embark on this new adventure, but of course I am going to be a bit nervous and scared of the unknown.  It is all a part of the experience. 

I finally found out where/who I will be staying with, a 61 year old woman who lives right near one of the biggest parks in Spain-El Parque del Retiro.  It is also about a mile away from El Kapital, one of the biggest discotecas in Madrid.  It is only about a 30 minute metro ride to campus, pretty good for such a big city.

There are a ton of last minute things that I need to do, little things that I will probably forget.  Packing has been quit difficult, trying to fit everything you want into one (but I am bringing two) check-in suitcases is much harder than one would think; especially since I will be packing for 100 degree weather as well as the snowy winter.  Not to mention all the souvenirs I will have to bring back.  One step at a time though.  Before I know it I will be on a return flight back to San Francisco, that is if I don't decide to stay another semester...