Wherever you go, there you are.

I write from my adorable dormitory, which is nestled in the city of Avila. It is a cold, sunny day here, and I just returned from my first walk around the city with Jackie (another teacher from IU) and our new friend, Felipe, who is a student from Shangai. Felipe is his nombre Espanol, and we are all managing full-on Spanish dialogue! He arrived yesterday as well to begin a 4 year program at at the local university. The language is coming back to me with more ease than I expected...

Here in Avila we are surrounded by snow-capped mountains and chunky trees with sweet-smelling pink blossoms. While walking the winding streets I finally exhaled, realizing that after two years of classes and planning and working I am here! My first impressions of this city are wonderful. The people are warm and handsome, the architecture is old and impressive. Stony, narrow streets lead me around for hours. And this enormous wall that surrounds the city is beyond belief. La Resedenica de San Tomas, where I will be living for the next 2 months is attached to a gorgeous cathedral and monestary. We share our meals with other students staying here, monks, and various people who work at San Tomas. So far, the food has been delicious, and I have opened my pallet to meat in order to fully experience this time and place:) If you can believe it, I just finished a lunch of beef and potatoes...I am eating little bits of meat here and there to reintroduce it to my system. So all of you that told me I would eat meat again one day can now say "I told you so" with clarity!

The journey hear was arduous, and I thank all friends who helped me to Chicago when Megabus never showed up in Indianapolis Friday. Flying through the night has its benefits when traveling, and British Air is incredible...but I arrived in Avila after day and a half without sleep. Thank god Jackie met me at the airport and helped me on the last leg to Avila when I was crossed eyed from flying and not sleeping. After a night's rest and our morning adventure, jet lag is setting in. Tomorrow we leave for a four day trip to Granada. Viva Espana!
xoxooo.