One Week!

A week until we leave for London!

I started packing (Amazing I know!). So far only the essentials have made it in my suitcase. I have space-bagged four dresses & two pairs of jeans. Those travel space bags are pretty darn great. You just shove in the clothes, zip her up and roll out the air! Too bad they couldn't make things weigh less! I also packed in a People magazine (the Spanish edition) -- another essential.

I just received information about who I'll be staying with for about 5 weeks. It is a man (60) and a women (56). He is a retired banker, who smokes but not while students are in the house. So it will be like swimming in a no-peeing section of pool. Wahoo! From what I gather from the limited info, they live in an apartment complex (or something similar) and it is a 20 min. hike to campus. Oh, and I'm alone. I'm not sure what to make of that. I suppose it will force me to speak more Spanish than I would have if there had been another American living with me. Also, I'll get my own room (that's a plus).

In that same packet is an itinerary for the second part of my trip (after I ditch the parental unit)

June
22: Meet at hotel, briefing, group dinner
23: Guided tour of the Royal Palace & the Prado Museum
24: Toledo - "City of 3 cultures" (Jews, Moors, & Christians)
25: The Royal Monastery del Escorial & Meet families in Salamanca
26: Practical tour of Salamanca
27-28: GO WILD -- free weekend
29: Guided tour of Salamanca (Aparently not practical)
30-July 2: Orientation classes
3-5: Excursion to Santander
6: Placement Exam
7: Class begins
18: Segovia - La Granja
24-26: Oporto (Portugal)
31: Classes end

So really I'll be having classes for 3 weeks and expecting 11 college credits. Perfect :-D