Hola de Espana

After a lot of anticipation, excitement, anxiousness and packing, Im here! The trip was long but went smoothly. Eight students were missing suitcases when we arrived in Valencia--I think it was because the plane from Madrid to Valencia was small. Fortunately, I got both of my suitcases! We took a bus from Valencia to Denia and went straight to the UNED to meet our families. The UNED is the school where I am taking my classes. We went to a room with a stage and the Calvin students were sitting on one side and the families were on the other. The directors gave a little welcome and then paired us up with our families. I had heard from a past student that my mama was a little crazy. While the director was calling up students and families, one women was being particularly loud and clapping a lot. I was guessing that she was my mama, and then she started calling, "Abby, Abby." Needless to say she is very friendly and talkative. She is also very patient with my horrible Spanish and talks slowly for me. She is a single widow in her 50s. She a daughter and a son and a boyfriend. She and I are the only people who live in the apartment, and it's very nice. Her daughter, Iris, has a son named Pablo. He is less than a year old and soooo cute. My mama watches him every morning. Today I went with Iris and Pablo to my Iris's grandmas house for lunch and I met Iris brother, Tony. I also live very close to the UNED which is great. I am starting to get to know the other Calvin students. We are supposed to talk in Spanish all the time, but we cheat quite a bit. :) Today another group from Calvin, who is in Spain for interim, came to Denia. We took a LONG walk down by the beach which was very beautiful.

**You can view a couple pictures of my apartment at http://adventuresindenia.shutterfly.com

There will be more pictures soon!