I made it to bed last night at 11 after some strenuous packing (those
Space Saver bags take some monkeying around) and a bit of internetting
and some more packing. 5am rise (okay 5:17) to the lobby at 5:40.
Actually left on time, with everyone, and made it to train, with our
volunteer leader Sarah at the helm. Unfortunately some kind of
sidetrack left two people missing the train, who caught up with us
later.
We had some aerobics at the airport making sure our bags made weight
(arrived at 7 for a 9:30 flight so there was time). My checked bag
(max 23kilos=50 lbs) came in at a svelte 16.5kg and carry on (max
10kg=22 lbs) was 10.6, but who's checking. Some hadta pay 20 euros for
an extra checked bag.
The flight was uneventful, greeted by Spanish stewardesses. Who later
walked right past me with the drink cart. Seriously? Did I not stare
longingly enough at the Coke?
Most elected to take the 15 euro cab ride to school, where we met
Xavier at 1:30. The adventurous types (me Dave Jason Janis Dominic and
Steve) took a bus to the train. Better way to see the city and start
learning my way around.
We'd already notified our classmates in Chicago, with whom we had a
virtual chat scheduled for 5pm to discuss research, that we probably
wouldn't make it in time.
We made it to the school fine, had a little meeting about the
semester, clamored for apartments since we finally found out how many
and how big, and got driven in shifts to our respective places here
and there.
We met back at school at 7:30 to try and get dinner together, and the
semester is more or less underway.
The school is more of a small warehouse turned into workshop with semi-
open classrooms next door and upstairs. There are laser-cut models
large and small, everywhere. They love the laser cutter. It can cut
like a whole sheet of plywood- they've cut through boards like 3/4"
thick with the laser!!
After more deliberating and a shuffling we finally got to our
apartment and got let in when Xavier got there, at almost 5, and
Britta got to see out place since she was exploring and walking by.
But NOT our place, cause we're moving next door tomorrow when it's
done or something.
We checked out the supermercado next on the corner, which will be
great, and has horchada, my favorite! Then we walked down the street
to see Nathan and John's apartment, and Britta, Katie, Jessica, Alex,
Shauna, and Kat's place, which shared one wall with Nathan and John's
kitchen.
Both place were recently renovated, with exposed masonry and new
kitchens and contemporary looking stuff and a fair amount of space.
Pretty jealous. The girls have a huge patio too. Both apartments let
out right onto the street. Pretty awesome.
We met for dinner at school and went for some pretty good middle eastern food, and now I'm sitting in my friends' place (six girls at this apartment) to use their wireless since we don't have any yet. G'night.
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