Arrived!

I arrived in Madrid this morning safe and sound. Luckily everything went very smoothly! There are about 15 kids in my program and only 2 of them are boys. Everyone seems really cool and we all seem to get along surprisingly well for being complete strangers. We took a bus from Madrid to Salamanca where our families were waiting. We all got off the bus one by one and our families greeted us with huge smiles and kisses on each cheek. It was like first grade all over again, parents picking us up at the bus stop and taking us home. Marianna is my host mom and she is so kind and welcoming, but don't worry, she has NO SHAME in correcting each and every spanish error I make (which is quite a few!). She was very worried about my vegetarian diet and is convinced I will leave here eating jamon (ham)...I told her I would maybe try some later in my trip, but not to count on it. She has a 17 year old son, David, who acts like a typical 17 year old boy. But he did help me fix my internet and with time I'm sure he will warm up to me. But as of right now I am a total loser and he does not want to chat or hang out. Marianna told me there were some handsome boys in the neighborhood and that I should definitely make Spanish friends and get some free meals. (Don't worry mom, I have to call her every time I leave the house and arrive at my destination...and if I am not going to be home for lunch or dinner.) I am going to take a siesta and then we are meeting up with some of Marianna's friends who have kids in my program to tour the city and practice walking to school. I promise I'll give you all better posts when I'm not so sleep deprived! But I wanted to update you all as soon as I could so you know I'm safe and sound with a wonderful family in a beautiful city with my own bedroom AND my own bathroom!