Bienvenido a Madrid!

I have been in a Madrid for 2 full days now! Our flights were all very smooth and uneventful, except for a friend and I both losing some luggage. I was forced to check a bag because it would not fit in the compartment, and it was sent on a different flight to Madrid. I received mine yesterday, but my friend's is still MIA:( hopefully it will be found soon. Otherwise our travels were great! We saw so many SLU students, or students on their way to SLUMadrid in the airports and on the flights.  It was great to meet new people and see familiar faces while traveling to a foreign country. 

When we arrived we came to our apartment, met our host mom, and began to unpack right away. We had time to siesta, eat dinner, and then go to bed! Yesterday was a full day of orientation and touring the city. We got a little (or maybe a lot) lost on our way to campus. THe metro was easy to navigate, but we had difficulty getting from teh metro to campus. We asked a few people for directions, and one guy told us it didn't even exist. We made to campus just in time though! We had a couple hours of orientation. We then had a guided tour through the area around campus.  Next the gave us a tour of the major parts of the city. The city is so beautiful and amazing!! After a short siesta we ate dinner, then decided to go out to Sol! My friends and I met some other students and went to a couple bars. I tried my first drink of alcohol ever- Sangria! After meeting a lot of people from SLUM (SLU Madrid), we headed back home. We got really lost... we got on the wrong bus and had to find another bus, then walk forever back to our house. We were able to ask directions to several people, and eventually found our way back home. It was definitely an experience, but it was our first night in the city so we were allowed to get lost.

Unfortunately today I have been throwing up and sleeping all day. Apparently even one drink of alcohol has major effects on me because of some medications. Looks like no more drinks for me! Our host mom and her friend have been absolutely fabulous to me while I've been sick today. They have gotten me some "magic" tea, some food, and medicine to calm the acid in my stomach.  I am feeling much better! I did miss the opportunity for a free excursion to a palace this afternoon, but that's ok. I'll have plenty more opportunities to see fantastic sights and places while I'm here! The adventures have just only begun!