So I've been here just shy of two weeks and I have to say I couldn't be more happy with my decision. There are things I miss and one person in particular, but I make sure to keep in contact as often as possible.

Finding my way in Ubrique.

So it's a pretty small town, but it's very beautiful here and now that it's finally stopped raining the weather has been fantastic. Finding an apartment and getting settled in, was interesting to say the least. I met another launguage auxiliar Phillipa from the UK and she's just awesome in every way. We found a great apartment on the main avenue right in the middle of town which is big even by American standards. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, kitchen, living/dinning room etc. AND IT HAS ORANGE COUCHES!!! Though getting used to a Spanish apartment hasn't been my easiest experience.

Let me introduce you to a bit of Spanish life. This is a bombona tank. 30% butane 70% propane. In many places (like my apartment) This is what heats your water, and runs your stove. Well, both of ours (water and stove) were empty the day we moved in. 

 The realtor who helped us find the place has more than earned his commission at this point. We couldn't find the magic switch to turn on the water, so he came over and did it for us, at which point we discovered that we didn't have any fuel. He calls a buddy and in ten minutes we have two fresh tanks. ONLY THEN did we find out that the pilot light for the hot water heater doesn't work. A few hours later our good friend Mr. Realtor (Manolo) shows up with a buddy and VOILA fixes it.

All of this in the first night of being in our apartment! But thankfully we both rolled with the punches and finally had hot showers at the end of the night.

Hasta Luego!

So it was awfully hard saying goodbye to my family and especially hard walking away from Josh to go through the security terminal but after much crying and goodbyes, I've arrived in ESPANA!!!! I really have forgotten how much I love it here which is hard to believe since I already loved it a whole lot haha.

The trip was exhausting as always but THANKFULLY for once I didn't miss a single connecting flight, or have any late departures etc. The food was a very tiny portion but not what I expected for airline food.

 I was pretty shocked by that, because as far as I remember I think it might be the first time. I was able to move seats on my 8 hour flight across the big pond so I stretched out over two seats, even though I did have to this creepy man talk for hours! He was nice enough but I'm pretty sure he does mail order bride type online dating. Told me about how he dates these easturn European women trying to find a wife... lol The flight we were on he was flying to somewhere in Russia I think to go on a date with a woman he met A MONTH AGO!!! (jaja  = haha in spain) The best part about the trip being that when I arrived in Seville all of my luggage was waiting there for me!

Anyways, in my first few days here I got a lot accomplished. I arrived in Seville about 10:30 am and picked up my rental and had a relatively short and pleasant ride to my town in Ubrique despite the rain. But much like a friend of mine experienced in Greece earlier this year... my little 4 cylindar Nissan was NOT mean to climb hills and since my town is in the valley between two smallish mountains, it wasn't my most pleasant driving experience.

This is the view of the beauty around my town looking out from the balcony of my hotel room. 

I was gladly able to spend my first weekend relaxing with my godparents at their country house which was only about 2 hours away. Unfortunately I left my favorite flip flops in my rental and they overcharged me but all's well that ends well. 

 Observations about Spain for today:

- Children are still dressed to the nines. Little boys look like stately old men with their cardigans and clean clothes haha.

- Lemona fanta is still as delicious as ever. AND CHEAP!