And so begins the trip of a lifetime...

I write to you from the comfort of our very first hostal of our European adventure. Our private room has marble floors, a renovated bathroom, a TV, a balcony that looks over Plaza del Carmen, and best of all, the main door to the hostal can’t be opened unless the door is answered by someone, which makes me feel MUCH better about staying in a hostal. (For those keeping track, it’s called Hostal Acapulco.)

Our balcony and view. 

If you’re wondering why I am in Europe, I’ll fill you in. The next two months I will be all over Europe traveling with one of my very best friends, Katie Kruse. We will be attending the Universidad de Valencia through the ISU on the Mediterranean program and are taking Beginner’s Spanish and Spanish Film (taught in English) courses for the next six weeks. Together we will live with a host family, whom we will meet on Sunday.

Today's people watching location. AMAZING.

Tomorrow, we will meet up with the rest of the group from Iowa State and begin our first excursion weekend around Madrid. Today/tonight, Katie and I are on our own. We’ve spent three hours wandering around the windy streets of Madrid, drinking delicious coffee with steamed milk and chocolate, and people watching (SO MUCH FUN). The last 24 hours has been spent in airports and on planes, but we’re thankful we made it and our luggage did too!

My yummy coffee!

Katie and I about to check our bags in Kansas City. 

Best Part of Today: I am one of those people that everyone hates that enjoys chatting on planes. (HOWEVER, my airplane seat buddy for eight hours started a conversation with me, so I am not at fault this time…) I sat by the greatest guy ever. Some cool things about him are: He is in his third year of residency and had just gotten off a 25 hour call, he was at Harvard when Zuckerberg was and was on Facebook the day after he created it, he was in a FINALS CLUB there (watch “The Social Network”), he laughed at my stupid jokes, and he was headed to three night wedding in Seville for a college buddy…. Even though he was 30 and huge compared to me, I think I might marry that man.

RIP dear sunhat... #SunhatSelfie

Worst Part of Today: I carried the adorable wide-brimmed sunhat my mom and I got at Target with me through all the airports and when we made it to Madrid I went to the bathroom and hung it on a hook in the stall…. I left the stall without the hat and now it’s gone forever. :( My jetlagged alter ego was nearly in tears (seriously though…).

During the next couple months, I plan to keep anyone who cares informed of all the ridiculous things I’m doing, embarrassing moments because of my lack of communication skills, and any fun travel stories. I promise it won’t be historically based and boring, so stick with me and I’ll take you all over Europe, too. :)