Long Day

Slept like the redwood forest last night! I guess the bed was comfy or I could've just been knocked out from being away for over 30 hours....

Got up this morning and took Bilbobus (the local bus) to the university with the other students from the building. (Everyone here is really nice and cool too!!! Especially my roomie, Molly) We had a short orientation and the BAM! Spanish placement exam....might as well have been in Russian cuz I didn't know what the bleep I was doing. Oh well, they told us not to worry - I just hope I get credits for everything. The entire staff is very patient and willing to help. They know plenty of English but of course to help us learn, everything is in Spanish.

Had lunch at a hotel (provided by CIDE, the university) and then went in small groups on a little tour of Bilbao. Guillermo, my guide, showed us a few historical landmarks, pleeeennnttttyyy of bars, and some of the shady places we should avoid. And then came the cell phone drama. A few of us went to Vodafone and Movistar, some popular mobile phone places here and between our lack of Spanish, their lack of English and small selection, it was very difficult at times. The prices seemed a little steep and you can't buy "minutes" like you can in the US. You just put money on it. I decided to wait and shop around, which proved to be a good idea. I'm sure I'll pick one up in the next few days to keep in touch with all the cool people I'm meeting!

Tired as usual, came back and napped it up and then went to another interesting dinner experience that begins every night at 830PM. Some notes on meals:
-mystery vegetables
-lots of bread
-only beverage is water
-deisgnated napkin cubbies.....that's right. You get a cloth napkin to use and then you keep it and put it in your cubbie. They take them out twice a week and wash them. I find it very interesting and funny. New napkin day is always exciting!
Fortunately, I'm not a picky eater, and the food here is free so I'm not about to go spend a lot of money on restaurants. The girl son my floor and I all went out for some ice cream and explored our surroundings (10+ bars in 2 blocks)

Should be veeerrrry interesting. I feel like I always have so much to write, but at this point am still completely wiped out. Stay tuned. ¡Buenas Noches!