What NOT to bring

You always hear or see "what to bring" guides when traveling. Well, let me suggest a few things you don't need to bring...for starters, everything you own, including simple cosmetics, toiletries and accessories that weigh down your luggage and our readily available in developed countries like Spain. We could barely eve walk in our room with all our stuff. Ngoc and I finally arrived in Huelva after hauling our luggage all over Madrid. I can not even imagine to begin what the trek would've been like without help from friends. We endured a city bus ride with our luggage rolling around and trying not to take out standing passengers, hauled our luggage to the metro and through the metro station than walked to Julio's piso in Madrid. Unfortunately, that trip had to be replicated on our way to Huelva. I was sadly informed we had a 7 hour bus ride to Huelva. I met a boy from Huelva on the bus, Valentine, who wanted to practice his English with me, I wonder where he got the impression I even spoke English? He later told me I looked as American as they come....so much for fitting in with the locals :( He was very cute and told me the Huelvan high school boys are “malos, malos, malos!” I'm nervous about working in a high school because everyone has told me the boys will be tough and difficult. After teaching tennis all summer all day to little kids I think I'm prepared for rambunctious boys. Our piso is nice and close to the downtown which is very convenient. We're off to explore and familiarize ourselves with our new home.
Un beso,
Allison :)

Don't know what to put here

It's 11:04 am here on Monday, in Huelva, Spain. We arrived yesterday after a LONG bus ride from Madrid, but we are here, safe and sound. After our Madrid trip I felt as if we've been here in Spain for a long time but it hasn't even been a week yet. I'm excited to get to work and actually work on my Spanish. Being around people that speak English, has made it incredibly hard to speak Spanish. Huelva seems to be a really small place which will be nice since we don't need a car... good thing since I have yet to learn to drive a manual, and I didn't have any room to pack my Honda-CRV. Today we have just a day of getting things done, and I hope we can do them all. I have yet to set up the phone, but I'm looking to do that today, so hopefully you guys can call me soon!!!!

Other than that, life continues here in Spain as everyone is getting ready to go to work or back to school. Life here is a lot slower than it is in Seattle, but I think it is something I need... my last 4 years have been go, go, go and hopefully this year of slowing things down will help me appreciate there is much more to life besides work and school. I miss everyone and always wished you guys were here and hope you haven't replaced me. Hasta pronto!

Besos, 

Ngoc :) 

Madrid

Ngoc and I arrived safely in Madrid on Wednesday to beautiful Spanish skies and warm weather. I was treated to champagne and "1st class" pastries on the flight for my birthday which was very fitting as I am a champagne baby afterall. Our friend picked us up at the airport in which the challenge began to try and fit Ngoc's and mine 6 big bags of heavy luggage and 2 overstuffed backpacks into a small European car. One might say we overpacked by about 100 pounds or so....maybe 1 tanktop too many. My dad informed me Spaniards do in fact have washing machines and that it wasn't necessary to take enough clothes for 9 months. Despite the tremendous amount of luggage Ngoc and I brought we have both lamented over several items we were forced to leave at home. We spent Thursday sightseeing and went to El Escordial which was King Felipe's II house. It was quite beautiful and full of breathtaking artwork and architecture throughout the palace. Later we saw La Valle de los Caidos where Franco is buried which was also quite a site. We're now visiting with Julio also in Madrid who lives right downtown. We're fully embracing the Spanish lifestyle of laziness, daily siestas and dinner after 10. Tomorrow we'll walk through the downtown and see the city. Then its time for a little birthday fiesta with some of Julio's friends. We're greatly enjoying Spain so far and excited to get to our Home, Huelva, soon.
Un beso,
Ngoc y Ally

I can't believe it's here

... tomorrow we'll be on our way to Spain, and right now I can't really find the words to express how I feel... excited to be returning to Spain, but sad to be leaving behind friends and family. I guess my whole year has been full of excitement, and the sadness didn't set in until now. I've thought about everything I'm going to miss... my sister's gymnastics season, sunday football games, hot dogs, my mom's food, my dad's craziness, the list goes on... but I know it will be an adventure and I'll feel better once I'm there.

For now, I'll just take in these last moments and tell myself one year isn't that long of a time, and I know everyone will come visit... right?

Un abrazo fuerte,

Ngoc :)

Night Before Christmas

After talking about living in Spain all senior year I can't believe it's now the night before our departure. People always ask me if I'm excited when I tell them I'll be living in Spain for the next year. It would be a gross understatement to say I'm just "excited." I also feel grateful and appreciatve I have this fortunate oppurtunity to live abroad and travel. I feel like a kid the night before Christmas except instead of looking forward to Santa's presents I'm looking forward to a year full of spontaneous travel, eye-opening adventures and new friendships. While studying abroad in Granada, Spain I absolutely fell in love with everything Spanish from the relaxed lifestyle, daily siestas, everyone's friendliness, and of course the best part of Spain... the nightlife!! I don't think anyone knows how to have a better time than a Spaniard. I learned a lot while studying abroad but most importantly I learned that a flight to Paris at 5:55 means 5:55 AM not 5:55 pm. All joking aside, I'm looking forward to meeting people from all around the world and having the oppurtunity to learn about new cultures. Most of all I'm excited to have an opportunity to learn about myself. I don't think any type of education or classroom setting can teach one as much as forcing yourself to leave what is familiar and comfortable and to immerse yourself in a foreign culture where you will face obstacles to overcome. I can't wait to travel the world, dance the nights away and enjoy beautiful beaches from Lagos Portugal to Athens Greece....it's going to be a great year! We hope all our friends make it over for a visit.

un beso,

Allison

Almost two weeks and counting

I can't believe it's almost here, we've been talking about this for most of the year, and in a little over two weeks, we're going to be in SPAIN!!!!!! At this moment, I'm extremely excited, but at the same time nervous, because 9 months is a lot longer than the 3 months we spent there last time. You always worry about what's going to happen at home when you're gone, and hope you don't miss out on anything... Either way, I'm ready for a change of scenary and having the chance to live in a place that I'm totally in love with... Now the next challenge is packing.... 

~Ngoc :)