Thursday, with the sun, we got up and gathered our things in preparation to meet our host families.? With no information other than the address, I was more than ready to leave Madrid and get settled in Segovia.

?

When we got to the bus stop, we waited anxiously to hear our name and when mine was called, I went to meet my family.? Really, it is just my senora, Maria Carmen Jimenez, but her ex-husband drove her there and her 30-something daughter Marta was there to greet me as well.? Marta was off to work and told me that she would be by to eat lunch with me on most days; I wasn't introduced to the ex.

?

My Senora is too funny... I am her first student and, poor thing, she is SO nervous about the veggie-only thing.? She showed me a stack of papers when we first got to her apartment and told me they were a bunch of vegetarian recipies.? She had told her friends that there was an American girl (me) coming to live in her apartment for about a month and she didn't eat meat... there was an inpouring of recipies that we are going to try together.? She also took me to the grocery store because she didn't want to get fruit or yogurt or any type of "unmeat" item that I wouldn't like... I try to tell her that it really doesn't matter and that I don't want her to be troubled but she will hear none of it and then tell me that she is hoping that this new "diet" will help her lose weight.? (However we discovered that we both love bread and so we have enough carbs between the both of us to fuel the high-speed train that we took from Madrid to Sevilla.)

?

My room is nice with a big window, a desk, closets and drawers... but the only thing that is not so bueno is that there is an old little clown doll with the most horrifying face.? I am going to have to put him in a drawer or something.

?

After class on Friday I got a small bag together and walked to the apartment where my friend Nicole is staying (about 30 min from my house and only about 2 from where we have class... meaning I had already walked 1.5 hours before noon on Friday).? We got picked up by a driver (side note: this trip was planned by Nicole's friend/boyfriend Stu who had alot of money and is very friendly with it) named David who drove us from Segovia to Madrid.? David was so much fun... we talked about food (of course), the toros, beaches, vacations, food, sports, how hungry we were and finally how to navigate the train station.

?

We almost missed our train due to absentmindedness but we got on, got comfy and then we were on our way.? The AVE (the train) goes about 300 km/hr and comes with (in order from the beginning:) a drink, a newspaper, a snack, a hot towelette, a drink, a meal, dessert and, finally,?a drink.? It was a fun experience and really quick... 2.5 hours for a trip of 471 km.

?

The hotel in which we stayed in Sevilla was so wonderful... really beautiful and everyone was so nice.? Sevilla was fun... HOT HOT HOT.? I thought Madrid was Hot but I had no idea... I can't even emphasize.? The unbearable hours spanned about 2 till 10.? But we saw some beautiful architecture and then we went to a Flamenco show which just took my breath away.? Despite the horse-drawn carriges that attracted a ton of flies and the sun that was so strong I could feel the new freckles forming, it wasn't bad.? I didn't mind the heat but it was the burning sun that I didn't enjoy... thank goodness I had all of my sunscreen with me (don't worry mom).

?

So now we are awaiting our chauffeur for the final time (I wish I could have Stu plan... and pay for... a trip to Barcelona and Figueras for my long weekend).? I am glad to be heading back to Segovia, though.? I am ready to kind of get lost in the city and really feel settled... it is gorgeous, too.? There is a GINORMOUS aquaduct that I walk by everyday on my way to school... so great.? The legend is that the devil put it there, but I don't understand that because why would the devil put it there if it something that aids the city?? Oh well... anyway, Segovia reminds me more of a Guanajuato in the sense that I will more than likely run into people that I know in the street and I can walk everywhere.? I plan on leaving Saturday morning without a map and just going to figure it out.? I really can't wait.

?

Alright, now I am catching what I can of the France vs. Italy final World Cup game and it is already 1-1... bye! Love to all! xox cr

?

OH! ps... Felipe (the newly elected president of Mexico) and I have some history... I met him in Guanajuato Grill, a discoteca, when I was there! How funny is that!!!?? ok, bye.