Day One.

         Let's begin at my flights. Overall my flights were pretty good. But i've decided that I hate landings, and this is not because the plane from Houston to Newark fish tailed on the runway when we landed. No, I absolutley hate landings because they feel sick! Droppping elevation that quick and then they tilt it left and then tilt it right and spin around in a circle to land on the runway. Gag, it makes my stomach sick thinking about it. And having to do that three times in one day. It's like getting three bad hangovers one after the other!....Cough cough, but uhhh mom/dad I meant what I THINK would be a hangover, right?  =)

         The worst part is I couldn't sleep what-so-ever. The flight from Newark to Madrid had me completely paranoid because of the passanger next to me. I blame my paranoia on the fact that the last two weeks I was home everyone felt the need to tell me how to be careful and what to look at for,but I am grateful because I know it only means you guys care. It also might of had something to do with the fact that I watched "Taken" on the plane....I know I don't know why I would do that to myself. BUT back to my paranoia, the man next to me looked just like Jordi Mollà, out of Bad Boys II (don't know who that it look it up). Seriously, I could feel his piercing eyes watching my every move! So needless to say my brain was on overlaod thinking through everything that I was told in the last two week. What have I learned, don't watch scary movies on plane rides, and listen to advise friends and family give but don't let it make you paranoid or else you'll find yourself with no sleep haha. So silly and that's not even where the fun begins!
    
             Ok so I get to Madrid, all of my bags made it (thank you baby Jesus), and I go through customs and just on the other side awaits my driver, Alfredo. He thought I was crazy and not wearing enough clothes, but it's ok because I thought he was a crazy driver. Before I even got into the Shuttle Van I noticed the mirror was being held up with Duck Tape (one thing that the World has in common-DUCK TAPE). Once we got on the road it was very clear as to why that mirror was being held up with tape. Alfredo was weaving in and out of traffic like he was a nascar driver. And half the time he would drive down the middle of two lanes. All I could think of was mom and aimee screaming " Pick a lane!". Once we arrived at the apartment he was kind enough to unload my bags into the middle of the street and take off.

         So there I am, my whole 108 pound self, with a bag that weighs forty-four pounds and my carry-on that weighs close to twenty. I go climbing up three flights of stairs to apartment 3b, pulling behind me the weight of a good sized child, to find that the company I went through to find this place did not have anyone there to meet me with the keys. Fatigue, lack of sleep, and panic set in! My phone would not call out, it kept flashing Emergency calls only... I'm screaming at my phone, " This is an emergency!!!!". I'm looking around myself trying to think of what my options were. I had no phone and no way to get into my apartment. I couldn't just leave my bags there or ask anyone to watch them while I hunted down a phone to call Sal y Ven. I could of tried to drag everything with me, but I was so exhausted I might have passed out in the middle of the road. So I knock on one the the apartment doors and kindly ask if they could call me a taxi. The gentlemen was very kind and did. Taxi arrives and he asks where I need to go. Quick where do I go?! I need a phone and internet to try and get ahold of people and I so badly wanted to shower and sleep. I spit out, "Necesito un hotel." The driver kindly replys," which one?" I don't know!!!!!! So frustrating, I wanted to break down in tears at this point, but the gentlemen that called the taxi came out and told him to take me to a nice one that wasn't too far. And I'm pretty sure he added, "it looks like she needs a shower".

         GREAT! By now it's been less then 5 hours since I landed and I already look like a silly American. By this time I'm thinking I should of let my roommate Meredith get to spain first, haha. None the less, the taxi driver and I take off. He drove almost just as scary as my previous driver, Alfredo. We pull up to a very nice hotel and I get a room, thank the Lord for Visa it really is everywhere you want to be. Finally, a bed and a shower. I get on skype to inform my family what is going on. I check facebook to see all the lovely messages. I call Sal y Ven and no one answers their phone, awesome, but I'm to tired to really care at this point. I'm just glad I have a place to stay tonight. And then just when I thought I was going to have to stay in this hotel all week, Isabel the lady that was suppose to meet me with the keys, messages me on facebook. I call her cell phone from the hotel and find out she showed up 5 minutes after I left! Ha ha. She arranged for someone bring the keys to the hotel.

         So now I am comfortably laying in my hotel room with the keys to my apartment. I think I'm going to make it guys. I am dreading that three story climb again tomorrow, BUT I have made it!

P.s. sorry this was a long post, but considering everything that has happened in 24 hours I'd consider it a short post haha.

                                                            Until next time,
                                                                      Kimee paige

Press on. Obstacles are seldom the same size tomorrow as they are today. - Robert H. Schuller