Well...
I have now been in Spain for a week and 2 days and in Pamplona for a week! Let me just say I love this city! The people here are so nice and friendly and have made me feel so welcomed.
On the day I arrived, I spent an hour and a half walking up and down my street or calle and let me tell you... I must have been a sight to see, from my giant suitcase to my "tourist backpack". I'm sure lots of people got some laughs. After a few broken conversations I finally found my apartment and I love it! It is very nice and I feel at home here. Below are a few pictures for you to see:
How cool is this! I have a clothesline that works on a pulley system!
My desk!
La plaza
AEP and Study Abroad Students
I have now been in Spain for a week and 2 days and in Pamplona for a week! Let me just say I love this city! The people here are so nice and friendly and have made me feel so welcomed.
On the day I arrived, I spent an hour and a half walking up and down my street or calle and let me tell you... I must have been a sight to see, from my giant suitcase to my "tourist backpack". I'm sure lots of people got some laughs. After a few broken conversations I finally found my apartment and I love it! It is very nice and I feel at home here. Below are a few pictures for you to see:
How cool is this! I have a clothesline that works on a pulley system!
The view from my room :) 
My desk!
My apartment is in a great location because I'm in between the main city center or Plaza de Castillo (below) and the University (also below). I have realized in the past week just how much we rely on cars for transportation in the US. I walk everywhere. At first it was really exhausting but now it is much easier and actually really enjoyable. I feel like I am really getting to learn the city and the culture here by walking. I have realized in general just how wasteful of energy I am in the US and its liberating to see how life can still be enjoyable while making less of an environmental impact.
La plaza
UPNA
There is a program here called AEP and its an association of students who are from UPNA who have spent time abroad in other countries. They plan events for all of us study abroad students and so I have made a lot of friends from around the world and who have been to many places. The students really want us to enjoy our time here and are constantly planning outings with us. Our 1st night of meeting them they took us out for pinchxos (that's what they call tapas in this part of Spain) and to a discoteca. They definitely are much more used to being out late and thought I was heading out early when I left at 1:30am! Last Sunday they also organized a day trip for us to a town on the coast called San Sebastián. It was beautiful and a ton of fun! Next week is welcome week and there are activities planned for every night so I will have to report back on that.
AEP and Study Abroad Students
SanSebastián
Other final thoughts:
- My flat mate Zoe is from Australia... She's great!
- Celsius and the metric system are confusing to me but I'm figuring it all out
- Siestas are the greatest thing that I have ever encountered (and yes ALL of the stores close for 2 hours and then re-open!)
- My Spanish has improved a lot but I still have a lot of work to do!
Adiós!
