When Type A me takes on Spain

I apologize in advance for the whiny nature of the following paragraph...

This week I have attempted to go to class. I say attempted, not because I don't want to go, but because I have time and time again showed up to the wrong room filled with the wrong people at the wrong hour. What? I sat for hours last week sorting through the endless number of pdfs, webpages, and non-sensible charts sorting out where and when a variety of classes I think I want to take were. I showed up to more than a few, only to realize that the time or location had changed! Because of the system here at UPNA, most students are sorted into a group by major and that group takes all of their courses together. This group system is how people know what classes they are to take, the time those classes will be held, and where the class is located. I am not in a group. In fact, I am taking 5 classes from 5 different groups. It's a miracle that I found courses that don't overlap, but now I just have to get to them. I have always taken for granted the simple and descriptive way of registration at MC. You walk in, give them your name and ta-da, there you have a printed piece of paper listing where and when your classes are. When you register online, its even easier because you get to put all the classes you might want to take in your "cart" and in no time you can view a calendar that shows you the overlapping times. I am trying so hard to be patient and honestly I guess this is why exchange students have until the end of February to register, but it kills me. I WANT to go to class, I want to learn, be immersed in Spanish, and make some new friends!

It's not all bad though. The classes that I have found successfully, have been great and I am enjoying them a lot! There was one not so great one but we're just not going to talk about it. By the looks of my current schedule (I think I finally have it right!), I will be done by 2:30 every Thursday (travel time for Brittany!). Things are working out and I know that by registration, all will be well, I just cant help but to be a little discouraged when I show up to school and I missed the course by 2 days!

Elevator!

View from the top of the
elevator

Now that I have finished ranting about courses, I have a few good stories to share! I have a great friend here who lives in the US, but has also has ties here in Pamplona; she is living with her grandmother this semester and knows quite a bit about the area. I've realized living in a city that I am actually quite horrible at directions! Imagine that! Isabel can always get us home though and she has also taken me to a few cool places around the city. Last weekend we walked for a bit on the historical pilgrimage route, El Camino de Santiago, this route passes through Pamplona for a bit. On our walk we saw parts of the city, El Portal de Francia, a cute bridge, crossed a sort of bridge, and took a public elevator that takes you from one part of the city to another! I felt like Charlie in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory! I love getting out and exploring parts of town!

Dinner group!

One night I had a few friends over for dinner and it was a blast! We were such a diverse group (Chile, USA, Australia, Switzerland, and Germany) but yet we were able to connect and converse through our knowledge of Spanish (some are much better than others cough...cough... I've got a lot of improving to do). We sat around, ate dinner and just talked. I think that is my favorite part of this experience so far, the opportunity to meet and get to know and care for people from across the globe! It is so exciting to know that on all of the continents excluding Antarctica, I have friends to visit someday! It makes this big scary world just that much smaller. I am in the process of planning some trips for weekends and I will keep you all posted, for now I have class (at least I think I do).

Family!

I am also continuously thankful for the mentors here in Pamplona who have helped the transition logistically and through providing fun ways to meet and mingle with new people! They have honestly made being in a new country, at a new school, and in a new culture so much easier and fun. I am so grateful to have them here along the way!

I also got my first piece of mail! Grandparents are the best and family pictures make me miss home a little less (So does watching the Hannah Montana Movie with my Flatmates on a Tuesday night)