After all the time I spent trying to think of a creative introduction apologizing for such a terrible lack of blogging, I only came up with this. Sorry.
The trip.
So finally after all of the packing, re-packing, packing once again, and final goodbyes I was on my way. It was weird going to visit the school wearing a visitor's pass my last day in town. I didn't get to say goodbye to everyone, but as I mentioned before- I will be back.
So Monday night we drove the three hours to the twin cities. Thankfully we only had to turn around once, fifteen minutes out of town. Note to Self: take your credit cards out of the copier after copying them. You
just might need the originals for them to work.
In the cities I met Grace, and it was so weird to think of how time flies- just the other day I was wishing her a farewell to Germany. That night I got about three hours of sleep, waking up at around 3:30 AM to catch my 7:00AM flight. After saying goodbye before security I had no thoughts, tears, nothing. It would have been simpler if someone would have told me what to do. How do you just walk away from your life? Everything that you've ever known- and change to the unknown. Where can you get instructions for that?
My flight to New York City was amazingly on time, as the flight was not as weird or dramatic as some people may think. Keep your focus and you're fine... But focus on what? Where you're going? Where is that? Just a name you've seen on paper. Perhaps a few pictures.
The less you think about it, the better.
New York City. Wow. And no, you cannot see the Statue of Liberty when you fly in. At least, I didn't. After claiming my bag (singular- and in ONE bag.) and taking a shuttle, I found my way to the baggage claim spot where all of the AFS kids meet. I arrived about 10:30AM NYC time, and in a nutshell was there until 3:00PM. Thankfully a few minutes after arriving there another student going to France was also early, and shortly after another student going to Spain. Volunteers didn't come until about an hour or two later, so it was like an AFS party at baggage claim. But that's cool.
The other students were all doing just fine as well. Being with other kids doing the same thing as you? Amazing. It was Part 1 of the reality we were all going off on our own. Picking up your bags and leaving. Literally.
It made me feel older than college students.
College. That's kid's stuff.
Oh what a major event in one’s life. The high school graduation ceremony- stating that you’ve officially done something with your life, and have successfully
not become a bum on the street. It’s the stepping stone declaring that you’re not a little kid anymore, and have moved on to adulthood. And then your graduation party- visit from friends, family, your parent’s friends, people you’ve never seen before, (but got the invitation on Facebook..) people who are there for the food, people who bring you nice gifts, and lots of goodbyes- guest books, cards, farewells, and most important- “good luck.”
But where are you going?
College of course. The scary place where everything is different and you are
on your own.That’s funny.
‘But seriously!’ College is known for the time when you are off on your own. I am wrong? Isn’t it the time when you get all your scrapbooks out, look back at your childhood, and try to convince yourself you are now on your own? If you screw up, it’s your own fault now. You’re on your own to figure out how not to gain the freshman fifteen.
You’re right, America. College is a big chapter to your life. But you are most certainly not on your own. "On your own" and "Understanding" have two totally new meanings now. I will never view college the same again.
So back to my story. Orientation.
The hotel we stayed at was nice, and there were other AFSers there going to Egypt, Turkey, Switzerland, France, (biggest group of 50..4?) Austria, and a few other countries. All of the students going to Spain were there, and it was a lot of fun to get to know the other students.
Orientation was really a good thing. We didn't see the outside world for like two days but in the end I am really glad that AFS has this orientation. Not only do you get time with the other students, (and trust me, we had spare time. too much, but all in good fun) you start to understand the reality of your situation. You start to see other students say goodbye to their parents, (the ones who were lucky enough to be able to drive to the hotel...) get the opportunity to talk to current AFSers, and others who went on exchange before. Photo credited to Sarah Schooler
A turning point and possibly my favorite part of orientation is when a staff member asked all of us-
"So who here has talked to people or has friends who think you are completely crazy for going on exchange?"
Every single hand was raised.And that in itself, made my day.
We flew to Switzerland, and later we caught our flight to Madrid. From NYC to Zurich our pilot introduced himself and all the rules in German and English.
"On behalf of Captain Hook and Swiss Airlines, we hope you have a great flight."
Yep, nope, not a joke. His name was Captain Hook.
The connection in Switzerland was quite fun, and a few of my friends and I bought Swiss chocolate (of course) and found out the there is a different type of currency in Switzerland. But we only found that out when we went to the second store. The first store accepted our Euros. So that was really confusing.
Arriving to Madrid was alarming. Like fire engines leaving the station. Lights, horns, and everything.
You fly from Switzerland over these beautiful mountains, and then pass through the beautiful green France, and finally get to...the Sahara Desert?!
The first thing I noticed was the non-existence of green. Anywhere. Everything is dry. And I think I saw a... plateau? Oh yeah, and there are mountains. Minus snow. So they pretty much look like big hills instead of mountains.
The Lion King could be filmed in Spain. Who would've known?
I never understood why the USA was always looked at as the "country of skyscrapers." But I completely understand why now. When you fly into Madrid, it's almost like someone designed it to be a joke to exaggerate the USA stereotype. From the airplane, you can clearly see
FOUR individual skyscrapers. In a straight line. This for some reason, was alarming. I should have expected it, but after not having sleep for I don't even know how many hours, things like this really alarm you.
Now of course I don't think much about it, and the four towers are like a center point- you know how far away or in which direction you are from the center of the city simply by looking to see you position from the towers. And ask anyone in Madrid what the four towers are. They know what you're talking about.
So after getting off the plane, someone immediately asked me for directions (who immediately walked away from me as soon as I start to speak, realizing I don't speak Spanish). So that was another red flag, as if someone were teasing you. "Look! Not only do you NOT know where you are, but you also don't speak the language as well!
Hah! Good luck!"
But no, it was good. The trip with the students went well, and I don't even think anyone lost any luggage. Not going to lie- one of my biggest fears. I forgot to mention it was quite the site watching all of us AFS kids travel in bright yellow t-shirts. From security at JFK to the hostel in Madrid- the Americans were clearly visible. I wonder what the people on our flight thought as they were waiting for the plane, watching us with our video cameras, or taking photos, playing spoons (without spoons) with wayy too many people... Not only did we have the shirts, but everyone had a number- someone would yell "Airport numbers, GO!" and 1-31 everyone would shout out their number so we could make sure we had everyone. I found this entertaining every time :)
After arriving in Madrid, going through another orientation, and spending the night, the next day we finally got to meet our host family. This opens up a completely new chapter in my AFS experience which I will continue with another blog post to follow.
So I forgot to mention, but by now (if you've made it this far) you probably have noticed that I have Internet. Wifi!!! (pronounced 'we-fee' here)I'm very excited. As long as this works I now have no excuse for not keeping my blog updated. More to come soon.
Chau!
-mb
At almost 17 it's amazing to look back and see what I've done. Accomplished. Finished. Learned. It's amazing to look back and see the places I've been, the people I've met, and the things that have changed myself as a person. I feel like this is a marker on my life timeline. The significance? Not much. Just another birthday. But for the first time when I turned around to see what has fulfilled these 17 years, there was a different feeling. 
My time here in Spain has taught me more than I know. The little things that I have gotten used to, the lessons I've learned, and most of all- the people I've met. 
There is no explanation to describe some of the friends that I have made, and how grateful I am to have them. And with this experience I have confirmed one important lesson. It's not the places you go, or the things you do- it's the people. 
Not places, or monuments. Not beaches, or mountains. Not money, not gifts. How boring would life be without being accompanied by our friends? 
The world is one, big place. Sure there are different cultures, languages, religions, or countries... but in the end, the world is our place. 
I would like to point out how much I have learned from people all over the world. My friends? I have many. From Kentucky to New York. Massachusetts to Washington. Texas to Missouri. Minnesota to Florida. England to Japan. Thailand to Germany. Italy to Norway. 
The connection between the exchange students is incredible. Exchange students are the best people to talk to. They understand everything you are going through. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to have the best group of friends anyone could ask for. 
Saturday my awesome friend Caroline got a group of students together and we went to a theme park in Madrid. Not only did she plan the party, she brought a cake. An ice cream cake. 
The thing is, we have these great ideas. But something always pops up that turns our "good idea" into a complete project or adventure. Like Caroline bought me a cake. But that required her taking it on the bus (which she had to sprint to for a heck of a long way) and then later on the metro, and finally to the theme park. Now, she brought JUST the cake so that required me 'borrowing' a knife from the Chinese restaurant we ate at. Getting the cake into the park required putting the cake (and the knife) in Mackenzie's purse. (picture above) We enjoyed our cake sitting on some nice green grass that had a 'DO NO WALK ON GRASS' sign. But of course... in Spanish. We then had no spoons/forks/napkins/plates to eat an ice cream cake. Therefore, this was the best ice cream cake experience I've ever had in my life. Oh yeah, we could at least wash our hands after eating. Phew. 
http://jakeinmadrid.blogspot.com/2010/10/afs-amistades-forjadas-para-siempre.html 
