New place, new people

Phew! The last two days have been a blur!

Sunday consisted of church, and lots of it. At 11am, we went to the Ciculo de Esparanza (circle of hope) which is like the Madrid branch of the body of believers that the Bundys are connected to here in Spain. Everyone seemed excited that I was there to be a part of the church for a while. After a time of worship and the message given by Bruce, we had a big lunch there at the church and what they called a "work meeting," in which everyone discussed all of the things that were necessary to keep the church functioning, divvying out responsibilities.

By this point in the day, my head was pretty much mush from concentrating so hard, trying to understand what was being said.

This mush-head syndrome has been striking often since I got here, and Sunday was the peek so far.

Before and after the service I was introduced to lots of people, and even spent about 10 minutes talking to an elderly gentleman, though I have know idea what we were talking about.

I recognized some faces from home group Friday night, but I was also introduced to a plethora of new people, and after hearing more names than I can remember and receiving more kisses on the cheek than I can count, we headed out and got on the road to Hoyo, where the other church has an evening service. I admit, I remember very little from that service, I was trying very hard not to go unconscious. I even picked a seat that was up against the wall, so I could wedge myself there and dedicate all my energy to keeping my eyelids open.

Today, I had my first day of classes at the inhispania school. I was pretty proud of myself for finding the place on time and without any trouble--it was my maiden voyage on the Madrid underground (subway), and I was pleased that my previous experiences in Germany and London had prepared me well for Madrid's subway system.

I think my classes are going to be helpful, just because they are official "learn spanish" spaces, where it's encouraged to speak, and no one cares if you sound like a silly foreigner, because that is what you are, and without you, the people teaching you wouldn't have jobs. However, my professor speaks very rapidly--faster than anyone I've met yet--which seems to be an unfortunate trait in someone who is teaching Spanish as a second language. Ah, well.

The high point of my time at class was actually during the break, where I got to talk to one of my fellow students in a language I understand--German. There are 3 Italians, a Brazilian, a Russian, and a German in my class, and so during the break we chatted it up in German, talking about how Spanish was hard, and the professor talked really fast, etc. It was nice to understand without straining for once, and kind of fun to speak in a language that everyone around me couldn't understand!

Now I am here in my new room. Actually, in my temporary new room. I am staying in it until the guy who is in the room I was supposed to have moves out. But it's ok, because my temporary room mate is a cool polish guy named Thomas. He even speaks good English, so if I need a break from Spanish, he is willing to throw in some English. Even better though is that he wants to practice Spanish, so I won't be tempted to only speak English.

Now I'm just sitting in my room, listening to the sounds of the city, overlooking a street that never sleeps, and hoping and praying that God knows what I am doing in this big city, in a foreign country. May his wings cover me.