Here is my first journal entry where I actually have time to write something. It is my 6th day in Spain. I am writing during the siesta, but it is so hot there is no way I can possibly sleep. This is a fantastic adventure, but when I decided to do this, I don't think I had any idea what I was getting into. My first week has had a lot of ups and downs, not being able to understand is tricky, but Spain is amazing and I'm having a great time!! This weekend is a huge celebration, it is a local holiday, meaning that it is just for Salamanca. It is a celebration of the virgin de la vega, which I know nothing about, other than that she is "the" saint for Salamanca. I think I am going to learn a lot about catholocism while I am here. Tonight I am going out with my profesores and the other student for a big welcome dinner, and there is no school tomorrow. I love my teachers and my classes, they are so much fun!! There are 11 students in my school, and we are all from Montana State. I love my host "family" although I wasn't sure at first. My señora has 4 apartments that she rents out to students, and I live in one of the rooms in the same apartment she lives in. We all come together for "comida" (a big lunch at 2:30pm) and "cena" (a slightly smaller dinner at 9pm). I think she might understand a tiny bit of English, but she knows the importance of us being here, and thus virtually prohibits English (from what I can tell) I am starting to understand more and more when she talks, but our conversations are incredibly strained and slow with my trying to understand and speak with her. I love living with other students, our conversations are wonderful, and since some of the people are from other places in Europe (like Belgium and Switzerland) and are trying to learn Spanish to, we practice together a lot. Some of the students are Spanish, and they help us a lot, so it's a very good situation for me. I am never lonely because Ana, my señora, takes in every stray animal she finds on the street, thus we live with 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 kittens. My favorite we call "la negrita" she is a tiny black kitten ana found in the street, and she smells and is so sick, and she has parasites and diarhea. To top it off she loves to sleep in my bed.... However I think she will be OK, because Ana gave her some worm medicine. Jonathan I didn't take your advice, because my friend Mari from Belgium wanted to go to the piscina, and I went with her, and now I am afraid I'm going to get an ear infection. I wouldn't have gone if there were a playa nearby but.. Oops. Tell me what medicine you took in case I get it!! I'm terrified. My favorite phrases in Spain that I have learned is "no pasa nada" and "tranquila" and "no te preocupes" All of them mean "Don't worry" and people use them all the time to make you feel more comfortable. Ok, I wrote a lot, so I'm going to leave it at that, but I can't wait to talk to everyone. My mailing address is: Rebecca Rhyan c/o Ana Blanco c/ San Patricio, 8 1̊H 37002 Salamanca, Spain and my phone number: +34.923.211.210 just remember I am 6 hours later than those of you in NY, and 8 hours later than you in Montana, and I can't receive calls after 11:30 pm here. (23:30 - all the time is on the 24 hour clock!) E-mail me your address if you want a postcard!! Also, I really wish I had brought more pictures, so if you want, e-mail me some!! Or even better, I promise mail from Spain to everyone who sends me mail here =) Take care!!