Getting Settled

Hi everyone! Just thought I'd start a blog to let everyone know how things are here on the island! Where to begin.... ? Well, when I first got into Palma I thought this place was too good to believe. As I stepped out of the airport I was surrounded by palm trees, blue skies, and beautiful weather. One of my roommates picked me up at the airport which was very helpful (considering I had planned on winging it when I got in), and from there it was only a short 5-minute bus ride to my apartment, which is right in the city.

I've been here for a little over a week now and things are all starting to come together. I now share an apartment with three other girls, one other seattle-ite from the program named Carly, one girl who has grown up on the island (Helena), and another Spanish girl from the province of Galicia (Encarna). I feel so blessed to have come across these girls! First off, I will have so many opportunities to improve my Spanish. Helena actually studied in the United States for a while and speaks English very well, but Encarna only speaks Gallego and Castellano (Spanish). So, while at home we all try to speak only in Castellano. We already get along so well :) Helena actually is sensitive to gluten and dairy too, and she has helped me to find gluten and dairy-free products here. I swear, they have an even bigger selection here than they do in the states! I was really surprised. I even found gluten-free beer :) We have already begun to plan trips to the mainland together too... Im thinking this living situation is going to work out perfectly.

I love the school I work at. Its called CP Eugeni López i López. The teachers have all welcomed me with open arms and have been so helpful. Before I arrived here I was contacted by Joana, the main English teacher at the school, and she offered to come pick me up at my place and show me personally how to get to where I needed to go. I am helping in two 3rd, two 5th and two 6th grade English classes. It's really cool because they try and teach many subjects in other languages here. Kids as young as 3 begin taking classes in English, Catalán, and Castellano here, and many of their normal subjects are taught in a different language. For instance, Im helping the 3rd graders do arts and crafts in English! Its really fun, and the kids are really great. Some of the girls were already hanging on me after the first day :)

I am situated in the perfect location. It takes me about 15 minutes to walk to my school, and 15 minutes to walk to beach in the other direction. I went to one of the main beaches on Paseo Marítimo the other day. Didnt make it until about 5:30 or 6:00 and the water was still great :) I'm going to try and make it to some less-touristy beaches here in the next couple weeks while the weather is still great.

Well, that's about all for now.... Hope all is well in the States and I'll try and keep you all updated on what's up in Mallorca. ¡Adios!