I've gotten my host family, departure date, and a million things that pertain to obtaining my visa.
Host Family
I'll start with this because I think it's the most exciting. I got my host family on April 14th, still remember the day (I know crazy right), but that day started pretty normal until my mom got a really long email in Spanish but was able to make out the quick gist of it and we both immediately ran to the computer to google translate it, as my spanish skills were nowhere near the level of that email. But to make a really long story short, I'll have three host siblings, though I won't meet one, atleast I don't think (?), because he will be in the USA while I am there, also through AFS. And two host parents, all of them I'm excited to meet of course! They've been really helpful with this whole process! So shout out to them when they read this!
I'll be living in Pamplona, Navarre! A city world famous for hosting the annual running of the bulls festival every year, though my travel dates don't coincide with the festival it's still pretty cool. And I'll live in an apartment in the city, so that's a really big change that I'm actually looking forward to! So since a lot of people I tell Pamplona about ask what region in Spain that is, I've attached a map. Also the population is about 320,000 in the metro area, so that's pretty cool. Needless to say I'm very excited to get there!
Departure
So last night actually, the 27th, I got an email from AFS saying what my official travel information consisted of, and it's pretty cool. I have to be in NYC by 4pm on the 4th, then on the 5th we, as in all the AFS students from the USA going to Spain, fly to Zurich, Switzerland for a layover of x amount of hours, then fly to Madrid and arrive on the 6th! How I'll get from Madrid to Pamplona is beyond me, bus or train maybe(?), but somehow I'll get there. So since I got my official travel info, I can start the official countdown! 68 more days, seems like a while, but I remember when it was much larger of a number.
Visa
When AFS said Spain's visa process is complicated, they didn't lie. This is a very long process. I couldn't count on one hand hand how many times I've had papers notarized, apostilled, or papers I've had to send off to some really official place. But it'll be worth it! All of this hard "visa-work" will end with a trip to your area's consulate, and by area I mean multi-state region. I got lucky, I only have to go to Houston, which is like a three hour drive, I think some people have to go 12+ hours. Also Houston's Spanish Consulate doesn't take appointments, so I think me and my mom will have to leave really early in the morning to make sure we are seen that same day.
Well until next time,
See you in 70 days, Spain.
