Hola,
Well today was my first day in Madrid. Ileana and I found each other quickly at the airport, so I did not have to venture into the city alone. After navigating our way through the metro we arrived at where we will call home for the next month. The program did not want us going to our home stays until noon so we spent a two hours just sitting on benches. People gave us some pretty interesting stares. Finally, we checked in with our host family, who is a middle aged woman who lives by herself in an apartment. She speaks mostly Spanish so when I don't know whats going on Ileana translates for me (which is most of the time).
Today we spent much of the time sleep and now are planning on exporing a bit of the city. School starts bright and early tomorrow.
I am picking up my spanish again quickly but have a long way to go.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Globalization 101
Three years of political science and international relations classes have taught me to believe we live in a global world but after spending sometime planning for my trip, I believe we are far from a global world. I assumed that globalization meant that there would be an endless amount of resources for preparing for a trip abroad, ex specially to first world countries. However I have found that not to be the case. Here are a few of the problems I have come across.
First off what's the best way to take money abroad?
Well, to me cash seems a bit unsafe. I do not want to be carrying around tons of cash. So I looked into using my credit card. My US bank card would charge me 3% on every foreign transactions 3% really? I thought we lived in a globalized world. Granted some credit card companies do not charge, I was not able to obtain a card from these companies. I ended up finding a company that only charges 1% so I guess I will have to live with that.
Now to my second problem with spending money, where to exchange my cash.
I figured the large banks in town would carry Euros, however you must place an order. Wells Fargo has designated banks that carry foreign currency but because I lack an account through them I was unable to exchange my cash. Hopefully, I will have better luck at the airport but I am sure there will be a charge for the exchange.
And for my finally problem, how to contact my family once I am there?
Of course, the Internet will be my main tool for talking with my family but for those of you that know my mother, she is a worrier. Even though multiple times each year, I make the journey from San Diego to Minneapolis on my own, she has me text her when I get to the airport, right before I take off, and when I land. When I finally land in Spain I will be unable to text her. I figured that since we are so interconnected with Europe, I may be able to upgrade my phone plan to have access to it while there. After talking to Verizon, I learned I would need to order a special global phone and then pay extra for an international plan. Not having access to my phone is not the end of the world for me, but it may seem like the end of the world for my mother who texts me goodnight every night.
So you see we do not live in a completely global world. And with a limited credit history I did not qualify for a credit card with out foreign transaction fees. In my small town in Minnesota, none of the banks carried foreign currency. However, my town is on its way. Soon, the one stop shop, where everything is made by some third world country will be complete.
Now that I am ready for my trip and have over come a few small road bumps, I still do not have a solution to ease my mother's worry. I hope to find access to the Internet soon after my arrival to send an email letting her know I arrived safely.
I had an entire class on globalization, only to learn that we are not as globalized as we would like to believe. Tom Friedman was wrong, the world is not flat. It may be flattening, but for it to be truly flat you need to spend a little bit extra money.
First off what's the best way to take money abroad?
Well, to me cash seems a bit unsafe. I do not want to be carrying around tons of cash. So I looked into using my credit card. My US bank card would charge me 3% on every foreign transactions 3% really? I thought we lived in a globalized world. Granted some credit card companies do not charge, I was not able to obtain a card from these companies. I ended up finding a company that only charges 1% so I guess I will have to live with that.
Now to my second problem with spending money, where to exchange my cash.
I figured the large banks in town would carry Euros, however you must place an order. Wells Fargo has designated banks that carry foreign currency but because I lack an account through them I was unable to exchange my cash. Hopefully, I will have better luck at the airport but I am sure there will be a charge for the exchange.
And for my finally problem, how to contact my family once I am there?
Of course, the Internet will be my main tool for talking with my family but for those of you that know my mother, she is a worrier. Even though multiple times each year, I make the journey from San Diego to Minneapolis on my own, she has me text her when I get to the airport, right before I take off, and when I land. When I finally land in Spain I will be unable to text her. I figured that since we are so interconnected with Europe, I may be able to upgrade my phone plan to have access to it while there. After talking to Verizon, I learned I would need to order a special global phone and then pay extra for an international plan. Not having access to my phone is not the end of the world for me, but it may seem like the end of the world for my mother who texts me goodnight every night.
So you see we do not live in a completely global world. And with a limited credit history I did not qualify for a credit card with out foreign transaction fees. In my small town in Minnesota, none of the banks carried foreign currency. However, my town is on its way. Soon, the one stop shop, where everything is made by some third world country will be complete.
Now that I am ready for my trip and have over come a few small road bumps, I still do not have a solution to ease my mother's worry. I hope to find access to the Internet soon after my arrival to send an email letting her know I arrived safely.
I had an entire class on globalization, only to learn that we are not as globalized as we would like to believe. Tom Friedman was wrong, the world is not flat. It may be flattening, but for it to be truly flat you need to spend a little bit extra money.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Intro
I am not one to get into the latest trends. I do have a facebook but I have yet to get twitter, a smart phone, or even my own ipod. So a blog was the last thing I ever thought I would be writing. I was inspired by a friend who is also writing about her many adventures abroad this summer.
Hopefully, my friends and family will be able to stay up to date with my many adventures through my blog.
For those of you that do not yet know here is a summary of my plans for Summer 2010:
First off I will be studying Spanish in Madrid during the month of June. After that, I will continue my adventure to Rome, Southern France, Paris, Germany, and where ever else my trip takes me. My trip ends July 28th when I will be flying back to Minnesota to spend the rest of my summer working to pay off my travels. Of course I am taking donations for my trip. Currently, my number one sponsors are good ol' Ma and Pa. Thanks mom and dad.
That's basically it. Follow my blog to explore Europe with me and my many adventures of trying new cuisine, experiencing new cultures, seeing the various sites of Europe, and attempting to use my Spanish.
Hopefully, my friends and family will be able to stay up to date with my many adventures through my blog.
For those of you that do not yet know here is a summary of my plans for Summer 2010:
First off I will be studying Spanish in Madrid during the month of June. After that, I will continue my adventure to Rome, Southern France, Paris, Germany, and where ever else my trip takes me. My trip ends July 28th when I will be flying back to Minnesota to spend the rest of my summer working to pay off my travels. Of course I am taking donations for my trip. Currently, my number one sponsors are good ol' Ma and Pa. Thanks mom and dad.
That's basically it. Follow my blog to explore Europe with me and my many adventures of trying new cuisine, experiencing new cultures, seeing the various sites of Europe, and attempting to use my Spanish.
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