The Journey Begins!
After making our way safely through security, we spent two hours waiting near our gate, eating food and chatting. When the boarding began, we were the first to be called up to board the plane. Talk about special treatment!
Those who headed off to search for food and drinks made sure to follow the rule of threes and not leave their groups behind.
Photo-op! Of a Photo-Op! People wanted pictures just as boarding was about to get underway.
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The plane had to hold on the tarmac for a little longer than we expected to avoid some turbulence, but the flight itself ended up being very smooth and quiet.
Nine long hours later, we got off, gathered our bags, and made our way to the shuttle bus that would bring us to Ciudad Real and the waiting host families.
During the hour and a half trip, it was finally time for that dreaded moment, when passports and (more importantly and dreadedly) cellphones were handed over to the instructor team for the rest of our stay in Spain. One by one, precious mobile devices were turned over -- but luckily, everyone was already chatting quite a bit (all in Spanish, of course!).
All great journeys must come to an end. After traveling through some light rain (somehow it's only in the seventies here this week, despite the normal desert-like nature of Ciudad Real!!?), we parked at the edge of a square in the town center. A sea of waiting host parents and siblings crowded close. Students stepped off the bus, into the chaos, and were quickly swept away to settle in and get some well-earned rest after the long trip.
And then there were none. Well, just us instructors, that is.
Tomorrow, students will have orientation, take their language test, and finally get the chance to join together in the classroom and get acquainted with their new routine for the summer. We'll be back soon with updates!