Hello all! This is my brand-new travel blog/letter home/diary/etc. In it, I'll be giving you all the fascinating details of my mis/non-adventures in and around Madrid. I'll post pics and stories and whatever else I feel like posting during my four months in Paella-land.

I've named my blog "Land's Movida Madrileña." For you English speakers in the blogosphere, movida means a number of things. Generally, it's either a move (like in a board game). It can also be used to talk about what you dig, i.e. "I'm into ecological stuff" (Me interesa la movida ecológica). Another way it can be used is to refer to shady activities or mishaps. In Spain, however, movida often refers to a scene, a center of cultural activity. La movida madrileña is the Madrid scene, a vibrant mix of subcultures and countercultures which exploded after the fall of the fascists and shows no sign of slowing. Hopefully I'll get to experience all possible senses of the word during my time abroad - and you'll get to experience them along with me!

I don't leave for Spain until the 26th, but I figured I'd post a bit about what I know so far. I'll be living for 3 weeks in beautiful Segovia - specifically in the village of Hontanares de Eresma (population 249). As the village's 250th resident (and only American as far as I know), I'll be staying with a novelist, his English wife, and their two daughters (ages 21 and 10). No word yet on what I'll be doing there, but it'll almost definitely be interesting.

After 3 weeks in Hontanares de Eresma, I'll go to Madrid to start school. In Madrid I'll be living down the street from Santiago Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid. I've decided to follow them this season. I think it's the neighborly thing to do. I'll probably buy the scarf, learn the song, and everything. It'll be fun! My familia madrileña will consist of the director of security for a huge chunk of the Madrid subway, his archaeologist/teacher wife, their three sons (20, 14, 9), and one of his co-workers. Their apartment is in a nice building in a very, very nice neighborhood (Paseo de la Castellana 131). Here's hoping it's massive!

Between now and when I leave, there's a TON to take care of (taking the GRE, getting my thesis work in order, cleaning, shopping, packing, and of course spending time with the friends and boyfriend). Other than that, there's not much to report as of now, but I'll have more for you later!

¡Hasta pronto!