I finally found an apartment. Yesterday, actually. I’m installed here now, and it’s pretty sweet. There are six of us here, four of whom are more-or-less French, one of whom is me, and the other of whom is an Italian I have yet to meet. (He moves in on the 1st.) All of the folks living here, except me and the girl who has been here the longest, are ERASMUS students. They’re pretty nice thus far.

My apartment is right outside of a metro stop, Goya, which is perfect for work, and located very close to El Retiro, the huge park that’s pretty famous in Madrid. It’s a pretty ritzy area, and so my room isn’t cheap — but it’s a pretty clean, fairly new flat. And it has an oven, and a dish-washer, and three bathrooms, and all sorts of great things.

Today, I moved the last of my stuff over here from Aitor’s, and took leave of his flat. I completely forgot to leave a letter thanking his flatmates; I feel really bad about it. But they were very nice; I was glad for their aid and company. I bought sheets for the bed, and a pillow (the first at Carrefour, the second at El Corte Ingles — jeez that place is expensive).

I need to decorate my room some. I haven’t thought too much about it. Mayhap if people send me postcards I will hang them. (Send me postcards! Email me for the address.) But here are some photos of the apartment, sans decoration, and in the midst of unpacking.

Also, today, we had our “orientation” with the directors of the English-language programs in the schools we’re teaching at. They talked in nice, slow Spanish the entire time, so I didn’t miss anything; it just wasn’t that interesting. Still, they seem nice, and dedicated; they told us that it’s okay if we’re not Catholic, so long as we just are respectful. Great!

I start work Thursday. Tomorrow is adventures, maybe. Also maybe opening a bank account. Another kind of adventure, no?