Long time, no see

I haven't seen or talked to my intercambios (spanish language partners/friends) in a long time, so this email that Carlos, my under-the-table intercambio from the English school, made my day.

First in Spanish, then I translate...

Hola Melissa!
Primero de todo, siento haber tardado tanto tiempo en escribirte y
quedar contigo!! He estado muy ocupado con el trabajo y la universidad,
apenas he tenido tiempo de nada.
Si te apeteciera alguna tarde quedar para practicar un poco de
inglés-español, me lo dices. O bien si prefieres que te acompañe y te
enseño algun pueblo o ciudad cerca de Alicante que no hayas visto, como
Elche por ejemplo. Lo que te apetezca y cuando tengas tiempo, sin
compromiso.
Un beso y lo siento de nuevo!


Hey Melissa!
First of all, I am sorry for letting so much time pass before writing you and hanging out! I have been very busy with work and school, and I haven't had time for anything.
If you'd like to hang out some day to practice a bit of english-spanish, let me know. Or, if you'd like, I can go with you to one of the neighborhoods or towns around Alicante that you haven't seen yet and show you around, like Elche (a town nearby Alicante) for example. Whatever you want and whenever you have time, no questions asked.
Kisses and again, I am so sorry!


Isn't that so sweet! At first I was not looking forward to these "dead days" of my 18 day (!) spring break when my parents left and I returned to Alicante without a USACer in sight, but I think I'll use the time to hang out with my intercambios that I haven't seen in forever!

Worst Trip Ever.

So apparently the group flight from LA to London (for the Madrid tour) had some major issues. First it was delayed. Then when they got to London (super early in the morning), their connecting flight to Madrid was cancelled to to weather. They had to wait in the airport for several hours. The group of affected students went together to the British Airways Kiosk and demanded that they be put on the next flight. They got tickets for the 10am or something like that. They waited until that time, then checked the screens only to find that it too was cancelled. Then they finally took the late evening flight and arrived in Madrid at 2am the following day, with little to no sleep for the past two days.

Then, when they got to Madrid, all of those students from the group LA flight found out their luggage was lost. Every single person, including 7 people here in Alicante, a few in Bilbao, and a few in the San Sebastian program, has been living on what they brought in their carry-on for the past ten days or so.

So, in the end, what I am trying to say is, THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T ME!

Read the following email (that we got today) from the Spain Director of USAC (who is stationed in Reno)

Hola Spain students,

I am so happy that everyone is settling into your new lives in Spain and that most of you are getting your lost luggage back. I’m very sorry for all the chaos this spring, but unfortunately, weather leaves us in unpredictable situations sometimes.

I want to let you know that if your luggage was lost, there is a good chance that you can be reimbursed for the clothing you had to purchase to make up for what you didn’t have (usually between $300 and $600 but varies on the each airline’s rules). For those who lost your luggage, you will want to file your own claim directly with the airline.

If you were on the group flight through Travel Cuts, you will file this claim with British Airways at: www.britishairways.com or locally with Iberia Airlines in Spain. You will want to use your claim number to receive any reimbursement. They will ask you many questions about your luggage and may ask for any receipts of purchases. I do strongly recommend to do this (even though it is a pain) so you can get some money to help you with the added expenses you went through.

Let myself or your Resident Director know if you have any questions. I hope you all are doing well and settling into your new Spanish lifestyle. I hope this was merely a rocky start to a wonderful semester!


Johanna Bailey
Program Advisor: Spain, Malta, Ghana & India;