December 20, 2001 - January 4, 2002

My Winter Break could be divided into several sections. On December 21, the rest of the students who were only studying in Spain for one semester flew back to the United States. I left my host family in Madrid and went to stay in the Sud Americano, which is a hostel near the Prado Museum. I spent the next six days exploring the city by myself and with my friend, Ivelina who was staying in Madrid for the year. I celebrated Christmas Eve with my host family in Madrid.

On December 27, my family arrived from the United States. I spent the rest of break touring Spain with my family. We drove to Barcelona, stopping in Segovia and Soria on the way there. We spent New Year's Eve with my host family in Segovia. Also, my host family in Madrid invited my family over so that they could meet. My family and I toured Madrid. We were in Spain on the first day that Euros were used.

On January 3, I left my family in Madrid and flew to Paris, France to begin my semester in the France Program.