Half the battle is almost over - Thurs Nov 5 - En route to Jaén

Waiting for the train in Madrid


After navigating my way back to the train station, I made it onto the train that will take me to Jaén.  Upon buying my ticket for this train, I was informed that only 20kg (45 lbs) of luggage was allowed per person.  I had about thrice that amount, but he said the 20kg was only "en teoría, en teoría" (in theory, and that it wouldn't really affect me).  Well here I am on the train along with all my luggage, all is well, except the girl next to me is sitting in my window seat.

Traveling South, looking West from the train

The 4-hour train ride was nice.  Spain has some interesting countryside as you travel south.  Much of it has a reddish hue, almost like a desert, but with a constant scattered greenery, and even some cactus.  All the soil is tilled and looked after, and there were what looked like various tree farms and windmills.

I didn't have the slightest clue as to what to do as I reached Jaén.  I didn't have Amy's phone number (the other American girl teaching here), and I didn't know the city, and once again I would have to haul all my luggage.

I headed for the nearest locutorio (internet and phone center) and started looking for places to live, then found Amy's number and gave her a ring.  She came and met me and we went to her place where I promptly napped for 4 hours.

Upon awakening, we headed for the apartment of 3 Spanish gentlemen that Amy had met when trying to find a place.  In fact, she wanted to live in this room, but her current landlord would not allow her to leave without a hassle, so she decided against it.  I had seen this very ad online and responded to it, quite the coincidence that Amy happened to have their phone number and address.

So I went there, met them all, everything looked good, went back to Amy's, collected my things, and now I'm getting setup here in my new room in an apartment with 3 other Spanish students.

My room

The kitchen