As I sit here wondering what words can encapsulate what I’ve experienced since my departure January 16^th almost two months ago, it becomes increasingly difficult.  I have seen and done so much that mere pictures and words can not do it all justice.  I should probably start at the beginning and with basic information.

            I arrived in Madrid, on January 16^th, 2008.  The second day here we were already traveling, to Segovia that was.  And so began the endless cathedrals and architecture dating before the conception of our own country.  Upon our return we were faced with registering for classes, the options being taking program classes (with other students), classes at the Universidad Complutense (90.000 students from all over Europe) or a combination of classes in both.  I chose the combined path.  So here I am, Jon Funston from Indiana taking classes full of students from Penn State, Harvard, and Unv. of Michigan and other classes with foreigners who share only a common language in Spanish.

            Not wanting to bore all the avid soccer blog readers with relentless facts and information of , I will keep this short.  I’ve seen everything from Raul of Real Madrid score his 200^th goal, genuine gypsies dance flamenco in caves to the last Muslim stronghold in Europe.  I’ve slept in a hostel that was once boarding for church guests in the 16^th century.  Oh, and I live with a Senora, who cooks paella every Sunday, in one of the top cities for tourism in the world.  Not bad for just two months.

Jonathan Funston
Wabash College '09