The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plain

Hola de Espana!!!!

Haha that is about the extent of my Spanish… NOT!!! So I just got back from a beautiful week in Madrid and guess what?? My Spanish comprehension and reading is totally awesome! Unfortunately I couldn’t speak Spanish very well. I had two people tell me to just speak English. It was a ton of fun, and I am so ready to tell the story. So sit back, relax, and strap yourself in for a long story.

I got in on Friday evening. By the time I clear security and customs (and got my passport stamped!! Another European country… CHECK!), I had to figure out all the Spanish signs to find the metro. I took the metro into the heart of the city which was only about a 40 minute trip. Very quick. The directions the hostel gave were very easy and I was able to find the hostel in no time at all. After checking in and unpacking, I then went in exploration of food. The city is so pretty at night and so lively. I grabbed a quick bite and was ready to crash.

Saturday morning I rose bright and early and ready to take on the city. I met the other 2 girls in my room. They were two 19 year old German girls. This was their first time at a hostel and since it was my second, they thought I was experienced at this hostel stuff lol. After showering and breakfast at the hostel, I was ready to go. The first order of business was to navigate my way, with my excellent map and Spanish skills, to Plaza Mayor. This is one of the main squares you have to see when you are in Madrid. It also happens to have the Information/Tourist center. So the tourist center was my first stop in order to get a better map and some other ideas of things to do in the city. After gathering up a lot of paperwork from the tourist office, I browsed through the many shops at Plaza Mayor. Let me tell you, after living in London for 2 months with their high prices, it was nice to see cheap and low prices! Then I walked over to Puerta del Sol, which is another major center. I was looking for the ticket office in one of the plaza’s. Unfortunately the ticket office was very much closed. That was okay. I then navigated my way over to Paseo del Prado, which was a major roadway. On the way, I passed the Congreso de los Diputados and Neptune Fountain. I passed the Prado Museum, but since it was not during the free entrance, I passed on going inside for the moment. I then found my way over to the Museo de Arte Renia Sofia. It was free to all after 2:30 so I went in and had a look around. I got to see lots of Picasso’s and Dali’s. It was so amazing. The courtyard and museum were a lot of fun. After a short rest at the hostel, I then went out to see Madrid at night. The city literally comes alive at night. There is traffic everywhere and the streets are full. I grabbed a late dinner since that is the culture in Madrid. I also got to see some of the sights at night lit up. Madrid by night is crazy. Soon it was bedtime!

Me in Plaza Mayor

Fan Dance

Day 1

I was goofy

Chess anyone??

Picasso

Courtyard of the Renia Sofia

Sunday, I again woke up nice and early. After a shower and breakfast, I then went to the Rastro Market along with my roommates. This is a famous Madrid market that happens every Sunday. It’s just streets and streets of vendors trying to sell you stuff. As a female, I had to buy a few things. I just couldn’t resist. After the market, I went in exploration of the bullring. Supposedly every Sunday from March to October there are bull fights at this ring. Well the ring was far out there. I did not realize how far until I become conscious of the fact that I had been walking for an hour and had seen over half the city. I had walked passed Alcala Gate, the Cibeles Palace, and el Parque del Retiro. I was dead tired when I got to Plaza de los Toros, but I was happy that I had not gotten lost and I had found the bullfighting ring. The downside: The bullfighting season ended the weekend before! Yeah, after I had asked two different people about bullfighting, including the tourist information specialist and they had all told me that there was a bullfight that day, I find out that instead the bullring is holding a beer festival… So not happy, and neither were my feet. I then walked all the way back because exercise is good for you and it was such a pretty day, there was no real reason to take the metro. On the way back, I got to see the National Library, which of course I loved. Who would not want to live in a building full of books??? Can we say heaven??? Yes I know, I am a huge dork, but I am okay with that! I then went back to the hostel for a rest and to give my poor feet a break. Then I went out for dinner and drinks with the roomies. I got to learn all about German high schools and the university process. It was fascinating. They have to take 11 classes and most Germans speak 3 languages. It blew my mind. We all went back and crashed.

Rastro Market

Bullring

Ole!

Care for a Dance??

NATIONAL LIBRARY

Monday I awoke, though I slept in 30 extra minutes. Being a tourist is tiring. After breakfast I went back over to Plaza Mayor. I wanted to take a walking tour of the city. I did the noon tour which was Itinerary 1. I got to see the Western part of Madrid. We went all over, including seeing the Opera Theater, the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Almudena Cathedral, and many other points of interest. The tour ended over at the Royal Palace, so afterwards I decided to talk a tour of the palace. It was so pretty. The views from the palace were amazing. I also got to see the armory, the pharmacy, and the royal rooms. Afterwards I walked to Debod Temple. They say that Debod has some of the most beautiful views of the city and its best at sunset. Though it wasn’t sunset when I went, it did have some spectacular views. It also had palm tress!!! So not only did I have 70 degree weather and spectacular views, I also got to hang out with palm trees! After chilling on a bench and people watching for a little bit, it was time to go. I then walked back over to the Plaza de la Villa where they had a free tour of the Town Hall. The tour was cool. I got to see inside the building and the rooms where the committees meet. Like usual, it was nap time, which is actually what many Spanish people do. A lot of stores close from about 2-5 for the siesta (aka lunch and nap time), since the city is so night oriented. After nap time, I went out and grabbed some food. I tried a tapa, a Spanish dish that involves bread, brie and meat. It was good. I also had some red pepper dish that the waiter gave on the house. While at dinner I met a guy from Seattle. He was a young investment banker who was taking time off from his European Seminars and just backpacking around. He was really cool and we exchanged stories about where we’ve been and what we’ve seen. I love how American’s bond abroad. He also gave me the best tip EVER! He told me about the traditional Spanish dessert called Chocolate con Churros. Unfortunately I was too full to try it that night but I made up my mind to try it the next day. Another day was done, and it was bed time.

Coolest painting EVER

This dress got too much attention

The Palace didn't turn out well in this pic, but I did

Me in front of the Royal Palace

Debod Temple

Pretty in Pink!

Chillin with Palm Trees

I'm a statue!

Tuesday I again slept in a little, but I was up and ready for yet another day in sunny Madrid. Since the past few days had been so packed, I though an easy day would be nice. So in the morning I went to the Naval Museum. It was interesting to see one of the first and greatest navy’s. They had lots of models of ships and of course, Anchors (\Yay DG). After the Naval Museum I went to Iglesia de San Jeronimo. This was a church built by Ferdinand for Isabella. I love all the old churches relating to history (though I know my mother is rolling her eyes right now due to boredom of ancient churches and history). For the rest of the day I spent it reading and lounging in Parque del Retiro (Retreat Park). This is the famous Madrid Park. I read, I watched soccer, I daydreamed, and basically just relaxed. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon. After a few hours in the park, I went in search of the Observatory, but it was closed so I just took a picture of the outside and left. Then I went to stand in line for the Prado Museum. The museum has free hours everyday from 6 to 8 for poor people like me who don’t want to pay to see artwork. I got to see a painting of Bloody Mary, some work by Raphael, and some Titian. I also got a call from my uncle while in the museum (Happy Birthday Uncle Dexter! Sorry I couldn’t talk in the museum). Afterwards I went to dinner. I decided for dinner to try the Chocolate con Churros. Can we say DELICIOUS????? Best thing EVER!! I fell in love with Spain! It was an early night in on Tuesday. I went back to the hostel and did some research online, watched some MTV in the common room, and talked to 2 guys who graduated from Carnegie Mellon and were now in banking (lots of Americans involved in banking in Spain). They had taken some time off from work to have a reunion backpacking trip through Spain. One guy even spent a couple of months working in London last summer and we discussed different restaurants and clubs. I also met my new roommates, who were 2 girls from Australia. They were 19 and had been working for a few months in Europe before going off to University in Australia next March. Soon it was bedtime. Another day down in Spain.

Naval Museum

Me in front of Iglesia de San Jeronimo

Churros con Chocolate= BEST THING EVER!

On Wednesday, I went to the Caxia Forum museum. They had all this architecture and models of palaces and country houses. It was amazing to see the details these designers can put into these houses. Afterwards I walked to Plaza Mayor and met up with my friend Josh (from the JMU Semester in London Program also) who had come into Madrid that day. He brought his friend Gloria who I got to meet. I then led them over to the Royal Palace and while they went to tour the palace, I went into Almudena Cathedral. I got to see where the Prince of Spain got married a few years ago. Then I found the park behind the palace where I climbed the fun jungle gym. I felt like a kid all over again. I actually took a nap in the jungle gym after I got comfy. Then I met back up with Josh and Gloria and we went to the Gardens behind the palace. Afterwards Josh wanted lunch so we found a place near by. He even tried the Churros con Chocolate. Then we went to Debod Temple. This time we went inside and saw some of the ancient cravings. We also watched the sunset at the temple. The tourist map was right, because it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. We then decided to walk one of the main streets called Gran Via. We decided to call it an early night since both of them had been up since about 4 am.

I like fountains it seems

I feel 10 again!

Naptime

Model Pose

Debod Temple

Sunset at Debod

Thursday came bright and early. I ate and was ready to take on the day. I met Josh and Gloria at Palacio de Cibeles. We then walked to Retreat Park. We found the Monument to King Alfonso XII of Spain. It had a little pond as part of it, so Gloria, Josh and I decided to take a row boat out on it for the 45 minute time slot. Josh of course did the rowing as the boy, though Gloria and I tried, but mostly we did it for a photo op. We were not nearly as good at rowing as Josh. Afterwards we went in search of Atlantis… not really. We were searching for Palacio de Cristal, but we could not find it so we named it Atlantis. This palace was hidden deep in the park. We instead found the Rose Garden, where we spent some time just chilling and talking and wondering. When we left the Rose Garden, we somehow managed to finally find the Crystal Palace. It was pretty. It was only built of crystal and steel. We spent some time just relaxing and watching the ducks eat. Then I went shopping while Gloria and Josh went to the Prado Museum. I bought too much stuff and spent too much money, let’s leave it at that. Finally I got all doled up, and my new Australian roommate Sarah and I went and met Josh and Gloria. We took the tube up to the north end of Madrid to see some free flamenco music. It was cool, but in Spanish so after about 3 songs we left. We came back down to central Madrid and had a couple of drinks at a bar. Madrid nightlife is really crazy. It was after 11 at this point and people were just having dinner. And I am not talking about a few people having a late dinner, but lots of people. The streets were packed. Afterwards we called it a night and went back to our hostel.

King Alfonso Monument

Josh, Gloria, & I in the rowboat

Taking time to smell the roses

I like this photo

Crystal Palace (aka Atlantis)

WATERFALL!!!!

Gloria, Sarah, & I listening to Flamenco Music

Nightlife

Friday meant travel day. I made it to the airport in plenty of time, even though I had so much more luggage and bags. By the time I landed in London, I was dead tired and had a headache. Getting through customs took forever and the guy was asking me a lot of questions I was too tired to answer. Soon I was on the tube back to central London and an hour later I was home sweet home!!! As much as I loved Madrid, it was great to be back. I was able to do laundry and the house was so quiet.

Bye Bye Mad Hostel!

Saturday was Halloween, London style. A couple of the other girls had gotten back Friday so we spent the day shopping and going to the tattoo and piercing parlor (I DID NOT get anything done!!) We then got dressed and went to a club. I was a pink Marilyn Monroe. It was a great night.

Also, this link should let you access all my pictures since I could only put a fraction of the pictures on the blog (Let me know if there is trouble with the link). It's: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2343672&id=7824148&l=59bec9797e

Now the school week is half over, and this weekend I am again going out of town. I will write again soon!

Much love,

KP