Monday, September 13th

Nathan, Lucas, Me

So class was alright today, but I could barely sit through it because I was SO excited to see my cousins!! Nathan and Luke got in on the train at 2 pm, but went to their hostel to clean up and nap before I got to see them.

Nathan and Luke

After class Katy, Mikaela and I stayed at school and researched different flights, trains, and hotels. Basically we were trying to plan all of our excursions so we make sure we have time to get everything done! :) There are so many things I want to do in Europe and I don't want to waste any time over here!! Today we booked our flight to Mallorca and a trip to Morocco with a tour company! :) I'm so so so excited!!!! :) :) :) 

After researching for a few hours we all went home! My abuelita, Teresa, and I ate lunch together when I got back to the house. We had potato salad, chicken (cooked in this stew with mushrooms and carrots), and bread. It was so delicious!! :)

Normal doesn't run in our family..

After lunch I met up with Nathan and Lucas in Puerta del Sol. They wanted to try my favorite tinto de verano, so I took them to 100 Montaditos!! :) It was great to sit around and chat with them for a few hours!! :) 

Once they were full of sandwiches and wine, I went home to eat dinner with my family. We had this purred squash soup and really yummy meatballs! :) Have I mentioned how much I love it here?

Sunday, September 12th

Wow! I'm finally writing my blog on the same day it actually is!!! Let's see how long this lasts! :-P

Today has been a super lazy day for me. Considering I made it in after 5 am this morning, I slept until 1:30 in the afternoon. I got up and have poked around on Facebook and responding to various emails I've been putting off.

For lunch we had octopus, potato salad (with olives, peas, and some other things), steak, bread, coke, and birthday cake! :) It was so delicious! The octopus kind of freaked me out at first, but it was really yummy -- just a little on the chewy side.

lazy day webcam look

After lunch I took a nap, talked to some friends, and have been updating my blog ever since. Teresa invited me to go out with her friends for a bit, but I told her I was feeling lazy today. Actually I told her I was feeling dangerous (peligrosa) instead of lazy (perezosa). Fail...

Tonight I still need to get some homework done,eat dinner, and then GLEE IS ON TONIGHT! It doesn't start until 12:30, so I have some time to kill! :) I really enjoy watching it! It's the first season, so I know the general story line. I watch it with Spanish subtitles so I can focus more on the vocabulary and verb tenses rather than just the story line!

Saturday, September 11th - La Noche en Blanco

Me and Mikaela
at Sketch Club

La Noche en Blanco is basically a city wide festival in Madrid. Everyone, ranging from infants to grandparents, goes out on this night. Lots of restaurants and shops are open late. The museums are all free and open late at night. There were also musicians and art venues on basically every street corner. The main streets were all closed to cars and buses, so pedistrians could walk through the streets. On Gran Via there were portable rides, like a toboggan slide and tire swings for adults that were made completely out of recycled material.



So I began my night in Sol, where I met up with Mikaela, Katy, and the Mikaela’s housemate (who is in Katy and my class), Verena. Verena is 27 years old, from Germany and is staying for 3 weeks.


Once we all met up, we were trying to decide where to go, when this club promoter invited us to go to his club. So we decided to give it a shot. It was super sketchy. There were like a dozen people in the whole place (granted it was only 11:30 and most Spaniards don’t go out until after midnight). So Katy and Verena ordered a margarita, while Mikaela and I sat in the corner scoping out the people. Mikaela said she was going to have a dance off with one girl, but chickened out! Haha!

Tinto de Verano <3 

After Katy and Verena finished their drinks, we decided to find a less sketchy club to hang out in. We ended up heading to Star Studio, the same irish pub from the weekend before. Once again we were offered free entry and free drinks, so we accepted! :) 

After dancing for a bit, Mikaela and I decided we wanted some tinto de verano from 100 Montaditos (since the drinks at this bar were super expensive!). So Katy and Verena decided to meet us there in 20 minutes. Mikaela and I got some snacks and drank our wine. Katy and Verena ordered some wine when they got there too. 

After we left 100 Montaditos, we were heading back to Sol when another promoter for Star Studio offered us drinks again. So we went back to the bar (we decided to keep a tally of how many times we get in free/get free drinks at this place). We danced until we were all exhausted. It was also super toasty in the bar so we stepped outside for some fresh air.

Star Studio, second time :)

Naturally, another promoter for Star Studio saw us and invited us in for free drinks. Katy and Verena had had enough fun for the night, but Mikaela and I needed to use the restrooms, so we went back inside Star Studio for the 3rd time! The downstairs of the pub was much more like a club (like Clys in Champaign), so we decided next time we go out we want to go down there!


After we left Star Studio for the 3rd and final time. We headed towards Gran Via to check out the “adult playground”. When we got there it was so packed and the lines were so long that we didn’t even try to ride any of the rides. We just walked around at looked at everything. I texted my sister to see if she was there, but they had just left to go home. By then it was about 3:30 am so we were all getting tired as well. Since most of the main streets were closed we had some trouble getting home. I had some trouble getting home.

3rd time in Star Studio

After last weekend’s marvelous experience on the night buses, I tried to have a better game plan before I left the house. I knew what buses I could catch where, I knew the stop name, and I knew how to walk home. Most of all I knew to ask, ask, ask for directions!! Long story short, the two places I knew to catch a bus home were closed for La Noche en Blanco. Being a smart girl, I looked at the pamphlet for the night and saw that there was night bus stop a few blocks away. So Mikaela, Verena, and I walked there so I could get a bus and they could hail a taxi (Katy lives in the opposite direction, but close, so she walked home). 

Mikaela and Verena hopped in a cab, and I walked over towards the buses. When I asked a traffic director where to catch a bus to Diego de Lion he said there wasn't one in that plaza. I'm still confused about that, because I know L4 should pass through there (because the L buses follow the metro lines and line 4 has a stop in the colon plaza) which would have literally dropped me off at my doorstep, but maybe it wasn't running last night? Who knows.. Regardless, the man sent me back to Puerta de Alcalá which was basically a mile away. After asking 3 police officers and 2 bus directors if I was heading in the right direction, checking my map once, and sniffling a tad, I ended up finding my bus, the N3 tonight.

me, Verena, Katy, and Mikaela in the Plaza outside Star Studio

This time I made sure to ask my bus driver the name of my stop (just to be sure). The problem was, there were so many people crammed into my bus that I couldn't see the screen that says what stop is next, nor could I hear the announcements. So I was staring out the window trying to look for cues. Finally I saw the metro stop Goya, which is the stop I transfer at on the way to school. Therefore I knew I was kind of close to my house. So I started pushing my way towards the door in the back. We got to my stop quicker than I expected though and when they announced my stop next I couldn't reach the stop button, therefore I ended up missing my stop AGAIN and getting off at the next one. Luckily I knew what direction to walk in and I made it home.. At 5:15 am. I don't think I care much for Madrid nightlife! I miss good 'ole Jville/Chambana/Backroad of Chautauqua!! :( haha!

Saturday, September 11th - Segovia

on the street in Segovia

Today was our excursion to Segovia. We had to meet at 9:45 in the bus station at Principe Pio. Naturally I was running late, but Sonya (our guide for the day, who will also be Katy, Mikaela and I's Art and Architecture teacher) had anticipated us being late and given us a 15 minute cushion.


The bus ride was about an hour from Madrid to Segovia. The country side was absolutely beautiful. The skies were such a bright blue and looked like the clouds and been painted on them. The mountains were gorgeous too. Basically I was like drooling looking out the window the entire bus ride :)


Once we got to Segovia, Sonya gave us a summary of the history of Spain (specifically Segovia) in 40 minutes. It was a lot of information to remember, but it was helpful to understand why there were so many different types of architecture in the city.

Katy, me, and Mikaela
over looking Segovia

After our little info session, we went to see the aqueduct. This aqueduct is one of the most preserved aqueducts in all of Europe. I couldn't believe how massive it was!! I was also shocked to learn that they didn't use an cement or anything to hold the blocks together, they just simply used a pulley system to set the blocks on top of each other! It was just SO big! Standing there, I just kept thinking of how many generations of people stood in that exact same spot. How for some of them, the aqueduct was necessary to get their water, while for me it was just this huge monument. It also blew my mind that in the 1st century they could build something as huge as the aqueduct! Makes you appreciate our construction tools nowadays :)

Segovia's Puerta del Sol

After the aqueduct, we walked around and saw the outside of some different churches and different important buildings. The architecture was so pretty!!!!

in front of the Alcázar

Our morning tour ended in the main plaza, where we were given an hours free time to each lunch and walk around on our own. My senora packed me a MASSIVE picnic lunch. I had a 6 inch bocadilla with ham, lettuce, tomato, and cheese, a peanut butter sandwich, an apple, a banana, a granola bar, a packet of cookies, a small chocolate bar, and a juice box! I swear my family is trying to fatten me up! Since we had all brought lunches, we had a picnic in this cute little park.


After lunch we went to the Alcázar of Segovia, which is a castle. The Alcázar was originally built as a fortress but has served as a royal palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College and a military academy since then. I'd never been in a castle before, so I was super excited. What struck me the most was how elaborate their ceilings were. (See pictures on Facebook.) They were each decorated with gold with super detailed patterns! This castle was used for the model for Disneyland's castle, so it looks vaguely familiar.

our little American family pic :)

After the castle, we went to the Segovia Cathedral. It was so beautiful! The cathedral mostly follows a Gothic style. Sonya told us that it's one best examples of a church having one common style because most times when the church gets a new leader they remodel the church after their own tastes, but the Segovia Cathedral wasn't. 

Aqueducts again

After the Cathedral we went back to the bus stop a different route and got to see the aqueducts up high. They were absolutely incredible! It was breathtaking how big they were! What also surprised me was how small the passage of water was through these huge things!  I'd say the water trough is about 5 inches wide. Super small considering hos massive the aqueduct is!!

bus ride home

Once back on the bus, we all crashed and napped until we got back to Madrid. Once in Madrid, I went home, took a longer rest, ate dinner with my family and got ready to go out for the night. 

Friday, September 10th

Me, Antonia, and Katy in
free hats from school

Today between classes Antonia found these sweet, free hats at school. Naturally we had to take pictures in our new sombreros! :) Love them or love them? 

After class Katy and I went to Retiro Park again (Mikaela was sick, so she wasn't at school, so she couldn't come with us :( ). The weather is just too nice to stay indoors! On our way we stopped by Burger King to get ice cream and french fries. Mine had so much chocolate in it, I literally could not finish it. It was basically straight up chocolate syrup! I know not finishing ice cream is a crime, but I just couldn't help it!! :)

planning out vacations
with Katy in Retiro Park

Once we got to the park, we found a nice little sunny spot in the grass and made a list of all the places we want to visit in Spain/in Europe. We came up with a list of 9 places we really want to go. Then we made a list of all the weekends we have free, which was only 7 (not including the 10 day Fall Break that we're planning on going to Italy for). Monday we're planning on all 3 getting together and making some decisions about where to go and what to do, so we can go ahead and start getting tickets and hotel/hostel arrangements! I do not want to waste a single second here!!!!!

Me and Teresa's friends :)
(Teresa is the second from the right)

After the park, I ate lunch with my Abuelita as always and took my typical siesta. In the late evening, as I was Skyping with father, Teresa invited me to go see a movie with her girlfriends! We went and saw "Un pequeño cambio" ("The Switch" in English.. With Jennifer Aniston). It was really good! Of course the movie was in Spanish, but I caught the overall theme and basic plot line. It was especially difficult when the child was talking because he mumbled and made it difficult to understand.

that's my house behind the red  lights!!!

After the movie, we went to this bar/restaurant that over looks the Madrid skyline. It was beautiful! Of course we took several pictures, and the girls pointed out where my house was (ish). So much fun! After looking at the skyline, we got cokes from the vending machine and sat down on the patio to chat and drink them. One of the waiters at the restaurant (pictured with me), kept complimenting me. Eventually (his dad?)/the restaurant owner came over and asked if I thought he was cute and said he didn't have a girlfriend and wasn't sure why. Long story short, this man was totally trying to play match maker. He wanted my phone number, but I left my phone at home on accident and literally didn't know my phone number! FAIL! So I gave him my name and told him to Facebook me. The girls kept teasing me the rest of the night, calling him my "novio" (boyfriend), "amante" (lover), and "lugre" (boyfriend/squeeze(?)). 

Spanish boyfriend? haha

After we left the restaurant we went to this little ice cream store and got ice creams. I got the best coffee ice cream I've ever had! It was so smooth and creamy.. LOVED IT!! :)

After ice cream, we all went home :)

Thursday, September 9th

in front of the Cibeles Fountain

Today was super sad at school because Sina and Antonia weren't there. Antonia was dropping Sina off at the airport, so she'll be back tomorrow, but Sina is gone forever! :( Funny how people come into our lives for such a little time, but yet we can miss them so much.

The day got better though because Katy brought me two presents to class! The first was peanut butter!!! We were both craving some apples and peanut butter so she bought some!! :-D :-D :-D The second was regular lined paper. After digging forever in Corte Ingles, she finally found some normal lined paper! Who would have thought lined paper would be such a luxury!? Most of the Europeans use graph paper to write on! No me gusta (I do not like!)

Studying in Retiro Park

Outside Sorolla's Museum

After class Katy and I decided to go to Retiro Park because it was such a gorgeous day! We walked from school and stopped by some landmarks to take pictures on the way. Inside the park, we shared her jar of peanut butter and ate our apples. After we worked on homework together in the sun. The park was so beautiful! It reminded me a lot of Central Park or Allerton Park in Bloomington! Definitely planning on making that a regular trip for me! :)

Sorolla's painting

Later in the afternoon we met up at Sorolla's Museum. Not only does the museum have a great collection of his artwork, it also is his home. Most of the rooms are restored very similar to how he lived in them and there is a beautiful garden! Most of Sorolla's paintings are of beaches and gardens. While they were very pretty, I like paintings better that have more detailed facial expressions. One painting I liked in particular was one of two little girls on a beach. It reminded me of visiting my Great Grandma Florida each spring with my family. The two little girls made me think of Betsy and I on the St. Pete Beach.

Wednesday, September 8th

me, Mikaela, Antonia, Sina,
and Katy for Sina's going away party :(

Today I woke up a little extra early and made myself some hot chocolate with a little instant coffee in it. Best decision ever! Thank you Abuelita for FORCING me to drink it! It was so so so good! :) Between the hot chocolate and the sugar cookies.. I started the day off right!

Between classes I had my normal mid-morning snack; apple, granola bar, muffin, and juice box.

Antonia, Mikaela, Sina
and I goofing around

After class, Mikaela, Katy, Antonia, Sina, and I walked to the Plaza de Santa Ana to our favorite 100 Montaditos restaurant to get one last tinto de verano before Sina left the country. :( Since it was Wednesday everything was 1 euro so we were super excited! We all totally pigged out on sandwiches and french fries and of course plenty of wine! :) Since Sina starts school on Monday, she has to go back to Germany. I'm so sad because even though we had to speak in Spanish to each other, we got along so well! She was a great friend, even though I only got to know her for a week. Hopefully more wonderful people will join our class for a few weeks!! :)

learning how to cook paella

salad!

When I got home, even though I told my Abuelita I had already eaten a rather large snack, she insisted that I stuff myself another time. So for lunch I had ham, potato and cheese casserolle, meatballs, salad, and bread. After lunch i was STUFFED and took a little siesta before our evening cultural program.

me, Juilian, Mikaela, and Katy at dinner

At 6, we met at a metro stop on the other side of town to go to a restaurant and learn how to make paella with people from school. I seriously doubt that I could make paella as good as the rice dish he served us, but it was fun to be in the kitchen and watch him make our food in front of us. We ate and awesome salad that had a sweet fruit dressing and diced mangoes and apples in it!

Group from Tandem. I'm in the smack middle :)

The cook made two types of paella. One that was just vegetables while the other had all sorts of meat (shrimp calamari, chicken, etc). They were both absolutely delicious! But we had a full skillet of each for the 4 of us, plus bread, plus lots of sangria. Needless to say, I think I gained 50 lbs at dinner!!!