¡Madrid!

I haven’t ever done this blogging thing before, but since so many people have said they want updates, I will give it a go. There is not much to say about my fourteen hours of travel. Before I left I got a phone call from an Unknown number, glad I answered it because it was my Dad who is currently in the middle of nowhere (or so he says, his location is top-secret) on an aircraft carrier. It was wonderful getting to talk to my Dad before heading out on this adventure!

As for the traveling, I met a wonderful woman on my first flight who ended up giving me her card and offering her home to me when I pass through New York on my way home in December. I also realized how rusty I am while trying to translate between the flight attendant and the woman sitting next to me on my second flight – the woman reminded me that at least I knew some Spanish, as opposed to her zero English.

I am now in Madrid! While there isn’t a whole lot to say yet, I have been in the country less than 24 hours, I can definitely say it is an incredible city. My roommate, Cade, and I walked around for a bit today before getting tapas as a little place near the hotel. Chatting and enjoying the ambiance, we were just a little surprised to here “Call Me Maybe” come on over the speakers. I guess Carly’s influences have crossed international boarders.

The group I am with had a lovely bus tour planned for the evening, however, due to a common and nonviolent demonstration regarding funding cuts; we had to call a rain check. No easy feat with two giant tour busses, but we made it nonetheless. It was cool to see a part of Spanish culture like that, and to see how the Spanish government handled it all! Well, the tiny part that we saw, anyway. 

After a short orientation meeting and receiving our phones (yes, I have a working Spanish phone, it is awesome), we (Cade and I) made plans to go out with some other friend. Note: by this time it is almost nine o’clock. The Spanish eat at much later times than we do, we were part of the early crowd. However, due to some room issues, Cade and I hung back and hit a little restaurant on our own  a bit later.

With a plate of toasts and few glasses of vino tinto, we sat outside in a little alley between two buildings. We laughed over figuring out how to order, and then laughed some more at the way the wait staff looked at us. In a typical Spanish fashion, we sat there for almost two hours getting to know each other and sharing what we were hoping for and scared for on our trip. By the time we counted out our Euros and left (no tip, that was weird…) I had come to the conclusion that one, that dinner for the two of us was the perfect thing to do on the first day and two, that I really like Spanish wine.

Madrid is a thriving city, the ceaseless noise from outside our hotel window can attest to that. It has been incredible getting to experience the culture and the people here so far, even if for such a short amount of time. I am so excited to continue experiencing España and getting to know my group members. ¡Hasta Luego!