The final day in Madrid was spent in utter chaos. Waking up early in the morning once again in hopes of avoiding the extreme heat that usually follows the rising of the sun in Madrid, my travel buddy and I made a long hike in order to fulfill my hopes of seeing the stadium in which one of my favorite futbol teams plays. Real Madrid. On the map that had been given to me at the Bodies Exhibition earlier that week I had charted out the rather straight shot of a course that we would take thinking that it looked fairly easy... no I was mistaken. The course itself was not difficult to walk and it really was straight even with all the winding circular turn arounds that were located along the way (each one of course marked by a very pretty fountain). It was just the distance. It took a good 45 minutes to walk one way and at the pace I walk that is a little over three miles for just one way. So after arriving at the stadium seeing that it was actually a rather costly venture to take a tour around the empty stadium we decided to make our long trip back. The decision was mine alone to make since my travel buddy really had little interest in touring the stadium and I was of course the avid futbol fan. But thinking about it I will be staying in this country for 4 exciting months and I decided that I WOULD get tickets to a game... even if it meant beating down an old Spanish lady to get them I would get those tickets. (Just joking of course, I do have a conscious and could not live knowing I got great seats because I kicked an old woman's ass... does make for a rather comical mental picture though no?) So we left the stadium and made our way down the street stopping at a cafe where I had a diebetics worst nightmere. The name of the tasty treat escapes me but if you can picture the dough used in making empanadas in a pretzel like shape but dipped in HEAVY amounts of choclate that's about what it was. As I said not a diabetics first choice in food.
After that we stopped off at the museo del ciencas naturales (museum of natural science) only because outside was a bautiful garden and in the window was a gigantic elephant. Getting a discount it only costed 2 euro for me to get in to the museum being a student. So even if it hadn't been worth it, it wasn't a waste of money. But all in all there was some interesting Spanish science to be acquired and with everything in Spanish it was a great test of my translation skills. The coolest part had to be the preserved giant squid which was over 7 feet long... and real!! It didn't take much time to get through all of the exhibits and we decided to finish the trip back to the hostel. Another 3 miles back and we'd made it just in time for the hostel special called the tapas tour. It was 8euro and it was a tour of four of the best local bars at which we each got one free drink of wine, water, beer or my favorite: sangria, and one tapa. A tapa is a traditional Spanish snack usually eaten after siesta when everyone is preparing to go out. Every place has it's own take on it and it can be anything on a slice of homemade crunchy breads, to croquttes, to even little spanish sausages, and a good old spanish take on an American classic, wings! We only made it to three out of the four bars but were rewarded with two tapas and drinks at the last bar. I enjoyed three different sangrias and one beer at the four, the last bar being my favorite sangria, and lots of tapas. I even got a bonus fourth sangria when one of the group members decided he didn't want or need anymore because the quick rushing of the beverages and the heat had gotten to him... needless to say it was only 4 in the afternoon and I'd officially been tipsy! It made for a fun trip back to the hostel, because the three of us (a recently added American acquatince who'd joined us for the tour) had come down with the munchies and decided to stop at a little asian supermarket near by where we discovered a Spanish popsicle. That was good too, cheap as well only .5 euro for this large foot of frozen flavored ice!! Yummy!
So making our way back we officially became Spaniards once more, joining in on Siesta where we woke up around 8 to go get dinner at a vegtarian place in the Plaza Mayor, a tourist haven. But not your typical tourist haven either. Yes there were tourists bluggering about but it also had lots of locals about as well with its many exotic shops and artists gathered in the center. Eating at restaurants in the middle of the cobble stone enclosed plaza called for an extra euro added to each persons dinner and so we chose to keep trucking to get what is called a filapa. It's a vegetarians delight as it contains fried chick pea like things, in a pita like container, covered in your choice of gaucamole, feta cheese, coleslaw, seasones and boiled carrots, a tomatoe and cucumber salsa, corn, kuz kuz, salad, and an assortment of other dressings. I filled mine to the brim with cheese, salad, coleslaw, tomatoe and cucumber salsa, and balsamic and olive oil... delicious and extremely filling as well as delightfully healthy! Afterwards a large group of people who'd been at the tapas tour hung around the roof drinking, playing games like "Never Have I Ever..." and just chatting, whittling away the time until it was late enough to go out dancing and or clubbing, which ever you prefered. At about midnight it was deemed a relatively good time (in Spain the Spanish Siesta ends around 5 sometimes 6 and that's when they sit around eating and drinking and enjoying the company until around mindnight even 1 am when the clubs begin to open and flamenco and salsa are a common sight to see). Knowing I had a long day and a long journey ahead I decided once more not to go dancing that there'd be plenty of time for that in the party city of San Sebastian, and hit the hay waking up fairly early once more to catch the metro to the bus station, to ride a bus for six hours and finally arrive here in San Sebastian where a whole new chapter in my adventures is about to begin...
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Una exploracion interisante
An interesting exploration thus far as my third day spent in Madrid draws to a rather tasteful close. This morning was spent at an exhibition that my recent travel buddy was so estatic about called the bodies exhibition. She explained it like this to those who asked: It´s like that scene in Casino Royal where there is an exhibition going on about human anatomy and it´s really neat and just absolutely amazing according to all that I´ve spoken with. This is how I describe it: Not worth it! It wasn´t a bad experience but being (what I´ve dubbed myself as) a fruggle traveler I don´t like to spend money if I don´t have too. And even after two discounts (one in which we received from showing a card from the hostel the other which I received for having an international student ID card) it still costed 12 euros ($18). I know what you´re thinking "Holy crap!" right? Yes well we musn´t forget that American´s are jipped and ripped of anyways with the currency being worth more than our own. But still,I´m cheap what can I say! In greater detail the exhibition was actually rather disturbing. Very insightful and a great learning experience especially so if you´re going into anything medicinal and what not. But it was short for the price as I paid to get into the prada ($5) I was aloud to see four times as much as what was in the exhibition. And before I had arrived I guess there was one tiny detail that was feigned from being mentioned. They were real bodies, real dead human specimens cut open for the enjoyment of an audience. The worst is yet to come as it wasn´t just bodies there were real: lungs (healthy and smokers) real muscles, real blood cells, arteries, veins, bones, bone marrow, tissue, and even the several stages of a fetus. Yes that´s right tiny dead babies in a bottle on display for entertainment and or learning purposes. Starting at a few weeks old all the way to birth, and all REAL! I was slightly preturbed by this to say the least. Worst of all there people roaming around the whole time and I couldn´t even snap an illegal photo unlike in the museum. Not that I might have wanted to anyways. I´m not easy to get queesy but this exhibition had me feeling a little light in the head... didn´t help the AC was broken and it was close to 90 degrees in the mesuem...
After having made a quick race through that I waited for my companion to finish and in the mean while discussed some local attractions with one of the attendants of the exhibition. We takled shopping, we talked food, and we talked futbol!! She gave me a cute little pocket map with better details of the city then the one given to me at the hostel and told me just how to get to our next stop. I had asked her bout taking a tour of the local (and rather famous) estadio del futbol (soccer stadium). She told me it was right there next to the Palacio Real which seemed to make sense since the stadium was for Real Madrid (pronounced ray-al not real like it looks) so we ventured over to see the royal palace (Palacio Real) and the extremely large and grand church that was next door. Well turns out my guide was a liar. After a quick stop in a local bookstore I was told the stadium was on the complete opposite end of town (30 to 45 minute walk from where we were, which was already a 20-25minutes walk from our hostel) SO needless to say that idea was steadily crushed. Instead we self toured as much of the Palace as we could (without paying of course!!) and the same for the church and the beautiful buildings and cafés surrounding it. Many more great pictures to come on Sunday of course. And all along the way to these places window shopped... lots of shopping... we first took a quick detour through the fashion district of Madrid looking at dresses and handbags priced in the thousands... (and that´s in euros) there was an outfit that I´d absolutely fallen in love with but once I realized I´d seen a car on the street for the exact same price I was very eager to put it back.
So after that it had long become Siesta and shops were beginning to close we decided it best to head back and siesta ourselves. My travel partner turned in for the night while I, after having taken a short nap, went out for a drink down the street where I met someone from Denmark and we talked, and talked, and of course drank a little. Adding to the list of adventurous taste testing is Spanish beer or cervesa. Served in a wine like cup it was actually very tasteful and good. Nothing at all like the American beers we are accustomed to. It was very rich in texture and taste. The taste is indescribable, but just know it is good. Comically water and beer cost about the same here and beer is sold in individual cans in the little supermarkets around town. Different to say the least. After that it was back to the hostel where I am currently sitting typing this listening to the other travelers chatting noisely and playing some clapping game all getting ready to go out to the clubs and have a good time. But tomorrow is another early day, the only plans thus far are checking out the stadium (and possibly gettnig some tickets to the game) and a little self exploration. Besides who goes clubbing alone? Aswell, there will be plenty of time for that in San Sebastian where I´ve been told I will be able to learn to surf and even flamenco as well as a few other dances. That should begin Monday though. In the meantime, one more day left in Madrid, then Sunday will be spent at a nice hotel in San Sebastian where orientation will take place and school will begin the following Wednesday. So for now it´s buenas noches (good night),till tomorrow...
After having made a quick race through that I waited for my companion to finish and in the mean while discussed some local attractions with one of the attendants of the exhibition. We takled shopping, we talked food, and we talked futbol!! She gave me a cute little pocket map with better details of the city then the one given to me at the hostel and told me just how to get to our next stop. I had asked her bout taking a tour of the local (and rather famous) estadio del futbol (soccer stadium). She told me it was right there next to the Palacio Real which seemed to make sense since the stadium was for Real Madrid (pronounced ray-al not real like it looks) so we ventured over to see the royal palace (Palacio Real) and the extremely large and grand church that was next door. Well turns out my guide was a liar. After a quick stop in a local bookstore I was told the stadium was on the complete opposite end of town (30 to 45 minute walk from where we were, which was already a 20-25minutes walk from our hostel) SO needless to say that idea was steadily crushed. Instead we self toured as much of the Palace as we could (without paying of course!!) and the same for the church and the beautiful buildings and cafés surrounding it. Many more great pictures to come on Sunday of course. And all along the way to these places window shopped... lots of shopping... we first took a quick detour through the fashion district of Madrid looking at dresses and handbags priced in the thousands... (and that´s in euros) there was an outfit that I´d absolutely fallen in love with but once I realized I´d seen a car on the street for the exact same price I was very eager to put it back.
So after that it had long become Siesta and shops were beginning to close we decided it best to head back and siesta ourselves. My travel partner turned in for the night while I, after having taken a short nap, went out for a drink down the street where I met someone from Denmark and we talked, and talked, and of course drank a little. Adding to the list of adventurous taste testing is Spanish beer or cervesa. Served in a wine like cup it was actually very tasteful and good. Nothing at all like the American beers we are accustomed to. It was very rich in texture and taste. The taste is indescribable, but just know it is good. Comically water and beer cost about the same here and beer is sold in individual cans in the little supermarkets around town. Different to say the least. After that it was back to the hostel where I am currently sitting typing this listening to the other travelers chatting noisely and playing some clapping game all getting ready to go out to the clubs and have a good time. But tomorrow is another early day, the only plans thus far are checking out the stadium (and possibly gettnig some tickets to the game) and a little self exploration. Besides who goes clubbing alone? Aswell, there will be plenty of time for that in San Sebastian where I´ve been told I will be able to learn to surf and even flamenco as well as a few other dances. That should begin Monday though. In the meantime, one more day left in Madrid, then Sunday will be spent at a nice hotel in San Sebastian where orientation will take place and school will begin the following Wednesday. So for now it´s buenas noches (good night),till tomorrow...
Segunda Día en Madrid
La segunda día, the second day in Madrid was spent rather well. Taking a long stroll from the hostel named MAD hostel (for reasons unknown to me), I ventured down to one of Madrid´s most famous of the many museums located in the compact city. Museo del prado. A practical must. I´m not one that is much for art and art galleries but the prado was different and I was never disappointed nor did I ever get bored. I especially enjoyed the mass amounts of the infamous spanish painter, Goya. I´ll never forget learning about him numerous times while taking high school Spanish with Sr. Boca. It was almost nestalgic and slgihtly comical to see first hand the real thing. Especially the black paintings which gave Goya his extreme popularity. I mean hey who wouldn´t love paintings that practically set a time table for an artists uncanny and phsychotic demise as he slowly crept into the depths of insanity. Appropriately called the black panitings as their base is dark and their images the same. I took an illegal photo (shun!!) of these paintings and you´ll find many posted around the internet, but unfortunately posting from a hostel computer I can´t upload my photos just yet. So to all keep waiting and they will come. And when they do... well let´s just say I get a little crazy with the photos!
During my time at the Prado I became venturous into the world of beverages and decided to try a common european take on the ever popular coffee. If you´re thinking of the coffee that you would brew at your house and enjoy, or the image of the McDonald´s coffee, throw it out the window. This is REAL unfiltered espresso and leche (milk). You are given one sugar packet and in reality if you use it all your asking for trouble. The taste is bold and yet thick creamy and supple. It´s like nothing you´ve experienced before. The baristas (coffe maker guy) even get fancy with these little cups and make cute designs in the foam. Now the cup is also very little but it´s really all you need because it still fills you up. If you´ve ever walked into a starbucks or any other coffee shop you´ve heard the term latte well that is what I had, but it was an experience like no other. So when in Europe drink European coffee and you won´t be disappointed. Not surprisngly as is the European (and especially) Spanish style even a small cup of coffee is a long drawn out process. Meals can take up to an hour or more. Coffee is similar in that there is not really such a thing as "to go." You sit for a minimum of 15 minutes and enjoy the pure innocence and timelessness of a simple cup of espresso and milk.
After the Prado it was on to touring several of the parks near by. Venturing over to the famous botanical gardens I found it was a costly venture and for the little amount of time left before Siesta it was not quite worth it to continue inside. But the view from outside is absoltuely gorgeous, so many roses and other flowers that the smell of flores (flowers) eminates half way down the street. So instead I wandered off to another park nearby where I got lost venturing through the endless pathways and beatiful fountains while watching the numerous amounts of dogs roamnig alongside there owners. As Siesta was drawing near the decision was made to eat lunch in the park at what appeared to be a locals only restaraunt. I opted for a simple bagette with cheese as is seemingly common among the people of spain, accompanied by some delicious sangria, a spanish favorite as well. Lunch took a long time as well since I was not expecting the sandwhich to be so large and I had to eat extremely slow in hopes of being able to finish it all. During lunch a family came and sat at the table next to me and there little toddler and I hit it off rather well. I think I may have had a fling! Just kidding, but the boy was infatuated with the little sparrows, the pigeons and this other strange bird that everytime I tried to capture it in a picture it literally hopped out of the camera view (it is also something I have never seen in America before as well.) So we played with the birds for sometime untill I was able to finish lunch and say goodbye to my new found playmate.
Siesta had arrived and so I made my way back to the hostel for a short nap. After the nap it seemed that nothing exciting was going to happen and so I turned in early for the night after hitting up a local supermarket for some cheap dinner (spanish take on ravioli, rather delicious if I do say so myself) and enjoying the sunset from the rooftop with a group of guys from australia who truely enjoyed chatting up a storm... Another day comes to a close and with it antoher chapter...
During my time at the Prado I became venturous into the world of beverages and decided to try a common european take on the ever popular coffee. If you´re thinking of the coffee that you would brew at your house and enjoy, or the image of the McDonald´s coffee, throw it out the window. This is REAL unfiltered espresso and leche (milk). You are given one sugar packet and in reality if you use it all your asking for trouble. The taste is bold and yet thick creamy and supple. It´s like nothing you´ve experienced before. The baristas (coffe maker guy) even get fancy with these little cups and make cute designs in the foam. Now the cup is also very little but it´s really all you need because it still fills you up. If you´ve ever walked into a starbucks or any other coffee shop you´ve heard the term latte well that is what I had, but it was an experience like no other. So when in Europe drink European coffee and you won´t be disappointed. Not surprisngly as is the European (and especially) Spanish style even a small cup of coffee is a long drawn out process. Meals can take up to an hour or more. Coffee is similar in that there is not really such a thing as "to go." You sit for a minimum of 15 minutes and enjoy the pure innocence and timelessness of a simple cup of espresso and milk.
After the Prado it was on to touring several of the parks near by. Venturing over to the famous botanical gardens I found it was a costly venture and for the little amount of time left before Siesta it was not quite worth it to continue inside. But the view from outside is absoltuely gorgeous, so many roses and other flowers that the smell of flores (flowers) eminates half way down the street. So instead I wandered off to another park nearby where I got lost venturing through the endless pathways and beatiful fountains while watching the numerous amounts of dogs roamnig alongside there owners. As Siesta was drawing near the decision was made to eat lunch in the park at what appeared to be a locals only restaraunt. I opted for a simple bagette with cheese as is seemingly common among the people of spain, accompanied by some delicious sangria, a spanish favorite as well. Lunch took a long time as well since I was not expecting the sandwhich to be so large and I had to eat extremely slow in hopes of being able to finish it all. During lunch a family came and sat at the table next to me and there little toddler and I hit it off rather well. I think I may have had a fling! Just kidding, but the boy was infatuated with the little sparrows, the pigeons and this other strange bird that everytime I tried to capture it in a picture it literally hopped out of the camera view (it is also something I have never seen in America before as well.) So we played with the birds for sometime untill I was able to finish lunch and say goodbye to my new found playmate.
Siesta had arrived and so I made my way back to the hostel for a short nap. After the nap it seemed that nothing exciting was going to happen and so I turned in early for the night after hitting up a local supermarket for some cheap dinner (spanish take on ravioli, rather delicious if I do say so myself) and enjoying the sunset from the rooftop with a group of guys from australia who truely enjoyed chatting up a storm... Another day comes to a close and with it antoher chapter...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
La Primera Dia: Madrid
!Hola y Bienvenidos a Madrid!
Fairytales always start with once upon a time, and an beginning such as this seems almost fitting for this first chapter in the book like blog I am beginning to replicate. So once upon a time there was a girl from Wickliffe with dreams of seeing the world and everything it had to offer. So as a sophomore in college she decided to study abroad and took the first step towards her future. After countless hours sitting in the airport and numerous flights in which she met and spoke with numerous peolpe from all walks of life, she arrived in the London airport. The flight over had been like non she´d ever experienced, a small meal, blankets,pillows, alcohol provided, and even a toothbrush. British airways was definately no American Airlines as the steward had joked. And the proof was in the service. Stepping off the plane in London was only the beginning as this is not where she would stay. But turning to look around this Wickliffe native had to ask herself, "Am I dreaming?" But this was no dream as she´d soon find out...
Absolutely amazing, or bloody amazing as the British girl sitting behind me on the plane put it. As we arrived at the newly built terminal in Madrid that dream like feeling was still creeping around. Even now it´s still hard to believe that after all the talk, all the work, it´s finally happened. I´ve finally made it. I didn´t chicken out or back out, I never once got scared, and I never once thought that I´d never make it here. But no amount of book or advice could´ve prepared me for the overwhelming relief and joy I felt when I stepped off the plane in Madrid. The first thought that came to my head then was "FINALLY!!" After having met two other people on the plane headed the same way with me I had acquired what I fondly refer to as travel buddies. A New Zelander with an English accent, and another student who, like me, had opted for a group flight but not a group tour but never received information stating the group flight was for the tourists.
As soon as my feet touched the ground outside the airport my Spanish was put to the test as we three hailed a cab to take us to our hostel. Seriously jet lagged and worn down I spoke as best as I could telling the driver where to and then we were off. As far as I know a hostel is a hostel. They all offer the same basic needs for a much cheeper price as they are geared toward the backpacker and or the traveling student: a place to sleep, a locker to lock stuff up, storage for all your crap, security, showers, and sometimes internet. You can get picky with its location or u can just buck it up and learn how to use the metro. Thankfully and possibly luckily, practically everything in Madrid here is within walking distance, and getting there is easy. Getting back to the hostel on the other hand, not so much. It seems everytime I ask people "¿Donde está calle de cabeza?" very few seem to know the answer. And let me just say, Dorothy we´re definately not in Kansas anymore!! These streets are crazy. Travelers tip number one: American instnicts can pretty much be thrown out the window! It just ain´t the same and using them will only wind you more lost then when you started. I´ll have to get a picture when it´s light out so that you can see for yourself what I mean. In the meantime think of it like this, first they drive on the left, scooters ride both street and sidewalks, there don´t appear to be speed limits, the little green guy means you can walk, the little red guy means watch your ass, and just cause it´s one street name on one side doesn´t mean its the same street running all the way through (left is one right is another).
Time was of the essence and having arrived during Siesta (nap time) we decided to take advantage and as the saying goes "When in Rome..." well we did what the Spaniards do... napped!! Then it was up for a late night dinner, but don´t go getting the wrong idea. Dinner is more like a snack while watching a good game on the big screen in the little locals pub. Tapas is the usual treat shared between friends. And again we became locals speaking nothing but Spanish and ordering tapas. Spanish omlette was the english translation of my dinner. Part of me wishes I would´ve grabbed a picture of it. It was delicious. Eggs, little bit of a cheese, some potatoes and onion scrambled and made into a triangular omlette shape and put on of a piece of toasted bread (don´t ask what kind, couldn´t tell you). The food was good, the drinks good, and the futbol game on the television along with cheering aside one of the locals made the night. Meals as well as just about everything else in Madrid are so relaxed and laid back. It´s such a slow and easy going culture, it´s hard not to love it. But here is where travelers tip number two comes in: water in cafés and other restaurants is expensive, buy bottles from a local supermarket. MUCH cheaper.
The rest of the night was spent in dream land as day one came to a warm close. Like the wind, plans are ever changing so who knows what the next day will bring...
(Pictures to come, estimating Sunday or Monday at the latest)
Fairytales always start with once upon a time, and an beginning such as this seems almost fitting for this first chapter in the book like blog I am beginning to replicate. So once upon a time there was a girl from Wickliffe with dreams of seeing the world and everything it had to offer. So as a sophomore in college she decided to study abroad and took the first step towards her future. After countless hours sitting in the airport and numerous flights in which she met and spoke with numerous peolpe from all walks of life, she arrived in the London airport. The flight over had been like non she´d ever experienced, a small meal, blankets,pillows, alcohol provided, and even a toothbrush. British airways was definately no American Airlines as the steward had joked. And the proof was in the service. Stepping off the plane in London was only the beginning as this is not where she would stay. But turning to look around this Wickliffe native had to ask herself, "Am I dreaming?" But this was no dream as she´d soon find out...
Absolutely amazing, or bloody amazing as the British girl sitting behind me on the plane put it. As we arrived at the newly built terminal in Madrid that dream like feeling was still creeping around. Even now it´s still hard to believe that after all the talk, all the work, it´s finally happened. I´ve finally made it. I didn´t chicken out or back out, I never once got scared, and I never once thought that I´d never make it here. But no amount of book or advice could´ve prepared me for the overwhelming relief and joy I felt when I stepped off the plane in Madrid. The first thought that came to my head then was "FINALLY!!" After having met two other people on the plane headed the same way with me I had acquired what I fondly refer to as travel buddies. A New Zelander with an English accent, and another student who, like me, had opted for a group flight but not a group tour but never received information stating the group flight was for the tourists.
As soon as my feet touched the ground outside the airport my Spanish was put to the test as we three hailed a cab to take us to our hostel. Seriously jet lagged and worn down I spoke as best as I could telling the driver where to and then we were off. As far as I know a hostel is a hostel. They all offer the same basic needs for a much cheeper price as they are geared toward the backpacker and or the traveling student: a place to sleep, a locker to lock stuff up, storage for all your crap, security, showers, and sometimes internet. You can get picky with its location or u can just buck it up and learn how to use the metro. Thankfully and possibly luckily, practically everything in Madrid here is within walking distance, and getting there is easy. Getting back to the hostel on the other hand, not so much. It seems everytime I ask people "¿Donde está calle de cabeza?" very few seem to know the answer. And let me just say, Dorothy we´re definately not in Kansas anymore!! These streets are crazy. Travelers tip number one: American instnicts can pretty much be thrown out the window! It just ain´t the same and using them will only wind you more lost then when you started. I´ll have to get a picture when it´s light out so that you can see for yourself what I mean. In the meantime think of it like this, first they drive on the left, scooters ride both street and sidewalks, there don´t appear to be speed limits, the little green guy means you can walk, the little red guy means watch your ass, and just cause it´s one street name on one side doesn´t mean its the same street running all the way through (left is one right is another).
Time was of the essence and having arrived during Siesta (nap time) we decided to take advantage and as the saying goes "When in Rome..." well we did what the Spaniards do... napped!! Then it was up for a late night dinner, but don´t go getting the wrong idea. Dinner is more like a snack while watching a good game on the big screen in the little locals pub. Tapas is the usual treat shared between friends. And again we became locals speaking nothing but Spanish and ordering tapas. Spanish omlette was the english translation of my dinner. Part of me wishes I would´ve grabbed a picture of it. It was delicious. Eggs, little bit of a cheese, some potatoes and onion scrambled and made into a triangular omlette shape and put on of a piece of toasted bread (don´t ask what kind, couldn´t tell you). The food was good, the drinks good, and the futbol game on the television along with cheering aside one of the locals made the night. Meals as well as just about everything else in Madrid are so relaxed and laid back. It´s such a slow and easy going culture, it´s hard not to love it. But here is where travelers tip number two comes in: water in cafés and other restaurants is expensive, buy bottles from a local supermarket. MUCH cheaper.
The rest of the night was spent in dream land as day one came to a warm close. Like the wind, plans are ever changing so who knows what the next day will bring...
(Pictures to come, estimating Sunday or Monday at the latest)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Beginning (Chicago Airport)
I sit here in the Chicago airport at what must be considered the beginning of my journey. 19 and I've decided to see the world... or as much of it as I can at least. This fall semester as an up and coming sophomore of Mount Union College I will be studying abroad in San Sebastian, Spain majoring in both Spanish and Japanese. From there it is planned that I will study abroad once more in Puebla, Mexico for the following semester. When I first described my travel plans to many a person they each had their own words or kind description of my ideas. I was told that I was a number of things from down right crazy to absolutely amazing, courageous, and everything in between. But the encouragement always seemed to fall short and things along the lines of "You're crazy," or "I could never do it," or "Just don't be stupid." became ever present in my mind. And as I have over 5 hours left to sit around in the Chicago O'Hare Airport these words begin to haunt my thoughts, and I wonder am I making a mistake? Thankfully though, those who have held meaning in my heart have been nothing but encouraging and their words are the ones that will have a lasting impression as I venture out alone into the world to find what it has to offer me. But part of me still wonders as to what I'll be missing out on back home. Home, where my loving family and friends will wait each day to hear from me. Wanting to know each new fun and exciting adventure I've taken during my time in various countries. For that I have created this story-like journal to recreate and describe every detail of the life I am about to live. Starting Wednesday August 27, 2008 things are officially nothing as I knew them to be and I will officially be "international." So this is for the curious, the thrill seeker, the adventurer, the book worm, and for anyone else willing to listen. Listen as you come as close to first hand as it gets, through the tales of the traveling student. Welcome to my life, my story. Enjoy...
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