I am soooo ready to go to Germany.
What does Germany have that makes me want to go right now?
-No homework
-No creepy Spanish guys
-All my Sister Cities friends!
-Cooler weather (hopefully)
-And, the best thing?, the best thing is no psychotic host mother to do crazy, crazy things
Countdown: 1 day 15 hours
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Last week
The last week in Madrid :(
Its been a weird week for schedule since we don´t meet for one class. Instead we have to interview 3 people from Madrid about the topic we chose (in groups of two). My partner and I decided to do the public opinion of the royal family... 2 interviews done but I'm still trying to peg the last one down. A littel hectic, especially since our professor isnt here to answer questions... no, shes traveling the country.... grrr
On Tuesday, my class with the Spanish professor went on a scavenger hunt around the Puerta del Sol. Really fun actually (despite the heat!). Christina (prof) took us as a surprise to eat patatas bravas (strong potatoes). The purpose was to introduce us to the ¨spicy¨ Spanish food... but it wasnt so spicy for us Texans used to burn-your-butt salsa. Really really enjoy her class and am so sad its over today!!
Yesterday night, our roommate Mike took us three gals to go wine tasting at the local tabernas. Had 4-5 different types at 2 bars... and he tried to tell us what he knows about Spanish wine... and what to look for in a wine.
Just finished the written portion of my second final... and waiting on the oral exam... and then--- the POOL!! Sun, sun, sun alllllll afternoon :)
Its been a weird week for schedule since we don´t meet for one class. Instead we have to interview 3 people from Madrid about the topic we chose (in groups of two). My partner and I decided to do the public opinion of the royal family... 2 interviews done but I'm still trying to peg the last one down. A littel hectic, especially since our professor isnt here to answer questions... no, shes traveling the country.... grrr
On Tuesday, my class with the Spanish professor went on a scavenger hunt around the Puerta del Sol. Really fun actually (despite the heat!). Christina (prof) took us as a surprise to eat patatas bravas (strong potatoes). The purpose was to introduce us to the ¨spicy¨ Spanish food... but it wasnt so spicy for us Texans used to burn-your-butt salsa. Really really enjoy her class and am so sad its over today!!
Yesterday night, our roommate Mike took us three gals to go wine tasting at the local tabernas. Had 4-5 different types at 2 bars... and he tried to tell us what he knows about Spanish wine... and what to look for in a wine.
Just finished the written portion of my second final... and waiting on the oral exam... and then--- the POOL!! Sun, sun, sun alllllll afternoon :)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Revelations of a Busy Weekend
-Food is good, but still odd. After awhile, its hard to not miss "normal" food- Paella, hot ham and cheese sandwiches, pasta.. yummy! Had some jelly thing that we tried in Guanajuato..still weird, and a very Spanish meal of lentejas is good despite the vastly different (and worse tasting) chorizo. Did have a lunch at a Mexican restaurant, which tried to be a little Tex-Mex and a little Mexican. Pretty good for Spain, but would not be able to compete with home!
-Seeing Piratas del Caribe (Pirates of the Caribbean) was wonderful, wonderful. Probably the most semi-American thing I've done here besides Starbucks. Still a little different (assigned seats and butterless popcorn) I can't deny it felt good to just relax and watch a movie in English. And the movie wasn't too shabby either.
-El Rastro is crazy. A huge flea market on Sundays, the Rastro is a place of seeming chaos. I think thousands of people were out and about, crowding the streets and tents, and usually smoking... and it was 95+ degrees. Anything and everything could be found at this place- shoes, shirts, antiques, lingerie, art, frying pans, you name it. Got there early and left when it was turning even more crazy... thank goodness we missed the "big crowd."
- The swimming pool was probably the most surprising thing that has happened to me. Erika, Kas, Mike (who rents a room in our flat), and I decided to escape the blazing heat of the day and go to El Lago, the Lake. Really a huge place of 3 pools, el Lago is popular. During our search for some grass to lay on, one could definitely point out the differences between this place and one from the US. One-- thongs are popular. On guys and girls. Two-- so are speedos, which are better, but not by much. Three-- and even more popular, no tops at all. Really odd to see who opted for that style, and especially since it was a public pool, with people young and old. Whew! Kas and I did make some new friends--- 7 year old Erika and her 4 year old brother Juan, who took it upon themselves to tell us everything about themselves and collect us about 500 little flowers, which they then threw upon us as we sunbathed. Really cute, but one can only take kids patting your head to wake up for so long hahaha
-And now that the weekend is over, it is hitting us all that we only have 1 week left in Madrid. Mixed feelings for everyone (some a little more happy than others). For me, I'm more ready to finish with homework and assignments than actually leaving.
-Seeing Piratas del Caribe (Pirates of the Caribbean) was wonderful, wonderful. Probably the most semi-American thing I've done here besides Starbucks. Still a little different (assigned seats and butterless popcorn) I can't deny it felt good to just relax and watch a movie in English. And the movie wasn't too shabby either.
-El Rastro is crazy. A huge flea market on Sundays, the Rastro is a place of seeming chaos. I think thousands of people were out and about, crowding the streets and tents, and usually smoking... and it was 95+ degrees. Anything and everything could be found at this place- shoes, shirts, antiques, lingerie, art, frying pans, you name it. Got there early and left when it was turning even more crazy... thank goodness we missed the "big crowd."
- The swimming pool was probably the most surprising thing that has happened to me. Erika, Kas, Mike (who rents a room in our flat), and I decided to escape the blazing heat of the day and go to El Lago, the Lake. Really a huge place of 3 pools, el Lago is popular. During our search for some grass to lay on, one could definitely point out the differences between this place and one from the US. One-- thongs are popular. On guys and girls. Two-- so are speedos, which are better, but not by much. Three-- and even more popular, no tops at all. Really odd to see who opted for that style, and especially since it was a public pool, with people young and old. Whew! Kas and I did make some new friends--- 7 year old Erika and her 4 year old brother Juan, who took it upon themselves to tell us everything about themselves and collect us about 500 little flowers, which they then threw upon us as we sunbathed. Really cute, but one can only take kids patting your head to wake up for so long hahaha
-And now that the weekend is over, it is hitting us all that we only have 1 week left in Madrid. Mixed feelings for everyone (some a little more happy than others). For me, I'm more ready to finish with homework and assignments than actually leaving.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
El Lago (last hw blog)
No hay una mejor manera a pasar el día que en la piscina. Es verdad especialmente para los días calientes. Con el tiempo mejor en Madrid, mis compañeros del cuarto y yo fuimos a la piscina. Se llamaba "El Lago" y llegamos a las tres en la tarde. El Lago es grande con la piscina olimpiada y dos más piscinas. Estaba mucha gente allí. También, no había mucho espacio para sentarse. Finalmente nos sentamos en una poquita colina con mucho sol. Fue interesante a ver a la gente. Los trajes del baño estaban extraños. Muchos hombres y mujeres llevaban pequeños trajes del baño. Pero la más sorprendido fue la presencia de gente desnuda. Estaba normal para ellos. Esta presencia y la aceptabilidad de parejas homosexuales es diferente de los Estados Unidos. Aunque estos diferencias fueron una sorpresa, en realidad son buenos. Pienso que los Estados Unidos necesita más pensamientos como estos. Pero tuve una tarde fabulosa y quiero regresar en la próxima semana.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
So much to do, so little time
Still have a long list of things to do before I leave Madrid, and time is flying! So to chip away at a few items, we are going to the movies tonight, El Rastro (a huge flea market) tomorrow morning, and the pool in the afternoon. But today... has been incredibly lazy. Glanced at the work waiting for me, but that didnt really happen. And with all the expenses of being sick, I fear walking around the streets--- all the sales are this weekend (half off almost everywhere!!). So our flat will suffice for now!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Some Things Never Change
Yesterday I experienced the glamour of a neighborhood post office in Madrid. The goal: mail a set of forms to the USA in the fastest way possible. Alone. The experience, I shall never forget. Like home, there was of course a huge line. With angry people in it. Two older women behind me complained the entire 30 minute wait. "Tenemos prisa, tenemos prisa, tengo un enfermidad, necesito ir a mi trabajo" (translation: We're in a hurry, we're in a hurry, I'm ill, I have to go to my job) on and on and on and on. And hopefully I got the package sent quickly enough- only 2 options to mail a large envelope to the US... and I didnt want to take more time for fear the old ladies would stab me in the spleen.
And on a more celebratory note, one of m finals is doneeeeee! Only a paper, a project, another final, and two presentations to go. Oh Southwestern, how you spread your influence so well to Spain.
And on a more celebratory note, one of m finals is doneeeeee! Only a paper, a project, another final, and two presentations to go. Oh Southwestern, how you spread your influence so well to Spain.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is the League Champion! Last night we tried to go to a bar in the Puerta del Sol to watch the match... but they were all packed- out the door packed! So we walked over to another area and watched it, crammed in between packs of life fans. Missed the first half, but caught all 3 goals by Real Madrid. Everyone headed to Plaza de Cibeles to see the whole team (including David Beckham) ride in with glory. The entire city was crazy. Fireworks, cars honking, kids on the metro chanting, and flags everywhere for all hours of the night. They've been touring the city all day, with a posse of fans crowding the streets. It was so fun to see so many people out to watch a soccer game in the hubub of the city and so many crazy fans! Loved it! Definately don't have that experience in the US.
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