Adios Madrid, Guten Tag Trier

The last day in Madrid flew by... a class presentation (which even the professor didnt want to be there for I think ahah), helping everyone with their last minute shopping, eating our favorite foods one last time (for me: a Napolitana de chocolate for breakfast and a chicken kebap for dinner), and saying our goodbyes at "our bar." Was pretty comical that the bar staff was so sad to see us all go... but we felt pretty special and a little sad ourselves when wee had group pictures with everyone. Actually got to see 4 of my sorority sisters who just arrived in Madrid yesterday for some sightseeing- always nice to see familiar faces. Spent the hours before bed packing, or rather cramming, my bags together, watching movies with my fabulous roommates, and counting the hours until my flight. Im so grateful to ISA for giving two of my bags a home while I'm in Trier... so much less to carry- and no need for a taxi!

When I write again, I'll have arrived in Frankfurt and will find myself with old friends... Melina and her mother are picking me up- I dont think I counld ask for a better welcoming party!

Missing Madrid already, but also very ready to try someplace new! Off to the airport now--yipee :)

An American in Paris

I ordered a taxi in Spanish- I was so excited! After a quick ride and short chat with the taxi driver, I arrived at the airport at 3:30am on Friday. As it was very quiet, I quickly checked in, went through security, and boarded with little difficulty. I even got to board first and pick my own seat (a nice little shoutout to RyanAir's policies!). Slept through the entire flight and arrived in the little airport of Beauvais. There I stuttered through ordering a bus ticket into Paris and awaited my arrival (though 2 hours later!!) Serge, my good friend from Paris, and his brother guided me through the complex metro and around the city... good to have someone who actually spoke French!

Paris was, once again, a delight to spend for a weekend. Friday it was very cold and rainy- but not so cold and rainy that I didn't go sightsee around the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, and the Champs-Élysées. So dreamlike to walk around this area!

With Serge!

At the Le Defense station in the metro!

Walking the street to the hotel. One could actually see the Eiffel Tower to the left of that steeple, but it was cloudy that day.

Looking down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triumph

On Saturday, we went to this HUGE market... must have been 20 x 20 blocks... selling clothes, jewelry, Parisian trinkets, bags, shoes, food, anything and everything. Was actually quite warm this day, which made riding the metro uber fun haha. Hung out with some of Serge's friends that night before leaving for the bus station at 4am. Rode the bus back to Beauvais, slept again through the entire flight, and safely got back to Madrid via metro. I had a fabulous time in Paris, but coming back to Madrid was like coming back home... So relieving. Its cleaner, the people are much friendlier, the metro isn't as confusing, and I speak the language. Lordy, made me realize how much I love Madrid! But at least I can say I spent a wonderful weekend in Paris.