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.

A Weekend Where?

Another day of class, siesta, Cafe y Te (my favorite coffee shop here), and homework. I have a short presentation on Isaac Albeniz, a musician from Spain. We stopped in a few shops we have been curious about since day 1, so that was fun! And dinner, as always, was full of laughter and good wine. Had pasta with mushrooms and onions, crackers, and tomatoes. Yum!

Found tickets away for the weekend for verrry cheap (downer- i have to leave at early hours!) to PARIS! I wasn't really planning on it, but a good friend of mine is there... and its cheap... and its close... and everyone is going to Barcelona.... so why not!? (I love you Mom and Dad!! aka, dont freak out haha)

Had an "intercambio," a sort of informal interview where we practice Spanish with students from Madrid, today as well. Really nice guy and he gave me some pointers about touring the city.

And thus, I'm off to bed... to class... and the weekend (yay for no class on Fridays)!
Ciao

Week Two

Passing the week mark, I have sort of mixed feelings. In some ways it feels like we´ve hardly been here at all-there is so much left to do and see. But in other ways it feels like we´ve been here ages-we´re starting to know the area, comfortable in our new Madrid ¨home.¨ We´ve made friends with some of the local cafe waiters, who are fabulously hilarious. I feel so much more confident in my Spanish (though definately not perfect, or even close to perfect) and am learning so many new words and phrases. I am absolutely LOVING it here.

Everyone is preparing for a weekend away. My roommates and 3 more girls from the SU are going to Barcelona. I´m considering Paris if I can find flights under 50 € one way. But won´t have to pay for a hotel since I have a friend there. Also, they speak French, so I´d feel better about getting around. Waiting for online prices to drop!

Getting really close with Maria (our señora). Living with her has far exceeded my expectations- I feel so at home. Plus she is hilarious. Kas, Erika, her, and I have the best dinner chats--lasting over 2 hours sometimes--where I think we laugh more than we talk. Lots of good times and its only been a week!

I am loving to check on here to see all y'alls comments- makes my mornings so bright! Hopefully my ramblings aren't too trite or seem too outrageous. Don't worry mom and dad- we're being very safe. I'm not drinking that much wine! And I'm always in a pack of 3 (Erika, Kas, and I never leave each others' sides!)

So ciao for now from a very sunny day in Madrid!