Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Paris
there it is- I hope! I don´t currently have the photos since I am on the library computer at school, but Paris was beautiful, like most places in Europe. Although I must say, Paris is SUPER beautiful.
note: there will probably be some weird looking punctuation and accent marks due to this hard core keyboard.
note also: this is the first post that has not been written between 2-5 AM, I believe. It feels quite nice.
Anyway, so yeah, Paris is beautiful. Everything is insanely ornate and large, and there is SO MUCH to see. Paris is, however, quite spread out. I couldn´t study abroad there. If you had a car, I suppose it would be easier, but it is very spread out, and the metro is older and, thus, less comfortable than in Madrid.
Javi and I took the night train to Paris. It left at 6 on Thursday and arrived at 9 AM Friday. We slept hard since we went out to Gabana the night before. The typical Wednesday is this: intercambio, 100 Montaditos (euro montaditos and jarras of beer on Wednesdays) then Gabana, which is a club sponsored by Belvedere, and on Wednesdays, it has free drinks from 12-1:30 AM. Say you know Omar (the club owner), and you get in free.
Anyway, so the train was so nice- especially the return trip because Javi and I had our own luxurious room, and the train has a cafeteria and a nice restaurant, so it´s very nice and fun!
Back to Paris:
We stayed in Hotel Queen´s, which is super nice and cute, and it´s located in a VERY non-touristy area. It was recommended by Nancy´s brother, Mike, who has an apartment in Paris. OH YEAH! My mom and her close friend, Nancy, arrived last week on Tuesday! Forgot to mention that; it´s one of the reasons I haven´t posted in a LONG time besides the fact that you never have time for sleep here.
Back to Paris Back to Paris: Javi and I ate delicious food upon arrival: Croque Madame with a side salad and mushroom omelette. In France, you eat EVERYTHING or it´s considered a waste. I learned that the hard way, and I wished I had been hungrier before sitting down to eat. Also, at many places, you have to pay to use the restroom, so keep that in mind when you travel to France.
Javi and I wondered around, and we ended up taking a train to Versailles, which is kind of on the edge of town (the metro doesn´t go there). It was so amazing. We walked around the gardens and passed out on the lake´s edge until the madres arrived around 3. We all met up and ate dinner at this delicious Italian restaurant that Mike took us to with his wife and son.
That night, we walked under the Eiffle Tower and bought tickets for a cruise on the river for the next night. Mike showed us around Paris and took us down the streets with bars and lots of people. I can´t remember many names, especially since I´m not even half-decent with French. Paris at night is so awesome, but it´s very difficult to do things alone when you don´t speak ANY French.
The next day, we took a bus tour, which takes you to all the major spots in Paris, and you can get off and on whenever. We went through the Louvre Museum, and everywhere else you can imagine. We ate crepes and such for lunch, and we had dinner on the river cruise, which is a MUST DO in Paris.
The soccer game against Spain was that night. It was crazy! Spain won, and the people were, rightfully, not happy, but many were very destructive about it. Riot squads were standing aside ready for anything, and people were getting rowdy and aggressive. A wine bottle barely missed Javi´s head. We bolted and chilled at a bar until the people had dispersed and left the large area where they watch the game (like Madrid´s Bernabeu Stadium)
There´s so much to say about Paris and our experience, but nonetheless, I was very relieved to return to Madrid and to a place where I could communicate with the people. Unfortunately a heat wave hit this week, and it has been sooooooooo hot!!!!!!
This weekend we go to VALENCIA!! I actually go tonight, and I´m so excited!
MORE TO COME! EEEK!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Barcelona
Barcelona this past weekend was amazing. It is very different from Madrid, but you need more than 3 days for sure.
It is more spread out than Madrid, so the metro is INSANE. So many people are squished in it, and you have to travel quite awhile to get anywhere.
It was hot, and the people were crazy fun; bearing in mind that the people we met were mostly tourists due to the Sonar music festival, but we met SO many people from different places whether just for a 10 minute convo walking to the beach and back or drinking sangria before the club crawl at the hostel.
There is so much night life in Barcelona! We went to Shoko, Cat Walk, and the beach til the morning time both nights. Others went to Opium as well.
Everyone was there to have a good time:
We walked around las Ramblas, and we ate lunch there. It was very beautiful and difficult to describe. It's a street of shops and different architectural buildings. We went to the famous Market de San Joseph/La Boqueria, and it was INCREDIBLE: 10 times bigger than San Miguel's in Madrid.
The beach was great, the water was cold, and the entertainment grand.
The metro is open 24 hours on Saturdays - I WISH MADRID'S DID THE SAME!!!!
Barcelona has many stories, and we definitely made a ton! I have to return.
Photos thanks to Jason Krusie & Vaness Charis
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Mallorca! +
NEW VIDEO! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN7gFYyPY9c
It's so hectic! You never have time to stop, eat, or sleep!
It's been super fun & classes are great. So much happens that it's hard to write a detailed post reflecting on the week, so I'm going to try to post more often; I've just REALLY been taking advantage of this siesta thing when I can since you don't really sleep at night. I guess that's what happens in a culture that you eat lunch at 2 and dinner at 10/11 PM.
Last week we did a bunch. Notably, we went to intercambio again and brought a large group of people to 100 Montaditos - I very much recommend! It's very cheap and DELICIOUS. On Wednesdays, una jarra de cerveza is only 1 euro and all the montaditos likewise are a euro, so it's a great deal. Montaditos are small bocadillos, which are sandwiches and are basically the food of choice here. Everything has an unbelievable amount of carbs here. We try to balance it with protein, but it can be quite tough!
That's all I can think of at the moment! So EEEEE
It's so hectic! You never have time to stop, eat, or sleep!
It's been super fun & classes are great. So much happens that it's hard to write a detailed post reflecting on the week, so I'm going to try to post more often; I've just REALLY been taking advantage of this siesta thing when I can since you don't really sleep at night. I guess that's what happens in a culture that you eat lunch at 2 and dinner at 10/11 PM.
Last week we did a bunch. Notably, we went to intercambio again and brought a large group of people to 100 Montaditos - I very much recommend! It's very cheap and DELICIOUS. On Wednesdays, una jarra de cerveza is only 1 euro and all the montaditos likewise are a euro, so it's a great deal. Montaditos are small bocadillos, which are sandwiches and are basically the food of choice here. Everything has an unbelievable amount of carbs here. We try to balance it with protein, but it can be quite tough!
Thursday we went to the famous Madrid club - Kapital - ^
It was UNreal. So much fun! We literally didn't get home til the sun was rising, which is actually more common than you think in Spain.
I went to the famous Museo Del Prado on Friday. There's SO MUCH ART there & botanical gardens. El Greco, Velasquez, and the likes have many a painting there.
Javi and I went to Mallorca this last weekend as well! We left on train to Valencia for ~1:30, then took a ferry that stopped at Ibiza on the way to Mallorca - it was 10 hours long! Baeleria was the cruise name & yes, it was a cruise it turned out more than a ferry! And the Friday we went, they had bands playing on the terrace of the ship, so there was basically a party until arrival at 8 AM in Mallorca. Javi and I slept through most of this party after our crazy Kapital Thursday!
We then took an old style train to a tram to Puerto de Soller. It was nice because it is basically a tourist attraction and a cheap way to get around Mallorca. Mallorca is a MAJOR tourist attraction for, randomly, Germans. The people who work there speak Spanish, German & English at most places.
Where we stayed was unbelievably beautiful. A video will be up soon.
We PASSED OUT on the beach for ~4 hours, and I ended up with half of my body and face sunburnt since I slept on my side! Then we put the vibrams on and walked along a cliff trail to what ended up being the spot for local youth. They were sitting in circles on the cliff and jumping in the water and swimming with their pups. Javi and I sat out there for an hour or so, and when a group left, we jumped in the water from where they'd been sitting. It's quite cold there!
We went to a delicious restaurant for dinner, and enjoyed sangria during the Germany game.
The next morning we went back on our way to Madrid.
Some lessons learned this week:
- If it feels right, say you're from the UK because in some situations, it may work to your advantage in case a person doesn't like Americans much -- example: taxi drivers, club promoters
- Speaking of club promoters! To drink for free and have a fun bar hopping experience. Walk around Madrid just about any time after 9, although 11-1 are prime times. Club promoters are EVERYWHERE with get free entrance and free drinks/shots at that time. Walk in, have a drink, enjoy the atmosphere, leave, go with the next club promoter with a flier that says free drinks. (SOME don't have free drinks, but most do)
- 100 montaditos is the BOMB
- When you go to El Tigre and get Sangria, ask for it WITHOUT sugar.
- When in the metro, and on all escalators, stand on the right side, walk down on the left. DO NOT STAND ON THE LEFT SIDE.
- Don't call people señor or señora & don't use "usted" in Spain unless the person is very old or unless you want there to be a distance (like sometimes waiters and such)
- People stare A LOT and it's normal- especially on the metro
- Get a piccell phone if you can
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sevilla and Such
Sooo this past weekend, we ended up in Sevilla!
Javi and I went by train (utilizing our Eurail pass), and it was one gato loco [Lolololol]
We got a sweet hostel for the price called Hostel Urbany. I stayed there in a room with 8 bunk beds with Javi's group. There were 2 rooms of that & my API group stayed at Oasis because the hostel was already booked that we were at. The Oasis was a bit more expensive, but it had a pool that overlooked the plaza, and was reallllly sweet.
Sevilla is beautiful. There's a lot to see, and there was a cute festival while we were there that Javi and I watched from a coffee shop. We ate at the delicious & cheap tapas place called Levie's & I very much recommend it if you're ever in Sevilla.
It's pretty much been going steady on the insane level. We did a pub crawl (the API group, Javi & I did it both nights, and Javi's group went as well on Saturday).
It was awesome. It's 10 or 16 euros depending on your plan of consumption and such, and it includes 3 bars (the last one is a sweet disco tech), 3 shots, and 3 mixed drinks over like 8 hours. One guy gets 3 hostels, and another guy gets another 3, and before you know it there are 10-12 hostels worth of participants at the first bar, which had a flamenco show before the drinking commenced. We met people from Germany, Scotland, Canada, Spain, etc. It was super fun. We went to the next outdoor bar then eventually to the disco tech, which was amazing. It was callllled Alfonso, and it was amazing. We stayed til 5:30 both nights, and there is a stand outside with hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. We visited it both nights.
The train is a great experience. It's quite luxurious, and Javi and I were passed out and almost missed our stop in Atocha. Someone woke us up... DONT EVER DO THIS. Not smart on our part.
Madrid/Segovia/Sevilla Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rs8Fg7-U2M&feature=youtu.be
I have more to say, but it's been cray & I gotta go on an activity thing with API
I willlll add stuff laterrr!
Pictures taken by me & EUSA peeps
I planned on putting the names, but I forgot them because I saved the pics awhile back. Message me & I'll put your name down.
Javi and I went by train (utilizing our Eurail pass), and it was one gato loco [Lolololol]
We got a sweet hostel for the price called Hostel Urbany. I stayed there in a room with 8 bunk beds with Javi's group. There were 2 rooms of that & my API group stayed at Oasis because the hostel was already booked that we were at. The Oasis was a bit more expensive, but it had a pool that overlooked the plaza, and was reallllly sweet.
Sevilla is beautiful. There's a lot to see, and there was a cute festival while we were there that Javi and I watched from a coffee shop. We ate at the delicious & cheap tapas place called Levie's & I very much recommend it if you're ever in Sevilla.
It was awesome. It's 10 or 16 euros depending on your plan of consumption and such, and it includes 3 bars (the last one is a sweet disco tech), 3 shots, and 3 mixed drinks over like 8 hours. One guy gets 3 hostels, and another guy gets another 3, and before you know it there are 10-12 hostels worth of participants at the first bar, which had a flamenco show before the drinking commenced. We met people from Germany, Scotland, Canada, Spain, etc. It was super fun. We went to the next outdoor bar then eventually to the disco tech, which was amazing. It was callllled Alfonso, and it was amazing. We stayed til 5:30 both nights, and there is a stand outside with hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. We visited it both nights.
The train is a great experience. It's quite luxurious, and Javi and I were passed out and almost missed our stop in Atocha. Someone woke us up... DONT EVER DO THIS. Not smart on our part.
Madrid/Segovia/Sevilla Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rs8Fg7-U2M&feature=youtu.be
I have more to say, but it's been cray & I gotta go on an activity thing with API
I willlll add stuff laterrr!
I planned on putting the names, but I forgot them because I saved the pics awhile back. Message me & I'll put your name down.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
UN-real
Nothing like I'm used to.
I'm in a big city. THE BIGGEST city. The only city I've ever lived in.
And I SUCK at navigation.
So much has happened. I cannot even describe the details.
This week has been crazy. I feel like I have sooooooooo much to say.
This lifestyle is awesome & so different. It is so hard to eat and not be starving all the time!!!! I eat breakfast then have to wait til 2!! ( I usually snack) and dinner doesn't occur until around 9-10, and the past few days I even waited til 11-12, which is completely normal!
This city is so romantic, and everything is new. You could never have the same day in Madrid. My friends in my program are amazing. We are all so unbelievably different, and we all love to have fun.
I haven't written in a few days, so I forgot so much that has happened to describe because SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. We had everyone over the other night for wine at our apartment, and it was essentially a girls night- super bonding- until Josh and his friends FINALLY showed up to got out at like 2:30/3, but of course we had to all hang out before leaving. That night was very fun- and very random + we were up til 6, again.
The next day we had orientation then Josh, Alina, and I (my roomies and I) ate lunch by our apartment, and it was delicious! We got back and had planned a nap, but it didn't happen, and we went shopping at the supermarket again and planned our trip to Barcelona. Javi came over for awhile, and Alina passsssed out. Josh and I left to go meet everyone at El Tigre Del Norte, it's a tapas bar where you order a drink for 6 euros, and it is a liter large, and you get all the tapas you want to eat. Josh and I got lost for about thirty minutes because we kept asking for directions, and we were pointed in the opposite direction almost every time- WHY?- because APPARENTLY there are 2 El Tigre Del Norte's, and they are a few blocks a part AND there is an apparel store called the TIGER. SO DUMB. Anyway, we found our group, and they led us there. It was amazing & delicious. ~15 of us shared a room, and we had a great time & then departed to go to 2 separate clubs. "It" got real.
We planned on going to Toledo the next day, but my body was WAY to over exhausted, so I slept in ... til 3 ( I had gone to bed at 6 again). Josh and others still went though, and they said it was AMAZINGLY beautiful - hopefully he'll get me some pictures soon.
Javi and I instead went to Parque del Retiro- the most surreal and beautiful park ever and to be in a city!? We ate lunch and relaxed outside, and it was amazing. We proceeded to an intercambio, which is where Spanish speaking and English speaking people go to learn the other language. It was basically this tucked away bar where everyone just stood an conversed and met each other. Everyone there was SO nice because they all wanted to meet people. We met several locals who bought us drinks, and I met people from Javi's program. They are also SO NICE. I was so excited because I haven't met anyone I haven't liked here. We exchanged phone numbers with several locals, and left for a bar that had food & drinks and free hookah with it. I got to meet a lot of people from Javi's program, and it was so amazing.
We split up at around 12:30, and I met up with Josh to walk to a stand where most of the guys from our program were. It's called Heineken Bar, and it has 1 euro shots & 6 beers for 5 euros. After a bit, we left to meet the girls from my program and to go to La Pancha - a big club in Madrid. We had a great long walk altogether, and half of us ended up returning home because we had to get up for Segovia this morning, and the toll of several nights (or mornings) in Madrid was having its way.
Segovia
It was beautiful. I don't know how the HECK my roomies got up because they were up til 6 AGAIN. Alina had napped one day, but Josh literally hasn't slept more than 2 hours a night since we've been here. We had a tour through the cathedral and around the city, and we ate the Segovia-famous Chinchillo (pig leg roasted).
In front of the castle in Segovia
Fun Fact: the castle from which Walt Disney got his inspiration! Thanks, Megan, I believe it was who told me that!
Thank you, Rachel, for the pic!
On top of the castle tower with the API group- Ethan, we missed you!!!
Thanks again for the pic, Rachel!!!
Upon our return, Javi and I fixed my phone- SO HAPPY MOVIL, I learned, IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH VERIZON WIRELESS- lesson learned. I ended up having to buy a cheap phone for that SIM card, but it's honestly easier, so whatever. We wondered the streets, and we found another great place for eats and drinks called La Parallel (I believe). We then stopped at several other places and ended up greeting his friend Chris before I took a taxi home because of my exhaustion and because I must wake up at 7 tomorrow, and we go to SEVILLA! with my program group, Javi's and some of Alina's friends will be there too. It's going to be awesome!
Monday, May 28, 2012
New World
Sitting here at 22.30 (10:30) with a glass of Tempernillo from Chile that was 2.98 euros and manchego (also ~ 3 euros) with crackers and some plantains with olive oil and garlic. Believe it or not, the olive oil is the most expensive part of my meal (9 euros for the bottle). The Spanish give a lot of ducks about their olive oil (not a type-o, I seriously mean ducks, quack-quack). After that parenthetical remark, you probably think I have had a glass too many, but I actually haven't had a drink since noonish, and I'm waiting for my wine to open up, so I haven't had any! I'm just soooo exhausted.
I have so much to tell. This day has been INSANE. I need to hurry before my friends in the program come over to our apartment any minute. We're going to talk and drink wine then go to one of the local clubs.
Last night, we went to a strand of bars on the street they call la Latina. We went and had some sangria and such at two bars, but our group was so large (compared to the bars there & because they were busy) that we ended up going back to la Plaza Meyor and drinking some sangria in the square and people watching. It was a tame night, and we woke up for more orientation then basically wondered the city until 4:30- then moved into our new homes!!!!!
Many- a MANY faux pas occurred today. You wouldn't believe. I heard in orientation at A&M that I would make mistakes and embarrass myself, and they were SOOOO RIGHT. Alina and I laughed a lot, but we also looked like morons.
FOR THE PHONE. If you come to Spain, don't second guess, don't have a phone in mind. I don't know; at least, that's what I found. Get something cheap (29 euros or under) that has 9 cents a minute or less - this is for local calls I'm talking. I went to 3 different phone stores, waited in line with a number for a LONG time, and they didn't even end up having the cheapest phone in stock meaning I would have had to buy a legit, 50 euros or more phone just for making local calls. I ended up buying a happy movil sim card - 20 euros - which includes 15 euros worth of minutes already. It's only 6 cents a minute for local calls, and if you come to get an international phone, get the international option and it's only 3 CENTS PER MINUTE INTERNATIONAL. Unfortunately you can't get both options on one sim card, but that's pretty legitimate.
We went to this amazing market, which will be featured on the video soon. We got oysters and a glass of white wine, which was delicious!!!
Okay, so the best part. We moved in today!!!! I love my roommates. Alina & Josh are the absolute best and easiest to live with. We went apartment shopping for the basics. Just to let you know, Alina speaks fluent Russian & German!!! It's crazy. I've been telling everyone. She yelled at me this morning in the hotel while asleep in Russian, and I thought she was cussing me out in her sleep, but she actually just accidentally asked what time it was in Russian.
Our apartment is surreal!!!!! We got it kind of far away from Puerta del Sol and everything because JOSH had to have A/C!!!! Hahahaha just kidding, it's grand, but the place is AMAZING. SO SAFE. We have an elevator, key to get in the building & in the room & an extra safe bolt for when we go out. There's a security guard on a bike that goes between our building and the one beside us (good space in between, like 200 meters), and a guard stand that can see the street and the entrance to our building.
The neighborhood is BEAUTIFUL. The metro is so close. A super market and restaurants are within a 5 minute walk. The botanical gardens, Museo del Prado, and amazing Parque de Retiro are within walking distance. --yes I Oxford comma--
It will be in the next video.
We each have our own bedrooom, 2 bathrooms, a washer ( you dry EVERYTHING on close pins), a kitchen, a living room! And we're on the 8th floor and have amazing views!!!
I have so much to tell, but I have to go because we have to ring our friends up, but I'll tell more & some great embarrassing moments hopefully tomorrow!!!
I have so much to tell. This day has been INSANE. I need to hurry before my friends in the program come over to our apartment any minute. We're going to talk and drink wine then go to one of the local clubs.
Last night, we went to a strand of bars on the street they call la Latina. We went and had some sangria and such at two bars, but our group was so large (compared to the bars there & because they were busy) that we ended up going back to la Plaza Meyor and drinking some sangria in the square and people watching. It was a tame night, and we woke up for more orientation then basically wondered the city until 4:30- then moved into our new homes!!!!!
Many- a MANY faux pas occurred today. You wouldn't believe. I heard in orientation at A&M that I would make mistakes and embarrass myself, and they were SOOOO RIGHT. Alina and I laughed a lot, but we also looked like morons.
FOR THE PHONE. If you come to Spain, don't second guess, don't have a phone in mind. I don't know; at least, that's what I found. Get something cheap (29 euros or under) that has 9 cents a minute or less - this is for local calls I'm talking. I went to 3 different phone stores, waited in line with a number for a LONG time, and they didn't even end up having the cheapest phone in stock meaning I would have had to buy a legit, 50 euros or more phone just for making local calls. I ended up buying a happy movil sim card - 20 euros - which includes 15 euros worth of minutes already. It's only 6 cents a minute for local calls, and if you come to get an international phone, get the international option and it's only 3 CENTS PER MINUTE INTERNATIONAL. Unfortunately you can't get both options on one sim card, but that's pretty legitimate.
We went to this amazing market, which will be featured on the video soon. We got oysters and a glass of white wine, which was delicious!!!
Okay, so the best part. We moved in today!!!! I love my roommates. Alina & Josh are the absolute best and easiest to live with. We went apartment shopping for the basics. Just to let you know, Alina speaks fluent Russian & German!!! It's crazy. I've been telling everyone. She yelled at me this morning in the hotel while asleep in Russian, and I thought she was cussing me out in her sleep, but she actually just accidentally asked what time it was in Russian.
Our apartment is surreal!!!!! We got it kind of far away from Puerta del Sol and everything because JOSH had to have A/C!!!! Hahahaha just kidding, it's grand, but the place is AMAZING. SO SAFE. We have an elevator, key to get in the building & in the room & an extra safe bolt for when we go out. There's a security guard on a bike that goes between our building and the one beside us (good space in between, like 200 meters), and a guard stand that can see the street and the entrance to our building.
The neighborhood is BEAUTIFUL. The metro is so close. A super market and restaurants are within a 5 minute walk. The botanical gardens, Museo del Prado, and amazing Parque de Retiro are within walking distance. --yes I Oxford comma--
It will be in the next video.
We each have our own bedrooom, 2 bathrooms, a washer ( you dry EVERYTHING on close pins), a kitchen, a living room! And we're on the 8th floor and have amazing views!!!
I have so much to tell, but I have to go because we have to ring our friends up, but I'll tell more & some great embarrassing moments hopefully tomorrow!!!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
1st DAY
Today has been crazy!
Today really is composed of 2 days; I left Saturday at noon in Texas & arrived in Madrid at 3 AM (Texas time), 10 AM Madrid time on Sunday (today) AND now it's around 2:30 PM.
That flight was realllllllly rough. It is so IMPOSSIBLE to sleep on planes. I sat next to a friendly male studying Archaeology in Mallorca. We watched We Bought a Zoo, which wasn't that bad for the low expectations set on air planes (+ Matty D) & the awful Midnight in Paris (awful because I've seen it before with slightly higher expectations & the acting is straight up atrocious in that movie- sorry if you liked it - the Hemingway component is great!)
ANYWAY, ANYWAY- upon descending, it was soooo amazing because you just see vineyard after vineyard. I've never seen anything like it. Tons of little trees perfectly spaced out in thousands of grids.
The airport was overwhelming- many a faux pas if you know me, but I made it to the API table! And met a bunch of people. Five were from UT and were all going to Seville. I met my future apartment roommate, Josh from Boston, and I meet the girl soon! As she will be dropped off from the airport a n y minute to share this cute and quaint hotel room with me.
--- speaking of my idiocy & exhaustion, I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO TURN ON THE ELECTRICITY IN MY HOTEL ROOM! I knew it was somewhere, and like Ace Ventura on the PC game, I tried so hard to find clues, but nothing worked. Found out that you put the room key in the little square thing by the door entrance (which I had previously pushed furiously to try to make SOMETHING work). So lesson learned: don't make the same mistake I did and feel like a defeated moron. ---
It is very, very close to Puerta del Sol, which is this grand plaza in Madrid that is beautiful and has tons of stores, bars, and restaurants. There are so many people here. It's amazing how many people dress up and do acts on the street for photos and tips. They will be on my video in a day or two. It's UNBELIEVABLE.
The Madrid API group and I all ate lunch there at an outdoor restaurant. It was beautiful, and we people watched in awe.
We are all quite exhausted, and now I write in my hotel room awaiting the meet up with my future and current roomie! THEN shower, nap, orientation, dinner, & bar hopping in Puerta del Sol! I hope Javi & I get to meet up. My current lack of local phone is a bit of a problem that I will fix as soon as I find this legendary Orange company...
Will update again soonish-
!
Today really is composed of 2 days; I left Saturday at noon in Texas & arrived in Madrid at 3 AM (Texas time), 10 AM Madrid time on Sunday (today) AND now it's around 2:30 PM.
That flight was realllllllly rough. It is so IMPOSSIBLE to sleep on planes. I sat next to a friendly male studying Archaeology in Mallorca. We watched We Bought a Zoo, which wasn't that bad for the low expectations set on air planes (+ Matty D) & the awful Midnight in Paris (awful because I've seen it before with slightly higher expectations & the acting is straight up atrocious in that movie- sorry if you liked it - the Hemingway component is great!)
ANYWAY, ANYWAY- upon descending, it was soooo amazing because you just see vineyard after vineyard. I've never seen anything like it. Tons of little trees perfectly spaced out in thousands of grids.
The airport was overwhelming- many a faux pas if you know me, but I made it to the API table! And met a bunch of people. Five were from UT and were all going to Seville. I met my future apartment roommate, Josh from Boston, and I meet the girl soon! As she will be dropped off from the airport a n y minute to share this cute and quaint hotel room with me.
--- speaking of my idiocy & exhaustion, I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO TURN ON THE ELECTRICITY IN MY HOTEL ROOM! I knew it was somewhere, and like Ace Ventura on the PC game, I tried so hard to find clues, but nothing worked. Found out that you put the room key in the little square thing by the door entrance (which I had previously pushed furiously to try to make SOMETHING work). So lesson learned: don't make the same mistake I did and feel like a defeated moron. ---
It is very, very close to Puerta del Sol, which is this grand plaza in Madrid that is beautiful and has tons of stores, bars, and restaurants. There are so many people here. It's amazing how many people dress up and do acts on the street for photos and tips. They will be on my video in a day or two. It's UNBELIEVABLE.
The Madrid API group and I all ate lunch there at an outdoor restaurant. It was beautiful, and we people watched in awe.
We are all quite exhausted, and now I write in my hotel room awaiting the meet up with my future and current roomie! THEN shower, nap, orientation, dinner, & bar hopping in Puerta del Sol! I hope Javi & I get to meet up. My current lack of local phone is a bit of a problem that I will fix as soon as I find this legendary Orange company...
Will update again soonish-
!
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