Could it be true that the sun shines brighter in the Madrid province? I swear I have never been so enamored with the beautiful skies and sun as I am here. Maybe it is because when I walk out the front gate of our condo complex, I have a view that goes for miles. Just sayin´... ;) Ok, so maybe it´s not as cool as Caroline´s view (all the way to Madrid), but it´s still pretty amazing!
This last weekend I had Laurel over for dinner on Friday night. My family was out of town and so we made burgers and had vino tinto of course! Well, several bottles later we were having a good time talking about what girls talk about. And well, those discussions are not bloggable! Oooo!! new word right there!!! The best part is that as we were talking, she notices the clock and it says 0:24 - she literally does a double take and then shouts "craaaaaaap!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last bus for Madrid leaves in 6 min!!!" We race down the stairs, I double check outloud that she has her pass, her money and her keys. All check. She bolts out my door into the rainy dark night and I´m holding my breath that she makes it to the stop down the hill. Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes later I receive photo comments on FB from her and alas, she is safely in Madrid with her man :) One big fat "phew!!" is what I exclaimed to myself. The carnage left in my kitchen is another story. Damn, I should have taken pictures of it...
Saturday morning I awoke late and got ready fast. I headed into Madrid to meet Laurel, Carlos and Katie at Plaza de Sol. It was such a prettier scene with the sun shining as opposed to the week before. People everywhere! It was the Festival of Madrid - celebrating 100 years of the city being there. It was INSANITY ALL AROUND! I´ve never seen so many people on EVERY street we walked up or down. The architecture and cleanliness of the city still boggles my mind. We hit up our new favorite tapas bar, El Tigre, followed by a couple others and just meandered the bustling city. As it got darker, there was a huge concert going on at Plaza de España and the crowd was beyond anything I´ve ever seen for a "festival" of any sorts. We kept walking and found a Cortes Ingles. Pretty much if you take Macy´s, combine it with IKEA, an upscale grocery store, a bank, appliances, insurance agencies and hell, I can´t remember what each of the NINE floors said, that is Cortes Ingles. We got some bread, cheese, serrano (pork), and vino tinto, then headed toward the Palace. Unlike the weekend previous with Katie, the grounds outside were packed and full of people. By now it was dark and there was a HUGE salsa dance show happening live. The music was beautiful, but we could not get close enough to watch, so we picnic-ed nearby and caught glimpses on the bigscreen! There were the sweetest older couples all just dancing in a nearby clearing. Brought a smile to my face and to my heart as well. I LOVE that PDA is normal here for ANY AGE!
We went back to Carlos´ apartment, just the 4 of us and had a chill night. We talked and talked. I am so thankful for these people. Laurel and Katie are a gift and it´s so crazy and awesome all at once how you can just feel like you´ve known someone and just be instant friends. Well, it IS a pretty big bond when you can say that you left your cozy homeland to live overseas and "just see what happens." I´m glad we all are doing it.
On the way home Sunday morning, after Katie and I shared two pushed together couches and a fitted sheet (lol - again, probably funnier if you were there), I took the Metro then bus on my own home. Laurel stayed a bit longer with her man. I admired four old ladies on the bus all the way from Madrid to San Lorenzo. They were all speaking Spanish or Italian, were probably in their seventies, dressed up classy (one had a beautiful long silky silver hair). They looked like how I want to be when I am that age. They were laughing, and I think they were teasing each other at times. Two of them had canes, but rightfully so - they were all wearing heeled pumps! (The flat square kind for you guys who don´t know! ;) ) For some reason, I will never forget them.
Today is Tuesday 5.18.10. It has been 3 weeks today that I left. Only feels like yesterday. I´ve gotten through my sorta homesick bout that hit me last week and I know now that I am and will be fine. I start a Spanish class tomorrow night!! It´s a beginner class that is 6 months in, but I am eager to learn and it´s FREE! Today Laurel and I had a café con leche date and walked for two hours. I have played a lot of Spanish monopoly today and tag. I love it.
The forecast now officially says more sunny walks are ahead of me!
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