So today I was just picking up the pieces from before Jazz came. I am so far behind in everything and in nothing. We don't do much here, but I am behind in what we don't do much of. I am a procrastinator, but I work best that way. I can't believe I am going to see Jazz on Thursday! I am sooooo excited! I wish she would have studied abroad in Barcelona with me!
Today I did a lot of nothing when i should have been picking up the pieces! My teacher today gave the funniest pep talk about going to Sichez. She told us we couldn't dress up like bananas or penguins because it is way too packed. Be something comfortable like a dung beetle!
Professors here are so carefree like that! She was giving us drinking advice and telling us what she does, and we have to send her pictures when we go. I can't believe I am going to Madri Gras at the World's 2nd largest festival! I need to figure out a costume. My Spanish teacher writes down pick up lines, swear words and how to get high on the board. I love the lifestyle here. But I do find t strange that grown children live at home! I also sat in the street while a friend rolled a joint! People here just smoke out in public! I am shocked by that whole idea. When I think of smoking pot I will always think of a girl I met on the trip saying it's like "smoking ass" because you don't know how it was transported!
John walked me home today! The sun was shining and everyone was out perfect day.
I also got to talk to my loves. I chatted away all night. It felt so good to be able to see their faces on web cam. I saw Arbys, milk, Kiki's bra, Megan, Emily and Kiki. I miss the Vortex so much! I have been also talking to a lot of people back home.
I wish the midwest had an Ocean.
then it would be perfect.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Day 40-41, Februrary 10-11,2009 Tuesday-Wednesday
Vale. Life is going crazy. You know when you seem to get an unlucky streak and you didn’t break a mirror or pick a penny tails up, and you don’t know what it’s caused from. Well that is my life. My computer crashed and life just got hectic with traveling planning, prices going up, and other small plans. The sad part is boys aren’t even causing this! My computer muerte, my camera stolen, mi pie rompe, aye aye aye…. But I am dealing with it. I may pout, but being happy makes these things seem less drastic. If I was in Tomahawk I would have freaked, but here in the words of John “just rollin with the homies”.
Yesterday I went shopping with Steve and I explored areas of Barcelona I never realized existed. I have to do that more with Minneapolis. It is my home, and there is so much I haven’t seen, and I feel like every day should be an adventure. I live in a big city in the states, and it is a possibility so I should take full advantage of it. I love how much spirit Barca has for FC Futball. They had the cutest little kid outfits! I am going to buy my child one day one of them. And Las Ramblas is way too intense to shop. I am not a tourist, and I can’t handle shopping like one. People try to sell you way too much, and push it on you! I like the smaller neighborhoods and districts. I love shopping with Steve; he makes it so much fun!
All the shops in Barca are broken into districts like shoes, chocolate, electronics, trinkets, stoner shops. It makes my life so easy! And I can’t believe people just smoke weed on the streets. It baffles me. But so does much about Europe.
On the train on Tuesday after Steve went home I made eye contact with a guy. It was so cute. He got off the train and just stood there. I wish he would have run back on like a scene from a romantic movie. But he stood there and didn’t leave the station til the train was gone and moved his head until it was gone. I need to have a romantic story like that!
And Catalan is so much different than Spanish. I don’t think I can ever master it!
I went to lunch with the boys at “their” restaurant and got a bikini and Clara, both Barca originated foods! A Clara is a mix of beer and lemonade, and a bikini is a jamon and queso with sauce. I had a blast! I can just fit in with them, and we just sat and were treated like regulars. I am becoming a regular at pan and company. Their cookies taste just like subways, and they have free internet! This is the girl’s new meeting spot!
The people at the computer spot were all very sweet to me. Most of computers are written in English formats, even in Europe, so I was lucky in that aspect. I tried ot spit out words, and we tried to communicate. It ended up getting my point across. The language barrier has been the hardest change in my life, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It makes me try harder and use other forms of communication to get my message across.
I saw a man driving a four wheeler in traffic today. He followed the safety laws by wearing a helmet, but it was very weird and looked out of place. Rarely do you see something that American just cruizin the streets during rush hour traffic.
Chocolate is replacing my need for Jazz. Tom offered his hugs, but it isn’t the same. I can’t wait to live with Natalie and Jazz after college!
SPRING BREAK GREECE 2009. It is official. I am excited. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would go to Greece! A large group is going so it is going to be the time of my life. I am planning to go to Germany, Austria, Prauge, and Switzerland again after the program, and then Italy in the last 10 days. I am so lucky to be able to explore the world.
I am also becoming bold with my past. I know what went wrong and I am fixing my problems for good. And I am taking control with what I want. I have a goal and motivation in life, but that is my secret.
Yesterday I went shopping with Steve and I explored areas of Barcelona I never realized existed. I have to do that more with Minneapolis. It is my home, and there is so much I haven’t seen, and I feel like every day should be an adventure. I live in a big city in the states, and it is a possibility so I should take full advantage of it. I love how much spirit Barca has for FC Futball. They had the cutest little kid outfits! I am going to buy my child one day one of them. And Las Ramblas is way too intense to shop. I am not a tourist, and I can’t handle shopping like one. People try to sell you way too much, and push it on you! I like the smaller neighborhoods and districts. I love shopping with Steve; he makes it so much fun!
All the shops in Barca are broken into districts like shoes, chocolate, electronics, trinkets, stoner shops. It makes my life so easy! And I can’t believe people just smoke weed on the streets. It baffles me. But so does much about Europe.
On the train on Tuesday after Steve went home I made eye contact with a guy. It was so cute. He got off the train and just stood there. I wish he would have run back on like a scene from a romantic movie. But he stood there and didn’t leave the station til the train was gone and moved his head until it was gone. I need to have a romantic story like that!
And Catalan is so much different than Spanish. I don’t think I can ever master it!
I went to lunch with the boys at “their” restaurant and got a bikini and Clara, both Barca originated foods! A Clara is a mix of beer and lemonade, and a bikini is a jamon and queso with sauce. I had a blast! I can just fit in with them, and we just sat and were treated like regulars. I am becoming a regular at pan and company. Their cookies taste just like subways, and they have free internet! This is the girl’s new meeting spot!
The people at the computer spot were all very sweet to me. Most of computers are written in English formats, even in Europe, so I was lucky in that aspect. I tried ot spit out words, and we tried to communicate. It ended up getting my point across. The language barrier has been the hardest change in my life, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It makes me try harder and use other forms of communication to get my message across.
I saw a man driving a four wheeler in traffic today. He followed the safety laws by wearing a helmet, but it was very weird and looked out of place. Rarely do you see something that American just cruizin the streets during rush hour traffic.
Chocolate is replacing my need for Jazz. Tom offered his hugs, but it isn’t the same. I can’t wait to live with Natalie and Jazz after college!
SPRING BREAK GREECE 2009. It is official. I am excited. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would go to Greece! A large group is going so it is going to be the time of my life. I am planning to go to Germany, Austria, Prauge, and Switzerland again after the program, and then Italy in the last 10 days. I am so lucky to be able to explore the world.
I am also becoming bold with my past. I know what went wrong and I am fixing my problems for good. And I am taking control with what I want. I have a goal and motivation in life, but that is my secret.
Day 39 February 9, 2009 Monday
Today I had a lot of energy in which tomorrow will be the opposite. I got a lot of things accomplished which is great for a Monday! I was even on time to Spanish. I am shocked in a city so large how you can randomly run into two people you know on the exact same train! Spanish is always so much fun. I laugh the hardest during my day in there. Today I sat next to John and we discussed drugos in class. And he convinced the class I was a drug dealer “fact” not fiction haha.
I had my oral examination today and I realized I do not like the way I am learning Spanish here. I would like to learn vocabulary of nouns and verbs along the way so I can use the grammatical things we learn in sentences. My goal in life is to become fluent in Spanish. I am going to enroll in summer courses. Catalan is so different though.
When I was adding minutes onto my phone at Corte I met a man who was trying to learn English. We discussed his favorite cities in Europe. He said his favorite cities in Europe are Barcelona, Paris, London and St. Petersburg. He said I need to bring my boyfriend to Paris. He described each one to me. I love how most Europeans are bilingual and are so cultured. But this man was an art dealer/real state agent and he hated Madrid. I rambled about how much I loved the Parado Mueso and he only had poor things to say about Madrid. He told me his reasons were politically based and he despised the way that Espana treats the Cataluña region just because they lived under a different flag, government and morals. His opinion was also art driven. He was angered that Madrid got to have some of Barcelona’s best artists work displayed and not Barca. He said that Barcelona could not afford to purchase many of these paintings and Madrid could. He said it was like taking a piece of history of Barca away every time. Picasso, Miro and Goya should be featured in their home “coutry”, not just the wealthy meusems. I loved his passion.
As Van Gough said “Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul.” The painting should be wear the painter’s love is.
This man was well educated and passionate about his home region. It makes me feel special to live in such a nationalist region.
I ate lunch with the boys today. They made fun of my accent. And they discussed why they loved Midwestern girls. I guess the kindhearted, good matured girl is wanted throughout the country! We also discussed gossip. I feel as though the boys have even more drama than I do. But the boys on this program are flighty hoes, but they are sweet.
It was very warm out today. I did not need to wear a coat. I love the warm breeze and the sun shining and walking through Uptown region. I listen to fun music and look at all the sights. I walk home from therapy now, and I witness the most interesting things. I am falling in love every day. And the perfect weather (my favorite) puts me in a great mood. It’s almost like it is that perfect spring day every day. Where there is a warm sun, light breeze, warm and damp ground. Everyday I’m going to bring it up. Because it does make me happy.
"Spring is when life's alive in everything."
Tonight Katie, Erin and I went to Pans and become famous regulars. The workers loved us. It was even better than going clubbing. We stayed until midnight and just laughed our asses off. We had comment wars, and skyped jazz. We discussed the toilet doucher, Erin’s smelliness, Katie’s farts, becoming patient, tagging, creeping and eating. I love my girls. They mean the world to me and make me so happy. Creeping the web together, not getting work done, staring at the locals and eating cookies made my night. We even got Jazz to almost cry on the phone.
And I decided that I am always going to be impatient. I know I am going to be sloppy and cluttered, but I am embracing that. And I am a jealous person, but that means I care. I know my flaws. And I am not going to try to change them. People say work on them, but I shouldn’t have to. It makes me, and I am vale with these flaws. Lack of patients means I’m ambitious and a go getter according to my marketing teacher who also thinks I’m marriage material. The clutter I could try and fix but it’s the way my mind works, and jealousy occurs only if you are lucky, so be happy if I’m jealous. So mom you can never say work on your patience, because I love that aspect of me.
I am just amazed by the weather today! I LOVE IT!!! IT IS SOOOOO PERFECT. 69*!
Erin announced to the world that her family wasn’t very clean! I almost died laughing.
A FEW CONVOS FROM FACEBOOKING IN THE SAME ROOM
Katie is Erin: "Seriously...my family is not a very clean family..."
Rachel Janz -obviously erin isnt clean either.,...
she didnt shower for 5 days when we went to madrid.
she pretty much made the train stink.
that quote may just be an understatement...
-you suck at comback comments
Erin Wise -Well you are impatient
Katie Anderson - and she wonders why we didn't spend the night with her?
Rachel Janz -well you smell and that is why i slept with a smoker.
a smoker is better than a stinker
Katie wants to go to paris with the love of her life...but someone doesn't love her ENOUGH in return.
Rachel Janz -Paris holds the key to your heart... If you would watch anastasia you would know. now i have to put up with your emo ass. Dont worry you will get ur love. You will be able to cuddle, kiss, take pics in front of hte eifle tower, canoodle, romp, eat baguettes, share spagetti like that lady and the trap, and walk under the PARI moon light. j'mepapael. AVWAU.. doesnt that sound french., dont worry, you will get your love.
Katie Anderson: lady and the tramp?
Rachel Janz: fuckin tramp.
and the lengua was necesario
Katie Anderson: idioma? you're living in spain?
Katie Anderson: -p.s. i don't have tuberculosis!!
Rachel Janz: Well White bear ho. You wanna share spagetti.
i couldnt find a lady in the tramp quote.
oh but i will get u an anastasia one
Rachel Janz: YOU HAVE HARDCORE TUBERKULOUS!!!!!
I had my oral examination today and I realized I do not like the way I am learning Spanish here. I would like to learn vocabulary of nouns and verbs along the way so I can use the grammatical things we learn in sentences. My goal in life is to become fluent in Spanish. I am going to enroll in summer courses. Catalan is so different though.
When I was adding minutes onto my phone at Corte I met a man who was trying to learn English. We discussed his favorite cities in Europe. He said his favorite cities in Europe are Barcelona, Paris, London and St. Petersburg. He said I need to bring my boyfriend to Paris. He described each one to me. I love how most Europeans are bilingual and are so cultured. But this man was an art dealer/real state agent and he hated Madrid. I rambled about how much I loved the Parado Mueso and he only had poor things to say about Madrid. He told me his reasons were politically based and he despised the way that Espana treats the Cataluña region just because they lived under a different flag, government and morals. His opinion was also art driven. He was angered that Madrid got to have some of Barcelona’s best artists work displayed and not Barca. He said that Barcelona could not afford to purchase many of these paintings and Madrid could. He said it was like taking a piece of history of Barca away every time. Picasso, Miro and Goya should be featured in their home “coutry”, not just the wealthy meusems. I loved his passion.
As Van Gough said “Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul.” The painting should be wear the painter’s love is.
This man was well educated and passionate about his home region. It makes me feel special to live in such a nationalist region.
I ate lunch with the boys today. They made fun of my accent. And they discussed why they loved Midwestern girls. I guess the kindhearted, good matured girl is wanted throughout the country! We also discussed gossip. I feel as though the boys have even more drama than I do. But the boys on this program are flighty hoes, but they are sweet.
It was very warm out today. I did not need to wear a coat. I love the warm breeze and the sun shining and walking through Uptown region. I listen to fun music and look at all the sights. I walk home from therapy now, and I witness the most interesting things. I am falling in love every day. And the perfect weather (my favorite) puts me in a great mood. It’s almost like it is that perfect spring day every day. Where there is a warm sun, light breeze, warm and damp ground. Everyday I’m going to bring it up. Because it does make me happy.
"Spring is when life's alive in everything."
Tonight Katie, Erin and I went to Pans and become famous regulars. The workers loved us. It was even better than going clubbing. We stayed until midnight and just laughed our asses off. We had comment wars, and skyped jazz. We discussed the toilet doucher, Erin’s smelliness, Katie’s farts, becoming patient, tagging, creeping and eating. I love my girls. They mean the world to me and make me so happy. Creeping the web together, not getting work done, staring at the locals and eating cookies made my night. We even got Jazz to almost cry on the phone.
And I decided that I am always going to be impatient. I know I am going to be sloppy and cluttered, but I am embracing that. And I am a jealous person, but that means I care. I know my flaws. And I am not going to try to change them. People say work on them, but I shouldn’t have to. It makes me, and I am vale with these flaws. Lack of patients means I’m ambitious and a go getter according to my marketing teacher who also thinks I’m marriage material. The clutter I could try and fix but it’s the way my mind works, and jealousy occurs only if you are lucky, so be happy if I’m jealous. So mom you can never say work on your patience, because I love that aspect of me.
I am just amazed by the weather today! I LOVE IT!!! IT IS SOOOOO PERFECT. 69*!
Erin announced to the world that her family wasn’t very clean! I almost died laughing.
A FEW CONVOS FROM FACEBOOKING IN THE SAME ROOM
Katie is Erin: "Seriously...my family is not a very clean family..."
Rachel Janz -obviously erin isnt clean either.,...
she didnt shower for 5 days when we went to madrid.
she pretty much made the train stink.
that quote may just be an understatement...
-you suck at comback comments
Erin Wise -Well you are impatient
Katie Anderson - and she wonders why we didn't spend the night with her?
Rachel Janz -well you smell and that is why i slept with a smoker.
a smoker is better than a stinker
Katie wants to go to paris with the love of her life...but someone doesn't love her ENOUGH in return.
Rachel Janz -Paris holds the key to your heart... If you would watch anastasia you would know. now i have to put up with your emo ass. Dont worry you will get ur love. You will be able to cuddle, kiss, take pics in front of hte eifle tower, canoodle, romp, eat baguettes, share spagetti like that lady and the trap, and walk under the PARI moon light. j'mepapael. AVWAU.. doesnt that sound french., dont worry, you will get your love.
Katie Anderson: lady and the tramp?
Rachel Janz: fuckin tramp.
and the lengua was necesario
Katie Anderson: idioma? you're living in spain?
Katie Anderson: -p.s. i don't have tuberculosis!!
Rachel Janz: Well White bear ho. You wanna share spagetti.
i couldnt find a lady in the tramp quote.
oh but i will get u an anastasia one
Rachel Janz: YOU HAVE HARDCORE TUBERKULOUS!!!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Day 38 February 8, 2009 Sunday
Today we have another long breakfast! But today there was no experimenting with food! We knew what we wanted! We went to the Reina Sofia Museum today and la Guernica, Picassos most famous painting. It was so much larger than I assumed it to be! The Reina Sofia is a modern art museum, and generally I don’t like modern art, but this museum was amazing! We then went to the largest flea market in the world! It was crazy busy! You could barely move! I bought a couple leather bracelets and Flamenco posters! I can’t imagine this flea market in the summer when it is hot! It seemed hot when it is Spain’s winter months! The flea market was chaotic, but it was a fun experience! You could send hours looking at the stands and still never see everything there!
On the train ride home Erin and I didn’t sleep. We were wired and uncontrollably obnoxious; which is shocking because I didn’t sleep at all last night. But it was probably over exhaustion! We got in trouble several times for being a loud and disruptive. “I wanna make love right na na na, 16 going on 17, and Hey Hey you you I don’t like your girlfriend” were our main spotlighted songs we sang to! Backstreet boys and Spice Girls were also thrown in there! We sang out loud and danced, and the sleeping people wanted to kill us! It was just like Switzerland, but taken to a Train extreme! We went to the food cart and ate toberones, and talked and danced! We love train travel we decided. There were so many old ruins that I missed when I slept on the way there. Every time I looked out of the window there was an abandoned town that looked like it was a mix from Don Quixote and the badlands. In some communities people still lived! There were old fortresses and towers and I assumed these only occurred in rare occasions. I saw dozens upon dozens. It was amazing.
We convinced Erin she smelled because she didn’t shower for the whole trip “I am dirty you guys…” That will live with her for life! We also had a social butterfly circle in the bathrooms in which Katie and I went in together and everyone stared at us when we came out. A group of 7 of us cluttered in the hallway and were being a pain in everyone’s ass!
I love riding the RENFE, especially with Erin, when we end up in train 16 instead of 15!
I LOVED MY MADRID EXPIERENCE!
On the train ride home Erin and I didn’t sleep. We were wired and uncontrollably obnoxious; which is shocking because I didn’t sleep at all last night. But it was probably over exhaustion! We got in trouble several times for being a loud and disruptive. “I wanna make love right na na na, 16 going on 17, and Hey Hey you you I don’t like your girlfriend” were our main spotlighted songs we sang to! Backstreet boys and Spice Girls were also thrown in there! We sang out loud and danced, and the sleeping people wanted to kill us! It was just like Switzerland, but taken to a Train extreme! We went to the food cart and ate toberones, and talked and danced! We love train travel we decided. There were so many old ruins that I missed when I slept on the way there. Every time I looked out of the window there was an abandoned town that looked like it was a mix from Don Quixote and the badlands. In some communities people still lived! There were old fortresses and towers and I assumed these only occurred in rare occasions. I saw dozens upon dozens. It was amazing.
We convinced Erin she smelled because she didn’t shower for the whole trip “I am dirty you guys…” That will live with her for life! We also had a social butterfly circle in the bathrooms in which Katie and I went in together and everyone stared at us when we came out. A group of 7 of us cluttered in the hallway and were being a pain in everyone’s ass!
I love riding the RENFE, especially with Erin, when we end up in train 16 instead of 15!
I LOVED MY MADRID EXPIERENCE!
Day 37 February 7, 2009 Saturday
Saturday
We got up early at the hotel and had a long breakfast! Spanish style! I never eat for the 2 hours given for each meal, but today we pretty much satisfied that criteria. I ate my weight in bread and jam. Just like in Switzerland. Maria would be proud! And by 10:00 we were ready to start are day, but not full because of the white carb consumption!
We went to Palacio Real first. The Palace, finished in the 18th century, was gorgeous and had a view of the mountains and a large part of the city. It was built here after a fire destroyed the fist palace so it could view the mountains and watch for any incoming invasions. The mountains in the distance where snowcapped and romantic looking! The crowing room was my favorite we saw in the castle. Statues came out of the ceiling and there was painted work as well and carved work. It had everything you could ever imagine an artist could do on the ceiling. The room was small and cozy, but plated with gold. The statue’s torsos looked so lifelike in each corner when reached out and their painted bodies where so detailed. The city from the palace courtyard looked gorgeous! So many artifacts were preserved over the years. And some kings and queens tried ruining previous generation’s works just because it didn’t follow their ideals.
Just like people in Barcelona people were showing pda. But this couple was almost having sex in the middle of the square. And all the real life statues were around them. So the boys went behind them and pretended to be making out, and adding sexual innuendos. It took them five minutes to look and they stop to see our whole group laughing and taking pictures of the guys mimicking them behind their displays of affection. The best part was the three boys were a complete mash up of friends groups on our program! Teaches people right for groping in public! (Just like cock blocking at the frats last year!)
We visited the Mueseo del Prado. We viewed Goya arts, Picassos, Dahli’s and Velequiz. It is considered in the top 5 in the world for museums. Later I learned that many people believe it is unfair that the Prado keeps the Castilian artists work instead of Cataluña just because the can afford it. It should go to the people. But I saw the Mesuailas painting and it was amazing to see in person. I also loved a giant painting that was one of the first to use depth perception. We saw paintings that inspired fantasia and other famous European painters. After the museum we attempted to jump the cows they had in the park. I jumped and straddled one, but Katie kept trying and had the best battle cries! People were laughing all around us watching her attempt to jump on the cow! We visited the most gorgeous park (the one I saw yesterday), but we saw the fountains and the giant arches! This is truly the best park in Madrid.(Besides the supposed zoo which has a baby Koala, we could see these grounds from the palace!)
I laid with Steve and watched European Basketball! Just as boring as US Basketball, but they are shorter and white! We had dinner at fun pizzeria in the heart of the old district of Madrid just right outside the plaza! I had tuna pizza and we just sat and enjoyed the night! We went to a bar and were invited to a party in the basement! People had painted on mustaches and we didn’t know what kind of party it was!
After the bar Katie and I went home with Eric and John! John and I stayed up the whole night listening to Used and showing him my hometown and my friends in it! It was so much fun to stay up the whole night in Madrid, I showed john muck Sticky and he loved it. T-hawk boys be proud! When Katie and I left at 6 am the full moon was out over the Palace! It was so romantic! The moon was so large and white and it looked like a fairy tale over the Hapsburg castle! When we came home we met so many 50 year old drunk people just drinking! Some had sombreros and were just going crazy! Good Ol’ Spain! Wherever you go they party! I NEED TO COME BACK TO MADRID WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME!
We got up early at the hotel and had a long breakfast! Spanish style! I never eat for the 2 hours given for each meal, but today we pretty much satisfied that criteria. I ate my weight in bread and jam. Just like in Switzerland. Maria would be proud! And by 10:00 we were ready to start are day, but not full because of the white carb consumption!
We went to Palacio Real first. The Palace, finished in the 18th century, was gorgeous and had a view of the mountains and a large part of the city. It was built here after a fire destroyed the fist palace so it could view the mountains and watch for any incoming invasions. The mountains in the distance where snowcapped and romantic looking! The crowing room was my favorite we saw in the castle. Statues came out of the ceiling and there was painted work as well and carved work. It had everything you could ever imagine an artist could do on the ceiling. The room was small and cozy, but plated with gold. The statue’s torsos looked so lifelike in each corner when reached out and their painted bodies where so detailed. The city from the palace courtyard looked gorgeous! So many artifacts were preserved over the years. And some kings and queens tried ruining previous generation’s works just because it didn’t follow their ideals.
Just like people in Barcelona people were showing pda. But this couple was almost having sex in the middle of the square. And all the real life statues were around them. So the boys went behind them and pretended to be making out, and adding sexual innuendos. It took them five minutes to look and they stop to see our whole group laughing and taking pictures of the guys mimicking them behind their displays of affection. The best part was the three boys were a complete mash up of friends groups on our program! Teaches people right for groping in public! (Just like cock blocking at the frats last year!)
We visited the Mueseo del Prado. We viewed Goya arts, Picassos, Dahli’s and Velequiz. It is considered in the top 5 in the world for museums. Later I learned that many people believe it is unfair that the Prado keeps the Castilian artists work instead of Cataluña just because the can afford it. It should go to the people. But I saw the Mesuailas painting and it was amazing to see in person. I also loved a giant painting that was one of the first to use depth perception. We saw paintings that inspired fantasia and other famous European painters. After the museum we attempted to jump the cows they had in the park. I jumped and straddled one, but Katie kept trying and had the best battle cries! People were laughing all around us watching her attempt to jump on the cow! We visited the most gorgeous park (the one I saw yesterday), but we saw the fountains and the giant arches! This is truly the best park in Madrid.(Besides the supposed zoo which has a baby Koala, we could see these grounds from the palace!)
I laid with Steve and watched European Basketball! Just as boring as US Basketball, but they are shorter and white! We had dinner at fun pizzeria in the heart of the old district of Madrid just right outside the plaza! I had tuna pizza and we just sat and enjoyed the night! We went to a bar and were invited to a party in the basement! People had painted on mustaches and we didn’t know what kind of party it was!
After the bar Katie and I went home with Eric and John! John and I stayed up the whole night listening to Used and showing him my hometown and my friends in it! It was so much fun to stay up the whole night in Madrid, I showed john muck Sticky and he loved it. T-hawk boys be proud! When Katie and I left at 6 am the full moon was out over the Palace! It was so romantic! The moon was so large and white and it looked like a fairy tale over the Hapsburg castle! When we came home we met so many 50 year old drunk people just drinking! Some had sombreros and were just going crazy! Good Ol’ Spain! Wherever you go they party! I NEED TO COME BACK TO MADRID WHEN I HAVE MORE TIME!
Day 36 February 6, 2009 Friday
We met at 7:40 at Saints Estacio to take the high speed train to Madrid! Max and I crept on porn right before we left! I was so paranoid I was going to oversleep my alarm! I love class trips and to compare how much everyone packs! Some people over pack and some under! The worst is when a guy has a huge rollie suitcase!
I sat with Erin on the train after begging people to move! We listened to her music and we had a mini Swiss trip again! We listened until we fell asleep! I woke up to Badland like hills, and old Roman villages. I can’t believe all of the cities are still standing and intact on the Spanish Country side. I saw a castle and I woke Erin up but she just sassed! Don’t bug Erin during naps! At one point we woke up and there was snow everywhere! It is crazy how in central Spain there is such a weather difference! But they have greater extremes. Hotter hots and colder colds!
Right when we arrived we experienced pickpocketers! The Madrid metro is very narrow and dark compared to Barcelona. But overall is a a big and clean city! We walked to a park in the Northeast side of town and saw peacocks! Then I walked myself to Madrid’s main city park. It was amazing! It was huge and there were the cutest playgrounds and fountains! I went to lunch with Tom, Steve, and Jake at a cute Spanish restaurant! We walked around the “Austrisa” region of Barcelona and took a tour of the outdoors of Palace Real region. In Madrid all of their street signs have pictures on them if you can’t understand Spanish.
That is another thing! IT is weird how much Catalan is consuming my life, not Spanish! Everyone speaks Spanish here and it is easy to communicate and get the point across! But in Barcelona you talk in perfect Castilian people still mumble and you get in where in your conversation. Half of the people were drunk on our walking tour! You can guess which ones, but they make the trip so much more fun and intrusting! John was all over the tour guide! We became 5 MINUTE POWER TOURISTS in the cathedrals today. We can see everything you need to see in five minutes, we walk fast, take it in and take pictures! We got the most in today using that tactic. We might want to hold a 5 minutes power tourist class to teach people to be assertive tourists!
We got chocolate and churros at a chocolate factory down in the older district! This was some of the best hot chocolate I have ever had. It was like melting a corte bar! And the churros were fresh and tasted so good! This is my favorite restaurant ever! We ate churros and hot chocolate several times here during the trip!
At the Madrid tourist shops they have real knives for sale as well as other dangerous weapons! They are almost as dangerous as the Barcelona parks! Erin had a classic quote “That’s not real…. Clunk….I take it back!” I love how Madrid has such a flavor! It has the heat and passion, flare and fever! It is like Mexico, but classy and clean. The flamenco dancers and bull fighting scene is very large here. We bought 1.29 vino and decided to go back to the main Madrid square! We ate a group dinner and I tried baby eel! It was so disgusting and I put a bunch in my mouth! Ahhh! I met knew people on our program at our dinner, Boala and Sussiete and they are so funny! I love them telling me about their “smoking ass” and “only black girls in Andorra story!”
We walked to a club after to get “free chupitos”, I think it may have been grenadine! But we danced a bit and decided to go back because we were still hungry! We ran barefoot without coats to a connivance store when we got back to the hotel! It was freezing outside and we just hauled ass. Everyone out just stared at us, but we didn’t care! We needed chocolate! That is why I love my girls! We have the ability to do dumb things and just laugh at ourselves!
I love Madrid. It has so much history. I would love to study abroad again and come here! If only I had the money! Many graduate school! Nothing can compare to Barcelona, but Madrid is a close 2nd. Barcelona people are proud of their heritage, but Madrid keeps much of Barcelona’s heritage. I also love how clean it is! But Barcelona’s night life can’t be beat. But Madrid keeps a close second with all of their historic buildings and gorgeous areas.
I sat with Erin on the train after begging people to move! We listened to her music and we had a mini Swiss trip again! We listened until we fell asleep! I woke up to Badland like hills, and old Roman villages. I can’t believe all of the cities are still standing and intact on the Spanish Country side. I saw a castle and I woke Erin up but she just sassed! Don’t bug Erin during naps! At one point we woke up and there was snow everywhere! It is crazy how in central Spain there is such a weather difference! But they have greater extremes. Hotter hots and colder colds!
Right when we arrived we experienced pickpocketers! The Madrid metro is very narrow and dark compared to Barcelona. But overall is a a big and clean city! We walked to a park in the Northeast side of town and saw peacocks! Then I walked myself to Madrid’s main city park. It was amazing! It was huge and there were the cutest playgrounds and fountains! I went to lunch with Tom, Steve, and Jake at a cute Spanish restaurant! We walked around the “Austrisa” region of Barcelona and took a tour of the outdoors of Palace Real region. In Madrid all of their street signs have pictures on them if you can’t understand Spanish.
That is another thing! IT is weird how much Catalan is consuming my life, not Spanish! Everyone speaks Spanish here and it is easy to communicate and get the point across! But in Barcelona you talk in perfect Castilian people still mumble and you get in where in your conversation. Half of the people were drunk on our walking tour! You can guess which ones, but they make the trip so much more fun and intrusting! John was all over the tour guide! We became 5 MINUTE POWER TOURISTS in the cathedrals today. We can see everything you need to see in five minutes, we walk fast, take it in and take pictures! We got the most in today using that tactic. We might want to hold a 5 minutes power tourist class to teach people to be assertive tourists!
We got chocolate and churros at a chocolate factory down in the older district! This was some of the best hot chocolate I have ever had. It was like melting a corte bar! And the churros were fresh and tasted so good! This is my favorite restaurant ever! We ate churros and hot chocolate several times here during the trip!
At the Madrid tourist shops they have real knives for sale as well as other dangerous weapons! They are almost as dangerous as the Barcelona parks! Erin had a classic quote “That’s not real…. Clunk….I take it back!” I love how Madrid has such a flavor! It has the heat and passion, flare and fever! It is like Mexico, but classy and clean. The flamenco dancers and bull fighting scene is very large here. We bought 1.29 vino and decided to go back to the main Madrid square! We ate a group dinner and I tried baby eel! It was so disgusting and I put a bunch in my mouth! Ahhh! I met knew people on our program at our dinner, Boala and Sussiete and they are so funny! I love them telling me about their “smoking ass” and “only black girls in Andorra story!”
We walked to a club after to get “free chupitos”, I think it may have been grenadine! But we danced a bit and decided to go back because we were still hungry! We ran barefoot without coats to a connivance store when we got back to the hotel! It was freezing outside and we just hauled ass. Everyone out just stared at us, but we didn’t care! We needed chocolate! That is why I love my girls! We have the ability to do dumb things and just laugh at ourselves!
I love Madrid. It has so much history. I would love to study abroad again and come here! If only I had the money! Many graduate school! Nothing can compare to Barcelona, but Madrid is a close 2nd. Barcelona people are proud of their heritage, but Madrid keeps much of Barcelona’s heritage. I also love how clean it is! But Barcelona’s night life can’t be beat. But Madrid keeps a close second with all of their historic buildings and gorgeous areas.
Day 35 February 5, 2009 Thursday
During class today we had the window open and a light salty breeze blew in smells of caramelized onions grilling in the summer. I love this weather so much. It is warm and it feels like a warm, summer Wisconsin night during the day here. And there are the best smells in the air. It made it so hard to concentrate! I love the warm weather, and the feeling of spring. It makes anybody antsy! That is my favorite thing about Easter and spring in general is having the warm sunny days. I remember in high school I would get home from drama and just lay on the deck, and it would be the thing I would look forward to most in the day. It is like that here in January and February and the locals are wearing scarves! The warm weather makes me so happy, muy allegro!! It is true how the weather can make you smile!
Today I book a flight to Mallorca! We are all going to paradise in the Sea between Italy and Spain. The beaches look gorgeous and we are all on the same flight. I can’t wait. This will be pre spring break! We are going to Greece for Spring break! I am looking at pictures and getting excited! It’s not going to be very hot, but perfect and relaxing!
We attempted to walk the Roman ruins in Barcelona but the rain cancelled our field trip. A quote from a class clown “Romans kept it real they knew what was up” on what he knew or learned about the Romans. Sometimes dumb guys are so funny just to keep you entertained.
In the store today we were staring at a man in the checkout. He had 11 cartons of unrefrigerated lambs milk. How can you not stare at that? I have seen goats milk, but never lambs milk. How do you even milk a lamb? I kind of want to call myth busters and see how they do it! And he was like “you must not be from around here” “You must be from America”, and obviously by the way Katie was dressed in gopher shorts, and a hoodie! And it went into this whole thing how that milk is good for upset stomachs, and that I should drink it. I love conversations like this with the locals. I will always wonder how do you milk a lamb, and what was he doing with all that milk?
Tomorrow we are going to Madrid! I stayed up at read Uncle Tom’s Cabin!
Today I book a flight to Mallorca! We are all going to paradise in the Sea between Italy and Spain. The beaches look gorgeous and we are all on the same flight. I can’t wait. This will be pre spring break! We are going to Greece for Spring break! I am looking at pictures and getting excited! It’s not going to be very hot, but perfect and relaxing!
We attempted to walk the Roman ruins in Barcelona but the rain cancelled our field trip. A quote from a class clown “Romans kept it real they knew what was up” on what he knew or learned about the Romans. Sometimes dumb guys are so funny just to keep you entertained.
In the store today we were staring at a man in the checkout. He had 11 cartons of unrefrigerated lambs milk. How can you not stare at that? I have seen goats milk, but never lambs milk. How do you even milk a lamb? I kind of want to call myth busters and see how they do it! And he was like “you must not be from around here” “You must be from America”, and obviously by the way Katie was dressed in gopher shorts, and a hoodie! And it went into this whole thing how that milk is good for upset stomachs, and that I should drink it. I love conversations like this with the locals. I will always wonder how do you milk a lamb, and what was he doing with all that milk?
Tomorrow we are going to Madrid! I stayed up at read Uncle Tom’s Cabin!
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