Wow! Just a few more days and I will be heading back to the States. It's crazy to think that almost 6 weeks have passed since I first stepped foot in Madrid. Also, I should insert here a special "happy fourth of July" to all my friends back in the States. It's weird not spending the Fourth in the US but the Fourth has always been a hit or miss holiday in our family. We are usually traveling around the country-and a few times we have been in areas that don't have fireworks. Tonight though we are having a barbeque with my host parents so that should be a lot of fun!
This week has been rather stressful. The last day of class was today so I was busy writing two essays, a presentation, studying for an exam and finishing up some last minute homework. As stressful as it was, I think that everything turned out just fine. I actually loved going to class here-it was such a different experience from going to classes in Purdue. The art class over the Prado was by far one of my favorites with the exception of my professor for Civilization.
After class I took my siesta and then started packing up to head back to the States. We are going to Granada for the weekend so I need to have everything ready for when I get back. Hopefully my suitcase is still underweight...we shall see! Tomorrow is our goodbye lunch at a local restaurant and then Granada on Friday!
Hasta luego
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
A week of crazy!
I realize that I haven't blogged in a while-and I am not sure that I should be blogging right now considering my final projects that need to be done. But everyone needs a break so I am going to take a quick one to update this!
Last week we had a huge heat wave come over Madrid. It was over 100 degrees every day from Sunday until Thursday! I thought we were going to melt here. Tensions also were flaring since no one was sleeping well without A/C. I figured it was probably good practice for when I head back to Purdue in the fall-minus the humidity of course!
On Wednesday, we visited the Botanical Gardens that are outside of the Prado. It was 104 that afternoon which made it a bit difficult to persuade myself to go. I am really glad that I went though because it was very beautiful! There were all kinds of trees and plants and the tour guide had some interesting stories to share. He also thought we were crazy for coming out in the heat of the day (I had to agree with him.) There was a special exhibit on bonsai trees which was interesting-I had never seen one in person before. A cat was sleeping in the shade which made me happy-and made me miss my cat back home.
Thursday was a fairly normal day. I worked a lot on my final projects since Julia was coming up for the weekend. I wrote most of my essay and finished up my presentation so I felt fairly good about that. On Friday morning I got up early to head to the airport to pick up Julia. I took the metro out there which was very interesting experience! I had never taken that line before but it was a fairly nice ride. I was glad I still had my travel pass-otherwise I would have had to pay 3 euros just to get into the airport (a little crazy if you ask me, but they have to make money somehow I guess).
When Julia got in we headed back to the house. I did my best to explain the metro system to her since she was going to be taking it back solo to get back home. When we got back to the house we chilled at the pool and swam for a little while (the water was freezing-but with the heat it felt great!). We ate lunch and then headed to the Prado for the afternoon. It was so cool to go the art museum with someone who is studying art history! When we got done there we went to the Retiro park which is this huge green space in the middle of Madrid. I saw my first squirrel since being here as well! I wish we could have gone out on the row boats but it was still too hot! By the time we got back for dinner we were ready to be done for the day.
Saturday was supposed to start out early-which didn't exactly happen although we did get out at a decent hour. In the morning we visited the Plaza Mayor, Sol, the Royal Palace, the cathedral by the Royal Palace, and a monument park by the Palace! Phew! After lunch we decided to head back to the city again! Julia picked a good weekend to come because the summer sales are just starting here. We shopped the rest of the afternoon and visited some cool stores. I tried on a bunch of clothes but didn't find anything that I really wanted to buy. We came back for dinner and then we were done for the night.
Sunday was actually an early morning at the house. I wanted to take Julia to the Rastro so she could experience the open market in Madrid. I also had a little bit of shopping that I needed to get done as well ;) Afterwards we stopped for a break and drank some coffee before heading back to the house for lunch. We had traditional paella which Julia really loved! We thought about heading out that afternoon but both of us were too tired. Instead, we took a siesta and hung out at the pool. The final game of the Eurocup was last night and we watched the game with the whole family! What a great time! The whole country went nuts after Spain beat Italy and rightfully so!!!
Julia headed out this morning and I have just been working on school stuff. It's crazy that in a week I will be leaving to head back to the States!
Last week we had a huge heat wave come over Madrid. It was over 100 degrees every day from Sunday until Thursday! I thought we were going to melt here. Tensions also were flaring since no one was sleeping well without A/C. I figured it was probably good practice for when I head back to Purdue in the fall-minus the humidity of course!
On Wednesday, we visited the Botanical Gardens that are outside of the Prado. It was 104 that afternoon which made it a bit difficult to persuade myself to go. I am really glad that I went though because it was very beautiful! There were all kinds of trees and plants and the tour guide had some interesting stories to share. He also thought we were crazy for coming out in the heat of the day (I had to agree with him.) There was a special exhibit on bonsai trees which was interesting-I had never seen one in person before. A cat was sleeping in the shade which made me happy-and made me miss my cat back home.
Thursday was a fairly normal day. I worked a lot on my final projects since Julia was coming up for the weekend. I wrote most of my essay and finished up my presentation so I felt fairly good about that. On Friday morning I got up early to head to the airport to pick up Julia. I took the metro out there which was very interesting experience! I had never taken that line before but it was a fairly nice ride. I was glad I still had my travel pass-otherwise I would have had to pay 3 euros just to get into the airport (a little crazy if you ask me, but they have to make money somehow I guess).
When Julia got in we headed back to the house. I did my best to explain the metro system to her since she was going to be taking it back solo to get back home. When we got back to the house we chilled at the pool and swam for a little while (the water was freezing-but with the heat it felt great!). We ate lunch and then headed to the Prado for the afternoon. It was so cool to go the art museum with someone who is studying art history! When we got done there we went to the Retiro park which is this huge green space in the middle of Madrid. I saw my first squirrel since being here as well! I wish we could have gone out on the row boats but it was still too hot! By the time we got back for dinner we were ready to be done for the day.
Saturday was supposed to start out early-which didn't exactly happen although we did get out at a decent hour. In the morning we visited the Plaza Mayor, Sol, the Royal Palace, the cathedral by the Royal Palace, and a monument park by the Palace! Phew! After lunch we decided to head back to the city again! Julia picked a good weekend to come because the summer sales are just starting here. We shopped the rest of the afternoon and visited some cool stores. I tried on a bunch of clothes but didn't find anything that I really wanted to buy. We came back for dinner and then we were done for the night.
Sunday was actually an early morning at the house. I wanted to take Julia to the Rastro so she could experience the open market in Madrid. I also had a little bit of shopping that I needed to get done as well ;) Afterwards we stopped for a break and drank some coffee before heading back to the house for lunch. We had traditional paella which Julia really loved! We thought about heading out that afternoon but both of us were too tired. Instead, we took a siesta and hung out at the pool. The final game of the Eurocup was last night and we watched the game with the whole family! What a great time! The whole country went nuts after Spain beat Italy and rightfully so!!!
Julia headed out this morning and I have just been working on school stuff. It's crazy that in a week I will be leaving to head back to the States!
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