POST TEN: 3/5/13
MOROCCO, AFRICA
Dates: March 1st-March 4th
The Journey to Tangier, Morocco
I went on the trip to Morocco through a travel company called Discover Excursions. The trip was led by 4 students (late twenties, I am guessing). However, the trip through this organization started in Sevilla, Spain not Madrid. So... Friday, March 1st, along with 5 friends I took a 2.5 hour train early around 8am. When we got to Sevilla, we had a few hours to walk around and explore. We didn't have to meet up with Discover Excursions until 4pm, so we had some free time. We walked around, got lunch, and then made our way to the meeting point where we had to meet the group for Discover Excursions.
After lunch, we met up with two buses full of students for the Discover Excursions Trip. We took a 3 hour bus ride to Tarifa, Spain. Once there, we took an hour long ferry to Tangier, Morocco!!
Once in Tangier, we got back on the bus and an hour later we were at our hotel! Finally at like 11pm, we got to have dinner! I was really worried about the food, because I was told in Morocco they seasoned their food with nuts. However, Discover Excursions was very accommodating and made me a laminated card that said I was allergic to nuts. This was so sweet and useful! At every meal I just had to show my card and the restaurant knew that I needed a special plate of food.
Our Trip to Chefchaouen, Morocco
Saturday, we woke up early (7am) had complimentary breakfast at the hotel, and headed back on the bus for the town Chefchaouen, a northwest city in Morocco.
We were let loose in the city for a few hours to shop and take photos. The shopping there was very unique. All the buying done in the city is not based on set prices, but negotiating the price with the vendors. I was not the best starting out at haggling with the vendors, but I got used to it throughout the day. We were warned not to pay the first price the vendor said, but rather work it down. We were also warned about the selling of drugs. A large majority of the hash sold in the world comes from Morocco, and the locals aren't shy in selling it because it is legal there. However, it is illegal for a non-resident to buy it, and apparently it is common for locals to sell to tourists and police are waiting around corner to arrest you. Accidentally, I walked into what I thought was a pottery shop and saw a drug deal, but I ran away. Yay no foreign jail for me!
The City Asilah, Camel Riding, and Exploring the Cave.
Our last day was definitely the busiest. We went in to the town of Asilah and walked around there. Then we visited a cave, and then went on a camel ride. We took the bus from one to the other, and there was a lot of time in between the stops.
This picture pretty much describes the camel experience. I was scared the entire time, and Katie was constantly photo ready. Although, I had reason to look like this at this point because the camel was started to lay back on the ground so we could get off. That was the worst part. Definitely thought I was going to fall.
After the camel ride, we got back on the bus and went to the port of Tangier to catch our ferry. The ferry was packed and ended up leaving an hour late. Due to rough winds, the ferry was extremely rocky the last 20 minutes. I am not exaggerating when I say that EVERYONE was throwing up. The workers on the ferry were walking around with barf bags. I thought we were on the titanic we were moving so much. It was sickening. Then once off the ferry, we had a 3 hour bus to Sevilla.
Unluckily, we missed our 12 am bus home to Madrid, and then found out that the 1 am bus was full. So we had to go across town to the train station and see when the next train was. Well, it wasn't until 6am. Then we found out that everything in Sevilla closes at 1am, especially on Sundays. So, we spent the night attempting to sleep outside the train station. It was cold, uncomfortable, and disgusting.
At 5:30 am workers opened the doors to the station. We waited until the ticket booth opened to buy tickets at 6am (our train was at 6:10 so we were short on time). Then we found out that the 6:10 am train home was $100 (our one to Sevilla was $25) and the cheapest train home that day was at 5pm and was $60. Since, we had class (it is now Monday morning), we paid the $100 and took the 2.5 hour ride back to madrid. Got on the metro, and then was home. I slept a few hours and had to leave for class at 1pm. I was tired to say the least.
Getting home from Morocco was the worst traveling experience I have ever had and was very costly. I am still annoyed with how much money we lost when we missed that 12am bus home. However, Morocco was amazing and it was such a great experience. We also got the opportunity to meet a lot of students studying at different schools in Madrid.
Unluckily, we missed our 12 am bus home to Madrid, and then found out that the 1 am bus was full. So we had to go across town to the train station and see when the next train was. Well, it wasn't until 6am. Then we found out that everything in Sevilla closes at 1am, especially on Sundays. So, we spent the night attempting to sleep outside the train station. It was cold, uncomfortable, and disgusting.
At 5:30 am workers opened the doors to the station. We waited until the ticket booth opened to buy tickets at 6am (our train was at 6:10 so we were short on time). Then we found out that the 6:10 am train home was $100 (our one to Sevilla was $25) and the cheapest train home that day was at 5pm and was $60. Since, we had class (it is now Monday morning), we paid the $100 and took the 2.5 hour ride back to madrid. Got on the metro, and then was home. I slept a few hours and had to leave for class at 1pm. I was tired to say the least.
Getting home from Morocco was the worst traveling experience I have ever had and was very costly. I am still annoyed with how much money we lost when we missed that 12am bus home. However, Morocco was amazing and it was such a great experience. We also got the opportunity to meet a lot of students studying at different schools in Madrid.
POST NINE: 2/26/13
My Trip to IRELAND!! (Dublin and Galway)
DUBLIN: Wednesday-Friday
On Wednesday, February 20th I left right after one of my midterms to the airport for our flight to Dublin! The flight was at 5:15, so I took a cab from school and made it to the airport with a good amount of time to spare! It ended up that a LOT of SLU students were going to Ireland for the weekend and the majority were on my flight! I am guessing around 20 were on the flight! It was a lot of fun! Before the flight we went to starbucks to get a drink, and then saw a large alcohol store across the way and ended up each buying a bottle of wine instead of Starbucks. haha it was around the same price, so why not, right?! Well, once we got on our flight Liz and I popped open those bottles of wine, and lets just say the older women down the aisle were in shock, and we definitely fulfilled the american stereotype. I am not sure if it was illegal to drink a bottle openly on the plane, but no one said anything, and the flight attendant actually gave us cups of ice for our wine. Needless to say, that was the most fun airplane trip ever...
We landed in Dublin and were surprised when we walked outside from the plane, without going directly in to the airport. I felt like a celebrity.
On Wednesday, February 20th I left right after one of my midterms to the airport for our flight to Dublin! The flight was at 5:15, so I took a cab from school and made it to the airport with a good amount of time to spare! It ended up that a LOT of SLU students were going to Ireland for the weekend and the majority were on my flight! I am guessing around 20 were on the flight! It was a lot of fun! Before the flight we went to starbucks to get a drink, and then saw a large alcohol store across the way and ended up each buying a bottle of wine instead of Starbucks. haha it was around the same price, so why not, right?! Well, once we got on our flight Liz and I popped open those bottles of wine, and lets just say the older women down the aisle were in shock, and we definitely fulfilled the american stereotype. I am not sure if it was illegal to drink a bottle openly on the plane, but no one said anything, and the flight attendant actually gave us cups of ice for our wine. Needless to say, that was the most fun airplane trip ever...
We landed in Dublin and were surprised when we walked outside from the plane, without going directly in to the airport. I felt like a celebrity.
After checking in to our hostel, it was around 9:30pm and we decided to walk a few blocks away to an area called Temple Bar. The area was called Temple Bar, but there was also an actual Temple Bar. So we started out night there!
Temple bar fun!
The Temple Bar was really fun, it was really crowded, had live music, and was a great place to sit down and talk.
I had my first Guinness beer there, and fell in love! I thought I wouldn't like it, but I thought it was the best beer ever. It kind of tasted like coffee at little. I just thought it was really yummy!
On Thursday, we had a busy day planned to explore Dublin! After getting home at 4 am on Wednesday and having to wake up at 8:30am we were tired to say the least! But, very excited to explore! We were very organized and booked everything ahead of time so we knew exactly what we were supposed to be doing at what time. This was very helpful!
Trinity College
The first place we visited on Thursday, was Trinity College. It was right down the street from our hostel, so we walked there at 10am. It was beautiful, and crazy that students actually go there!
We heard that the library in Trinity College was beautiful, so we paid the 8 euros to go in, only to find out you weren't allowed to take any pics or touch anything. That was disappointing, but it was truly beautiful. The books were sooo old!
Jameson Tour
We made a reservation for the 12pm Jameson Whiskey Tour across town, so we hopped on a tour bus that we signed up for and took it to the Jameson Factory.
We learned how Jameson Whiskey was made, and all about the history of the company. It was really interesting to see the difference in making Whiskey compared to how I learned Heineken was made in Amsterdam.
After the Jameson tour, we went to lunch at this old pub. I got a greek salad, it was really good! We also took some time to walk around.
Guinness Tour
Our last night in Dublin, was the best night in Ireland. A lot of our friends from SLU Madrid were able to meet up, along with friends from SLU, studying in London. We spent the night mainly at this bar that was three floors and had a great live band. They played a lot of popular american songs, but more like Mumford and Sons. They didn't play like club music, it was great!
GALWAY: Friday-Sunday
After another late night on Thursday, getting home around 4am, we were very very tired when we had to wake up at 8:30am to be ready for our 9:30am bus to Galway. I slept the entire 2.5 hour bus ride to Galway.
Once I Galway, we spent all of Friday exploring the town and shopping. Our hostel was so nice! It was rated the best hostel in Ireland. It was a lot of fun because around 25 SLU kids were in the hostel, so we had a great time!
Once I Galway, we spent all of Friday exploring the town and shopping. Our hostel was so nice! It was rated the best hostel in Ireland. It was a lot of fun because around 25 SLU kids were in the hostel, so we had a great time!
We wanted some good irish food, so we asked the receptionist at the hostel for her recommendation for a place for lunch. We went to the pub that had a great menu! Although, I sort of embarrassed our table when I accidentally ran in to the owner of the pub, this little irish woman, and spilled water all over her and broke a few water glasses. It was a mess!! However, the food was amazing! I got stuffed Turkey and it came with mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, and cabbage. Some girls got the irish stew, and it was amazing!
Cliffs of Moher Bus Tour: Saturday
Saturday, we went on the Cliffs of Moher Tour bus that we signed up for. Once again we had to wake up early. For some reason, my face (especially my eyes) were really swollen when I woke up on Saturday so I was feeling out of sorts and exhausted on the bus ride. I think it may have been the sheets at the hostel, I had forgotten the sleep sac that I usually sleep in so I don't have to touch the hostel sheets. Or it could have been from the lack of sleep over the 5 days.
The Tour stopped at many stops on the way to the Cliffs of Moher. We saw Castles, tombs, and a lot of Ireland's countryside. It was beautiful.
The Tour stopped at many stops on the way to the Cliffs of Moher. We saw Castles, tombs, and a lot of Ireland's countryside. It was beautiful.
I still can't get over how amazing the view was! We were really lucky it wasn't raining! Not only would the pictures be horrible, but when you are standing at the edge of the cliffs it is scary enough without wet mud making it slippery. Apparently 5-7 people die a year at the cliffs accidentally. I was really scared! I fell at one point and got very muddy, but was away from the edge luckily!
Our trip to Ireland has definitely been my favorite so far!! I was overwhelmed by how nice and friendly everyone was in Ireland! Everyone came up to talk to us and make sure we had a great time! However, after 5 days of drinking, staying up late and waking up early I was exhausted! On sunday we took a bus from Galway back to Dublin, then a bus to the airport, a flight back to Madrid, and then the metro back to my apartment. I was exhausted, and am just getting my energy back up! I had a blast though, and I wish I could have been there longer. I am so jealous of the students studying abroad in Ireland, I definitely wish I looked into studying there! Well, now I am back in Madrid and leaving for Morocco in two days! Time is flying here! Soon it will be March and I will be in Italy! Yayy! Although, Iberia is having strikes and we just found out our flight to Rome on March 21st is during their announced strike time. We are looking in to alternative options, but fingers crossed that our flight doesn't get cancelled!!!! Pray for us!
Thanks for looking at my longer than usual post this week! :)
Thanks for looking at my longer than usual post this week! :)
POST EIGHT: 2/11/13
Shoe Problems :(
Unfortunately, my two favorite shoes are broken. I guess all the walking I have done in Europe has taken its toll on my shoes. I am now down two pairs of boots!
I have just started a complaint letter to steve madden customer service about the leather boots falling apart, so hopefully they will send me new ones if I'm lucky. Until then I am going to have to buy some duct tape and super glue. yayyy
POST SEVEN: 2/11/13
My Trip to Cadiz, Spain!
This weekend a bunch of people from SLU Madrid and I booked a trip to Cadiz for Carnival through a company called "European Vibe". Carnival is huge in Cadiz and is like Mardi Gras in the United States. The trip was only 129 euros, which was nothing because it included so much! We were surprised at how nice the hotel we were staying at! We took a bus to Cadiz and stayed at a hotel on the beach. Each room came with a full kitchen, living room, bathroom, and balcony on the beach. It was such a treat after sharing hostel rooms the past 2 weekends.
Friday we got to Cadiz around 4pm and spent the afternoon at the beach. We went to dinner near the hotel and I tried calamari for the first time!
Friday we got to Cadiz around 4pm and spent the afternoon at the beach. We went to dinner near the hotel and I tried calamari for the first time!
After dinner, we went to a club that was part of the "European Vibe" deal.
Saturday, we woke up for the free breakfast. It was amazing! The hotel served normal breakfast food like toast, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and best of all FRUIT, specifically watermelon (my fave) and grapefruit! I was in heaven!! Then we spent the rest of the day on the beach. It was sunny, but a little chilly because of the wind.
We got ready for carnival around 3:30 because the bus left to the city for the Carnival festival at 5:30 pm. K
POST SIX: 2/06/13
An Interesting Night Out!
Wednesday Katie, Maddie, and I met up with a few of our friends at a dance club downtown Madrid for a special event where the sangria and beer was free until 1:30pm. We got to the club around 12:45 am and had some sangria. Then, after waiting forever (it seemed) for another sangria, maddie joked that I should just steal a bottle from behind the bar. Well, I didn't take it so seriously and grabbed a bottle and ran into the dance floor. My friends ran after me and it ended up it was a bottle of whiskey (ew sick!).
The craziest part of the night was when we were leaving and I saw my neighbor from Minnesota. My friends almost didn't let me go back when I saw her because they didn't believe me!
POST FIVE: 2/04/13
My Trip to Amsterdam!
Sorry, it has taken a few days to get to writing this post! I have had homework for the first time this week and I had a lot to do when I got back from Amsterdam!
Amsterdam was amazing! It was a LOT different than anywhere I have every been. It was exciting being in a completely new country. It was so much different than Barcelona and Madrid. The city was full of canals, and had beautiful bridges. The architecture was also very different than any cities in Spain and America.
DAY 1: Friday
Maddie, Katie, and I had a 7:30 am flight from Madrid to Amsterdam, so we took the first train to the airport at 5:20am. We were running a little late, so there was a lot of hustling: to the train, on the shuttle to Terminal 2, and through security which was longer than usual. Once again there was little to no customs, even when we got to Holland. It was so weird.
Amsterdam was amazing! It was a LOT different than anywhere I have every been. It was exciting being in a completely new country. It was so much different than Barcelona and Madrid. The city was full of canals, and had beautiful bridges. The architecture was also very different than any cities in Spain and America.
DAY 1: Friday
Maddie, Katie, and I had a 7:30 am flight from Madrid to Amsterdam, so we took the first train to the airport at 5:20am. We were running a little late, so there was a lot of hustling: to the train, on the shuttle to Terminal 2, and through security which was longer than usual. Once again there was little to no customs, even when we got to Holland. It was so weird.
When we checked in to our hostel, we realized it was a lot different than our hostel in Barcelona. We were in a room with 18 beds, so we were sharing a room with complete strangers. Also, the lockers we paid extra for ended up being huge barrels scattered throughout our room with locks on them. That was interesting. Also, the hostel had a 24/7 bar and a smoking room (where people smoked more than cigarettes...).
I didn't take out my camera that much the first day because it was pouring rain and we were literally running between destinations. It didn't help that we were having every umbrella problem possible. The strong winds broke Katie's umbrella immediately, so she bought a new one the first day (which broke on the second day).
Friday we went to see the Anne Frank House. It was very interesting and crowded with people from all over the world. I am so glad we went because I learned so much more about Anne Frank, and got to see where her family hide during the Nazi invasion of Holland.
While walking around and exploring we realized that Amsterdam had soooo much good food. We were so excited to see foods that Spain did not have. Crepes, waffles, french fries, and pizza were very popular in Amsterdam.
Friday we went to see the Anne Frank House. It was very interesting and crowded with people from all over the world. I am so glad we went because I learned so much more about Anne Frank, and got to see where her family hide during the Nazi invasion of Holland.
While walking around and exploring we realized that Amsterdam had soooo much good food. We were so excited to see foods that Spain did not have. Crepes, waffles, french fries, and pizza were very popular in Amsterdam.
The boys (Tyler, Dan, Mike, and Aaron) arrived in Amsterdam later that night. We went out to dinner at an italian restaurant where I got pepperoni pizza (although it was more like italian sausage on top).
DAY 2: Saturday
Saturday it was a lot nicer out, but it was still freezing. I was constantly cold the entire weekend.
DAY 2: Saturday
Saturday it was a lot nicer out, but it was still freezing. I was constantly cold the entire weekend.
Day three: Sunday
After a great weekend, we headed home on Sunday!
POST FOUR: 1/29/13
My Trip to Barcelona!
I got back safely yesterday, and now I am excited to share with you all about my trip!!
DAY 1: Friday
Maddie, Katie and I left our apartment at 5 am to go to the airport. Katie and I flew an Iberia flight at 7:30 am while Maddie had an earlier flight on a different flight. We got to the airport early enough, unfortunately Maddie lost her passport so even after taking a cab back to the apartment and back to the airport, and spending a good deal of money, she could not find her passport. Luckily, she made it back to the airport on time for her flight and was able to still go with just her driver's license from the States because Barcelona is still in Spain.
DAY 1: Friday
Maddie, Katie and I left our apartment at 5 am to go to the airport. Katie and I flew an Iberia flight at 7:30 am while Maddie had an earlier flight on a different flight. We got to the airport early enough, unfortunately Maddie lost her passport so even after taking a cab back to the apartment and back to the airport, and spending a good deal of money, she could not find her passport. Luckily, she made it back to the airport on time for her flight and was able to still go with just her driver's license from the States because Barcelona is still in Spain.
Once in Barcelona we waited for Maddie to get off of her flight, and then made our way to the hostel by first taking the airport shuttle, then a fast train, and finally taking a metro train. It was a lengthy trip to the hostel , to say the least, especially with our baggage. Once at the hostel we checked in and then walked around until our friends made it to the hostel. There was a group of 11 of us from SLU meeting at the hostel. There was Maddie, Katie and me, two SLU students studying in London: Dan and Morgan, and some more SLU students from Madrid: Miranda, Kate, Jacob, Mike, Michael, and Meg.
While everyone took a nap after their flights, Maddie, Katie, Dan and I walked around.
While everyone took a nap after their flights, Maddie, Katie, Dan and I walked around.
We all went out for dinner at a restaurant with a great patio! There was a great deal where we each got 3 plates of tapas and an entree for 9 euros. We all shared our tapas (which were like little plates of appetizers) and tried each of the dishes. I was feeling very experimental and tried some mysterious foods, and even some seafood dishes! I know look at me trying new foods! We also got some yummy sangria!
We decided to buy some wine and stay in the hostel that night because we were all tired from our long day of travel and wanted to be rested for a full day of sight seeing on Saturday! There were many "chinos", little cheap stores owned by chinese people, around the hostel and we bought euro bottles of wine and snacks there! We were frequent visitors of these "chinos" all weekend!
DAY 2: Saturday
Saturday we woke up, had some breakfast and had a very busy day!
DAY 2: Saturday
Saturday we woke up, had some breakfast and had a very busy day!
After a long day of walking and sight seeing, we returned to the hostel for an hour nap and dinner. To save money we bought food from the "chinos" and made dinner in the hostel kitchen. We made pasta and quesadillas. I was really excited to have quesadillas since it has been so long and they are my favorite, but unfortunately the cheese we bought ended up being parmesan so they tasted a bit different lol. Saturday night we decided to go out to a club after dinner.
DAY 3: Sunday
Sunday, our day was a lot more chill. We didn't leave the hostel until 1 pm, so we got to get a good night of sleep that was much needed! We went to see and underground museum of Roman ruins, the Picasso museum, and then walked around more. The boys went to a soccer game, so the girls and I went to a cafe and got sandwiches for dinner.
Sunday, our day was a lot more chill. We didn't leave the hostel until 1 pm, so we got to get a good night of sleep that was much needed! We went to see and underground museum of Roman ruins, the Picasso museum, and then walked around more. The boys went to a soccer game, so the girls and I went to a cafe and got sandwiches for dinner.
DAY 4: Monday
Monday, we left the hostel at 9, took the metro train, the fast train, and then the shuttle to the airport for our 11:45 flight. The way to the airport was longer than our 50 min flight which was annoying, but by 2 pm Maddie Katie and I were home at our host moms apartment safe! It was a great trip with an amazing group of friends!
Today it is Tuesday and I am writing this blog and doing homework in the McDonald's across the street from my apartment. I only have classes Monday/Wednesday , so I have the whole day to myself Tues/Thurs. This is the only place I have found around my apartment with free wifi, so here I am studying in a McDonald's which happens to be very crowded and not the ideal place to study! Hopefully, I will find a new spot to study soon! I have class tomorrow and then I am off to Amsterdam on Friday morning early! I will update next Tuesday about that trip!
Monday, we left the hostel at 9, took the metro train, the fast train, and then the shuttle to the airport for our 11:45 flight. The way to the airport was longer than our 50 min flight which was annoying, but by 2 pm Maddie Katie and I were home at our host moms apartment safe! It was a great trip with an amazing group of friends!
Today it is Tuesday and I am writing this blog and doing homework in the McDonald's across the street from my apartment. I only have classes Monday/Wednesday , so I have the whole day to myself Tues/Thurs. This is the only place I have found around my apartment with free wifi, so here I am studying in a McDonald's which happens to be very crowded and not the ideal place to study! Hopefully, I will find a new spot to study soon! I have class tomorrow and then I am off to Amsterdam on Friday morning early! I will update next Tuesday about that trip!
POST THREE: 1/23/13
Toledo
Hola! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while! Since I last blogged, I went on a day trip to Toledo and school has gotten started. Toledo was a ton of fun! I went with my roomies Maddie and Katie, and some girls from ZTA: Liz, Becky, Krista, and Mary. I put up all my photos in my photos page! Toledo was beautiful and full of really old architecture!
So far I have booked a lot of trips and they are all coming up! I am going to Barcelona this weekend, then I am off to Amsterdam and Cadiz for Carnival. Carnival is like spring break here and there is a big parade on Saturday! I have also booked trips to Dublin, Italy, Morocco, and Greece!! I am so excited to travel!
Besides, school and planning trips I have been reading a lot! I think that my kindle is the best thing ever and I bring it with me everywhere. Currently I am reading my 5th book here, not including the two plays I have read for my English class here. Hopefully my mom isn't going to get mad when she sees the amazon bill from all the books :)
I will blog after Barcelona and let you know how it was and I am sure I will have TONS of photos!!
So far I have booked a lot of trips and they are all coming up! I am going to Barcelona this weekend, then I am off to Amsterdam and Cadiz for Carnival. Carnival is like spring break here and there is a big parade on Saturday! I have also booked trips to Dublin, Italy, Morocco, and Greece!! I am so excited to travel!
Besides, school and planning trips I have been reading a lot! I think that my kindle is the best thing ever and I bring it with me everywhere. Currently I am reading my 5th book here, not including the two plays I have read for my English class here. Hopefully my mom isn't going to get mad when she sees the amazon bill from all the books :)
I will blog after Barcelona and let you know how it was and I am sure I will have TONS of photos!!
POST TWO: 1/15/13
One Week of Observations #Madrid
Hey Everyone!! Sorry I haven't blogged in 8 days, so I will write this long detailed posted with more photos of course!! As, you might have seen in my photos page, I have added photos of my trip to Retiro Park and Palacio Real. So, definitely check those out if you haven't.
I have realized a lot of new things about Madrid, and I am going to make a list:
1. Dogs poop on the sidewalk
2. Women do not run. ( At least not outside, maybe they have gym memberships?)
3. Everyone smokes! I know I am getting second hand smoke on my walk to school on the crowded crowded streets.
4. Beer and Wine are cheaper than pop. (a.k.a. my diet pepsi obsession cannot continue here)
5. The Bread is way better!
6. They don't put water out on tables at restaurants, and when you ask you have to pay for it.
7. The ice here is huge and I can't chew on it.
8. The streets have a lot of vendors, musicians, and knock-off sellers.
Also, during this week I have found out a lot about my host mom, who I have discovered is crazy. Here are some fun facts about good ole Joesphina:
- She has died blonde hair and wears bright blue heavy eyeliner. (I guess she wishes she looked like an avg. american)
- She cooks the thinnest meat I have ever seen. (Actually this meet is as thin as a few pieces of paper)
- She will watch you until you finish your food, and will not be happy until you say the food was "muy rica!"
- She delivers clean undies to us like little gifts folded precisely
- She thinks that having the door open means that she is welcome to come in and chat.
- She likes our rooms very clean with the bed made daily. ( A huge problem/struggle for me)
- She hates when I loudly close doors and drawers (sorry your doors are loud?)
- Basically she is a horrible cook.
FOOD:
I am sure you are all wondering what I eat here, and I know that it is no secret that I am a picky eater. Since I live with a host mom (wonderful Joesphina), she provides breakfast and dinner (yay me) and I have to buy my own lunch. For breakfast every morning Joesphina gives us a cup of orange juice (which is very watery and un-normally sweet, which kind of freaks me out), two pieces of toast with butter and strawberry jelly and a cup of hot milk. The hot milk is the grossest thing that I have ever tasted in my life. No joke. The milk is thick, and she gives you an option of putting chocolate or coffee powder to mix in it. So, when I mixed in the coffee mix the first day I realized that when I took my spoon out from stirring in the powder, thick curdled milk surrounded the spoon. I am not kidding, the milk is stringy and will hang like a flap of skin from your spoon. Clearly, I couldn't eat that so after I didn't drink it two days in a row, she now gives me water for tea thank god!
For Lunch, we have to buy our own lunches. My roomies, Maddie and Katie, and I have found this place down the street from my apartment that sells tapas that are really cheap. It is called 100 Montaditos and there are several of them throughout the city. Most of the items are under 2 euros but they are small so you get two or three of them. The beer is 1 euros, the sangria is 2 euro, and a very small pepsi is 2 euros. Also, close to school there is this tiny place called Tienda Verde that is run by Chinese people, It is really shady but the sandwiches are like 3 euros. I got a cheese sandwich there yesterday, I do not trust their lunch meat yet.
This was my lunch at 100 Montaditos one day.
I got a brie cheese sandwich, a chicken sandwich, and a diet pepsi (the chips come with). This was 4 euros, so around $5.20 which is really good! The angle of the photo makes the sandwiches look really big but they are small. The bread there is amazing!!!
The best part of 100 Montaditos is that every Wednesday and Sunday is Euromania which means everything is 1 euro!!
As stated earlier Joesphina isn't the best cook. Dinner is served usually around 8:30 pm here. It involves two courses. The first one is usually a soup, but twice we got pasta! Then when you finish this, but not before, she gives you a small bowl of plain iceberg and a plate of meat. I have acquired a love for this plain iceberg lettuce that I add oil and vinegar and pepper to because it always tastes the same and has no surprises. However, i cannot imagine ever eating iceberg, oil, vinegar, and pepper for salad in the United States. It now seems quite odd. As stated earlier the meat her that she provides for us is REALLY thin. Everytime she brings out the meat Maddie, katie and I stare at each other trying to guess what it is. Today it was really really dark chicken in some kind of orange flavored gravy sauce... not the best. Especcially because it was on the bone, and mom wasn't there to cut the meat off the bone. I can't deal with meat on the bone. We have also had the pleasure of having a very hard to cut dark roast beef maybe? and some fish, and fried chicken. Although none of this has been good it is all better than the time that she gave us hard boiled eggs filled with brown tuna drenched in a mayo/sour cream sauce topped in egg yolk. I almost threw up. I definitely did not eat more than a bite of that!
GOING OUT:
The nightlife in Madrid is definitely fun! It is so great being of legal age here, even though no one even cards us. A lot of places we go out to have promotions and we try to get the cheapest drinks to save money. We always take the Metro, the train here, to SOL which is where a lot of bars are. As soon as we get into SOL off of the Metro there are promoters everywhere from bars trying to get us to go to the bars with incentives such as free shots, mojitos, sangria and beer. Or they will have a discount deal like buy a beer for 4 euros and get a free shot of your choice. We usually follow some of the promoters if we aren't in a hurry to meet anyone.
As stated earlier Joesphina isn't the best cook. Dinner is served usually around 8:30 pm here. It involves two courses. The first one is usually a soup, but twice we got pasta! Then when you finish this, but not before, she gives you a small bowl of plain iceberg and a plate of meat. I have acquired a love for this plain iceberg lettuce that I add oil and vinegar and pepper to because it always tastes the same and has no surprises. However, i cannot imagine ever eating iceberg, oil, vinegar, and pepper for salad in the United States. It now seems quite odd. As stated earlier the meat her that she provides for us is REALLY thin. Everytime she brings out the meat Maddie, katie and I stare at each other trying to guess what it is. Today it was really really dark chicken in some kind of orange flavored gravy sauce... not the best. Especcially because it was on the bone, and mom wasn't there to cut the meat off the bone. I can't deal with meat on the bone. We have also had the pleasure of having a very hard to cut dark roast beef maybe? and some fish, and fried chicken. Although none of this has been good it is all better than the time that she gave us hard boiled eggs filled with brown tuna drenched in a mayo/sour cream sauce topped in egg yolk. I almost threw up. I definitely did not eat more than a bite of that!
GOING OUT:
The nightlife in Madrid is definitely fun! It is so great being of legal age here, even though no one even cards us. A lot of places we go out to have promotions and we try to get the cheapest drinks to save money. We always take the Metro, the train here, to SOL which is where a lot of bars are. As soon as we get into SOL off of the Metro there are promoters everywhere from bars trying to get us to go to the bars with incentives such as free shots, mojitos, sangria and beer. Or they will have a discount deal like buy a beer for 4 euros and get a free shot of your choice. We usually follow some of the promoters if we aren't in a hurry to meet anyone.
SCHOOL:
Unfortunately I do have classes here. I am taking Management, Oceanography, International Business, and English: Intro to Drama. Luckily for me I have already read a few of my plays necessary for English. School is literally two buildings and the rooms are small. I only have classes on Monday and Wednesday, so I am lucky!!
Unfortunately I do have classes here. I am taking Management, Oceanography, International Business, and English: Intro to Drama. Luckily for me I have already read a few of my plays necessary for English. School is literally two buildings and the rooms are small. I only have classes on Monday and Wednesday, so I am lucky!!
SHOPPING:
Although there are many "Rebajas" or sales going on right now. I have not bought much, just 15 euros worth from H&M. However, all the sales and stores are very tempting. Especially because my apartment is in the shopping district of Madrid.
Although there are many "Rebajas" or sales going on right now. I have not bought much, just 15 euros worth from H&M. However, all the sales and stores are very tempting. Especially because my apartment is in the shopping district of Madrid.
POST ONE: 1/7/13
Flights:
Ms. Maddie Lena and I departed from O'Hare at 1:45 pm Chicago time on January 6th towards New York JFK. That was the quickest airplane ride I have ever taken, It was only like an hour and a half.
In New York we met up with a lot of SLU students!
Then we flew from New York JFK to Madrid and arrived in Madrid at 1:00 am Chicago time, 8:00 am Madrid time!
During this flight, they gave us dinner and breakfast! I thought that was impressive!
In New York we met up with a lot of SLU students!
Then we flew from New York JFK to Madrid and arrived in Madrid at 1:00 am Chicago time, 8:00 am Madrid time!
During this flight, they gave us dinner and breakfast! I thought that was impressive!
Arrival!!!
When we got in to the Madrid airport, customs went very fast and we were out of the the airport in no time!
However, because Maddie, Katie, and I had so much luggage, we had to call a van to pick us up! Ooops! So, after some confusion describing to a man at the help desk at the airport that we needed a van, we were on our way to our host mom's apartment.
However, because Maddie, Katie, and I had so much luggage, we had to call a van to pick us up! Ooops! So, after some confusion describing to a man at the help desk at the airport that we needed a van, we were on our way to our host mom's apartment.
Once we entered the apartment building, we realized we had no idea how to get to her apartment. All we saw were some stairs, which were obviously impossible with all our bags. So, after a few minutes of looking around the lobby, the doorman entered the building and showed us the elevator and called our host mom.
I think that the elevators have been one of my biggest surprises. With our luggage, each of us had to go in to the elevator individually because it was so small!
I think that the elevators have been one of my biggest surprises. With our luggage, each of us had to go in to the elevator individually because it was so small!
Photos of our apartment:
Exploring for the first time around our apartment!
** click on the photos to see my captions **
After exploring for a while, we went back to our apartment. Joesphina, our host mom, made us spaghetti, chicken and salad. It was delicious!! She is so cute, her baby blue eye liner definitely gives her a little sass hahah. Also, she doesn't like when we speak english so we are getting lots of practice. For some reason I didn't realize that everything was in spanish here... it is shocking!
OH and we have had just a few struggles. For starters, everyone stares at us like we are so weird. They also seem to focus on my minotonka boots, I guess the tonks aren't as popular here! Also, we went in to a cafe and I gained the attention of the whole cafe when I couldn't figure out how to open the door. To my defense, why would a door to a restaurant slide to the side like a patio door? #embarassing.
After exploring for a while, we went back to our apartment. Joesphina, our host mom, made us spaghetti, chicken and salad. It was delicious!! She is so cute, her baby blue eye liner definitely gives her a little sass hahah. Also, she doesn't like when we speak english so we are getting lots of practice. For some reason I didn't realize that everything was in spanish here... it is shocking!
OH and we have had just a few struggles. For starters, everyone stares at us like we are so weird. They also seem to focus on my minotonka boots, I guess the tonks aren't as popular here! Also, we went in to a cafe and I gained the attention of the whole cafe when I couldn't figure out how to open the door. To my defense, why would a door to a restaurant slide to the side like a patio door? #embarassing.