Madrid

Day 48

This past weekend, CEA organized a trip to Madrid. Bright and early friday morning we had to wake up to catch the metro to the train station. Needless to say, going to the traditional weekly Thursday night Paella feast was not a good idea. After grabbing a quality American breakfast of McDonald's at the train station, we boarded the train to Madrid.

If you have the time when traveling around Europe, I highly recommend taking the train. You get to see so much more of the country than you would if you were flying. Granted, I slept most of the way there so I saw none of the countryside, but if I had, I'm assuming I could say it was really beautiful.

Getting off the train, we took buses to our hotel, Hotel Gaudi, a beautiful hotel right in the middle of the city, on Calle de Gran Via, only a 5 minute walk from the most recognizable sights. Friday we managed to grab some lunch and make our way over to the Palacio and neighboring Cathedral. It always amazes me that people actually lived in these places. Does anyone really need a separate room for getting dressed, for eating, for sleeping, for reading, for entertaining guests, for not speaking with your wife?? I guess, only if you're a king. The Cathedral was equally as amazing. Yet again, I find myself able to sit in a church for hours just thinking. Later in the evening after a quick nap, a bunch of us enjoyed a traditional Spanish dinner. By which I mean...it lasted three hours.

The next day we didn't do much of anything because it was pouring outside. It is really difficult to motivate yourself to walk around and see the city when you don't own an umbrella. We salvaged our day by going to a famous tapas bar called El Tigre. You pay 3 euro for a beer, and they give you a plate of free tapas. A place like this would make bank in the U.S., especially if they were handing out free in-n-out burgers. Mmmmm! Called it a night early because Sunday was supposed to be sunny.

Woke up Sunday morning and went to the famous flea market in Madrid, "El Rastro." Streets and streets of Spanish people making up prices for absolute junk. But every now and again, you'll stumble upon a treasure. Walked across the city, taking in the beautiful buildings, and spent the next couple hours walking around the huge park in the city center. I could have spent all day there listening to New Orleans style music and watching little kids play. Had to make the journey back to Barcelona in the late afternoon.

My overall thoughts of Madrid... When choosing to study abroad, people had suggested Barcelona over Madrid, saying that Madrid would feel more like an American city. They were right. It reminded me a lot of a Chicago meets Washington D.C., but landlocked. This was nice for a weekend, because it made me feel a little bit closer to home, but I don't think my experience would be as rich had I chosen to be there for four months. Though, it was extremely nice being able to read everything!! If only Barcelona signs were written in Spanish.

Besos y Abrazos!!