Viva Espana! The land of the ham.

What a weekend! Visiting Spain was more different than I ever could have imagined! Of course, I was so excited to see Colette, but rarely have I visited a place that I really don't speak the language. The phrase "Do you speak English?" is not something I really like to say. But Spain is a LOT different than France. While, I do still adore Paris, Madrid is a warm, beautiful, welcoming city. It feels very comfortable, even when inside you know you are SO out of your comfort zone.

Colette met me at the airport Friday morning and our adventure began. Spain was HOT. Very hot. I mean, I thought Paris was hot, but you go south and then its the real deal. Luckily, and happily, for me, Madrid has ice and cold beverages everywhere. Friday we walked around for most of the day ... Colette showed me her school, which was a beautiful building, and then we walked around some of her favorite areas. Later that day Collete's senora (the woman who she has been staying with) brought over a dish called "tortilla" for dinner, which isn't a tortilla that we think of, but an amazing potato quiche type meal, served with a salad. So delicious! In the evening we met up with some other kids from the Syracuse program; we had walked so much during the day that we were exhausted by night and so ready to fall asleep, which was perfect because it was so hot, without exhaustion, sleep would've been difficult!

Saturday- (I figured I would just give a quick re-cap of everything we did, there was so much and it was so great that it will be difficult!) We woke up pretty late, which felt great! I'm not sure I've had such a good nights sleep since Ive been in Europe. very needed. Ate a breakfast made by none other that Colette herself and headed out for another day of walking. We went to the Royal Botanical Gardens, I think every city is required to have these, but I love them none the less. They were really magical, and much cooler than walking around in the city sun. Yay for trees. Then we went to the Royal Palace and toured around. It was absolutely amazing. Such vibrant colors filled all of the rooms, with porcelain on the walls! Things I had truly never seen before. Then we walked through Plaza de Espagna and Grand Villa to plaza Mayor where we ate. We sat outside and had a meal of cheese, HAM, and bread (and wine, of course). Who knew that ham was so popular in Spain? Well, not me. It was delicious. Really. They have all of these "Museos de jambon" which are like, meat markets that ONLY have ham and they are EVERYWHERE! Then we walked some more (shocking?) and headed home for some down time and also showered and got dressed for dinner. We went to Plaza Sainta Anna and ate at a restaurant called "turf"... everyone would have been SO proud of me! I had SO much fish and actually enjoyed it. So it was a fun evening.

This morning (Sunday) we got up and had breakfast. Then we went to one of Madrid's most famous markets, the Rostro. We walked around and then through La Latina, which is where Colette hopes to live someday. We thought that'd work out well, I'll be in Paris, she'll be in Madrid, we can visit on the weekends. Sounds like a plan no? We had the most amazing meal. I realize this blog is all about food, but seriously, this was an INCREDIBLE edible weekend ha! We had gazpacho to start, which was really refreshing because of the heat and then we split an incredible stuffed pepper with curry sauce. Then we walked around through Sol again and to a giant department store.

The city was all abuzz with insanity because tonight was the World Cup (which Spain won!) Of course, my flight left as the game started. Or, was SUPPOSED to leave! It was delayed, which was sad because I probably could have seen the game. Alas. They gave us updates during the flight... was someone checking their phone? ha. I'm sure the captain was radioing down to whomever about status updates! Home again home again, and class tomorrow!

Oh. Did I mention it was around 101 degrees all weekend? Now picture us doing all that walking. That's all .

Bisous!
Amy