schmostel

Yesterday, the last full day in Madrid, I got up like a good little girl and went to mass, which I have, believe it or not, been doing pretty religiously (ha ha) for a while now. It was a pretty mass at a church which I cannot remember the name of right now. Then I went to this kind of depressing World War I art exhibit at the Thyssen Museum. It was free. I hunkered down later and devoured as much as Twilight as possible. I can see now why everyone is so obsessed with it— it is addicting. I went for a long run through the park, as has been my custom and stayed in to Skype and catch up on e-mails and random stuff like that for the night. Then, later, as I was trying to drift pleasantly to sleep, these obnoxious Australian girls checked into the room, turned on all the lights and proceeded to go out for the night. The Amazon twins returned around 5am, reeking of smoke and alcohol. They turned on the lights again and I could not sleep for an hour, but of course they both snored loudly in their deep asleep. It was somehow hot as hell in that room after an hour, they must have turned up the heat. Vengefully I opened the window and when their alarm clock when off at like 8, they both started cavetching about how terribly cold it had gotten. I snickered comfortably from my little cama and rolled back over and slept soundly for another hour and a half. I am glad I am leaving now.

Mad City

Hello from Madrid... still. I have been here the past few days after my family left and believe it or not, it has been a nice and relaxing few days. I have been catching up big time on sleep, reading (buried in Twilight), catching up with friends finally and running— Parque Retiro is my new heaven. I secretly, and maybe this is strange, have always wondered what it would be like to spend a few days by myself in a big city. I definitely do not think I would like to continue forever like this— it's not exactly real life— but it has been nice to slow down and figure things out a little bit. I also have noticed when I am by myself I notice little everyday things on the street I might not have before. Winnie the Pooh (hopefully a street vendor) walking home after a long day's work with some buddies, a Mariachi band striking up a tune on Sol, a fully-dressed clown (scary with a capital S) staring me down from city bus #26, a legless man sitting conspicuously in the middle of Plaza Mayor every single day in the same spot, a gordita double fisting McDonald's ice cream (as Dad would say, too many churros for that one), the same guy dressed as Don Quijote hissing at young children in a cat voice, the same adorable lady selling gerbera daisies in the plaza in front of the hostel I have been in. Which, by the way, has been totally fine. Had you told me several years ago I'd be staying in a hostel by myself in a foreign city, I would have never believed you. It's run by these cutie Argentinian guys and I had the room to myself the first night. Score. 

As nice as these past few days have been physically, it also has been nice to tune out, listen to my music and cry whenever I want to. Sounds sad, I know, but I think a good cry is completely necessary sometimes. It feels good. And I know I am OK because I can say that. I am so stoked to go to London tomorrow.

Griswolds go at it again

From Madrid my family and I drove up north to San Sebastian, which is in País Vasco. It was so beautiful I felt like I was in some other world. We stayed at a really pretty hotel right on the water called Hotel Niza, one my good man Rick had recommended. We hiked up Monte Urgull, a huge park with a castle and huge statue of Jesus. My dad made friends with this really nice guy working at the museum part of the castle. He told us a lot about the area, the language, etc., and made me forget my fears that Vascans are all scary. From the top of the mountain it was the most gorgeous view and when I figure out how to post pictures on this thing, you will believe me. We took a side trip into San Jean d'Luz, France the next day, which was so much fun. Admittedly we spent a lot of time in the car this trip, but I could not be happier with that fact. I miss that family time, even if we are not doing anything. Part of the part about this trip I have loved the most is just wandering through foreign cities with my fam and just catching up.

A few days later we drove down to Segovia and stayed in this gorgeous old monastery-turned hotel right outside the city center. We visited the Alcázar, walked the city and saw the old Roman aquaduct after a cute little lunch in Plaza Mayor. We drove to Toledo that day and stayed at a hotel called AC Ciudad Toledo, which was outside the city walls but had a gorgeous view and nice people working it. After we went to the Tuesday market and I showed my family around the city, we had dinner with my host family that night. I at first was nervous about how it might go— what if for some reason they did not get along? What if I told them the wrong time or something? But it was awesome. I was so grateful Dad speaks Spanish. It made conversation for the entire 2 and a half hour dinner awesome. We all exchanged little gifts afterwards. My family got me this beautiful K necklace and I once again, not because of the gift but just because of spending time with them, realized how great my host family is and how lucky I was to be placed with them. My mom cried a little bit, I think just at the realization that these were good people to genuinely cared and took very good care of her oldest baby. 

The next day, New Years Eve, tons of stuff was closed in the city, including the Cathedral and Alcazár, so we did a little more shopping for Toledo-stuff, including the local sweet Mazapan. That night my dad and I, although registration was already closed, jumped into a huge annual road race, which we thought was a 5K but soon learned from one of my professors we ran into that it actually was an 8.5K, which included a ton of hills. It was a great race, however, and the fans were even better, cheering at every step of the race and playing music. There was even a live drum band at one turn, which was awesome motivation. People were dressed crazy— matadors, 3 Wise Men, transvestites, etc. All and all a hilarious and fun experience. We spent New Year's Eve at the Plaza de Zocodover in Toledo and celebrated like the locals and popped 12 grapes in our mouths at midnight, as is the tradition. There were fireworks, a band, and everything. I showed my family the magic that is Don Simon. We went back soon after midnight, but it was still a blast. 

We went to el Escorial the next day, which of course was closed. It was still impressive and beautiful from the outside, and good to say we saw it. Also glad we did not over-museum the day, which might have been the case with a visit to that huge place. We kept driving on to Madrid for the last night and enjoyed one last tapas-filled night. 

I miss my family so much. I am halfway done, though, and will be seeing them sooner than I think. I always love New Years because it brings the possibility of a clean slate. I am excited a bunch more of my friends to be abroad this semester— many whom I have not seen since last fall. And I have Madrid and Twilight to keep me busy until I meet my friend in London on Monday. 

A very merry Christmas

Yesterday I said goodbye to my family, who had visited for about ten days over the holidays. To be honest, I have not struggled too much with homesickness this semester, with the exception of a few days and Thanksgiving. When they left, however, I realized how much I miss them. And all of my friends. So much. We had stayed at a hotel right in the heart of Madrid for their last night, and when they left I moved my stuff into room my parents had been in so I could sleep for a few more hours. This sounds sappy, but even being in that room was hard. I could almost still feel them there— there was a luggage tag with my dad's name on it, an empty package of bronzer my mom had left on the ground, my dad's lenses cleaner, my sister's shampoo. It made me miss all of them even more, and when I left the hotel I kept seeing things that reminded me of them all over— weird stuff in stores my sisters would laugh at, a slobbering bulldog that reminded me of my dad's ideal pet, little Spanish babies my mom and I would croon over. I am really glad I had yesterday to just chill and work things out. It actually ended up being a great day. I read, caught up with some friends and went on a long run in the beautiful Retiro Park.

Homesickness kind of makes me rethink things... if I have people who love me so much and so much to do back home, why would I stay here for an entire year? I feel like I am being extremely selfish in this way. Spending so much money, missing people who care about me. But then I snap back into it. I remember by I came here for this long. I came here to learn the language, and I am well on my way of doing just that. This has also taught me to trust myself a lot more. I am here in Madrid for three days by myself, and I am A-OK with that. I have things to do, and the rest of the semester holds more for me to do and look forward to. This kind of realization makes me proud of myself in a way and makes me look forward to what's ahead. 

OK but about their visit. I checked into the Hotel Atlántico in Madrid (beautiful) around 11 after schlepping a 32845 pound bag across the city. I hurried to wrap presents and make things special and nice before they arrived about half an hour later. Needless to say, I cried my eyes out. Not because I was sad but more because it was kind of a shock to actually see them. I had been looking forward to seeing them for so long that when the time actually came, it was this huge wave of emotion. They were really jetlagged so after I showed them around the city and we had lunch at this awesome traditional Spanish restaurant, they took a siesta. The next day my parents as usual did not fail to make Christmas so great. They had a little Christmas tree in their room and our favorite Christmas music— the Charlie Brown Christmas album— playing in the background. We opened presents, went for a long walk in the park that day and went out for tapas that night. It was a perfect day, and I have never had a happier Christmas day. 

23...8...4...2...1

Alright so admittedly I am terrible at updating this thing, but at least this time I have a really legitimate excuse. I have been in Switzerland and Italy for the past ten days with Internet that has been unpredictable at best. Seven of my friends and I began our intrepid travels in Geneva, where there was snow on the ground and the smell of authentic chocolate wafting through the air. Just kidding.. but Switzerland was incredible. I went there not knowing squat about the place but had a blast nonetheless. We went to the United Nations, walked to France, attended a beautiful mass in French and went out for some tasty Swiss fondu and roquette among other fun stuff.

We then took a train to Venice, where I know it is supposed to be flooded, but the rains this week took that description to a whole new level. It was freezing and wet, and I would be lying if I said that the first day was not slightly miserable. We stayed at this place called B&B Rota, which sounds lovely but in reality was little more than an old Venetian apartment turned into a little 3-roomed hostel where we could have sworn we heard gunshots during what should have been a pleasant siesta. The guy who worked at the front desk totally redeemed the entire place though when he let us sleep in until 11 the next day, which was turned out to be fun. The place is so unique and beautiful. We went to San Marco church which allegedly houses the bones of St. Mark, visited the Doge Palace where all the rich rulers lived, walked the famous Rialto bridge and saw the beautiful collection of art in the Correr Museum.

After some minor but stressful train misunderstandings, my friends and I (just four of us at this point- the other 4 went to Rome) settled down to a simple bread and cheese dinner on Italy's version of the Ave and headed to Florence, where we stayed in this adorable hostel called Leonardo's House. Expecting to be greeted by a homely little old Italian man, we were surprised and entertained by the young quirky Leonardo, who not only recommended good places to see and eat, but also gifted us with a bottle of Italian red wine when we complained about how much we had spent on vino one night. My favorite part about that leg of the trip had to be just walking the city, going to the Uffizi Museum and seeing Michelangelo's The David.

From there my friends and I took the train to a little town called La Spezia, and from there another train to Riomaggiore, the first of the five little towns of the Cinque Terre. We literally screamed when we emerged from the tunnel before the town. The rocky cliffs gave way to clear rolling waters where fisherman boats rocked gently. The little town had multicolored beautiful buildings that, as our man Rick described, leaned on each other like drunken sailors. We went, daringly, without making room arrangements. Hoping there would be some little old Italian men waiting around with cardboard signs advertising their respective little B&Bs, we were slightly shocked when we saw no such Italians. We went to the nearest travel agency and, I guess since it is considered off season right now, got an awesome deal on this beautiful little apartment right on the water. So unreal. We watched the gorgeous sunset that night then went out for some insane Italian dinner and then came back and enjoyed the vino and played cards all night. Honestly, during this entire trip we did not go out crazy like we normally do, but rather just hung out and chatted for hours and hours and it was completely perfect. The next day we hiked a good portion of the paths and it was so beautiful it was just one of those afternoons where you have to really take it all in and when you find yourself in some other uglier or harder time in life, that is the place you will want to focus back on.

That night we took a train to Milan and had just enough time in the morning to do a little sightseeing before my friends had to catch their flight back to Madrid. It was so weird seeing them go because it feels like just yesterday we all got here. Plus I do not really know Europe without my friends. I met up with my friend Emily later that day and we saw some of the major sites like the Duomo and the castle. Milan is a really cool city-- way different from the others we had seen because it was more like a big city, like a New York or Chicago.

Then the next day we took a kind-of impulsive but AMAZING trip to Verenna, one of the little towns on Lake Como, an incredibly dreamlike oasis snuggled in the mountains almost in Switzerland. George Clooney apparently has a place there too, which only adds to its appeal. We spent the first day hiking in between towns and relaxing as much as possible. Like Slick Rick says, it is such a great place to just chill and see how slow you can get your pulse to go. We ran into this one American guy and hung out at a local bar that night. The little hotel we stayed at was so sweet. It has this grandmotherly like woman running it who gave us a discount and insisted we sit down for breakfast the next morning. We took a late flight out of Milan and stayed one more night in Madrid before Em had to catch her flight back to the US of A.

I am the remaining domer from this little Euro tour, and I am writing right now from a hostel called Las Musas, where all of us stayed one of the first weekends. Admittedly I booked it because it was the cheapest, but right now all of these memories are rushing back from the semester and I am realizing how fleeting time is and how much I miss my friends that were here. I also went back to Toledo today to pick up a suitcase from my family's house. They were so awesome to keep it for me, and I have realized how much I really miss them too. Being in Toledo was so weird without all the fall kids.

One more night. My family is coming tomorrow morning, and I am like a little girl at Christmas I am so excited. Actually, that is exactly what I am. This all is so bittersweet, though. I physically cannot even listen to Christmas music because it just reminds me of home. I have not been able to last through even one, have not smelled the fresh pine from a Christmas tree, have not baked or eaten one cookie and have not watched one Christmas movie. For some reason, I just associate Christmas with home and with family. And it is not just about Christmas day, but the entire season leading up to it.. all the hype that I have totally missed out on. I have been telling my friends that we will really have to double dose it next year.

6 DAYS

OMG not ready to say goodbye to everyone yet. And the other day my host family told me they are not ready for me to go either. It was so sweet.. partly because all along I was sure they thought I was some crazy freak they were dying to get rid of. Gracias a Díos!

Finals this week. Then Switzerland, then the family!! My friend Flannery and I also planned out our Sound of Music 2009 Germany/Austria tour. I cannot believe this life is real.

Had a phone interview the other night for that one internship I am trying to get through ND in Chicago. I think all went well. I am not 100% comfortable with questions like "How do you describe your leadership style?" just because I feel like everything I say sounds so scripted and cliché. Who knows. Also might have faltered a bit when they asked me, in Spanish, how I plan to apply my faith to the Chicago Latino community. (what?!) Anything else in Spanish, and I would have been just dandy. Crossing my fingers. 

Have I mentioned how much I hate money?

Fall despedidas in less than 2 weeks??

Yes. I cannot believe it either. In less than two weeks, I will have said goodbye to my Toledo fall Domers and will be on a plane to Geneva. A few friends and I are traveling to Switzerland and Italy, going from Venice to Florence to Cinque Terre to Milan. It is a small group going, and it will be so weird to go without a bunch of the friends I have been traveling with this semester, but I am so excited nonetheless. This huge dorky part of me will be fulfilling my inner Rick Steves as I hike those five little Italian cities (that was one of my fav episodes of RS on PBS actually.) I am so proud to say that I will be one well-traveled individual after this year.

Being an American Studies major, I had this huge fear that after I got back from a year of reading nothing but Spanish and taking classes only in Spanish, I would somehow forget how to conduct my studies in English, so I started reading again for pleasure— in English (which I more or less never do during the school year.) Maybe it was the Crime and Detection class I took freshman year, or maybe because they are such easy reads, but I have been really into murder mysteries and books of the like lately. Sounds weird I know but it feels good again to be able to read a page in less than ten minutes (OK I am exaggerating but reading in Español seriously does take me forever.)

On another note, I think it is hilarious how we Americans have these preconceived notions of Europe being this place on instantaneous love, no matter where or when. I honestly was of that mentality originally as well. I keep hearing these stories of people "falling in love" in Spain, etc. My friend's host parents met because her madre, at the time an American student in Madrid, visited Toledo and fell for this random dude who talked to her in the street— a random dude who would, just years later, become her husband. She would move her life from the US here to Toledo to be with him and later host American students, to whom she would relay this story of, more or less, love at first sight. So I guess I understand why these romantic mentalities still exist, but in reality you run into SO many creeps and nasties wherever you go in Europe (k I am not being fair— there are obviously a fair share in America also obviously.) I think I have just run into too many here unfortunately.