I'm well into my second week of classes, and so I think it's safe to say the semester is officially off and running. I figured that since it's overcast with a threat of rain for the first time since we got to Spain, I could use this momentous occasion to provide an update.
I have enjoyed Madrid a lot. I took a little jaunt around the city with a couple friends on Saturday—the photos I took are on my Picassa page, on the bar on the right-hand side of the screen. It's not one of the oldest cities in Europe, but it nevertheless has an old-school charm to it. I like it better than Barcelona, which has a modern grid pattern and seemed very rigid and industrial at points. Here, there are winding streets that cut into each other lined with old buildings rich in history. I love Plaza Mayor and I can't wait to get out and explore some of the city's other treasures soon. (Soon it will be—my art history class goes to the Prado tomorrow afternoon!)
In addition to the night life—which I enjoy but is a lot "harder" than what I'm used to—there has been some other cool stuff to do here. I play pickup soccer on Monday nights in Barrio de la Concepción with a bunch of other people, and although I sort of suck (hard to believe, right?), it's still fun to get some fresh air and run around for an hour with some friends. I've enjoyed quiet nights at home with Pilar, watching movies or chatting with her and her daughter, Cristina. I want to get into some more quiet nights out, chilling with a bottle of wine and exploring a different neighborhood each time out. Done a little of this so far and really enjoyed it.
I also have some cool trips coming up this semester. There are lots of little day trips that the school puts on that one can sign up for shortly before they take place. I'm going to the ancient monastery El Escorial this weekend (also the one-time home of Spanish King Felipe II), and on October 7th I am going on a trip to London and Dublin with my friend Alberto (and anyone else who wants to come). The week after, I'm going to Rome to visit Kelly and the Snavelys (sounds like a band name), and I'm also hoping to get to Prague and/or Vienna before the semester is up. I am really excited to get to see some different areas in Spain, and some different parts of Europe I've never experienced before! Málaga may also be on the slate. The Morocco trip is also supposed to be amazing, but I just don't know if I have the money for it. (Sadly, the money and will to do the scuba diving trip to the Canary Islands also eluded me!)
That's about it for me lately. Things are just kind of moving along at a nice pace. I am excited to start my "service learning," working with children to help them learn English... and hopefully improve my Spanish at the same time. I feel like I need to find more ways to immerse myself in the Spanish language. I can easily spend all day with my friends just speaking English... but that's not why I came here! More designated nights in and longer sobremesas with Pilar would certainly help. My classes will, too! So much Spanish reading.
Well... it didn't end up raining. But the fact that I heard thunder was still a momentous occasion. Maybe the first time my bus comes first—before any others—and I'm not 10 minutes late to school, I will update again. ¡Hasta luego!
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