Hola! Sorry this has taken so long this week has literally flew by I can't believe it is already Friday, which is usually the day I wish for but I struggle doing that here because my time here is going away so fast. In two weeks we have fall break already, CRAZY! Last weekend we went to Madrid for two days. It was an hour bus ride from Segovia and then we used the metro system to travel around Madrid. The city reminded me so much of New York City because there were so many people, stores, "times squares", and central parks. The first day we did a walking tour of Madrid for three hours it was cool, but exhausting. We did get to see that they have a McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, and so on. We all were excited.We also go to see where the ball drops on New Year's Eve in Madrid and that was kind of cool. During the walk we got to see the Palacio Real or the White House of Madrid were all the formal events are held for other foreign dignitaries. We also got to go into the Cathedral that was built to go with the Palacio Real. All the cathedrals are so pretty here and they are everywhere. After visiting the Cathedral we continued to walk around the city and we saw a lot of people dressed up in costumes putting on acts on the street corners to make money, and there was one that was a baby that was so funny Ricardo (our professor) gave him so money. For lunch we went to the Parque de Retiro which is like Central Park and is the greenest area of the city and even has a pond of water where you can rent a boat and row around on it. We sat and ate our picnic lunches there and rested up before we went to the Museo del Prado, which is one of the most famous museums in the world. We got to see the Meinas painting if any of you know what that is, I learned all about it from my high school spanish teacher. The museum was cool but after an hour I was ready to leave, museums just aren't my thing especially art museums. After the museum we had free time from five on so a group of us went to McDonalds for an early dinner. Yum! Burger, fries, actual fountain soda, and a McFlurry I was in heaven! We then went shopping to the shops around the "time square" of Madrid. Our next adventure was to figure out the subway system by ourselves but it ended up being really easy. That night we went out and found a discotecca that didn't have an entrance fee and danced a little bit. On the way home we were all hungry so we got McDonalds again because when you can get it you have to :) We stayed in a 4 star hotel that was absolutely amazing. I got to room with just Bria which was perfect since we both went out dancing and I have really gotten to know her.
The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel which was like continental but with breakfast food from Spain so no biscuits and gravy :( Sad day! After breakfast we headed to the Reina Sofia Museum which is a more famous abstract museum. We were really tired for the day before so the one painting that excited me was La Guernica by Pablo Picasso because it is in every Spanish book and was really cool to see in person. After La Reina Sofia we went and had lunch at Pinocchio Pizzeria which was like a 5 course meal that was really good. American like pizza and pasta with a normal lettuce salad and ice cream for desert. After lunch we were stuffed but we had a couple more hours to shop so we went back to the shops around La Puerta de Sol (timesquare) and got our souvenirs. After that we caught the metro back to the fancy hotel got our stuff and headed to the bus station. We got back to Segovia around 8:30 exhausted. I think I though we were on vacation in Madrid because I got "home" and then realized it really wasn't my home and got really sad and tired Sunday night. I skyped with Mom and Dad and got a good night's rest and then I felt better. You would think after being here a month homesickness and the change in culture would stop surprising me but it doesn't because there are still many things we miss as much as we all are loving being here at the same time. It is such a mixture of emotions every single day...I want to go home...I want to stay here forever... you never know what you want lol That has by far been the hardest part of this experience...all the emotions and all the change. Even just a little change in my schedule throws me way off. I also went through a Spanish rut last week were it felt like I just could not improve anything and it was REALLY frustrating but this week has gone better with that. (Still can't believe it's the end of the week again we really need to get booking it on fall break plans, hostels, and in Italy transportation!)
On Monday, I had three classes, helped Bria get stuff ready to fly home for her brother's wedding this weekend, and then did homework. I was still super tired from Madrid so I went to sleep early. On Tuesday I had two classes again and then got a letter from Grandma Burgess in the mail so that made my day. On Wednesday we went to las Marista the school I will also be doing part of my co-op at. It sounds like it is going to be fun! I will be going Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings to teach fourth through sixth graders english. I decided to go with a little bit older elementary students so that there is more of a difference between that and the daycare. After meeting with the English director at the school we stopped at a cafe were they have cupcakes that are so good. I had an apple one and it was like an applefritter cupcake! After that I just worked on homework because it was the first thunderstorm and rain since we got here. I don't usually get excited over rain but I was super excited! It smelled so good and was perfect to doing homework to. I have my first two short papers due in my literature classes on Monday so that is what I need to work on this weekend before our excursion to Toledo on Sunday. Yesterday I went to Pitufos for six hours and some of the kids remembered me and wanted me to go into their classroom but I went into a different one where I got to meet other kids. One of the little girls speaks English and Spanish so her teacher had me speak English to her and she understood it all which was really cool. The daycare reminds me of Atonement's with all the songs and games, but their meal time is so different it still stressed me out it is just so crazy. The bus system went perfect yesterday and it was a customer appreciation day so my fare was free both ways, perfect! I had a three hour class yesterday afternoon, skyped with Bria with Suzanne and Charlie, went to a Bible Study that ended up just being a normal conversation, and then went out dancing. Last night we actually met up with my host sister Marina which was lots of fun because we got to dance together and hang out outside of the house, but it also meant it was a really late night because we went home at 5am and that was too early but seriously I don't understand how Spaniards do it! Today I have the same three hour class but afterwards we are going to watch Twilight in spanish which is really exciting. Tomorrow a group of us is going to Segovia's "mall" and then Sunday is our excursion to a city very similar to Segovia that is two hours away by bus. Hope you all have an amazing weekend! God Bless!
Love,
Jennifer
Ok,ok....enough traveling, eating 'normal' foods and dancing! Aren't you there to study and learn stuff? LOL
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful time every where you go. That cupcake looked scrumptious...
You are doing just fine. I can understand dancing until 5 am would throw a schedule off...hahaha...
We are having nice weather here. Sunshine...Miss you but it won't be that long...
but Avis, that is what she has to do while she is over there. experience all the night life b/c here in MN the nightlife does not last till 5 am...
ReplyDeletelooks like you are having fun! I miss you!