Yesterday morning we traveled to Madrid for the day. We took a bus from Segovia and it took a little more than an hour. Upon arriving in Madrid, we took the Metro to the heart of the city. There we met one of our teachers and she gave us a tour of downtown- in Español of course. I understood almost everything she said. The first few hours we were here I thought I was in big trouble Spanish-wise, but I’m surprised how rapidly my Español has improved. I still have a little trouble writing and reading, but my conversational skills are much better. Back to Madrid- we ate lunch in a typical restaurant and it was very good. After lunch our program director, Tío David, took us to a park that is most comparable to central park. The weather was great compared to that in Segovia- a 12˚ difference Centigrade. After the park, tío David left us to take a siesta at a friend’s house and we went to el Museo del Prado. [Side note about the siesta- it exists and it is amazing. The stores in Segovia close every day for a few hours so that everyone can come home for la comida and take a nap. It is also important because the Spanish stay up very late and get up the same time we do; however, in Madrid the mindset is more business oriented and there is no siesta.] The Prado was amazing, but I wish we had more time to wonder around- we felt a little rushed. I’m sure that I will make another trip to Madrid to see more of the Prado and also the Reina Sofia- a museum of more contemporary art. Madrid was teeming with people- it has the population of Tennessee. I saw a Starbucks on the way back to the Metro, and of course, I had a cup of coffee; however, that was my last cup of Starbucks for the rest of the trip. There are so many neat little cafes on every corner, it would be a shame to bypass them for something I can have at home. There is a café two doors down from our school called Las Tres BBB that I have been to almost every day. Un café con leche cuesta 130 centicimos (It costs 1.3€). Last night we watched a very important futbol game with some locals. Tomorrow the bartender is going to give me a new name because Clay is difficult to pronounce. Bueno, its time for la cena.
2 comments:
do not forget that starbucks has been good to you -- they have clothed you (with warmth from the outdoors), fed you (with coffee and cakes), provided for you (with internet, a place to study, and friends) -- and now it appears to me that starbucks might just be stalking you. you know, feeling a little downtrodden because you left so suddenly. so don't be afraid to smile at it everyonce in a while when you walk by -- just to express your gratitude.
no one will look down on you for enjoying a good cup of starbucks coffee every now and then.
Happy birthday, friend. perhaps i will have a cup of starbucks FOR you today. too bad we can't play scrabble -- its your birthday. you'd deserve to win :)
ok, mr. francis, you're friends are not starbucks and you do not have to neglect them simply because it would "be a shame to bypass [new, interesting, spaniard friends] for something that [you] can have at home."
haha... hope all is well.
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