My First Day Trip

Wednesday, March 2nd - I think I found my new flat.  I saw it on Tuesday and I called tonight to put the deposit down.  I'm going tomorrow to firm things up.  The owner seems really cool as well.  She's a massage therapist and seems to be into calm, tranquil living which would be good for me I think.  Also, she only speaks Spanish so that would really help me to learn the language. 

After class, we made chocolate truffles as an activity.  Didn't get to partake in the finished product as I had to leave early to see the flat but it was fun!  

I saw another flat tonight and it wasn't as good as there is no living area/living room for me. Seeing the living area in the one I like made me realize that.  I've been living now with none and it kind of sucks.  

Met up with Vicky and Gwen for a few drinks which was nice.  It's been a while since I've seen them.  It's quite strange to be at the school everyday and not see everyone.  

Thursday - so I totally dreamed in Spanish last night.  I wasn't speaking in sentences but I was totally speaking Spanish.  I think it may be sinking in - at least I hope so.  

Another productive day of learning Spanish.  Also, went on another activity to a local museum - turned out it was very local to me just a few blocks away.  I totally plan on going back as it was pretty cool and free.  

Galeria Elvira Gonzalez Gallery featuring the art of Juan Munoz

Another great day of learning Spanish. They sure do make it fun!  After classes we went out for tapas as a group activity.  It was fun and I tried a few new tapas dishes.  I'm not sure why but I've switched to beer these last few nights out.  Maybe I'm just switching it up for the moment and will go back to the vino (wine). 

After tapas I had a few hours to kill so I had my first siesta!!  It was great!!  I was so exhausted that I slept for about 90 mins.  Then I organized a night out for the new March TEFL class.  Our February class had a night out organized by the January alumni so the February class did it for the March class.  There was a great turn out.  I'd say there were about 18 people there and the March class only has 8 people.  It was another great night of food and drink and great conversations.  I did start to not feel so good toward the end of the night 😥.  My throat started getting sore and my nose stuffed.  I left around 11:30 and got to the metro but the stupid gate was closed - grrrr.  Had to take a taxi home.  

Saturday - spent most of the day in bed and decided not to go out at night.  I had an offer from Darryl to take a road trip to Segovia on Sunday and I really want to do that so I'm resting all day.  

Sunday - spent the day with Darryl driving to Segovia - listening to great music and having great conversations.  We had planned to drive over the Guadarrama mountains but it was snowing and it would have been miserable with all the extra weekend people and the awful driving conditions.  So we took a tunnel instead.  To be honest, if he didn't tell me different, I probably wouldn't even have noticed.  I was just happy to be out and about in a car. It's strange that I didn't miss cars until I was in one. 

First we stopped to get a good view of Alcazar, the palace in Segovia and the same one Walt Disney used for inspiration for Cinderella's castle.  The light wasn't great so we took a brief walk along the Rio Clamores river.  It was really beautiful and you can see where it was once a river.  After, we got a picture of the palace with better light, still not great but better.

The bank of the old river Rio Clamores

The inspiration for Cinderella's castle.  (No that's not Cinderella - that's me :))

We got into the town of Segovia and the first thing you see is the Roman aqueduct.  It's absolutely amazing!!  It was built 2,000 years ago with no concrete and it still stands today. Darryl posed a great question - in 2,000 years what will still be standing in NYC or LA?  Not much would be left in my opinion.  Did I mention it was built with no concrete?!?!  

The aqueduct - look no cement

We walked around the city and then went into Alcazar, the palace.  It was really cool to see.  

The palace - unfortunately, the front was under construction.  

The thrones 

The kings and queens of the past looking down.

And yes, even trees growing right out of the walls - only for the kings and queens :)

Then we went inside a cathedral but I can't seem to find the name on the map.  It was really old and cool.

Cool Nameless cathedral

Then we walked to the top of the aqueduct.

Looking down on the aqueduct - still no cement 

Then we went into a two hundred year old restaurant in Segovia called Meson de Candido. We had the Castilian Soup of the 15th Century and the suckling pig which was so soft and the skin was so crisp that they cut it with a plate.  And the best part is when they're done cutting it, they break the plate on the floor.   

Cutting the suckling pig with a plate

Me, my soup and the aqueduct in the background (and yes still no cement)

Yummy suckling pig

Then we were in the car again, heading to an abandoned medieval town that has been renovated and is now quite cute.  

Another palace in the medieval town.

A phone booth in a medieval town?!!?  hmmm

On the edge outside a castle.  Life's good.

What a great day trip - thanks again Darryl!!!  Looking forward to the next one!!

Monday - I was feeling pretty bad this morning so class wasn't as much fun  :(. But I learned a lot so it was worth it.  

I also heard from the two jobs I applied to on Thursday night.  One wants me to have my NIE card (which allows me to work in Spain part time) so they asked me to contact them once I get it.  The other is interested in talking further now so I scheduled an interview with them on Thursday afternoon - fingers crossed.  This is the job who was looking for English teachers with a business background.  Hopefully it'll be a slam dunk.  

Then I met up with some folks from the TEFL course for a few drinks.  I had to leave after two drinks as I was exhausted.  Went home - took some decongestant with antibiotics in them and went to sleep.  

Tuesday - still not feeling all that great but I had more fun learning although I wish I was picking it up a bit faster.  I'm trying to do all the right things - the school offers an informal conversation with one teacher at a time before class to practice so I'm doing that.  I'm doing all of the activities which are mostly in Spanish to practice.  I'm also going to join some intercambios (I think I've described them before - this is where someone who wants to learn Spanish gets paired up with someone who wants to learn English and they talk with each other).  I guess I just have to be patient.  

Another fun week in Madrid!  Let me know your thoughts, comments, feedback on my adventures.  I'd love to hear from you!!