Last Week in Spain

20 de Julio
12:54am

Last Week in Spain

Hola chicos!

Only 4 days left in Europe – this summer is one that I will always remember.

I will miss my family, walking everywhere, my friends here, and the proximity to Madrid. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Two months is a perfect amount of time to visit. As I finish up papers, projects and exams this week, a small amount of nostalgia for my lifestyle in the US slips into my thoughts.

This week has been more school focused; however, Monday afternoon I went shopping in Madrid for a few hours. I truly feel like I walk out into Times Square every time I leave the Metro and enter “Sol” – one of the main plazas. I only bought an overpriced coffee drink from Starbucks and then stopped by the grocery store to buy some snacks for the plane.

Last Thursday I spent the afternoon/night in Madrid. We went after comida (lunch) and started with some shopping. I bought a Longchamp purse, some gifts, and a nice dinner. After dinner we met another group and had tapas and drinks. We then explored the nightlife of Madrid. Visiting a local Irish Bar and I tried cider for the first time and actually liked it. I also enjoyed the atmosphere and made some new Spanish friends who both work in jobs that require them to know English. They spoke to me in Spanish for the most part in order for me to get some practice in. One of the guys tested my salsa dancing skills – I passed!

Today, when I came back from my favorite local café, I was talking to my parents about the work I had completed. They told me that I am becoming more Spanish every day in how I look and speak. It was the best compliment I have received since being here! I am very happy to say my Spanish has increased – I now have to find ways in the US to continue the practice. I can only eat at Mexican restaurants so many times..

Our father has gone 5 days without smoking. He is attempting to quit, as he knows it is bad for his health. Wahoo! However, the rest of Spain is going strong with their puffs. Every day as I walk home from the café, I smell my 4 hours ago clean hair now resembling an ash tray…

A new food to try: Melon and ham
Yes, it sounds weird, but it is actually the perfect combination of sweet and salty. My grandmother always says this duo is necessary. In Spain, ham is extremely popular and a delicacy. Some of the nicer hams are very caro (expensive). I have gained an appreciation for jamon after spending some time with my family.

This weekend when Mel and I returned from the Asturias, we had gifts waiting for us from our parents. They bought us shirts from one of the popular shops in town. We are extremely lucky with our family, especially as I hear stories of other students living situation. We are allowed to take showers at any time of the day, we are never hungry, our laundry is done as frequently as we would like, and our family takes time to talk to us at every meal. I will miss them and hope to keep in touch somehow.

I need sleep and am hitting the cama (bed).
See some of you very soon!

Thanks for continuing on this journey with me.

Kristina