Christmas Eve, the last leg of the race. The day in which everyone ventures out to pick up that forgotten gift, find the ingredients for Christmas dinner or to just take a casual stroll to the center.
I would be a mix between the first and the last, supposed to pick out a Christmas gift for Chris and we just got out of the apartment. The center was not all that crowded, we were able to walk and not feel confined to our own spaces.
Upon our arrival, I felt compelled to get my first European Starbucks! The store was tucked away, shops on both sides. Cute and quaint from the outside, what would the inside entail? The pastry case was very clean (first thing I noticed, after the swept floors). They had Cheesecake and these sandwiches that looked straight from a deli. Delicious as they looked, the price was too steep.
I ordered their holiday special, a Mocca (Mocha) Prailine, and Chris ordered their other special, a Toffeenut Latte. I imagined the Mocha Prailine to be like our Caramel Praline a few years ago, I was wrong. Perhaps it is the milk, or my expectations??
All in all, I realized that without being a Starbucks employee, I cannot afford (Chris cannot) to feed my addiction. Thank you Starbucks for making me an addict and throwing me to the wolves here in España...
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Museo Nacional del Prado
Saturday marked the day that I visited my first museum in Europe. As the title states, we visited El Museo Nacional del Prado. Besides being free, the museum was amazing.
On the way there, walking through Retiro, Chris talked to me about all the art he was learning about in his art class. I want to learn more about the arts here in Spain. (Hobby??).
Three stories, the museum celebrated painters and artists from all nationalities. There are too many to list and describe.
I highly recommend this museum to anyone who wishes to visit. Below are some of our favorites by Francisco De Goya:
Until next time.
On the way there, walking through Retiro, Chris talked to me about all the art he was learning about in his art class. I want to learn more about the arts here in Spain. (Hobby??).
Three stories, the museum celebrated painters and artists from all nationalities. There are too many to list and describe.
I highly recommend this museum to anyone who wishes to visit. Below are some of our favorites by Francisco De Goya:
Until next time.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thus Far
Since my arrival in Madrid, I have done a lot of sleeping, eating and walking. We have gone to Retiro park (a beautiful park) that is just minutes away from the apartment. Chris took me to the center the other day and it is crazy. Lights, cars and a whole bunch of people.
Chris pointed out the fact that older women love their fur coats here, and they do. Flashy, yet tacky, furs line the streets of Madrid windows selling for as much as 700 Euros. Who would pay for such things? SPANISH WOMEN. On another fashion note, I have seen three mullets, two on men and one on a woman. I think if my hair grew, I would sport one (what do you think?)
We have gone to many grocery stores, we love our food. Food prices are reasonable here, nothing too extreme. Wait, I lied. Spaniards apparently love their pork here, not sure why. Can you imagine pork that sells for upwards of 500 Euros? Neither could I, but at one of the stores, it did. The tasty dish is known as Jamon Iberica and it is pretty much cured pork. You do not cook it, just cut it in strips (like bacon) and eat it. It looks like bacon, but it is not. Chris says we are going to try some, would you try it?
Next blog...El Prado
Chris pointed out the fact that older women love their fur coats here, and they do. Flashy, yet tacky, furs line the streets of Madrid windows selling for as much as 700 Euros. Who would pay for such things? SPANISH WOMEN. On another fashion note, I have seen three mullets, two on men and one on a woman. I think if my hair grew, I would sport one (what do you think?)
We have gone to many grocery stores, we love our food. Food prices are reasonable here, nothing too extreme. Wait, I lied. Spaniards apparently love their pork here, not sure why. Can you imagine pork that sells for upwards of 500 Euros? Neither could I, but at one of the stores, it did. The tasty dish is known as Jamon Iberica and it is pretty much cured pork. You do not cook it, just cut it in strips (like bacon) and eat it. It looks like bacon, but it is not. Chris says we are going to try some, would you try it?
Next blog...El Prado
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Smooth Landing
Hello All,
Obviously, I have made it to my destination. I arrived yesterday, Spain time, at around 10:10am. Both plane rides were rather plain and pretty quick. I left LAX at around 11am, arrived in Philly around 650pm-ish and took off for Spain at 8:55pm.
On my way to Philly, I realized that I had forgotten a travel journal, something I might just have to pick up here. I imagined myself writing in this everyday, turning it into a story later. Erica and I had this conversation on Monday. I would stain the pages with coffee and tea, burn the edges and make it look like an old manuscript! Erica mentioned something about me not knowing I lived in the 21st Century!
I slept almost the whole way to Philly, distracted by the blinking lights coming from the guy next to me. He had an electronics kit (really, who has that?) and kept placing wires here and there, eventually connecting a battery to light up lights of all colors. The turbulence was terrible, I pretended to be on an African Safari. My jeep bouncing over the rolling plains as I watch the different animals sleep and move about (the passengers).
The Philadelphia airport was BIG, crowded but everything went as planned. I expected to sleep the whole way, turns out I did not sleep at all. I watched Julie and Julia, listened to a mix of Hits of November 2009 (the cover was KELLY!!!) and finally watched Post Grad. I like Alexis Bledel, but the movie was awful, more like a straight to DVD video. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams were superb in Julie & Julia.
The plane landed around 10:10am, Spain time, all downhill from there, right? No, I had to wait a good 30 minutes in line for border patrol. After the man asked me if I spoke Spanish, typed my name into the computer (he did not do this with people before me), I now had a stamp in my passport!!!
Upon making my way to baggage claim, I kept hearing a guy behind me. Turns out he was calling for me, he tapped me and flashed a badge. I could not believe it, but I was being stopped by the Police, apparently I look suspicious (watch out!). I was let go after he found out I was American. Not going to lie, I was pissed and over it! I just wanted to get my bag, find Chris and get out of there.
I did just that, found Chris and took the metro to my new home! The city is nice, very busy and cute! We have not done much, I was jet lagged and Chris is ill. Just ate dinner (pizza lol), played cards, watched friends and went to bed around 10pm (1pm there).
I promise my next blogs will be more exciting, not as long and fun! I love you all!
Do not forget to remember me...
Obviously, I have made it to my destination. I arrived yesterday, Spain time, at around 10:10am. Both plane rides were rather plain and pretty quick. I left LAX at around 11am, arrived in Philly around 650pm-ish and took off for Spain at 8:55pm.
On my way to Philly, I realized that I had forgotten a travel journal, something I might just have to pick up here. I imagined myself writing in this everyday, turning it into a story later. Erica and I had this conversation on Monday. I would stain the pages with coffee and tea, burn the edges and make it look like an old manuscript! Erica mentioned something about me not knowing I lived in the 21st Century!
I slept almost the whole way to Philly, distracted by the blinking lights coming from the guy next to me. He had an electronics kit (really, who has that?) and kept placing wires here and there, eventually connecting a battery to light up lights of all colors. The turbulence was terrible, I pretended to be on an African Safari. My jeep bouncing over the rolling plains as I watch the different animals sleep and move about (the passengers).
The Philadelphia airport was BIG, crowded but everything went as planned. I expected to sleep the whole way, turns out I did not sleep at all. I watched Julie and Julia, listened to a mix of Hits of November 2009 (the cover was KELLY!!!) and finally watched Post Grad. I like Alexis Bledel, but the movie was awful, more like a straight to DVD video. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams were superb in Julie & Julia.
The plane landed around 10:10am, Spain time, all downhill from there, right? No, I had to wait a good 30 minutes in line for border patrol. After the man asked me if I spoke Spanish, typed my name into the computer (he did not do this with people before me), I now had a stamp in my passport!!!
Upon making my way to baggage claim, I kept hearing a guy behind me. Turns out he was calling for me, he tapped me and flashed a badge. I could not believe it, but I was being stopped by the Police, apparently I look suspicious (watch out!). I was let go after he found out I was American. Not going to lie, I was pissed and over it! I just wanted to get my bag, find Chris and get out of there.
I did just that, found Chris and took the metro to my new home! The city is nice, very busy and cute! We have not done much, I was jet lagged and Chris is ill. Just ate dinner (pizza lol), played cards, watched friends and went to bed around 10pm (1pm there).
I promise my next blogs will be more exciting, not as long and fun! I love you all!
Do not forget to remember me...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The night before...
...Life goes on.
It is 1:22am and I am wide awake.
Am I anxious? YES.
Am I excited? YES.
Am I sad? YES.
Am I happy? YES.
There are a lot of "Am I's" that I could write, but the true emotion cannot be captured.
For those of you who do not know, I am making a big change in my life and taking an even bigger step. I am on my way to Spain until July 2010. John is over there studying (Master's) and I have decided, with help from him, my family and friends, that it would be best to go over as well. I have not been out of the United States and I see no better opportunity than now to go. The past months have been rather interesting, but we all have made it unscathed.
I quit Starbucks around the beginning of December and, I will not lie, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Many do not realize that Starbucks is more than coffee, it is a family. I had the honor of being the only person at Riverpark II since day one (Schotke does not count, she left us! :D). I saw and experienced so many things during this time and can say nothing but thank you.
Thank you to everyone I worked with, you made it worthwhile even when it became overwhelming. Thank you to the customers, your faces, and money ;), kept me working there and it was an honor getting to know you all!
As I sit on my sister's couch (my bed) I realize just how supportive my family has been the last few years. They have shaped who I am today and I do my best to make them proud. They are completely aware of how important this opportunity is for me and I thank them for taking time to help me move and see me off!
I promise to you that the following blogs will be more fun and exciting, until then...
I love you!
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