Spanish Adventures

Oh man, am I behind! Sorry everyone. We've been so busy doing things (and with not having my own computer here), there just hasn't been time to blog. So I'll do my best to cover the past week.

Monday, June 27

Monica, Bekah, and I went to the Reina Sofia Museum. (Grandma and Pat can be happy now). Never in my life did I think I'd get to stand in front of a real Picasso painting. There aren't even words for how amazing it was to see La Guernica in person! I've studied it in at least 2 classes and heard so much about it. To see all of the prep work -- how much time Picasso spent sketching and painting each little section to make sure he had it all right -- that was just unbelievable. To me, it felt like this painting was as important to him as it is to the rest of the world. Many people consider it one of his most important works; seeing all of his preparation for it made me think he felt that way, too.

I think my favorite thing in Reina Sofia was being able to see Salvador Dali's paintings in person!! My brother Pat always talked about seeing Dali's paintings when he was in Spain, so it was neat for me to do the same. We spent so much time in the museum, but we only covered half of it (2 of 4 floors)!

Then, we met up with a friend of mine. Remember the one I ran into in the street: Kate Loy, the Vira Heinz Scholarship winner? Well, Bekah, Kate, and I walked around for a while and finally stopped to grab some tapas. It was great to catch up with her. She spent a week in Portugal visiting one of the girls who had lived in her dorm at Washington and Jefferson (Kate is an RA, so she's close with a lot of the girls in her dorm); then she was in Spain for a month doing an internship with a theater company; now, she's gone to Ireland for another theater opportunity -- this time to take classes and act (I think). I hear stories like this and think, "Wow, these people live such fabulous, interesting lives! I need to do better...I feel like a slacker!"

Tuesday, June 28

Bekah, Trish, and I went to the Botanical Gardens. I truly love natural areas tucked away in cities. They feel like such a refreshing retreat from the concrete fast-pace of city life. It was a relaxing way for the 3 of us to spend time together and enjoy one of the less touristy attractions in the city.

Afterward, Bekah and I went to the Prado Museum (it's free during the week from 6-8PM!!). We weren't so sure how it would work out, but we had to give it a try. I mean, one of the world's most famous museums for free? Heck yes! We stood in what seemed like an endless line for about 20-25 minutes, but once 6:00 rolled around, we got right in. Two hours was not enough to see probably even part of one floor, but we walked around at our own pace and truly enjoyed it. We got to see paintings by Goya, Valazquez, and Sorolla. Fantastic! I hope we get to go back, though. There's so much more to see!

Wednesday, June 29

While Bekah was at class, I went shopping with Trish. I bought a cute outfit at Corte de Ingles, Spain's biggest/most important department store. I've never seen a single store with so many floors!!

Then, Bekah and I went to Palacio Real ("Royal Palace"-- it's free on Wednesdays if you're European; but, at least we got in for 1/2 price because we're students). We tried to imagine ourselves living among such elegance and finery; we'd have to put our own twist on it, of course. I think that it would just be distracting for me, though. There is so much detail in every room. I'd try to write a paper and end up sketching the flowers on the walls... Send me to bed and I'd count the crystals on the chandelier... Tell me to pick out clothes and I'd make up stories about the people in the ceiling murals... (I think you get the idea) Good thing the royals didn't have to be very productive... ;)

Then, we visited the Moorish Gardens behind the Palace. Once again, I really enjoyed the flora! This was an interesting place, though. It served as the campgrounds for the Moors during one of the many wars between them and the Christian Spaniards. Later, it was landscaped into these beautiful gardens that sit right behind the palace.

Afterward, we met up with another friend of mine. What a small world!! I come to Spain to visit a friend and run into 2 others. I met Amy Saccente last summer while studying abroad in Costa Rica. She graduated in May and decided to take some time off from school before she starts her masters. So, she's a nanny for a Spanish family for the summer. Then, she's going to Switzerland for a year, and maybe New Zealand after that. You know, nothing big. Pssh. Cool life!! What a great way to see the country, learn about other cultures, and practice your language skills. Too bad I'm not the kind of person who enjoys working with kids...

Thursday, June 30

By this point, I didn't want to waste any more mornings while Bekah was at class (the time I had been using to upload photos, check emails, blog, etc.) by just sitting at home. So, Trish and I went to the Madrid City Museum. Unfortunately, the main museum was closed for renovations. We got to see one room filled with silver-work, which was fun for me to analyze how the museum was set up (put that internship of mine to work).

After Bekah finished class, we went to Teatro Real. We planned on taking a tour, but we got there too late. We were able to buy tickets, though! We're going to see an opera in Spain this coming Wednesday. What a farewell for me!

Then, we walked what seemed like forever before we finally found La Glorieta de San Antonio. From the outside, it's a quaint little church that contains murals painted by Goya. But it is also the final resting place of Goya, so it has another name, too: Panteon de Goya (or Goya's Tomb). It is absolutely gorgeous!! I think the neatest thing was that they have mirrors placed around the chapel so you can see the murals more closely. It feels like they're so close you can reach out and touch them. Such a neat way to observe details you'd never see by simply straining your neck to look up.

Then, we climbed a million and one stairs (uphill both ways) to see Templo de Debod, Egyptian ruins. It's a temple to Isis and Amun that was rebuilt in Spain because the construction of the Aswan Dam threatened it in its original location in Egypt. Knowing how old it was and that it is one of few Egyptian ruins outside of Egypt made it even cooler. I mean, who doesn't appreciate ancient Egypt? The Bangles and Steve Martin even sang songs about it!!

Well, that's enough for one day. I'll write more soon! :)

Three of the five girls staying in our house are now gone. Even though the house isn't empty, it feels like major components are missing.

In Spain, like Latin America, emotions are often best expressed through ones stomach. What I mean is that food is often a good indicator of what people feel toward each other. Over here, people don't count calories or points or worry about eating another piece. If they want it, they take it. Because they have learned to eat for pleasure, to truly enjoy life. Unlike the diet trends at home that basically stress eating solely for sustenance, these people have learned to enjoy food and use it as a form of personal and emotional expression. That being said, our bellies and hearts are full after this week (even if the house may seem a tad empty).

Tuesday, Carlos made a special black pasta dinner as a farewell to Monica and Jenny, who left Wednesday. We all stayed up far too late, chatting, and pretending the inevitable wouldn't happen. It was a wonderful night with people who care about each other, just socializing.

Then, it was Trish's turn. Since she's Italian-American, she cooked stuffed shells and bruchetta as a giant thank you to the family that has become her own after living here for 6 months! It was very emotional and super sweet. Sadly, Trish left Friday (today) morning. I know Carlos, Marina, and Anastasia will greatly miss her. Even though Bekah and I only knew her for a week, we're going to miss her as well.