Here is a little photo shoot of our weekend!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
We began our journey by skipping class! :)
(No worries this is the first time I've skipped and I have two free skips.
"No pasa nada"- as the Spaniards say. Translation: Don't worry about it.)
Our mode of transportation was by bus.
Because it was the cheapest. We got on the bus at 2:45pm and arrived in Madrid 6 hours later.
Tweet: We got from Alicante to Madrid in 6 hours. It took us 8 hours to get from Chicago to Madrid. #travelingonabudget #cheapwayisthelongway
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| About to leave- with only a backpack and a purse Dad: And only the shoes on my feet! I know you're proud! |
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| Beautiful walk to the bus station |
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| "El jefe" and his girls |
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| I was feeling proud of how little I packed- It looks especially good next to these suitcases! |
We arrived at the bus station in Madrid and our first stop was to drop our bags off at our hostel. We had the address to the hostel and knew it was close to the Palacio Real. Other than that we had no idea how to get from the bus station (Point A) to the hostel (Point B). This is when you know you're a real traveler. So, Asaf asked for directions. So the next step was to take the metro. So we took the metro. I think I will always remember that moment when we came out of the metro station.
Let me try to paint you a mental picture. We were basically in a movie.
Everyone is squealing with excitement because we are IN Madrid. Bundled in coats and scarfs, loaded down by our backpacks and purses, we walk up out of the metro breathing in the crisp fresh air and we are surrounded by big, beautiful, Spain-esque buildings. (That sounded cheesy-basically it was really pretty) We all did that thing where you spin around looking up. After we had admired our surroundings-I asked for directions to the hostel. Yes, I asked. Yes, I asked in Spanish. Yes, I understand the lady response. Yes, the lady's response was in Spanish. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
The movie continues when we turn the corner and there it was the PALACIO REAL! Translation: THE ROYAL PALACE! We all caught our breath and then started to giggle. It was surreal. I think I actually got tears in my eyes.
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| El Palacio Real - and that's just the backside of it. |
Friday, January 25, 2013:
We woke up and went to the Palace. What else? :) Maybe it's just because I'm a girl and every girl dreams at some point of being a princess- but I LOVED touring the Palace. I even bought one of those auto-tour guide things. A sure sign that I'm getting oldER, not old, oldER.
As you can imagine- the inside of the Palace was beautiful.
Fast Fact: The Palace is still used today for country events. For example: I stood in the room were Spain signed into the European Union. But the Royal Family lives in a more modern mansion in Madrid.
Continuing with the beautiful palace- While I was touring I reverted back to being a little girl and started daydreaming a little about what it would be like to be a real princess in this palace. And a thought that crossed my mind soon after was... that right now- I am a Princess. I am a daughter of the Most-High King. And right now, the King is preparing a place, maybe a palace, for me. How cool is that!?!!
While at the Palace we also saw a Goya exhibit. What can we say- we're so cultured. haha
After the Palace we ate the "Menu del Dia" at a restaurant I can't remember the name of. BUT...the menu of the day is a great Spanish custom. You get a 1st plate, 2nd plate, bread, drink, and dessert all for one price. So the restaurant will post 5 items to choose from for the 1st plate and 5 items to choose for the second plate. What the items are depends from restaurant to restaurant. This particular day I had lentil soup with chorizo and veggies for my first plate. (Mom: You'll be proud-I like lentils! I also have picked up a taste for chorizo too!) My 2nd plate was like a pork chop with some DELICIOUS sauce and french fries. To complete the menu I had Fanta to drink and ice cream for dessert. We got all of this for 10 euros! This is especially a good deal if you eat like the Spaniards and eat lunch at 2 or 3, because this kinda meal will keep you full all day. Except for maybe a little ice cream before bed. :)
After lunch we went to Gran Via- a famous street in Madrid and shopped around. Then, we went to El Museo de Prado. Brynn was awesome and researched before the trip and found out that if we went to Prado after 6 we could get in free. So, of course we did that. And personally, I don't know a whole lot about art, so I don't appreciate it as much as I should. So, only two hours in the museum was perfect!
That night we enjoyed some good laughs and funny story when we went for tapas at Lateral.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
BUSY DAY!
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| Chocolate and Churros place recommended by Rick Steves- Sorry Rick but Valor is better! |
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| Chocolate and Churros for Breakfast! |
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Toured the beautiful cathedral next to the palace. Recently Spanish Prince Felipe was married here.
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| Pictures don't do it justice. |
Plaza Mayor!
Then, Bethany, Johanna, Asaf, and I went to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Home of Real Madrid!!
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| These aren't the cheap seats! |
Thanks to Brynn-we got in free to Reina Sofia too- a modern-art museum.
Pablo Picasso's famous work, "El Guerrica" is housed here.
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| My sneaky picture of "El Guerrica" |
Had to finish the day with some ice cream from the super cool San Miguel Market.
(Picture taken the next day.)
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Great coffee and croissant to begin the day!
Next, we went to a flea market that has occurred more or less every Sunday since the Middle Ages!
(I controlled myself and only bought one scarf.)
Check-out of hostel and ate a delicious lunch Mexican lunch! It was SO good we missed our bus. :)
The nachos, chicken fajitas, and chocolate/banana ice cream were worth it!
Looking forward to a relaxing weekend this weekend and on Thursday we leave for Italy!!
Hayley,
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun re-cap of your trip. I loved how you all were so excited and I loved how Asaf was the only guy among all of you gals. He was either elated to be surrounded by all these gorgeous women or exhausted from all those emotions surrounding him. I would think with Asaf there it would be the easy thing to just ask him to do all the talking. So proud of you for stepping up and stepping out to do some of the communication on your own. Madrid is amazing. I agree. I could go back in a heartbeat. You saw some incredible places in such a short time. But since you only scratched the surface, you must go back! I cannot wait to hear all about the Italy adventure. You are blessed!