Madrid!

This past weekend my roommates and I went to Madrid! We left very early Friday morning maybe getting only just two hours of sleep. The flight was less than an hour long so taking a nap was not an option. My roommate Vivi’s best friend Mari lives in Madrid and her sister Dani met us at the airport. I was meeting one of my best friends Sarah McClain, so my other roomie, Lauren, and I left Vivi and hopped on to the metro to go explore Madrid. Sarah called me while I was on the metro so we were able to meet up with her before most likely getting lost in the city. The three of us were starving so the first thing we did was eat! After lunch, we met some Australian boys who tagged along with us to explore the city. We went to see the Royal Palace, Plaza del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and we ended our day going to the market. After that, we were so exhausted so it was time for our siesta.

Plaza del Sol

Plaza Mayor

 

 

Palacio Real 

I did not sleep much during my siesta. Even though I was drained from lack of sleep, we had many plans for the night so I had to suck it up. We left Sarah’s apartment at about 11pm. We took the metro to find a tapas bar called El Tigre. There we met up with our Australian mates from earlier that day and they brought some more friends with them. The tapas bar was fun but crowded and no where to sit! We left El Tigre to find an Australian bar our new friends had heard about. When we got to the bar, we were very disappointed. The bartender did not know any of the authentic Aussie drinks. All they had was Foster’s beer and according to our friends, nobody drinks Foster’s in Australia. We still had a good time at the “Australian” bar. Next was the discoteca La Paccha (apparently really popular in Madrid). We were meeting Vivi and Mari there for Mari’s birthday celebration. The discoteca was crazy! It was super crowded and super expensive. But it was a lot of fun. Us girls danced the night away until we couldn’t bare the pain our feet were feeling anymore. We left the club at 5am! Yes, I finally partied the “Spaniard” way: get to the discoteca at around 2am and leave around 5am or 6am. It was definitely an experience!

At "La Pacha"

On Saturday, we were still in pain from the night before so we just did some more touristy stuff. We went to Plaza España and went to see some Egyptian ruins. It was really pretty! Then we came back to Sarah’s apartment for a siesta and TV. We watched Disney channel for hours! Model Behavior was on! When we finally decided we wanted to eat, it was already almost midnight. When we got to the Japanese restaurant we wanted to eat at, they had just closed! We missed it by just four minutes! So we found somewhere else to eat. No partying for us that night since Lauren and I wanted to do more touristy activities Sunday morning before we left.

Egyptian Ruins

Lauren and I woke up early Sunday morning (10am) to go see Parque Retiro. The park was huge. I would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been so cold! There was so much to see. Lots of fountains and architectural structures. When we couldn’t bare the cold any longer, we headed to Prado Museum. The museum was enormous! Way too much to see! But it was absolutely amazing! It had so many beautiful paintings and sculptures. I want to go back again and see what I wasn’t able to see.

We got back to Barcelona Sunday night. I loved Madrid! But I definitely was happy to be back in Barcelona, it’s starting to feel like home. I’m glad I got to see Sarah McClain! I can’t wait for her to come visit me in Barcelona! All in all, an amazing weekend!!

Parque Retiro

Week 2

It has been four days since my mom went back to the states. It was a sad day when she left. I was getting used to having her around here. I knew she was not going to stay forever but it was still hard to say goodbye. The morning she left, we had breakfast at our usual place. After breakfast, we went to the grocery store so she could leave knowing that I had enough food for the day. Mom would be proud to know that we finally used our kitchen to cook! I received my final schedule and my student ID from IQS this week. I guess that makes me an official student. My schedule isn't bad. I've got class Monday through Thursday and my earliest class is at 11:30am and it's only once a week. With no classes on Friday,  I'll be able to travel more! This Friday I'll be traveling to Madrid for the weekend to see my dear old friend Sarah McClain! This weekend should be eventful! Last night I went out with my roommates and some friends from the exchange program. We went to a bar called Chupitos. Its a shots bar with more than 200 different shots. I had such a good time. It is definitely somewhere we will go again. There was a shot named "Harry Potter" so of course I had to try it! It was delicious! If any of my friends from home come and visit me, I'll buy you a shot at Chupitos :) I miss my family, friends, and brothers so much. But I am having a wonderful time here in Barcelona. I am in no hurry to go back home :)

No internet = No life

So for the past two days I had no internet. It hit me hard when I realized that without internet I have no connection to my family and friends. Hopefully this doesn't happen often. I felt so lost without it. Its pretty pathetic but true! Thankfully I was able to look up how to get to La Sagrada Familia before the internet gave out! My mom and I finally got to explore some of the city yesterday. We took the Metro for the first time and made it to la Sagrada Familia without getting lost! To be fair it was probably the easiest place to find. The church was absolutely stunning. I had never seen anything like it in all my life. I will definitely be visiting it often. My mom and I were there for almost 3 hours! We explored all of the church that was possible! Look how beautiful it is!

After our visit to La Sagrada Familia, mom and I went walking around and found a cute little cafe. We ordered churros and hot chocolate! It was so good! Today (Sunday) we couldn't do much because most stores are closed on Sundays. And we found the school but took a taxi there since we had no internet to look up directions. Tomorrow will be my official first day as as student at IQS! I hope it goes well!

I have arrived!

I am officially all moved in to my new apartment in Barcelona! The arrival here was a long one but definitely worth it! I barely slept on the plane (lots of turbulence!) so when we finally arrived to the apartment at about 1pm, I fell asleep, and didn't wake up until about 8pm. So I did not get to go explore the city today. But I have 6 months to do that! I'm so happy my mom is here with me! The transition has been alot easier with her here. When I woke up from my nap my mom had already unpacked all my clothes and arrange my room for me! How lucky am I?! Mom and I might go some where different over the weekend but we haven't decided yet! Either Paris or Madrid! But we still have lots to do at the apartment still so who knows what will happen. I still can't believe I'm really here. It will feel more real when I explore the city! Our first goal for tomorrow is to find IKEA! We need to get some stuff for the apartment. Here is the living room..

 I'll post more of the apartment once we've got it organized.

Off to bed! Busy day ahead!

xoxo,

Maria <3

Almost there

So tomorrow is the big day! I leave in the afternoon to New York and from there I will arrive to Barcelona Thursday morning! I still can't believe I'm really going! It probably won't hit me until my mom leaves me the 15th, when I'm really on my own. I'm still packing and can't seem to comprehend how I'm supposed to fit 6 months of stuff into 3 bags. I'm just hoping it will all magically fit. I've said almost all of my goodbyes, just a few left. Tears have fallen during my goodbyes but they have been happy tears. I feel fortunate for having so much love and support from my family, friends, and my brothers. I would never be able to do this without them. It will hurt being so far away from the ones I love but I know I have their support. This experience is going to change my life for the better. I will take every opportunity I can to explore new things. No more boring Maria. It's time for a change, and that change begins tomorrow :)

xoxo
  Maria