MA! and Sandy!

So I said no more blogs in English, but...I think this one warrants an English blog seeing as my mom has waited FOREVER for me to write this blog about her trip to Madrid. So, I fear for my life if I don't write it in English. Just kidding I love you MA! Anyway...it all started in Barajas Airport, like many other adventures these past few months. And what appeared before my very eyes in Barajas, not just MA but...Sandy! (aka my mom's best friend). I was sooo thrilled and excited she came! (I will say that I had an inkling of this because mom kind-of spilled the beans on the phone when she kept saying "well OUR flight" and "WE'RE going to get there around..." Love you MA but not always the best at keeping secrets. Case in point, when Andy came to visit me in New York around your birthday last year. But that's beside the point, still love you :)

Me and Mom in Sol 

We really hit the ground running. They came on a Thursday, well not just any Thursday, but Three Kings Day, so everything was closed. But the next day we headed to the Prado and I tried my best to give them a tour that would make my art-history teacher proud. The next day...FLAMENCO with my friend Helen and her mom! I'm soo grateful I've had the opportunity to see Flamenco not just once but...twice! It was amazing! A totally different vibe from what I saw in Sevilla, perhaps a bit more intimate and rawer--I totally recommend the cafe--Casa Patas. Incredible.

Crazy parrots near the teleférico (aka gondola)

Unfortunately, that Monday we had to go to customs to pick up a package that mom had sent for me back in December, but that they were holding because....well I have absolutely no reason as to why they were holding it AH! It was quite the debacle, but whatever we got through it. Besides, all of the amazing food made up for it...a restaurant with fresh pasta, an amazing vegetarian place, a Mexican restaurant, and of course traditional Spanish ALL amazing :)

Mom and Me in  Toledo

Tuesday we headed to Toledo and saw the famous Cathedral and of course the famous El Greco painting, "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz." Toledo is truly a must see if you're planning on staying in Madrid. It's only a short 30 minute train ride from Madrid to Toledo that is definitely worth it.

Restaurant in Toledo which had the most amazing bread...little did we know....it was frozen bread haha 

A must see in Madrid is the Thyssen Museum. We were lucky enough to see a limited exhibition showing Impressionist paintings focusing on flowers and gardens that was so beautiful, probably one of my favorite exhibitions. We also saw a great exhibition on Renoir in the Prado that was nice because it wasn't too overwhelming, just a small exhibition of beautiful paintings.

El Escorial 

And, on their last day here, we took an hour bus ride to El Escorial to see an amazing monastery. It is HUGE. We spent nearly three hours walking around the interior and still didn't see everything. The surrounding landscape is also amazing! That night we had an incredible meal in a Basque restaurant which was the perfect end to a great ten days. 

Above all, I think my favorite part about mom and Sandy being in Madrid was that...mom and Sandy were in Madrid. I've had an incredible five months in Madrid, but seeing them really showed me how much I miss my family and that home is really where your family is. I thought Madrid had everything, but I was mistaken :(.