La corrida de toros

So I did something I said I'd never do: go to a bull fight. In my defense (and this is more to assuage my own guilt...) I mainly went because the tickets were ridiculously cheap and I knew this would likely be my first and last time. Plus, I wanted to see this cultural aspect of Spain. Oh, and I decided that unless I saw it myself, I wouldn't be able to have an opinion. Now I can say, having gone to a bullfight myself, that it is truly horrific and something I would not want to go to again, ever. To stress this point, I will make a PRO/CON list of Bullfighting: 

Pros: The Plaza is beautiful. The music and costumes are great. That's about it. 

Cons: 1) If you are sitting really close (like we unfortunately were, despite the fact that our tickets were really cheap--still don't know why that is...) you can hear the bull moaning. 2) You can see the blood from where the picadors (men on horses) use their lances to stab the bull. Not a joke. The same goes for the hook things (not a technical term) that are also placed (well, one of the bullfighters--not the main "matador," but one of the others, not sure of the name for them--runs and stabs the bull with these, too) in the bull. 

Me and Ashley before the bullfighting began. Not sure why I'm so happy. BTW--that women in front of me was sitting so far back I had no knee room!! 

Cons Continued: 3) If the matador stinks (which the first one did) he is unable to kill the bull on the first try. This means it takes an obscene amount of time for the bull to die (which of course we are watching). In fact, at the end of the first round, it was necessary to continually stab the bull so he would die. 4) The bull is then dragged out of the ring while triumphant music is played. 5) This should have been at the beginning, but it was something I forgot to mention. When the bull is angry (and wouldn't you be) he sometimes goes over to the picadors (the men on the horses) and uses his horns against the horse. So, yes, the horse (whose eye are covered, and who is an innocent bystander) is also subjected to this madness.

While this whole "spectacle" was happening a man was smoking a cigar and another was smoking a cigarette and the combination of the smoke with the bullfight made me utterly nauseated. Needless to say, I stayed for two bulls (they do 6!!!--again, why this is necessary, I do not know). And then I left. 

Terrible bullfighter who could not kill the bull, and thus the bull suffered. Get a new profession. 

Some people claim this is a cultural experience. I am sorry if I do not see the culture in this event. RIP 6 bulls. 

Wow...I was actually in...Paris :)

Oh, París. Need I say more? Not going to lie...having over a three hour delay leaving Madrid was definitely not my idea of fun. Not sure I would recommend RyanAir. I know, Dr. B, you warned me and I should have listened, but instead I just chose the cheapest flight. Perhaps you really do get what you pay for...When the pilot said it was going to be about another hour (thankfully it was only about 35 minutes longer) I was about to call it a day and get off the plane. I'm so glad I didn't, however, because, as these pictures show, I had the best time! 

Ashley, Meghan, Blair, Helen, and Me on a pedestrian bridge along the Seine (just before going to the Louvre)

I didn't get to Paris until nearly midnight Friday (or should I say Saturday morning?). Getting a shuttle in advance to take me to the hostel was the best $70 Euros roundtrip I have ever spent. There was someone waiting for me at the airport, even thought the flight was so delayed. A friendly couple from Madrid and a mother with her two kids (going to Euro Disney) were also in the shuttle. It was so nice to practice Spanish with ¡gente tan amable! My friends were nice enough to wait up for me, too. Although I wasn't in the same room as my friends (don't freak out, Dad) they were just down the hall, plus I was in an all-girls room. The beds were made daily and the bathrooms were cleaned daily, too. We got a free breakfast every morning and free internet access, had the internet not been broken. I highly recommend this hostel. The only downside is that it's a bit out of the way of some of the major sights, but the staff is great and the rooms are clean and comfortable, albeit a bit small (Oops! hostel)

My first day I was off to the catacombs with two of my friends (there were a total of seven of us--so much fun!). The catacombs were so interesting and spooky--great for this time of year, being so close to Halloween. We then walked to the Luxembourg Gardens which are gorgeous. There were tons of families enjoying the beautiful fall weather, also great this time of year. 

I think we all know where I am here :). Still not sure how I feel about giant glass pyramids. 

Of course I have to mention what we did that afternoon...the Louvre! It's definitely true that this museum is just way too large to see in a day, in two days, in a week, well you get the point. But I loved seeing Egyptian art and of course the Mona Lisa. Yes, it's small. Yes, it might disappoint, but hell it's still the Mona Lisa. 

Inside the catacombs...BOO!

Girls being girls

Sunday morning we were off to Versailles. It's only about a forty-five minute train ride from Paris, so when in Paris, I'd try to take advantage of this opportunity. Just putting this out there--who the heck needs a Palace that size? Or I guess the better question is who the heck needs a palace at all? It does impress, however, but giant palaces tend to do that. Something very odd about the palace, though. There must have been some traveling art exhibit in the palace at this time and so in nearly all of the rooms I saw there were these anime/pokemón like structures. Not kidding. They were in the gardens too (also amazing). Still have no idea what they were about. You'd be standing in this baroque room and all of a sudden look over and there's something that looks like Picachu (not sure how to spell that...) staring back at you. Very strange. But perhaps I am ignorant of the exhibit. Must research this...

I think I'd look great in this palace, don't you?

After Versailles, we went to the Museé d'Orsay. Wow. If you are at all into impressionist painting this museum is a must see. The museum itself reminded me (and my friend Ashley) of Grand Central Station (is Grand Central based off of this museum...or the other way around...or neither? no idea) and is beautiful. It is so relaxing to walk around and take your time looking at the beautiful Monets, Renoirs, etc. 

Somehow later that afternoon I still had time to see the Eiffel Tower. Clearly has the wow factor. I went back at night to see it all lit up--certainly would be quite the romantic spot. Walking along the Seine from  Notre Dame was beautiful. 

There were a few things I didn't get to do--such as see Notre Dame during the day and go inside, among other things--but all in all definitely not too shabby for just about two days in Paris! 

Goodness gracious! I almost ended this blog without talking about the food. Two things, mainly--it's amazing and it's expensive. Crepes with apricot jam, yes please! A whole fish for dinner, I think so! Not knowing what you're ordering off the menu--makes it that much more adventurous! 

And before ending this blog...a big shout out to all of my friends on the trip who were amazing! I had such a great time with all of you. It was great having such a fun group of people to see Paris with who were so motivated to go here there and everywhere! I'd travel with you girls again anytime. Next stop...who knows? :)

Joan's Birthday, Portugal & Salamanca

Joan turned twenty on September 21st yay! Elena got a cute ice-cream tort for the three of us :).

View of Coimbra 

Me and Caroline on a terrace at the university in Coimbra

The 8:00 AM departure time last Friday was rough, but totally worth it in the end considering how beautiful Portugal and Salamanca are.

The city of Coimbra is quaint and lovely--it has a beautiful river view. Coimbra is actually a college town which means that there is a great university to check out. The old buildings are amazing and the library is one of a kind. I would have loved to take a picture of it, but unfortunately that's not allowed. On Saturday morning, at the start of our tour of the city, we were able to walk through a market. Many venders were dressed in traditional clothing and were selling delicious looking pastries, cheeses, breads and more. Books and collectable were being sold, too.

Market in Coimbra

We had a lunch sponsored by NYU consisting of soup with cabbage and vegetables, bacalao (cod fish), potatoes, and onions, and of course dessert...orange cake yum! 

The strangest thing about Portugal...we couldn't speak Spanish! I realize this is obvious, but it was quite strange being able to communicate relatively well in Spain for the past month and then suddenly be back at square one again. I will not hold it against the Portuguese. 

That afternoon we were off to Salamanca. I forgot to mention that before heading to Coimbra, we stopped at a small town near Salamanca--Ciudad Rodrigo. It has a beautiful church and a great homey feel. 

Salamanca has the most amazing (and likely the most famous in Spain) Plaza Mayor. At night it's beautifully lit and is surrounded by cafés and ice-cream shops. It was amazing to explore an old university and compare the library here with the one we had seen the day before in Coimbra. 

Inside the University of Salamanca 

View of the river in Coimbra

And now for something totally unrelated to the trip to Portugal and Salamanca--my Arabic class. I've had two classes now at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. There are only about fourteen students in the class and the professor is super nice and knowledgeable. 

My mind was blown away the first day when she handed out sentences in Arabic to translate. I was so proud of myself because I was fully capable of translating them (yay!)...into English. I suddenly realized that I would have to translate them into...Spanish. There's nothing like trying to translate sentences from your third language into your second. Although by the end of the class my brain had had all it could take, it was possibly one of the best, if not the best experiences I've had so far. It's amazing to be learning two languages at once and something I highly recommend to anyone willing to give it a go. It certainly helps that all of the students are really nice and welcoming and that the professor is so approachable. Yay to continuing to learn Arabic...and this time through Spanish :) 

The end of this post is for my brother. Every time we have an amazing dinner (which honestly is practically every night...I mean there's nothing like homemade soups, delicious rice dishes, and fish to die for) I always tell Elena how sorry I am for my brother who's living alone in Missouri in the middle of nowhere and has to cook his own dinner :(. She always laughs and seems so confused as to why I'm so concerned haha. What can I say, a sister looking out for her coolest (and goofiest) big brother :). Anyway, so before Joan and I went to Portugal and Salamanca, Elena made us fidao. It's a dish that is basically paella, but with special noodles instead of rice. One of her daughters, Sonia, was also there for dinner. Because another night Joan and I said we should take a picture of her food, she said get out the camera for this one! And of course I mentioned how sorry I was that Andy couldn't be there to join us! So...these pictures are for you: 

We are likely starving and could devour this entire pan of fideau because we usually eat around ten pm. Not a joke.

REAL MADRID, Churros, teleférico...

I experienced my first professional soccer game this week on Wednesday. Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the first soccer game I've seen since my older cousin Joel's soccer game when he was about 10 and I was 8. Anyway, there is nothing like a packed stadium of crazy REAL MADRID fans to get you pumped. The fact that we were sitting in the second highest tier did not faze us--or the Madrileños who surrounded us. 

That was the best part of the game--listening to the commentary of all of the other Spanish fans. I was surprised by the wide range in age of the fans, too. The man sitting next to me was probably around 60 years old and was as enthusiastic as ever, making comments throughout the game (and I should know--the left side of my cheek got sprayed various times during the night...). As Phoebe would say, "I asked for the news, not the weather." 

Anyway, before the game started Raphael Nadal came out onto the field to a standing ovation because he won the U.S. Open. It was so unexpected and thrilling and a great way to start the game. And the best way to end it--with a two nothing win from REAL MADRID! 

Friday I had my first taste of chocolate con churros from a very famous café in Madird--Chocolatería de San Ginés. The rich delicious chocolate is brought out in a coffee cup and the warm churros on a plate. Must say--loved the chocolate, but I think the churros are a bit overrated. Although if someone asked me to go with him/her I likely would not refuse...

Deeeelish! (Okay, I know it sounds picky and might be seriously over doing it...but I wish the churros had sugar and cinnamon...although I realize that is not a Spanish thing :( )

Finally...the Teleférico...which is a gondola that goes over Madrid. Funny story--didn't realize the receipt is also the ticket and so I threw it out. Whoopsies. When I told the woman at the ticket booth what had happened (or at least tried to explain in Spanish) she proceeded to get out from behind the booth. I thought she was going over to tell the men loading the passengers into the cars that I could get on even though I didn't have a ticket. But no. She fished the ticket/receipt out of the garbage! Spaniards are too nice. If I had known that was what she was going to do, I would have done it myself! It did not help that the men loading the passengers saw this entire incident and didn't hold back their laugher as I got into the car. Regardless, the views of Parque del Oeste are great and for under 6 euro roundtrip it is totally worth it. 

Blair and me on the gondola

Ashley and Meghan on the gondola

Next week...Portugal and Salamanca! Can't wait. My personal quest to fill up my passport pages begins :). 

Mi camino a la escuela

Esta semana nos doy photos de las cosas que veo durante mi camino a la universidad:

1. La entrada (entrance) de mi apartamento (pues el apartamento de mi señora)

2. Los taxis de Madrid que veo cada mañana, cada tarde, y cada noche

3. Mahou es una cerveza (beer) de España que todos les gusta beber (pero a mi, no) 

4. Una tienda de frutas, frutas secas (dried fruit), y nueces...todas las cosas que me encantan :)

5. Sí...es el Estadio Santiago Bernabéu en el que juega...REAL MADRID! (The fútbol stadium where the REAL MADRID team plays :))

6. La universidad

7. Un bar que tiene empanadas riquísimas y una ensalada con pimientos y ventresca (una parte de atún increíble)

¡Gracias por venir conmigo a la universidad! Thanks for coming with me to school! 

¡Las clases comienzan!

This week was the first week of classes--I'm taking: Islam and Spain: Past and Present, Masterpieces in the Prado Museum, Spain Through Cinema, and Arabic (at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid).

I know picking favorites is a no-no with a lot of things, but with classes (and let's be honest, most other things) it's inevitable. I think I've already decided...the class about Islam and Spain is eye-opening for me because it combines perfectly my two interests, Arabic and Spanish. I can pick out some of the Arabic words and it's so exciting to see how inter-related the two cultures are. I can't wait to go to Morocco!

The professor for the Prado Museum course could be my grandmother, she's so adorable and her love for art is so obvious when she's teaching. I'm hoping to gain a better appreciation for museums, because, if I were to be completely up-front about things, I'm not much of a museum-goer. Perhaps this class will help change that.

And the cinema class. What can I say? I certainly don't mind watching Volver for the third time is it...?

Notice how I haven't mentioned my Arabic course. Well...there are two problems. First, I have an hour class on Friday which may come between me and traveling on Friday mornings. Second, although I'm positive I will get credit for the class, I'm not positive it will count towards my minor. NYU red-tape...

But besides that...still loving life in Madrid. It's very similar to NY, but has a bit of a slower pace, which is nice for a change.

Tonight...off to La Latina, a barrio (neighborhood) in Madrid.

Hasta luego!

Almost a full week in Madrid!

Joan (my roommate) and me on the bus ride to Segovia

Highlights from this week include:

Amazing food from Elena (tortilla española...who knew eggs and potatoes could be so delicious?, homemade carrot soup...no words, and I also found out that I do like muscles...or at least the way these were prepared)

Plaza Mayor (a great place to walk around, although I must warn it is a bit touristy)

Reina Sofía (Seeing Guernica was a moving experience. The massiveness of the painting itself parallels the gravity of the moment so well that colors are not necessary--it allows the black, white, and grey of the painting to show the destruction without needing a bit of red blood. Before a person decides to declare war he or she should be required to take a look at this painting, I think it could prevent a heck of a lot of bloodshed)

Segovia (No words can describe the cathedral and castle. It's no wonder the Disneyland castle is based off of this castle. It truly looks like a movie set. I thought it would be more of a tourist hot-spot because of this, and yes of course there were tourists. However, the town itself seemed so unassuming, as if saying, "Sure, we have this beautiful castle and cathedral, and sure you can take a look if you'd like." But I didn't feel like it was exploiting these structures at all--I wish I could say the same about the Empire State Building.)

Segovia!

Tonight, I'm off to a jazz club. It's so funny, I live in New York and have never been to the Blue Note Jazz Club and I come all the way to Madrid and where do I go? A jazz club!