Llegada

We arrived in Spain this morning around 8am, tired with extreme lack of sleep. There were no flight issues or problems at the airport so that's always nice, I've heard of some pretty bad ones. Our luggage was a pain though.  I could have done a better job at planning/buying a better suitcase. But we ended up with a rolling suitcase of 50lbs and a duffel bag of 40 lbs, which is a lot to carry since one is a duffel bag. We tried placing it on top of the roller, which worked fine until we got to the small cobble stoned streets of Madrid. Which at that point I just hoisted the duffel bag onto my back. What is about a 10 minute walk from the metro station to our studio turned into about a 25 minute process. We finally checked into our studio that I found through airbnb.com, my new best friend, and after a two hour nap headed out into the city.

It took me a while to register that I was in Spain, honestly I don't think my mind has fully grasped it yet.    Maybe tomorrow morning when I wake up in this studio confused for a brief moment. I think my delayed reaction it's partially because my mom is with me, always a safe haven. Also, I have already been through the breath taking experiences of walking through the historical streets of this city. But then again, it's still amazing.  I didn't realize that the street we were on was a street on which I had walked many times. Although it wasn't the main area I am familiar with (Atocha/Sol area), it is still one I passed through on many occasions. I passed by a local french coffee shop my friend Q had taken me to on one of our last days.

After a frappucino the headaches me and my mom were experiencing went away. Madrid is a very dry city, so for me it affects my sinuses quit a bit. Also readjusting to the air pressure from a plane may have caused it.

Puerta del Sol didn't phase me this second time around. I thought I would be overwhelmed by nostalgia and the area all over again, I guess I was a little but not to the extent I thought I would be.  We walked by my favorite pasteleria, which we'll go to tomorrow for breakfast.  When we made it to Plaza Mayor, that's when I'd say it really started kicking it. Something about that area is just like a dream, and the buildings are gorgeous. It was then I got the energy to do more exploring and show my mom around. I think I'd make a good travel guide.

From Plaza Mayor we walked all the way (took the long route towards Cibeles and El Prado) to Anton Martin where we met up with my friend Rio. I'm glad we took the long route, we passed by significant places for me. Funny how what you think will trigger your nostalgia (Puerta del Sol/el metro) don't. But then smaller things like where we first had drinks for Q's birthday and then went to El Kapital, or the Thai restaurants, really made me excited. This was also all in the area where my home stay was near, so  I had spent a lot of time there.

For dinner we decided to go to La Sureña, a typical Spanish chain restaurant where they serve a bucket of beers for 3 euros and traditional tapas for cheap prices and great taste. I forgot how the Spanish lifestyle thrives at night. While walking home at 11:30pm there were still as many people out as there would be in the day time. Maybe it's because it's Madrid the capital, or maybe it's because it's summer and hot. Anyway, I think my mom felt more secure when she realized that nighttime here is not very scary. Although always be on guard!

Tomorrow I'll try to squeeze in as much sightseeing as possible, definitely El Palacio, El Templo de Debod, y El Parque del Retiro. With yummy Spanish food in between. I really think it was because I was in a host family that I didn't get to fully appreciate Spanish cuisine. Then Thursday it's off to Cartagena so I can finally move into my piso!!!