The City That Never Sleeps (ROME 6)

Hola Chicas!

I don't even know where to begin with this current blog post! There is so much to discuss and so much to share!

This past weekend, I went to Madrid, Spain. It was my first time going to Spain, and I had no idea what to expect. I took a bright & early flight (6AM) requiring me to get little sleep and then a full day of activities! Little did I know, this would fore shadow my weekend big time!

After successfully getting my rolling backpack AND my long champ bag on carry-on through Ryan air, usually an impossible task, I knew I was off to a great start. In Madrid, I stayed with my best friend from home (Isamar) who has an apartment during her study abroad time there. She told me to take the metro to her from the airport. I was a little sceptical about this!

1. I speak NO Spanish (I passed high school Spanish by saying "vamos a la playa" repeatedly.)

2. Isamar lost her Spanish phone in Grenada and only has communication with the outside world via Wi-Fi. This was clearly a concern for me while trying to navigate through a foreign train track system.

ALTHOUGH, due to my new independent abroad self, I got on the metro towards her apartment and luckily she found me right as I was talking to a guard in the station. With A HUGE SMILE and a huge hug (against her will) we re united. It is always so exciting to see such close friends around the world!!

FIRST STOP: Starbucks! I will never know why every time it tastes so good, but having that huge iced coffee in my hand really makes me happy :)

As soon as we went back to the apartment, the eating began. Can't expect anything else from this duo! We went for pastries near plaza mayor and famous churros with chocolate. Such a good treat and it definitely gave me energy to get the rest of the day started. We then met up with EVIE! (Yes, other 5 member on this blog!) We met at the fountain in plaza mayor and the excitement began again! It was SO NICE to see each other! We all took a tour of the palace and went shopping! After soaking up all the Spanish styles and seeking out some new purchases, I was ready for a siesta!

I actually learned that in Spain, usually people take the mid afternoon/ beginning night to cook (not sleep) but that didn't stop me! After I napped, it was time to go out and start the nightlife I had heard so much about. We started the night at El Tigre with drinks and tapas! Then, we went to a club called indepenDANCE. It was a lot of fun and I got to hang out with Evie, Isamar, and both their friends from their programs! I even saw another member of AEPHI (Andrea!) while we were out and about. We ended the night around 4AM, which I learned was EARLY! I had been up for almost 24 hours though...

After gaining some rest, it was time to see more of Madrid on Saturday! We went for a late lunch and then to a famous Madrid park, Retiro. We also saw famous fountains, arches & the Banca de Espana! The park was HUGE and reminded me of central park in New York. We got a rowboat and went out on the pond. Now me and Isamar on a rowboat was an interesting experience. Rowing is MUCH harder then it looks. Isamar was better then me though, and it was so much fun! We got ice cream and went to meet Evie at the botanical gardens. From here, I got great tortilla tapas and then we went to a modern art exhibit.

Siesta #2 was in order by then. I could have slept for longer, but I was in Madrid. For the first time (ever??) I didn't let tiredness stop me! Me, Isamar, Evie and my camp friend Eric, along with his friend all met up at a Mexican restaurant. I haven't had quesadillas in a while and the guacamole tasted SO GOOD. We went from there to MOMA 56, a super trendy and super fun Madrid club. There was a mix of American and Spanish music and it was so amazing to dance the night away with my two besties!! We met a Spain version of Kim Kardashian and became friends with her as well. What could be better?

We got home around 5AM and went to sleep. With a little bit of roommate confusion, Isamar and I ended up being in her twin bed together for the night. Isamar got a nice cuddle with my feet for sure...

We woke up on Sunday and I was SO exhausted. I don't know if I would be able to keep up doing this all the time. I made it though and it was absolutely a blast! We went to the local supermarket and then a diner for lunch. I took the metro back to the airport and once again, did not have to check a bag! (IT'S ALL ABOUT CONFIDENCE!)

I am now on the plane, trying to search my brain for everything we did. I am about to get to Rome and sleep the night and day away tomorrow! If I had class earlier then 1230 I don't know what kind of human I would of been.

I already miss both of my Madrid bebes and loved being with them so much. If you peeps are reading this, thank you for a FAB weekend!!!!!!! I appreciated everything and loved getting to see your city. It was so modern, so cultural and so great.

This week I will be catching up on school and preparing the arrival of my little from my sorority in Boston! Lindsay has become one of my best friends after we met through AEPHI last year and now she is coming on her spring break to see Rome! We will be taking a day trip to Florence and Pisa, and hopefully show her everything Italy has to offer!!

Time to catch up on sleep and reminisce about my party self that I became in Espana (lol not really) another week in Europe awaits me!

¡ADIOS!

Ali