So many things...

I haven't updated in about two weeks... sorry! I was really busy with exams/post-exam activities... I really haven't had much time to post. I guess in two hours from now, I'll be starting the "trip of a lifetime..." and I never even thought it was starting this early, but I'm having two nights in Madrid before Rome happens.

Last weekend(?), I started out on Friday morning with a trip to Segovia with the school... always a pleasure to travel when you're getting reprimanded for speaking your native language. We visited a castle, which is one of the most stereotypical medieval castles I've ever seen. We climbed up to the top of the tower, and got a view of the Spanish countryside. Pretty cool. We also got to see Roman aqueducts, which are HUGE... I guess it took a lot of work to get water all the way to Spain!

On Saturday, one of my classes had a field trip to the art museums in Madrid. We got to see some famous art, including Picasso's "La Guernica" and Velazquez's "Las Meninas." No worries, I had never heard of them before my class, either. During the tour, Leah and I skipped the included lunch to go to TGI Friday's... amazing decision. American food is so good when you've only been having bland Spanish food for weeks. Still on the hunt for ranch dressing, though. After the tours (which lasted 6 (SIX!) hours, my friends and I checked into a hostel for a night in Madrid.

The following things happened, in rapid succession:
1. AMAZING Thai restaurant (going back tonight)
2. Flamenco show
3. Doner Kebap
4. Clubbing
5. Botellóning in the Plaza Santa Ana

EXPLANATIONS:
1. Chicken/Pad Thai in a peanut sauce. This weekend actually ended up being awesome, food-wise.
2. Flamenco is awesome. We had to do something touristy while we were here, and this was definitely it. Sangria and flamenco.
3. I don't think this even needs any explanation, it is our Middle Eastern obsession (basically a gyro, but 100 times better).
4. After searching for a place with a reasonable cover, we ended up at Deseo, which was a pretty good choice until they closed at 3. THREE?!
5. Botellóning (drinking in the streets) is illegal. Everyone does it anyway.

The next day, I walked around town by myself for a while, and ran into some people from our group, and we ended up at a small market where we bought loaves of bread for 1 Euro each, and had glasses of wine with the Spanish at noon on a Sunday. It was great and unexpected.

After that, we went to DOMINO'S (culinary delights). Again, it tasted exactly the same. I hope to go back in the next two days.

From here on out, I won't be able to post Facebook pictures, or post with much ease... I'm sending my laptop home with my friend Kayla. Hasta la vista, Iberian Peninsula, hello rest of EUROPE!