It's so hot! Books were a great choice.

Sometimes when I'm on the bus to Madrid, I just get a big smile on my face. It will just randomly hit me that I'm actually in Spain! Yes, I am that crazy person. To celebrate, I decided to check out a Madrid summer staple. For two weeks, there has been a huge book fair going on in Retiro. I finally managed to make my way there yesterday (after I looked like a smiling mental patient on the bus). 

 

Apparently, the annual Madrid book fair is actually a bigger deal than I realized. I went on a weekday, so it was not as crowded as it could have been. There were many elementary school field trips, though! (Flashback to Catholic school uniforms with white polos and plaid jumpers.) 

With books as far as the eye could see, book worms like me were just dying. Literally, every subject was accounted for. Even the libraries made a small appearance:

However, a slight challenge was visible as all the books were in Spanish... Just kidding, that was awesome! I almost bought a travel book about the United States in Spanish. I seriously considered buying this, as well:

Alas, Nicholas Sparks has invaded Spain, too:

In the end, I went with an authentic Spanish cookbook. I made sure my mother would be proud of me too when I bought it for an absolute steal! Time will tell if I actually make any of these recipes, however.

The hottest day of my trip so far, and I'm just here buying books.

Barnes and Noble, I love you... but you've got some competition now.

New Girl in the Old City: Toledo

On Sunday, I took my first day trip from Madrid. Adventure to Toledo for the day! Despite the rough start of missing my first train because the bus never showed up, everything ended very well. The entire city reached all of my expectations. Even the entrance was incredible:

 

There were various times throughout the day when I would just stop walking and realize: this building next to me is almost 800 years old! No wonder they call this place the old city. 

We traveled around the winding streets, to the Museo de Santa Cruz, to churches and buildings and ice cream shops. The most unbelievable sight, however, was the Gothic cathedral at the heart of the old city.

 

Taking pictures inside an 800-year-old church always proves to be a bust. However, I managed to take a sub-par shot of this beautiful monstrance. 

Whenever I see a cathedral, now, I think of Pillars of the Earth. (Read/watch it, people. Your life will be changed.)

  

At the sight of a colossal old building like this, I wonder how on earth it was made without modern technology. How do a few rocks carried on something like this...

...turn into this?

Amazing. Still, despite the great beauty literally everywhere, the architectural genius of Toledo can still be tainted by the familiar Golden Arches:

No matter. So far, Toledo has been my favorite site. What's not to like about a great view, great buildings, and great history.

It's just too bad that girl in the yellow sweater is in the way...

Toro! Toro! Toro!

Saturday proved to be a full day. I met a few more au pairs and we spent the day in Madrid. With beautiful weather, we all got along and explored Gran Vía, Plaza de España, etc. 

At a restaurant, we nearly got our phones stolen by professional "bandits." The kind restaurant staff saved us. Our heroes!

Another place of interest to one of the girls was the Museo de Jamón (Ham Museum). Shortly after opening the door, it was clear that this was the biggest ham shop I had ever entered ...despite the fact that I had never even been in a ham shop before that day. 

Side note: The staff was talking about us in Spanish, but they didn't know that we could understand them. "Look at these tourists. They'll probably just take a picture and leave. They're probably English teachers or au pairs. They're not going to buy anything." Right, right, right, and right. 

Nevertheless, that didn't get us down. Later that night, I went with a separate group to a bullfight. As tradition tells us, this is necessary to attend a bullfight if you dare go to Spain.

Most people who have gone to bullfights have told me that it was one of the most disgusting experiences of their life. I am going to be so grossed out and appalled--even if I'm not an animal lover!

I was prepared for the worst. Then this popped out of the tunnel:

For some unknown reason, I could hardly believe that they actually dressed like this. Tradition lives!

While still pretty grisly, the violence was really less than I was expecting. Most of the time, I found myself bored rather than wanting to vomit in my purse.

However, the girls with whom I attended the fight were extremely squeamish. Let's just say that if you're a vegetarian like one of them, a bullfight is not exactly your "scene."

Even though bullfighting has a bad reputation, I still maintain that this is a valid form of culture representation. I am very glad that I saw the art form. It proved quite interesting. I may not go to another one again, but I would still encourage travelers to attend. (Unless, of course, you faint at the sight of a paper cut. Then, stay away.)

Why can't your rose garden look like this, Dad?

Last Friday, a fellow au pair and I decided to hit up the park scene in Madrid. Despite getting lost a few (a.k.a. several) times, we managed to make it to El Jardín de la Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste. In English terms, that basically means a huge rose garden in West Park.

My host mom had been bugging me for two weeks to get to the rose garden, especially since it is close to my metro/bus station. I was not disappointed. It is cliché, but the pictures truly do not do the Rosaleda justice. (Insert Google search here, please).

On a side note, I guess you could say that this enormous rose spectacle reminded me of my own house's little rose garden. I know that my father would have loved seeing this... And then been extremely critical with himself about his own roses. Oh sigh, to be young and insecure...

After leaving the Rosaleda, we decided to check out Retiro Park. I had never been, but had heard so much about it. Every corner a new discovery--a palace, a fountain, a statue of a "famous" person. While it was only a short visit, I could tell that I would be spending some frequent visits to this charming escape...

 

...Then again, it's no McKennan Park.

From an Unsure Glance to an Obscure Museum

After a challenging day yesterday, I decided to escape to Madrid today. I packed up my little bag--keys, phone, iPod, bus schedule. I was ready to go! While waiting at the bus stop, however, I realized that I forgot the one thing that every tourist needs... her camera. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. Luckily, I used the camera on my phone. Unluckily, most of the shots were blurry and bad quality.

Nevertheless, I managed to salvage just a few to prove that I was outside in society today!

After a week and a half here, at this point I am starting to get a little bit cocky about knowing my way around the bus system, metro, etc. Even so, I found myself being in the wrong place numerous times! (Excuse me while I go smack myself in the head.) 

Numerous men telling me that I was in the wrong place--in Spanish, of course--doesn't exactly boost the self-esteem. Even if you didn't speak Spanish, you could easily tell what they were kindly saying between the lines: "You're obviously in the wrong place, silly American! Let me helpfully tell you where to go in a language that I'm not sure you speak."

Despite my "struggles," I managed to make it to the Museo Cerralbo. The small, lesser-known museum houses the collection of Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, Marquis of Cerralbo. (Did I mention that the museum is his very house!) 

Here are two small pictures of the building from the terrace, which I barely managed to take with my camera phone.

           

                                                        

Unfortunatley, most inside pictures were blurry, but you get the idea. This is the tiniest proof that I was actually there sneaking pictures. (The security guards/guides were everywhere and slightly intimidating.)

These small pics don't do it justice at all. But hey, you know how this works. You do have Google, right! (Trademark?)

After the museum, I took a small stroll back to the Plaza de España. Saw the Senate again, although this was the first time that I actually knew what it was:

                                                             

All in all, it was a good day. No complaints, really. I mean, there's nothing like finishing the day off by eating a frozen yogurt with Don Quixote! (He's in the background...shockingly camera-shy!)

                  

SIDENOTE: Although I was humbled a couple of times today, I did receive a huge compliment! A stranger came up to me in Plaza de España asking for directions in Spanish. Even though I didn't really know what he was saying... (and pretty much ignored him...) it meant that he thought I was a local! Major success!!!

Oh, and just in case anybody forgot, I am still working as an au pair. Here is a picture of the back of my two little girls (Vicky on the left, Ana on the right). 

They can't wait for summer and swimming pool season! (Neither can I, frankly!!)

Old Friends to New Friends (plus Real Madrid!)

This last weekend started out with a bang on Thursday night when I got together with these people!

Maria and Jon are two of my best friends from high school. :) They were studying in Madrid for a few weeks with Creighton. So glad we got to see each other and have a little fun along the way!

In other news, on Saturday I went to the last Real Madrid soccer game of the season with three other au pairs. I had never been to a professional soccer game before! (Or I suppose, a "football match.") We were pretty decked out in our gear:

Such an impressive stadium

"Mourinho, thanks for fighting against all odds."
It was manager José Mourinho's last home game in Madrid before he returns to Chelsea.

And Madrid won! Final Score: 4-2

After the great victory, the au pairs and I decided to celebrate in Sol:

We even managed to make some new Canadian friends! The Internet is right: Canadians are very nice!

Best introduction to professional soccer. I'm now officially one of "those people" who think it should be a bigger deal in the States. (Hop on the bandwagon, much?) Anyway, I still can't wait for the World Cup next year to cheer on my team :)

Week 1 In Review: First Day in Madrid

I have been in Spain for an entire week now, and I still can't believe it! I'm getting closer to my family and taking good care of my little girls. I finally understand the bus system and have a monthly pass. Needless to say, I'm a total cliché because I already love it here so much!

Another au pair (who lives on my same street...so crazy!) took me around and showed me a bit of Madrid last Monday. Here's a few pics from the highlight reel:

The coppers on horses in front of Palacio Real...So much poop everywhere! (Is this normal?)

School field trip at the Templo de Debod! So many sack lunches.

First day in Madrid and I've already seen a protest!

I had a ton of fun getting to Madrid for the first time and making a new au pair friend along the way. :) Can't wait for many more days like this!

So what have we learned from Week 1?

Positives!
1. I had my first successful exchange with a Spanish person at a money exchange booth. Win!
2. Finally understand all of the transportation systems.
3. Making new au pair friends every day!
Negatives!
1. Need to get better at Spanish.
2. Get better at Spanish. (OK, this one is more of a goal again.)

Can't wait for what is in store ahead!