Last Monday, Emma and I went to Madrid! We spent three days exploring the capital city, and what struck us both is how different it is to Almería. It's so westernised! There's a Starbucks on every corner, it has everything you'd expect of a capital city, and it made us realise quite how little and old fashioned Almería is. Not that I'm moaning, I missed Almería a lot by the end of it! It's nice to live in a city where you feel you know everything and everywhere, and as well as that it feels really Spanish. In Madrid we heard every language under the sun, and realised that we'd never have to speak a word of Spanish if we were there.
Emma and I did the tourist thing- guide book in hand we explored the hell out of Madrid;- we'd spent a lot getting there/staying there so we wanted to make the most of it! Above is the Royal Palace. We saw art galleries (Prado and Reina Sofia), palaces, shops (obviously), and many, many cafes! I had my first ever churros- churros are long thing donuts that are typical of Spain, and you eat them with hot chocolate....I'd never managed them in Almería so was determined to in Madrid- and I didn't like them! At least that's something less for me to waste calories on :) One of the coolest places we found when we were there was the Mercado de San Miguel- an amazing food/drink court, that had shops inside too.....we got sangria and walked around the shops, it was strange to feel a bit tipsy whilst book shopping.....but the food in there was amazing, from all over the world, and it was just really great to see!
What else did we do?! It was only a few days ago but I'm forgetting already........I think my favorite place the whole time we were there was the park- El parque Retiro. It's a huge huge park, with a lake inside where you can rent boats and row! We didn't get a boat, but next time I go to Madrid I will be there in an instant! The day was glorious, and walking through the park was beautiful. I very much fell in love with Madrid, and envy any of my friends who are on their year abroad there, you lucky souls :P
We came back from Madrid on Thursday.....exhausted. Our intentions to go out and fiesta were pushed forward to Saturday, we needed a lot of recovery time! On Friday, however, we went to go see the processions here in Almería. Easter is a big deal in Spain, and Andalucía (the region where I am) does the best Semana Santa in Spain, so I'm told. The processions are big, sombre affairs, and I felt so lucky to see them. I am in no way religous, but I can imagine that if you are, these events in Easter week must be just so moving, so important. If it rains, they cancel the procession, and we saw people on the television crying over this.....so yes, big deal!
I hope that video works- this is just a bit of an idea of how the processions were. ...I don't feel describing does it justice.
And that more or less brings me to today.....we went out Saturday night, which was good to let my hair down! And then last night we had Easter Dinner at the lovely lovely Manchester crews flat =) My Easter week has been very English, though Emma and I did buy a Spanish guide book, and I'm meeting with my Spanish friend tonight =) I have a lot of work on at the moment, so I'm trying to fill my daytime with work, and my night times with fun, as it breaks up the hell that is my workload a bit! Also, I am going home on Wednesday, and then back here the following Tuesday, when Richie arrives here in Almería! I just want to be at home now, I hate the few days before going somewhere, the having to pack/clean everything, and I can never concentrate because I just want to be at the destination! I'm flying via Malaga so I'm going to check it out on Wednesday before my flight.....home of Picasso =)
Hasta luego xxx
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