Almost Over

Hello everybody!

Wow. It's almost time to go home. I have 2 days until I am on a plane back to the states. I am really happy to be going home but at the same time I am kind of sad to be leaving. It's hard to believe I have been here for 4 months! Before I head back home, I thought I'd give a quick update for the last couple of weeks.

After we got back from Amsterdam it was the last full week of school. So this school year basically flew by (I think it helped only having a total of 4 classes and having a 4 day week). I am now officially done with all of my finals as of a few hours ago. It's crazy. But since I have been back here is what I have been up to besides studying and taking exams.

I went and took a tour of the bullfighting ring with my roomies and my friend Taylor. I knew there was no way I could go to an actual bullfight due to the cruel nature so I decided to just see the ring instead. It was really interesting and informative but it kind of sucked because they put a tarp over the sand due to the weather. After that we met up with Maureen, Hannah and Becca for some yummy Mexican food! We found this place that is basically the equivalent of chipotle. I got a chicken quesadilla and some chips and guac and it was wonderful. I was very content. Sadly I had to go study for a little bit so I headed back home. However, we met up again with Taylor that night and hit the town. We had a really fun night walking around Sol and going to different bars and clubs. We went to this really nice one called Coco but we also encountered some awkward people/place. Overall it was a fun night though.

Las Ventas

Statue

Bull fighting ring

Inside

Down below

A bull

Spanish chipotle

Taylor at Coco

Saturday I pretty much stayed in and studied but Megan alta and I went for some churros and chocolate. They were really yummy. Sunday we went to el rastro where I bought some gifts and somethings for myself. Then it was back to studying for 4 days straight. I had 2 exams on Thursday and a take home test due Friday. Once I was done with those I was pretty much home free (I had my theatre final today but that wasn't too difficult).

Chocolate and Churros

Last Saturday I met up with Audrey, Taylor, Julie, Anna and Elizabeth to try some Indian food. Although I wasn't a big fan of it, at least I tried it and it was an interesting experience. After that, Taylor, Audrey, Julie and I walked around Sol in search of souvenirs and presents. It was a pretty successful trip. We also got some delicious gelato. After that though, I headed off back toward home. I walked back by the palace and through some of the gardens since it was nice out and I had nothing better to do. I popped in to the nearby mall to do some shopping but I didn't really find anything. I did get a ring though that I really like (go figure). Then I headed back along the river to Maria's. On Saturday night, we took her out to dinner to show her our appreciation for everything she has done for us. She brought us to a little restaurant that one of her friends owns. It was really nice and we got to know her a lot better. She was so nice to buy us each a bracelet. They are beautiful. It was a great evening for everyone.

Indian restaurant

Samosas- did like these

Food

The bear in sol

Anna, Taylor, Me, Elizabeth, Audrey, Julie

Taylor and Julie dancing

Pretty palace

Gardens

Me and Meg at dinner

Steph and Meg

Us and Maria

Maria is the best host mom ever!

I'm going to miss this view

Sunday I got up bright and early to head to el rastro one last time. I got some last minute gifts that I needed and then just walked around looking at the different stands. Some of them had some interesting things. About 11 it started to get really crowded so I headed back. Then I came back and took a really long siesta and just hung out because it was rainy outside.

Yesterday (Monday) was one of the best days that I have had in Madrid. I got up and just bummed around a little bit in the morning. Then I went and bought a painting for my new apartment next year (get excited Kels). When I got back, Megan alta and I set out to just go explore for a little bit but it turned out to be quite the adventure. We first walked to the mall near us to look for something that Megan wanted. After not finding it there, we headed to sol in hopes of finding it. We looked in a lot of the shops and also bought the last of our presents for people. I wanted to find a pair of shoes but no such luck. We continued walking toward Retiro park in hopes of finding Megan's rucksack that she wanted. As we were walking, we walked past a table of classic books in English. Both being avid readers, we had to stop. Turns out they were only 3 euro so we had to get one. I got Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I have not read it before but I loved the Great Gatsby so I am looking forward to it. We passed a lot of important places (the Prado museum, Neptune fountain, the oldest building in Madrid which is a church) and then we ended up at Retiro.

Books

Neptune fountain

Church

At Retiro we sat under a tree and had a little picnic before adventuring some more. We walked through a large portion of Retiro (it's huge) that we hadn't seen before, with rose gardens, secret areas and we made a little duckling friend named Martin. After walking around Retiro for over an hour we decided to walk back. We walked back through Sol trying to find Megan a rucksack. Unfortunately we could not find her a rucksack but in the process of looking we stumbled upon a Mexican restaurant. So we decided to go in for a snack. We got some chips and quac and a drink to accompany it. The guacamole was the best I have ever tasted in my life. We were both very happy campers and also had a nice heart to heart. Then we meandered back to Maria's to relax a bit for dinner. It was a great day ended by me being a super packer. I am basically done packing, just need to readjust a few things.

"Brain" trees

Me and Megan picnicking

Rose garden

Pretty flowers

Fountain

I like this color

Secret garden

Peacock

Fountain

Martin!

Fountain

Mexican restaurant 

Chips and Guac!

And like I said earlier I had my theatre final today. I think it went well but you never really know. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Prado and the Botanical gardens, going around Sol and just running around Madrid and taking it all in before I leave. I just hope to enjoy my last day here before getting on a plane Thursday morning. That's all for now.

Love,
Ashley