Finally finished our first full week in Madrid! Our two roomates, Megan and Jess, came back from their orientation trip in La Manga on Monday. Apparently we didn't miss much... the only day of the summer it rained in La Manga happened to be the day they were there. We were all planning on going out that night but lost electricity mid-blowdrying. So instead we wound up staying in and catching up by candlelight. The next day we caught some rays in Retiro Park and played paparazzi to some hardcore PDA couples and MULLETS galore. (Check out the pics.) We went to campus to buy our books- no half.com in Spain unfortunately. That night we got down on the dancefloor with some Spaniards and met some more SLU students out in Plaza del Sol. Wednesday we started class. All 4 of us are in the same Oceanography class... the semester has started out on the right foot with a class cancellation on the first day. Little did we know, Beth brought her infamous sleeping antics to Madrid with her. For those of you who have experienced it, her sleepwalking is no surprise, but for our señora it was a bit of a shock to find Beth walking into her room in the middle of the night! (See Becca for details.)
Once again we spent last night practicing our español with some chicos out in Sol. It's true: Spaniards are VERY close-talkers! After getting lost in the park on another run, we spent most of today getting better aquainted with the city running errands. Becca barely made it home in one piece. She tumbled down the stairs in the Metro, shook it off with a bit of laughter, only to find herself bumping down the stairs again on her big a**! Tripping twice down one flight of stairs... a feat only Becca could master. Tonight we are experiencing a truly Spanish tradition by grabbing tapas and sangria at a local tapas bar. We will definitly be in before the Spanish norm of 5:30 am... we have an 8:30 am bus departure from school to Segovia for a day trip tomorrow. Check back soon to find out how it went!
xoxo Jorts (I fit right in, apparently Japris are dec plus here) and BBG Collins
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
we met the sun in Madrid...
Since our last update, we have adjusted to the time difference surprisingly well and are taking full advantage of the siesta schedule! We think we are becoming quite aquainted to the culture and the Spanish way of things- by the looks of us, no one would know we were American.... except for the fact that Beth is the only blonde in the country. But really, the style and dress is not as different as we expected.
We had our first truly Spanish adventure the other night when took the bull by the horns and went out by ourselves around our neighborhood (all of our new friends are away on orientation trips for the weekend.) We tried out a couple mini dive bars and settled on the one we found most unique. We met two Spaniards who gave us some drink suggestions and started chatting. It began a long night of practicing our Spanish- 3 hours, aren't you proud?! We were! It was pretty funny and they were very helpful and patient. After only spending two euros (we're pros at getting guys to buy us drinks- proud of that one too) we said our farewells and 'agreed' to meet up with them the next day to watch a futbol game- didn't happen. Sorryyyyyyyy.
The next morning we woke up and went for a run around the most beautiful park in Madrid (Parque de Retiro) which is right by our house. We are really lucky to be near such a great place to run- and lay out or do our homework once school starts. Besides the SERIOUS PDA couples making out every where you look, it makes for a scenic workout. Later that day, we met up with some people on campus and went for a walking tour of center city. Our tour guide (a fellow SLU student) was really nice and casual. We saw the main squares (Plaza Mayor, Sol, Palacio, etc). The city's architecture is sooo beautiful and intricate- even the post offices and banks are unique. We ate at a little street cafe (which are EVERYWHERE and so quaint)- check out the pictures!
We came home for a quick siesta before dinner at 9. The food is pretty different but most of it has been very good. They eat so many carbs here- we could never survive if we were on the Atkin's diet! We went out that night with some people we met from school (turns out we aren't the only people who didn't go on orientation trips this weekend). We hit up Plaza de Sol again and while we were out we met more SLU students through the people we came with. Definitly a good time had by all- we are getting used to going out at midnight and coming in at 5:30. Siestas are obviously very necessary... or sleeping in til 2:30pm like we did this morning will suffice.
Today we had another carb-filled breakfast before another run around el Parque. We went to mass on campus and then out for some cafe con leche with some more new friends- if you haven't noticed, we're pretty popular here. We just finished another huge late dinner with Berger cookies for dessert- don't worry, we brought them as a gift, Madrid didn't copy the Baltimore tradition. Tonight we are going to take it easy and watch a movie with our senora- and probably Skype a bit. Come back in a few days for more!
Collins Jenkins outttttt
We had our first truly Spanish adventure the other night when took the bull by the horns and went out by ourselves around our neighborhood (all of our new friends are away on orientation trips for the weekend.) We tried out a couple mini dive bars and settled on the one we found most unique. We met two Spaniards who gave us some drink suggestions and started chatting. It began a long night of practicing our Spanish- 3 hours, aren't you proud?! We were! It was pretty funny and they were very helpful and patient. After only spending two euros (we're pros at getting guys to buy us drinks- proud of that one too) we said our farewells and 'agreed' to meet up with them the next day to watch a futbol game- didn't happen. Sorryyyyyyyy.
The next morning we woke up and went for a run around the most beautiful park in Madrid (Parque de Retiro) which is right by our house. We are really lucky to be near such a great place to run- and lay out or do our homework once school starts. Besides the SERIOUS PDA couples making out every where you look, it makes for a scenic workout. Later that day, we met up with some people on campus and went for a walking tour of center city. Our tour guide (a fellow SLU student) was really nice and casual. We saw the main squares (Plaza Mayor, Sol, Palacio, etc). The city's architecture is sooo beautiful and intricate- even the post offices and banks are unique. We ate at a little street cafe (which are EVERYWHERE and so quaint)- check out the pictures!
We came home for a quick siesta before dinner at 9. The food is pretty different but most of it has been very good. They eat so many carbs here- we could never survive if we were on the Atkin's diet! We went out that night with some people we met from school (turns out we aren't the only people who didn't go on orientation trips this weekend). We hit up Plaza de Sol again and while we were out we met more SLU students through the people we came with. Definitly a good time had by all- we are getting used to going out at midnight and coming in at 5:30. Siestas are obviously very necessary... or sleeping in til 2:30pm like we did this morning will suffice.
Today we had another carb-filled breakfast before another run around el Parque. We went to mass on campus and then out for some cafe con leche with some more new friends- if you haven't noticed, we're pretty popular here. We just finished another huge late dinner with Berger cookies for dessert- don't worry, we brought them as a gift, Madrid didn't copy the Baltimore tradition. Tonight we are going to take it easy and watch a movie with our senora- and probably Skype a bit. Come back in a few days for more!
Collins Jenkins outttttt
Friday, August 24, 2007
Our first update from España!
Today is our second full day in Madrid and we are loving it more every minute! We arrived safely yesterday morning around 7 am Madrid time after a longgg uncomfortable flight! We met our mini senora, Maria Carmen, at the airport and met our other two roomates Jess and Megan, who also happen to go to St. Joes (Jess: fellow laxer). It was a nice surprise to find out they would be living with us. Our new home is a mini little apartment on the 5th floor near Parque de Retiro in the southeast part of the city. We got settled and took a much needed 6 HOUR NAP in our mini beds before our senora showed us around our neighborhood. We saw our first (of many) Euro makeout sesh's on a sidewalk bench. Serious tounge. We ventured throughout the hood in and out of mini little stores to find things such as clean and clear facewash and oreos...whoever said Europe sets the trends? Much to our suprise, our shower was also a warm one, and they don't serve warm milk.
For dinner, Senora Carmen made her speciality soup and rice with green peppers and chicken. The mini portions were actually quite satisfying. For desert we had our first mini helado which satisfied our overwhelming chocolate craving. After dinner, all four of us got ready for a night on the town. Somehow we found our way to the metro and from there, around the city to finally land at La Plaza Del Sol. We met up with a few friends who we had met on the airplane. We walked around stopping in just about every bar possible and having a drink. Most bars had someone outside luring us in for a free shot...who would we be to turn it down? We also had our first cerveza which (shocking)...was mini. The bars didn't get crowded till around the time we had to leave.
This morning, we woke up VERY early for orientation. Got showered and rushed out the door to hop on the metro. Senora Carmen pretended she knew where she was going, but knew no more than us. After about an hour of searching and asking for directions (at one point we didn't believe there to be an actual St. Louis) we found our destination. On the way we saw more of the city and despite our tired eyes, appreciated it all. Orientation was pretty standard. Learned a few things and finally got our much needed mini cell phones. After a mini lunch of paella and salad, and of course, pan, we left our newly met friends and roomies to begin the trek home (oops, forgot to sign up for an orientation trip like the rest of them.) We got home saftely and took three hour siesta. Then we decided a nice jog would be dec as hell so we made our way to the most famous public park of Madrid (not so mini) which is only a five minute walk from the apartment. Retiro Park is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We went for a nice run then walked into town to get some fruit and Chocolate Special K.
After showers and dinner (tortilla de patata, yumm) we sit here writing our first blog entry and stalking our only other friend who also forgot to sign up for an orientation trip. We talked to some local Spaniards for recommended hot spots, so we plan on taking the train to a place called Tribunal which is apparently like Sol, a fun and packed square with lots of people and lots of bars. Looks like we're in for another fun night out in Madrid...!!
For dinner, Senora Carmen made her speciality soup and rice with green peppers and chicken. The mini portions were actually quite satisfying. For desert we had our first mini helado which satisfied our overwhelming chocolate craving. After dinner, all four of us got ready for a night on the town. Somehow we found our way to the metro and from there, around the city to finally land at La Plaza Del Sol. We met up with a few friends who we had met on the airplane. We walked around stopping in just about every bar possible and having a drink. Most bars had someone outside luring us in for a free shot...who would we be to turn it down? We also had our first cerveza which (shocking)...was mini. The bars didn't get crowded till around the time we had to leave.
This morning, we woke up VERY early for orientation. Got showered and rushed out the door to hop on the metro. Senora Carmen pretended she knew where she was going, but knew no more than us. After about an hour of searching and asking for directions (at one point we didn't believe there to be an actual St. Louis) we found our destination. On the way we saw more of the city and despite our tired eyes, appreciated it all. Orientation was pretty standard. Learned a few things and finally got our much needed mini cell phones. After a mini lunch of paella and salad, and of course, pan, we left our newly met friends and roomies to begin the trek home (oops, forgot to sign up for an orientation trip like the rest of them.) We got home saftely and took three hour siesta. Then we decided a nice jog would be dec as hell so we made our way to the most famous public park of Madrid (not so mini) which is only a five minute walk from the apartment. Retiro Park is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We went for a nice run then walked into town to get some fruit and Chocolate Special K.
After showers and dinner (tortilla de patata, yumm) we sit here writing our first blog entry and stalking our only other friend who also forgot to sign up for an orientation trip. We talked to some local Spaniards for recommended hot spots, so we plan on taking the train to a place called Tribunal which is apparently like Sol, a fun and packed square with lots of people and lots of bars. Looks like we're in for another fun night out in Madrid...!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
¡Hola!
To our family and friends:
We created this blog so we can keep you updated on our adventures abroad and share our pictures! Also, you will be able to comment on our posts and pictures so we can keep in touch! Hopefully we will be able to keep up with it and we hope you check it out!
Lots of love,
Becca and Beth
We created this blog so we can keep you updated on our adventures abroad and share our pictures! Also, you will be able to comment on our posts and pictures so we can keep in touch! Hopefully we will be able to keep up with it and we hope you check it out!
Lots of love,
Becca and Beth
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