Madrid is a really interesting city. There isn't much touristy things to see like there is Rome. There are some great museums but I am not the biggest museum fan and we didn't really have that much time.
We got into Madrid REALLY late. We were all pretty tired therefore crazy at the airport waiting for our plane. So that was fun, but I think most of us were knocked out on the plane.
Our hotel was REALLY nice. I shared a room with Mina. The beds were very large so it was excellent. I was so tired. When I laid down I literally sighed with relief.
The Hotel had a fabulous breakfast. LOTS of food which is uncommon for European breakfasts as far as I can tell.
We had a meeting about Immigration in Spain. It was okay but I can't remember anything really eye opening from it.
Later that afternoon we had a city tour guided by one of the IES professors in Madrid. We walked around the older part of the city and ended up by the Palace. Its a really great city. I definitely would love to go back for 2 or more weeks and just experience the city. Very livable.
Don't remember what this is but it is a pretty building.
Almudena Cathedral. Beautiful. I absolutely loved it. One of my top favorite Churches I have seen. It is across from the Palace.
Me and cardboard cut out. I had to do a different face for this one. Its Espana!After the tour we went back to the hotel and to regroup for another meeting later in the afternoon.
This meeting was with a IES professor as well. I feel in love with this 37 year man. Age is just a number right? He was really knowledgeable, hilarious and super interesting, and attractive. We learned a lot about Spain within the EU. We talked a lot about the Spanish culture and how people live with their parents until they are like 30 and who the birthrate is really low in Spain. Oscar, was his name. And I will return to Madrid and find this man!
Went back to the hotel and waste some time before it is socially acceptable to have dinner in Spain, aka 9:30. It was a LONG trip.
Mina, Lindsey and I ventured out to the area we were on our tour to do some shopping before we ate. We found a really cute jewelry store and obviously souvenir shops.
We walked down a street where our guide said there was good tapas restaurants. We were walking looked a little confused and lost. This woman comes out of a restaurant and starts talking to us in Spanish (I have lost all Spanish skills). She keeps going and then finally realizes we have NO IDEA what she is saying. She says we should come in and she will give us free Tequila. Okay!
So we have our free Tequila which we are supposed to sip. She said she doesn't understand why people shoot it. I do, because sipping it is HARSH.
Sipping on some Tequila. We ran into some people from our program on our way home. We told them our story of our Mexican lady giving us free Tequila. They corrected us and saying SPANISH thinking we were being ignorant or something. NOPE she was Mexican. There was a large Mexican flag on the wall, but we had Spanish Tapas. They were very good. Also the bartender also gave us another round of free Tequila. Good night, good night.
The next morning we had a meeting with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This speaker was BORING. There were definitely quite a few people who fell asleep. He sounded like a robot and read directly from a report. Not cool, not cool. College kids, entertain us!
After that we tried to do some sight seeing. We walked around a lot. Went back to the Palace to see if we could get in. It was closed that day but took some pictures.
Palace Courtyard
This is the inside of the Cathedral the ceiling was soooo interesting. This picture doesn't show it well but I bought a postcard. Every little rectangle was painted with a different pattern. It was interesting to see the differences from Rome to Madrid and then later in Barcelona. 
This creeped me out. In one of the alcoves of the church there was this painting. Of some saint maybe, I don't know. But IT LOOKS LIKE EMMA WATSON!!! RIGHT?!?!!?!? I rounded the corner and was like why is there a picture of her. Really weird. Mina agreed with me, so I'm not going crazy. 
Here is the outside of the church at night.After we went to the Plaza de Espana and at this point there was like 6 of us and we split as some people were gonna meet friends who were studying in Madrid. It ended up being me, Mina and Lindsey again. There was a little "art fair" like first Thursdays in Austin going on. So we went to some of the booths. Bought more jewelry, don't know when I am going to wear it. But hey I got this in Madrid.
We had looked up a restaurant before we left the hotel and found our way there. It was a local tavern joint with great tapas. We had to ask a couple people to point us in the right direction and this old man brought us there while smoking his cigar. It was really funny. I am a big fan of tapas. They are relatively inexpensive when you share with people. You get a lot of them but you do get full and it comes out being the same price or less than a good meal. We also had some great beer there. Estrella Damm. It was like gelato beer, sound crazy and gross but it was so good. No Tequila that night.
The next morning we had to get going early to catch our train for Barcelona.
It was a very quick trip in Madrid but I definitely want to go back. I really really loved it. It seemed like such a cool city with good vibe. It not a city to do touristy things but I was able to spend some good time with people on the trip and get to know each other more which was really nice. Had really good conversations with Mina and Lindsey and really hope I can keep in touch with them (without Facebook). I honestly don't think I have a choice with Mina she will probably stalk me when I am in Minneapolis
I also learned that I really like public transportation, mostly subways. I find the layout and what not really interesting. I'm well aware that I'm a nerd and I'm pretty sure everyone knows that. But it was an interesting thing to find out about myself. I kept comparing them to the other cities we have been in and Chicago. I definitely have to say Madrid has been my favorite so far. Buses, still not a fan.
Post about Barcelona soon. Have to finish a paper, study for a final and a presentation for tomorrow. Gotta love the end of the semester, its always so relaxing....
Love
Cass
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