Moving to a new country is hard!!

I can hardly believe I have been living in Spain for a complete month already!! I have an official ID number, a flat to live in, a bank account, and of course a favorite pub to go to!!

Getting here was no easy feat! I packed two large suitcases and jam-packed my hiking pack and trekked across Madrid, through the Metro, on the train!! When you have that many bags and don't speak very much Spanish people tend to look at you like you have three eyes and purple hair. I think on of the biggest reasons it seemed difficult to me is this.... THE ELEVATORS HERE ARE VERY SMALL. Super small, three people max or one person with two large suitcases and a full hiking pack on their back (me).

Once I got to Santiago de Compostea, the capital city of Galicia, the northeastern region of Spain I had quite a few long, taxing days. My hostel was an experience all in its self. I'm pretty sure it was some kind of dorm room, illegally used as a hotel/hostel for rent. Notice the sleeping bag in the picture!!

Again, the language barrier. Finding a flat to live in and not being sure how to convey that over the phone was completely frustrating. I went to the school and took down phone numbers, posted mine, sent e-mails, looked on 15 different websites for "Piso a compartir," (a flat to share). I found one that was perfect and before I got back to my hostel it was already taken by someone else. I also felt the pressure of needing a place to put my bags before I went to Lisbon, Portugal to run a half marathon. I would absolutely NOT be taking all of that stuff with me.

One thing to notice and remember about here is that the people are very friendly. Spanish and English speakers alike. It also seems we all meet up in the police station. The second day I was looking for a flat, a girl who already had a place offered to watch my bags for the weekend so I didn't have to take them with me. I met another girl who has become our point person for the frequent outings of our large group of Auxulares/friends. I met another girl who is also from Florida and now works here as a translator and she helped me with...translating!! Ha!

I have also met quite a few people through my flatmate or working at the school that have just been amazing.

It was a pain to get here but it's been worth it all the while. There is a saying here for the pilgrams that walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela "Sin dolor no hay gloria!" That traslates to No Pain! No Gain! but it is so true.

Mi Amor Madrid

Muy bonita!

Locks of Love in Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor

Wowie! I left the states and landed in the heart of Spain, Madrid. I did have some business to attend to, such as setting up my phone plan and learning how to ask for directions and trying to adjust to the 6 hour time difference. However, for the most part I was on holiday (that's the term here for vacation).

I was too nervous to try the metro and honestly is was so beautiful outside that I wanted to walk along all the crooked streets filled with tourists, street performers and locals alike. Madrid's buildings were perfectly antique. When I gazed up at each one I thought to myself, what stories do you have to tell me.

La Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almundena

Palacio Real o de Oriente

There is a tourist pamphlet that is given out at the Oficina de Tourismo that talks about a few of the older buildings that may appear run down and whats happening to them currently. Some of them are in the process of being renovated and others were bought and then the economy went south and they have been crumbling slowly. No matter what though, they are on the historical register and cannot be torn down. Most of the buildings along Route 66 in America are the same way from what I know. I believe it has to do with the piece of mind that at some point in time, an investor will see its true value and make good use of the property and history.

May angels watch over us!

Parque de Retiro

I spent a whole afternoon wondering around El Parque de Retiro. Everything I read said locals find this a great a spot to take an afternoon nap. In Madrid I found it very common for people to take a rest on any grassy spot under a tree. How nice it must be to kick off their shoes and curl up with a bag under their head for a power nap in the middle of the city!!

Part of the Nacho Criado exhibit in the Palacio de Cristal

Palacio de Cristal in Retiro

Madrid had everything you could think of wanting or needing. From the Corte de Ingles store, which sells electronics, appliances, toys, candy and more, to my beloved H&M clothing store to tapas bars and restaurants to Museo de Jamon! You will find it all. My favorite little spot being Taberna Malaspina at Calle Cadiz, 9.

Madrid was a warm welcome to the next few months of my life.