El Palacio Real

Hola Amigos! On Saturday the whole group went to the Palacio Real, as documented above. The palace is the largest in Europe, and is in the middle of Madrid. I think it has over 250 bedrooms alone, and only 50 rooms are open to the public. The Royal Family doesn't actually live there, but they use it for ceremonial purposes and such. Our tour guide said Obama was coming for dinner there sometime at the end of May. Each room was so ornate and ridiculously detailed and beautiful. After the tour, some of us stuck around to get some lunch and walk around Madrid for a bit, and I bought a few souvenirs for some of my friends!

I can't believe I have already been here for 2 weeks, but at the same time the disastrous flight seems like it was so long ago (probably a good thing). Everything so far has worked out well, and I am feeling more confident with my speaking now that I know some colloquial vocabulary. Classes are going well, they are not very challenging but I'm OK with that right now. We went out on Saturday, first to a small bar that had really cheap drinks, and then do a larger one down the road where people were dancing. The first bar had a special where you could get a TRAY of 25 mixed shots for 15 euro. What?! As a cultural investigation, we ordered that and successfully drank the cheap alcohol. They actually played a bunch of Spanish music at the second bar which I enjoyed. Spaniards definitely go all out when they go out for the night. I felt under dressed compared to the high-heeled and tights ensembles the other chicas were sporting. I'll have to step it up to fit in here...well maybe when it gets warmer.

Now it is Sunday, and I slept in late and I tried to be a studious person and go to the library, but it wasn't open. I forgot the world shuts down on Sundays here. Its so different from the McKeldin library 24 hour study hours I am used to. So I studied today and walked around the town after lunch. I hope my first FULL week of classes is successful! I am going to a clase de baile tomorrow and a flamenco class on Tues. Should be fun!