Its raining, its pouring...

...the old men don't even sleep around here so no one's snoring.

Yesterday...when it wasn't raining. Now this is what I call studying!

So, this afternoon after picking out a super cute outfit to hit the town in search of a café with free wifi where I could chill and plan my agenda for the day (and night)…it was pouring down rain!

I had to run back up 5 flights of stairs to find something more rain appropriate :(

Apparently, cafes with wifi are hard to come by around here. I found a few (thanks to Google maps) but they were too long of a journey in the rain. Therefore, I settled for a cafetería on my block and organized some music for one of my classmates who dj’s in Chicago. I stayed warm, cozy and dry over a café con leche y papas bravas…until my laptop died.

I, of course, did NOT pack an umbrella so I used my bag as a shield in search for somewhere I could buy an umbrella. Well…all the stores are closed in the late afternoon until 5pm. Darn siestas!

So here I am, back in my room but hey, at least I
can share the fun day we had yesterday. 



On my way to Plaza Isabel

 

 



Plaza Isabel II





After class (and a siesta break) we met up at the Plaza de Oriente to tour the royal palace. Yes, unfortunately, this was a mandatory ‘cultural outing’ (rough…I know).





Statue in front of the royal palace



We toured the palace that was built for King Felipe IV in the 18th century after the original Muslim fortress was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve (coincidence? hmmm). The Palacio Real (royal palace) was rebuilt in 1764 and designed by Italian designer, Sacchetti.

 

The palace is on the highest peek of Madrid

hey!

 After touring the palace, our teacher wanted to show us around the neighborhood (where she also lives) but everyone was too hung-over to continue except for myself and one other girl, Shelby.





 I did not go out the night before (thank you very much) so I was down to brown nose for a bit. :)

(hey, come on....you would too)

Me, Shelby and Prof. Fernandez

The evolution of Madrid's symbol, which is still the oso (bear) climbing the madroño tree

 We went to a little local bar called El Madroño where our teacher ordered us a chupito de madrovito

(I think that’s what they’re called?)

when you're done...

you can eat the chocolate dipped cone-shot its served in



yum!

Lots of beautiful churches

Iglesia de San Francisco (holler!)

A small park beside Iglesia San Francisco

The vista overlooking Madrid

 Plaza Mayor (its ginormous!)

The women''s restroom sign is so classy

 Chanchito talked me into ordering a glass of sangria at Plaza Mayor

Central Madrid

Okay….it stopped raining…I’m out!