¡Living La Vida Española!

Yesterday was a very Spanish day...


1.  Ate lunch at around 3:30ish in a cute little restaurant in the Plaza del Sol, the "center" of Madrid.  Even though lunch is late, breakfast is still early.  And I had sour apple yogurt....I can kind of understand why that flavor hasn't come to the states yet.


2.  Ordered the "menu del día" which is a combination of 2 plates that you chose.  I had to go for the paella of course....which included shrimp, chicken, mussels and clams.  Tried it all. Be proud mom. Not a fan of the mussels.

Paella Valencía

3.  Got asked for directions by a Spainard.  Its funny because I was talking with a friend earlier in the day that my goal is to be treated like a Spaniard before I leave, most notably by being asked directions, because I will be hopeless in restaurants; like today, the waiter didn't even give us a chance to pretend to be Spanish.  But I can check being mistaken for a local off the bucket list.  Now I just need to work on the accent and summon that lisp my parents so fortunately made me get rid of in 3rd grade. 


4.  Took a nap at 5 pm until 7.  I guess I should call it a siesta, since I'm so Spanish right?  Probably was one of the most clutch naps of my life, since I didn't sleep well last night.  

First dinner with Pilar and Serge. Yum!

5.  Had dinner at around 9 pm with my host family. White rice with marinara sauce, salad, and a fried egg.  Eggs are eaten all day everyday.


6. Went to a bar to watch the Madrid - Barca soccer game.  We went to a pretty low key place, so it wasn't as crazy as I thought it would be, but fun nonetheless. If that doesn't make me kind of Spanish, I don't know what will.


7. I was asked if I was Spanish and told I have a Spanish face.  This was at the bar we went to after the game. One of biggest compliments I've heard in my life. I must fit in here, that is, until I open my mouth. 


Just for a reference of time on #6 and #7, the game started at 10 pm. And ended at maybe 12.  Then we went out for what would normally be the "pre-game" (excuse the American vocab.)  Since I'm still jet lagged, I headed home at 1:30.  Well lets be real, I  went home so early (yeah 1:30 is early...) because I have to wake up at around 7:30 and take the metro to be at school by 9 am.  


I'm looking forward to the day when 1:30 is early.  Considering how little sleep I got, today wasn't as brutal as I thought I would be.  I only got tired after coming back from tapas and a glass of wine at about 9:30 to eat dinner.  


Spanish status update for today...Two glasses of wine (one with lunch and the other pre-dinner) all before a 9:30 dinner.  I might be able to get used to this... :)

Wine #1. Normally, I'm not a day drinker, but it came free with the menu of the day.  It might be crazy to drink during the day, but it would be even crazier to pass up a free glass of wine!

On a side note, well a note that doesn't involve food and drinks, I am starting to get a feel for Madrid; can't wait until I can navigate like a local!




¡Living La Vida Española!


Besitos y Abracitos,


Me :)