21 on 21

Not every girl gets to spend her 21st birthday in Spain!! Before coming, a lot of people said it was a bummer that I was going to miss the big 21 in the states, but I think I disagree. For starters, I'm in Spain, and why would I ever be bummed about that??? Also, if being 21 means I get to drink legally, then I actually turned 21 two months early, so whose missing out now?  Moreover, I don't have all the pressure to be the absolutely most drunkest person in the bar and get the pleasure of being given 21 shots...because thats not really my style.  I also get to spend the rest of my life as a 21 in the states (or elsewhere...) and as my brother so eloquently quoted after his 21st birthday, being 21 is the "gift that keeps on giving" so I'm in no rush. Most importantly, I am 21 (in the prime of my life) and having a great semester in Spain!

So ever since I was little I put a lot of pressure on my birthdays, but this year I decided to just treat it like it was any other day, but maybe a liiiiiiitle more special.  


Well, good thing I didn't have any expectations for the weather because it turned out to be the first day of rain in Spain for 2 months.  And probably the only day of rain for a long time...But that still didn't stop me from enjoying my special day! I just got to wear the new sweater that I bought on super sale at Zara! Anyway, it was rainy, but I still made me way to class, which was uneventful and a good way to fill the morning. No cakes and balloons like in high school, but lots of birthday wishes and double besos! 

Happy Birthday Face (in Plaza Mayor)

After class and I just hung out at San Agustin (the residencia where we have our classes with IES) waiting for my friends, Julie and Rachel to get out of class. Talked with some of the Spanish kids there, which is always fun!!


Anyway, Julie, Rachel, and I went to the Mercado de San Miguel, one of the fancy food markets in Spain, with really overpriced drinks, tapas, seafood, pastries, coffee, etc...  It actually is where an old church used to be in the city, but got converted into a plaza some time in the 19th century (yay History of Madrid class!). 

Mercado de San Miguel

Anyway, the plan was to get a Martini at the fancy martini bar. And I did just that.  Had my first sip of "legal" alcohol from a Martini Rosato Frappé in Spain. AND IT WAS YUMMY.   

Martini Bar

Martini Rosato Frappe (Martini Rosato, orange juice, soda, raspberries)
Also, my favorite colors!

First "legal" sip (if I was in America)

Rainbow of Martinis

The birthday celebrators!

Fancy olives (2 euro per stick)

duck salad pinxo (with jam on and crispy onions on top)

Not being able to enjoy a full meal or bottomless drinks at the Mercado (we are poor college students...), we decided to drink how the Spanish youth do it: Botellón.  We went to the supermarket and picked up some boxed wine, fanta, cups, and some snacks and headed to my favorite spot in Spain, Plaza Mayor. Since it was rainingish we had to sit under the awning (practically with the homeless people) but still a much enjoyable experience, since homemade tinto de verano + Plaza Mayor + friends = never a bad combination.  Until my lips turned blue since it was so cold.

2nd drink of the day...a little less classy

Babushka with blue lips hanging out with homeless people

Anyway, I made it home eventually, since I wanted to cenar (eat dinner) with Pilar and Sergey (mi familia!)  And I am so so so glad that I did.  A friend suggested we go to someone's apartment and cook, but I decided to go with my gut and have dinner with Pilar and Sergey for my birthday.  I also Pilar if we could eat earlier, and she had no problem with it, but said that if i wanted to go somewhere else, we could celebrate another day.  I told her No way! and that I wanted to spend my birthday with my family. 

Pilar and Sergey

Dinner was one of the most special b-day dinners I have ever had, and probably because it was just so different than any other birthday dinner! For starters, I only spoke Spanish...But really Pilar and Sergey made the experience so memorable and special!  Not only did we get to eat earlier, but they bought me a cake (Pilar made sure it was chocolate since she knows thats my favorite), with "21" candles in it, sang happy birthday to me (which, oddly enough, they do after you blow out the candles) and Pilar even got me a present!!  It was so special, I almost didn't want to go out at all and just enjoy the night with them.

TARTA (cake): chocolate with dulce de leche and orange!

Me and Sergey

Me and Pilar

21 candles

Making my deseo

But, it was my 21st birthday, so going out was definitely a must.  Since I have already drank in my life, and have been able to do so legally for the last 2 months, I decided to do some novel for my celebration.  


Karaoke.


I don't sing. I don't really like to sing in front of other people. And no, I have never done karaoke before.


IT WAS GREAT!


I found a little place called Karaoke Cher's and since it was a Wednesday it was quite empty.  A bunch of friends came and we had drinks and enjoyed the assortment of songs in both Spanish and English.  I don't remember which song I sang first to lose my karaoke virginity, but I definitely ended up singing a lot more than just one!!


I might have to make karaoke a new favorite past time :) It didn't hurt that I had people buying me endless drinks... But don't worry Omi, I didn't have too many.

First drink of the evening: Tequila with kiwi and lemon soda

Singing with a group of Spanish girls, the only other people in the bar

Well the next morning, I woke up, feeling like I had a 21st birthday.  Not really that bad, I think it was more from lack of sleep, and I probably felt a lot better than I would have in the states.  However, the lack of sleep and accumulation of drinks through out the day tok some kind of toll.  But I feel like the morning after is also just part of the experience of turning 21.


Now I can't wait to go home and have a repeat celebration in amurica!!