Alcalá de Henares

Went to Alcalá de Henares with a small group of IES.  Its a cute little town, pretty close to Madrid.  Most well known for the University and being the birthplace of Miguel Cervantes.

Me and Miguel

While we were there we saw the archeological museum, which was cool because it had artifacts and bones from all the pre modern human days in the Iberian Peninsula.

Can't forget Sancho...

We also saw lots of churches and convents (but thank dios we only saw the outsides).  Alcalá is known for convents because Madrid had to many so the municipal government said they couldn't build anymore, so they started building them in Alcalá.

2nd longest street with roman pillars (although these are not he original, as those were made out of wood.

We also saw the house where Cervantes was born (maybe) but we also saw the original text of Don Quixote, which was actually published on a street really close to where I live now!

Cervantes' birthplace 

We also went to this really old theater, and saw some of the original things they used to make sounds, like wind, and storm sounds. It was a cool round theater with balcony seating separate for the women and men.

Teatro de Comedias

Original beams supporting the theater

Alcalá was cute and quaint.

cute + quant

When I came home, there was a jewelry store robbery on the street.  Pilar and I watched the events unfold from the balcony.  Well, we didn't see the robbery, just the aftermath. The police were taking pictures and then the news crew came and so we turned on the TV, and there we were! Calle Cavanilles was on Telemadrid!

Pilar though maybe someone was dead inside, since they roped off the scene and didn't let people in, but it turns out they were just collecting evidence.  I also learned that its illegal in Spain to own a gun, unless you have special permission, or you are ex-military or something.  Which confuses me, since there is also a gun store at the end of our street, and I'm pretty sure the sign says open to the general public.

Last night I went out again with my Spanish intercambio, Sergio, and som friends from his masters program.  They are mostly a little older, but one of his friends, Blanca, is really nice and I've hung out with her a few times.  I really like her a lot, she even invited me to go to Ronda, which is the small town she lives in near Málaga.

Me and Sergio

Today I woke up and had breakfast with Pilar and Sergey! It was our first family breakfast together! We had tortillitas (pancakes).  I also had Cola Cao, which is Spanish version Nesquick.


I also went to Sergey's soccer game today, unfortunately they lost.  Pilar couldn't come because she had to help her brother fix up his apartment he is trying to sell.  Its such a different culture at the soccer game.  There is no half time snack, the fields are close together so when the balls come over from another field, its just no big deal and they keep playing.  Also, it isn't as important that parents are there to watch their kids.  There are a lot of dads that go, eating their sunflower seeds, and cheering on their kids or commenting on the game, as dads do, but there really aren't nearly as many parents as would be at our games.  Also, they just have practice once a week, and last week Sergey missed both practice and the game because he had to study...which wouldn't fly on any team I was on.

I'm glad I went though, to support my little bro.  He was sad after the game since they lost, and didn't really acknowledge my existence, until I said hi and a quick bye.  But I know how nice it is to have family or friends supporting me at my sports games, so I think/hope he appreciated it and it made him feel good that I wanted to come!


Came home for a big big comida, and now I'm looking forward to my afternoon siesta.  I haven't taken one of those in a long time.