Tuesday was our orientation, which was as fun as could be expected, but we got lots of pamphlets for things about Madrid which is good. After orientation though, my roommate and I went with a group of other students to Plaza del Sol which is like the main center of Madrid. 
There are lots of shops and restaurants, and in the actual plaza there are some performer-type people wearing costumes and such. My roommate and I only stayed for a little while since we didn't want to miss the dinner that our senora had perpared for us (chicken with sauce, some rice, and an interesting salad with lettuce and a whole peach sitting atop some tuna, all drenched in some sort of mayo-based dressing - the peach was a life-saver for both of us...and ice cream for dessert)
There are lots of shops and restaurants, and in the actual plaza there are some performer-type people wearing costumes and such. My roommate and I only stayed for a little while since we didn't want to miss the dinner that our senora had perpared for us (chicken with sauce, some rice, and an interesting salad with lettuce and a whole peach sitting atop some tuna, all drenched in some sort of mayo-based dressing - the peach was a life-saver for both of us...and ice cream for dessert)Today, Wednesday, was the first day of class! So far everything seems doable...I can understand the professor pretty well... In the morning we had the literature and then the film class, and in the afternoon it was culture.
After class, I went with my roommate and another friend to el Retiro which is a park near where we live. Apparently it was originally a royal garden or somesuch, but now it's a public park. Lots of trees and statues and little pond areas. My senora highly recommends renting a bike to ride throught the park. I think there is also the option to rent rollar blades, or even a boat to row around a lake that's there. We will definitely have to go back some day.
Tomorrow I think we will finally look for phones! We have been waiting for the first of the month because that's when the store has most of their deals. Tomorrow I also want to try to apply for a monthly metro pass and get my picture taken for a library card! It is also the first non school night! Ohhh excitinggg.
P.S. I just put some pictures at the beginning since I couldn't figure out how to put them other places easily. The first three are in the plaza, the fourth is a group of people where were playing right outside the Sol metro stop, and the last is el Museo the Jamon! It sells lots of ham.
So exciting over there! Which one is your roommate? I thought it'd be a lot warmer over there in Spain, even at night but it seems like it's getting warmer/hot faster over here. lol, I can imagine you being all picky with your food but trying to disguise it (but the way you describe it makes it seem so delicious and authentic).
ReplyDeleteSounds like classes are going to go well. ;) omg, parks. You should definitely go biking or rollerblading over there one day (ummm...try to avoid getting too close to the lake haha)! When I went to Hangzhou, China over the summer, they also rented out bikes by the lake, but I didn't stay long in that city so I didn't get a chance to try it. There was also a large place (not by the lake but I saw it briefly from the tour bus) and a lot of people were flying kites and a lot of roller blades were put out for rent. I always think that people in foreign countries seem to know how to enjoy life more.
First non school night? Oh myyy :D You should enjoy the city nightlife if there is any in Spain. (What is drinking age in Spain again? LOL ;) Walking around the city and eating something out on the busy streets at night is so...fun.