Wellington Madrid

... the ticketing again was a problem, partly due to the strange names for the ticket types, but I somehow figured it out.<br><br>I arrived at Plaza de España, surprised it didn't feel as hot as Barcelona despite the higher temperature. Google Maps guided me to my hotel where I was able to check in a bit early. The room is somewhat barebones and the hotel is kind of tucked away, but its clean and really not far from the action. I dropped my bags and headed ...

... sign, desperately looking for people to walk around the city. I cursed myself for being far too kind and went back over to her. "When does it start?" "About 11 o'clock from here, it's three and a half hours- basically an historical tour" Hmm. It sounded like my kind of thing, history e.t.c. Plus it was free, I suppose I could sneak off without tipping if there were enough people. "Cool, I've got to check into my hostel first, but I'll be back in time" She smiled ...

... lunch. We were very lucky to taste some of Ruben's homemade tortilla de coliflor and salmorejo; it was delicious! After lunch we made our way back to our hotel to grab our luggage and head straight to the train station for our departure back to Barcelona. We had an amazing time on our tour of southern Spain and we would definitely recommend it to all of you!! Now back to our apartment in Barcelona and sadly back to work for Nihar!

... in Madrid, we hang around for about an hour while Andrew and I waited in line to get our tickets for San Sebastian. With all tasks completed, we headed to the hostel. The subway system is great and the hostel seems fine and clean, but a little too quite. There´s no bar, and I am not sure how social of a scene it will be which is a total bummer. Andrew has headed to drop off laundry while I do my blog and Edie is emailing ...

... Retiro Park. I force myself to climb the uphill street towards Retiro. It begins to lightly drizzle. The park has less people now, just a few joggers. I take several snapshots, trying to get the best possible picture-perfect fall tree. Tree branches lean over creating archways over dirt paths, pillowy-piles of fallen leaves, and a soft breeze, create a romantic mood. Only problem is my feet are tender and fatigued-nothing romantic about that. Within 40 minutes of arriving, we ...

... so we went for our first Spanish meal. It was alright, but there was so much food. We got bread, paella, chicken, and just when you think it's over, they bring out dessert. After that, we decided to walk a bit because the rain had let up. But we both got so tired, we headed back to the train. We got the slowest train ride back. I don't know why because the announcements were in Spanish. Dana was practically sleeping on the shoulder of the woman ...

... mosques and synagogues are either intimate ruins or bright museums, and most have a cross on top. a different kind of enlightenment. When i wasn't eating fantastiuc potato, gawking dumbstruck at frescoes by El Greco or photographing the river i was trying to plot a path into the future, which is perhaps the only landscape thus far more labyrinthine than Toledan streets. On the east side of town i knew i'd be home by mid february. On the south side i decided to head to Guatemala and ...

... either an internet cafe opened or a hostel opened we went into the only business open at this hour on a Saturday... a Cafe! Since less people here speak English, I have been forcing myself to try and speak Spanish. The guy at the Cafe told me I was really good and we actually had my first full conversation in Spanish together! (Well ok, he conversed... and I stumbled!) He was so impressed with ...

... Relaciones, the company that places you with a family and you get to live with them and eat them out of house and home in exchange for a few hours of English lessons a day for their kids. I also want to improve my Spanish while I'm here because I want to hit up the Sudamerica after I get back to the States visiting friends and letting Mommy love me for a while. So I'll be coming back somewhere in the beginning to mid of December. That being said I'd like to ...

... por la radio: "Bellissima" de DJ Quicksilver.<br><br><br><br>Tomé el metro en la estación Plaza de España de la línea 1 con dirección al Norte y me bajé en Chamartín, estación Renfe de donde salía el tren hacia el Sur. Mientras esperaba en el andén para abordar el tren, conocí a un grupo de 6 chicas yanquis que también iban a Granada, así que nos hicimos amigos y viajamos todos juntos.