Ole Madrid!
Trip Start
Jun 25, 2008
1
2
11
Trip End
Aug 27, 2008
I've finally made it! 19 hours, two connecting flights, a lot of jetlag and I'm here. It's an odd sensation to walk off the airplane, walk into Barajas airport and feel like I never even left. I guess I did only leave Madrid 11 months ago, and I guess I did spend a lot of time at the airport last year...but still! I feel strangely "at home."
In Madrid, I'm staying with my friend Jacqueline and her fiance Dani. They have a perfect little apartment in La Latina, one of my favorite parts of the city. We already went out for tapas, of course, though I skipped the sangria. I figured that jetlag is a decent substitute for alcohol, and just one glass might have made me snore at the table.
Although I've been to Paris twice, I can't imagine being so comfortable there right away. I find that language is the most important factor in level of comfort in a foreign country, which means that I need to become glued to my French grammar book. It gives me slight heart palpitations just to think of it!
Anyway, I'm hungry so I'm going to go out for some cafe con leche and a tostada con tomate. Mmmmm....I never thought the food was that great in Madrid, but some things are just to die for. Even the burned coffee, for some no-doubt-nostalgia-related reason.
In Madrid, I'm staying with my friend Jacqueline and her fiance Dani. They have a perfect little apartment in La Latina, one of my favorite parts of the city. We already went out for tapas, of course, though I skipped the sangria. I figured that jetlag is a decent substitute for alcohol, and just one glass might have made me snore at the table.
Although I've been to Paris twice, I can't imagine being so comfortable there right away. I find that language is the most important factor in level of comfort in a foreign country, which means that I need to become glued to my French grammar book. It gives me slight heart palpitations just to think of it!
Anyway, I'm hungry so I'm going to go out for some cafe con leche and a tostada con tomate. Mmmmm....I never thought the food was that great in Madrid, but some things are just to die for. Even the burned coffee, for some no-doubt-nostalgia-related reason.

Comments
:)
good to hear you got into madrid safely. wish i were there to drink some cafe bon bon and nibble on some lomo & chorizo!
spain won the euro cup!
were you still in spain when the team won today? it must be a big ol' party out in the streets tonight!
Hola!
Hey Ilona,
I love your travel blog so far and am excited to keep reading during the rest of the summer. You will have such an amazing time in Paris. I just got back and wish I could have stayed there much longer! What a beautiful place to just walk around and explore.
I can't wait to hear more about Spain.
-Robin
Hola!
Hey Ilona,
I love your travel blog so far and am excited to keep reading during the rest of the summer. You will have such an amazing time in Paris. I just got back and wish I could have stayed there much longer! What a beautiful place to just walk around and explore. But I totally agree with your point about language, I wish I spoke more French!
I can't wait to hear more about Spain.
-Robin
wow!
Wish I was there with you. Can't wait to hear when you arrive in Paris and what its like there. Imagine the horror if your roommate farts and burps. Im missing you as does SF. Lots and lots...
Ole!!