Madrid, Te Amo.

The best thing about Europe is that you can travel about 2 hours in an airplane and land in completely different world of culture, language, and cuisine. I love it. I would not be a true ex-patriot if I passed these three months without crossing the border to Spain: the land of beautiful people (and color, incidentally). In Paris one suffers through a life lived in monochrome. Beige buildings, gray skies, gray cobblestone streets, and the crowds of blacks, greys, browns, dark blues, and purples. In Spain, yellows, oranges, reds, greens, and bright vibrant colours exemplifies the warmth of their culture. I love Madrid. I love even more that my bestie Megan Hanson is spending a year in such a marvelous city. Seeing her made my weekend, because in Spain, she just "fits," with her free spirit, her carefree giggles and laughs, her wild brown hair, it's a perfect marriage. Plus, she speaks Spanish excellently. And I know close to none :)

Of course in Spain, as in all locales, we did nothing but look at amazing art, stuff our faces with food (mostly sweets), and shop until our feet and wallets ached. I had the time of my life in the four days I was there and for those of you searching for excitement & fun, Spain is your destination.

Note: these photos are in semi-particular order...but not really.

Graffiti in Madrid is apparently a big thing.

The bear & tree in Madrid is apparently a big thing.

Me & Sarah, Plaza del Sol, first day upon arrival

Mercado de San Miguel. Tapas, wine, pastelerias...we bought churros & hot chocolate here, which you will see later, but they are a Spanish specialty, and SO AMAZING.

Our last night in Madrid, Meggy played a bit of guitar for us with her angelic singing voice before a night out on the town (lots of stories from this as well...)

Her charming Spanish apartment room.

Egyptian gift...or something.

Near palacio

:D

Found a bakery/sandwich place

churros & hot chocolate

train station with a jungle inside.

Guernica at the Reina Sofia. Yes, I died when I saw it & stood staring for about 10 minutes.

The gals

Corral de la Moreria, famous Michelin star restaurant with traditional flamenco dancing show. It was a night to remember!

Spanish red wine with prawns & lobster sauce

Paella!

Creamy citrus mousse with a caramel sugar coat & dipped in dark chocolate.

chocolate chip gelato

Stopped for a 3.50 euro of Sangria after scouting El Rastro, the open air flea market

It was yummyyyyyy

Random find

Food was okay, service was great & atmosphere was charming.

Wine was probably the best.

Another displaced churro photograph.

churros

Crowd at Calle de Precios. WOW. Yeah, that darkness you see is all people.

Plaza del Sol.

I literally LOLed when I saw this.

This was the first thing we bought.

Holy shit it was good.