My family's here!

Hola!

It’s been a fun, busy past two days, so I should probably give you guys a bit of an update!  Yesterday, Dad, Maggie, and Michael flew into Madrid!  It was torture to sit through class knowing that they were so close.  But I was a good student and didn’t skip.  When Philosophy ended, I rushed home, dropped off my stuff, and hopped on the metro to go to their hotel.  It was an easy trip, especially since I had located the hotel on Friday (during the daylight!) with Victoria.  It’s always easier to find something when you have a general idea of where to go!

When I got to the hotel, I strolled right in as if I owned the place and walked upstairs to find their room.  Based on my experience with Spain, I was expecting a cramped room, but it’s actually a pretty good size!  There’s a tiny sitting area near the window that overlooks the outdoor restaurant.  The beds seem comfortable, and everything is very modern looking.  I like it!  Right when I walked in the room, Dad was on Skype talking to Mom, so we all were able to talk for a bit (minus Emma… sorry kid!).  We hung out in the hotel room for a while, chatting and catching up.  There is something simply wonderful about being with family—the people who know you best and love you unconditionally.  I am incredibly thankful that I have such a fantastic, loving, supportive family.

At that point, we were all hungry, so we asked the nice people at the front desk for recommendations for restaurants.  They directed us to an area near Plaza Mayor.  And we ventured out to find some grub!  It took us a little longer than it should have, due to the lack of signage (always a problem) and general confusion, but we finally found one of the restaurants that was marked on the map that the front desk guy gave us.  The place was Restaurante Botín.  A doorman opened the door for us, and the host kindly directed us downstairs… walking downstairs was like walking down to a cellar because the ceiling was so low and looked as though it was just cut out of the ground!  But the restaurant was very nice and comfortable.  When we got the menus, we learned that Restaurante Botín, founded in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.  Pretty cool, huh?!  Michael, Maggie, and I had steak, and Dad ordered the grilled shrimp.  Good food.  At dinner, I finally got to hear about their 4-hour long walking tour of Madrid—they definitely know more about the history of Madrid than I do now!  But I am actually learning a lot of information about Spain and Madrid through my Art History class, which is useful.

Following dinner, we headed back to the hotel to regroup.  I packed up about half of the stuff that they brought for me, and Dad walked me to the metro.  I got home kinda late for a school night, but that’s okay because I did most of my homework for the week on Sunday and in between classes on Monday—I’m such a planner!  :)

Today I got to campus around 12:15 and right away found Victoria to give her the belated birthday present that I arranged—funfetti cupcakes that Mom made and Maggie, Michael, and Dad brought to Spain.  She was surprised and happy.  Before her birthday, she kept saying that all she wanted was a funfetti cake, so I asked Mom for some help with that and she obliged.  Thanks, Mom!

Positive Psychology today was interesting.  We are talking about humor and laughter, which is such an intriguing topic.  Between two PowerPoint presentations, our professor had us get up and play a little game… I was a bit thrown off, and usually I don’t like to do activities or games because I don’t know what to expect.  Of course, I hate the idea of doing “fun” things, but after the fact, I usually am happy that I had the experience.  In class, I was really nervous at first because I hate messing up, but then I thought of all the psychology behind my emotions and I got over it.  I actually felt so much better and happier after the game, which I know was the purpose, but at the same time, I almost wish I could’ve resisted feeling happy to prove a point.  I guess that’s just me being stubborn!

After class I had lunch, and then Victoria and I officially made plans for spring break (which is Holy Week)—WE’RE GOING TO ROME!!!!  I’m really excited, especially since my dear friend Katie is studying in Rome right now, so that means I’ll get to hang out with her!  Yay!  Then I had to go to Art History, which was a bit of a downer because I’m not loving that class.  When that finished, I went to Super Sol (the supermarket) for some bread, crackers, and clementines (a.k.a. lunch for a week), and then went home.

Around 6:30, Dad, Maggie, and Michael took the metro to visit me at the apartment this evening, so they got to see where I live and meet Maria.  Maria was very happy to meet them and talk to them about Spain.  She prepared a snack for us (water for Maggie and me, chocolate milk for Michael, and a cerveza con limon for Dad, and sweets for all of us).  We gave her the gift they brought, and she liked it a lot, but said that I am the best gift they could give her.  How sweet is she?!  I am very lucky to have her as my host mom.  She truly wants the best for me and definitely cares a lot for me.  Just what I need when I am far from home!

At 7:30, we left the apartment and met up with Victoria to go downtown for dinner.  We retraced our steps from last night and found Cava Baja, a street well known for its restaurants and tapas bars.  I recognized one of the restaurants from the map we had yesterday, so we went in.  The restaurant, Posada de la Villa, was very nice inside, and we were led to a beautiful table upstairs.  There was only one other group of people in the restaurant because it was so early for dinner in Madrid!  The spread of food was awesome—croquettas, olives, and bread for hors d’oeuvres, Ratatouille for Maggie, salmon for Michael and Victoria, a red pepper dish for Dad (I actually have no idea what that was… oops), and grilled calamari for me.  We had a pitcher of sangria, which was really good, possibly the best sangria yet!  Michael tried some and liked it.  :)  They also gave us a little dessert plate of some cookies and truffles.  And before we left, one of the hosts brought 3 red roses to us—one for Maggie, one for Victoria, and one for me!  Funny moment of the night: as the host walked away, Michael said, “quiero!” meaning that he wanted a rose too!  We all cracked up, and the host looked back and laughed too.  I think the waiters all liked us.  On the way out of the restaurant, we were each given a little key that says “Posada de la Villa” on it; we now have keys to the restaurant!  I definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone traveling to Spain—good food and service, plus nice people!

Following dinner, we walked to a chocolatería for some churros con chocolate.  This chocolate was much thicker and richer than most of the other chocolates I’ve tried, so I’ll probably be going back there some time!  All in all, it was a very fun night.  I’m glad that Dad, Maggie, and Michael got to meet Victoria and vice versa.  I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  :)

Okay, I’m exhausted, so it's time for bed.

Buenas noches,

Elizabeth

Maggie and Victoria waiting for chocolate y churros

Michael being... well, Michael

Happy!