in a tapas competition, and it became our mission to eat as many different ones as we could. In less than 2.5 hours, we stopped at 7 different places, guzzled down our claras, and snacked on the free tapas that accompanied our drinks. We rated them according to presentation, flavor/taste, and price-value. (The winner was a fried-wantony-thing-of-goodness. The loser was the pig-ear goop we got served without knowing what it was beforehand.) By the end, we were literally running through the streets to get to just one more bar before we had to catch our bus and beat the rain showers rolling in. It was a magical day, full of the famous mystic’s presence and fanciful tapas. I really liked Ávila!
to walk into a random 4-Star Hotel on Gran Vía, where we nonchalantly took the elevator to the top floor, and, low and behold… we found two jacuzzis! From the roof, we could see almost all of Madrid—from the Royal Palace to the Casa de Campo and even the sky scrapers situated in the north of the city. The red-shingled roofs reflected the warm sunshine, and we were ecstatic by our find. In fact, SK & I spent a couple of hours there the following day (our last day), accompanied by a bottle of cava and strawberries, and it was the absolute most perfect send off either one of us could ever have wished for.
It’s greasy goodness galore. SK & I enjoyed chatting in Spanish for a bit, but then we all parted ways as she and I had our last date. We ate dinner at Bazaar, another favorite, and then went to the rooftop bar of the fancy hotel that towers over the Plaza Santa Ana (something new!). Finally, we owned the dance floor at Sol Y Sombra one last time; needless to say, there was no competition for best dance moves… we had them all. Sarah and I parted in front of her house at 2 AM, but neither one of us slept through the night. She went to the airport soon after and I stayed up to finish shoving as much as I could into my suitcases and carry-on bags.
Likewise, the twins, Marcos and Aitor, didn’t really grasp the reality of our last moments together this past Monday afternoon. I spent two hours with them and their mom, Marisa. We got some ice cream and went to the park near their house. Between playing freeze dance after slurping up the melting goodness and chasing Marcos & a dozen of his classmates in the park, I chatted with Marisa in Spanglish. It was a grand afternoon and I can’t wait to see my dear ones again soon.
Marisa and Javier took me out to dinner on Tuesday night. We had an excellent meal: pulpo a la Gallega, alcachofas a la plancha, razor clams (for Javi), and grilled vegetable-monkfish skewers. When we said our goodbyes, Marisa started to tear up… and she is the first person to have made me shed a few tears, too! Yet, mine were tears of joy and gratitude for this family. They have been a family upon whom I have relied mucho, and I can’t praise their wonderfulness enough. I am positive I will see them again in the near future.
My last day at school was actually quite enjoyable. I got the chance to say goodbye to everyone, students and teachers alike. I made a video with a group of 5th graders, interviewing them about their favorite parts of the year. I took loads of pictures of my kiddos and colleagues, too. After classes ended, we had an End-of-the-Year teacher luncheon, which turned out to be another smorgasbord of traditional Spanish cuisine like fried calamares, jamón serrano y queso curado, empanadas, and other tapas foods. Afterward, I went out for a coffee with Pilar, Cristina, Victor, Concha, Joaquín, where we lounged in the cool shade of the outdoor patio and talked of school and of summer plans. Before I knew it, it was past 5:00. My, how those Spaniards know how to take their time eating and drinking…one of the many things I am going to miss.
but her absence is definitely noticeable. She’s quite a vociferous young woman, vibrant and goofy, and things were always more interesting and outings were always more fun when she was around. In honor of my former flatmate and missing friend, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite phrases or words that she’d use because she’s Scottish or because she’s just Elaine.
Translation: He thought I was flirting with him.
Translation: I’ve been wasting time all afternoon, and now that you’re here we can do something!
Translation: Everyone makes fun of me and always gives me crap when I go to my sister’s house.
(In parts of Britain, when you say that someone is taking the piss or taking the Mickey, that also means that someone is being made fun of and the butt of every joke.)
Translation: We had good conversations at lunch today.
Translation: He talked a load of nonsense. She blabbed on and on.
(Also, witter and haver can be used in these cases.)
Translation: I’m exhausted.
Translation: I glanced at the book before the exam since I didn’t study.
Translation: You’ve got a lot of stuff in your house. Get your things together.
Translation: I think those eggs have gone bad.
Translation: I’m a little bit hungry.
Translation: Oh, I love fun dip, but I like cookies even more.
Translation: I’m just too lazy to worry about it.
Translation: Do you have band-aid?
Translation: We were in the middle of nowhere yesterday.
Elaine, I loved having your as roommate these past several months. Thanks for all the great banter and good times. Missing you already, H
where I took Spanish classes on Friday evenings this past fall. It’s funny because I remember thinking, “Wow: that seems like a great place to take the parents or to go out on a date!” My, my, my... how things come full circle. Our “team date” was really special and loads of fun. What’s more is that the girls surprised me with more gifts: a tapas cookbook and a flamenco CD, two great mementos of Spain to carry with me back to the USA. And as if sharing a great meal with some great girls wasn’t enough, we continued to hang out for a bit and eventually—after much wandering—found ourselves in an almost empty discoteca, La Catedral. There we took loads of silly pictures and I made them all laugh with some silly dance moves of mine. Finally, once others started to arrive, we took that as our cue to mosey on and catch the metro back home. It was a great night out with some Spanish women whom I’ve really enjoyed getting to know this past year. I am very thankful to have had a volleyball team this past year, not only because it has allowed me to play the sport I love so much, but also because I had the chance to make some good friends along the way.
Above: Cristina (Andrea M's mom), Neme (the religion teacher), me, Nuria (Andrea R's mom), and Maria (Kike & Javier's mom)
Once everyone was there, María handed me a very large and heavy box, wrapped in hot pink tissue paper. I opened it and inside there were numerous things also colorfully wrapped. One by one, I unwrapped each item: yarn and sewing needles (“for when married life gets
too boring”), a rolling pin (“for multiple purposes”), a makeup bag with rollers and a shower cap (“for my looks”), a pink thong (“for the younger years”) pink granny panties (“for the later years”), an apron with a sexy flamenco dancer’s body printed on it and a tapas cookbook (“for remembering some of the best of Spain”). I’m pretty sure I was blushing throughout the whole time of opening these gag gifts. But their generosity didn’t stop there. Next, María passed me another box, this one more nicely wrapped. When I peeled away the tissue paper lining, I was awed to find a gorgeous, blue-grey Spanish manta, or shawl, folded neatly in the box. I pulled it out and discovered how massive it is, but its craftsmanship and quality were also noticeable. Everyone was telling me that I have to wear this on my wedding day, at least for a few pictures, in order to complete the Spanish theme that my wedding seems to be taking on.
I’ve been blessed with some great relationships here in Madrid. Many times, we have no idea what kind of impact we have on other people. In all honesty, I have often wondered what good I’ve really done here in Madrid, if my kids have learned anything, if I’ve made any true life-long friends, if I’ve made a good influence on those I know. Over the past week, I have been showered with obvious and extravagant love by so many people. I guess that answers some of my wonderings.
topped with a decorative “trapgevel” or Dutch gable. As Eric’s friend and co-worker Andrew said, "Amsterdam is just a glorified town,” where the neighborhood shops, bars, and restaurants are about as quaint and as homey as can be, and where a strange feeling of collectivism exists among the large international community.
Sarah wore a worried look on her face through most of that trip. On Saturday, Eric took us outside of the city to a large park where the 1928 Olympic Crew events were held. Sarah was able to relax more on that ride. Personally, I enjoyed the thrill of weaving in and out of traffic and pedestrians, but the lush, green scenery in the park was a nice change.
Since it’s such an international city and since The Netherlands has been influenced by their world exploration over the centuries, restaurant menus have a hodgepodge selection… and I loved it! From veggie-filled sandwiches to Vietnamese eggrolls, I delighted in it all. We did try some traditional Dutch treats, such as the stroopwafel (hot, gooey caramel sandwiched between 2 thin waffle-biscuits).
we went to a local brewery called Brouwerij Het Ij, one the oldest breweries in the city and uniquely located under a windmill. They brew seven beers regularly, and I liked the Ij Wit (“7% a delicately hopped wheat beer that is dangerously drinkable”) the best. We took a tour of the micro-brewery and then sat outside in the warm sunshine for a couple of hours.
The Beef on
other things that I just found interesting.
And so, with the clock ticking loudly somewhere just behind me, I find myself once again in Madrid, struck with the realization that I have hardly two weeks left here. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Venga… let’s make the most of it!
