Huge Update (Madrid Weekend)

I'd like to preface this epic post by saying that I did not intentionally not post, but rather spent the weekend in Madrid after having a test on Friday and therefore studying on Thursday night. So here goes... I tried to play with the font to keep things interesting.

Thursday - Barcelona
We went to the Gaudi apartments (La Pedrera / Casa Mila) and the Gaudi house (Casa Batlló). I loved the house but I can't really imagine living there.. it was too fake and not very homey. The apartments, on the other hand... there is no question why they are the most coveted real estate in Barcelona. They are incredible. I'd give a LOT to be able to live there. The roof top is incredible, too. It's a pity the residents get crowded but tourists every day. If I lived there I'd want to go up top all the time.

Friday - Barcelona and Madrid
Had my first Spanish test. Ended up doing really well; mostly we did review these past few weeks with a few new topics added in. Got my first essay back, which went well also. So yay, my Spanish is coming along nicely.
After the test our teacher took us to the Mercat de Santa Caterina, which lies over the ruins of the Covenant of Santa Caterina. We did a scavenger hunt around the many stands full of fruits, meat, and other foods, and then I bought some grapes and a "pomegranate" for 5 euro to take on the train ride to Madrid. My "pomegranate" was a scam. I had no idea what a pomegranate looked like, and unwittingly spent 5 euro on a rotten grapefruit. Now I know what a pomegranate looks like, and I am not going back to that fruit stand...
We met at UPF to board the train to Madrid. After a long Metro ride, we made it to the station, where I was able to buy a Spanish guide book to Madrid from 2 years ago for 2 euro. It ended up not being helpful, but whatever.
The train ride was 3 hours long, and I was riding backwards so I fell asleep for half of the trip. We got to Madrid and Patsy and I explored the neighborhood around our hotel. We had a huge dinner with the entire group, and then we all went out to explore Madrid again for a bit before bed.

Saturday - Madrid
We had to wake up early to go to the Museo del Prado at 11. I explored with Patsy and then left her with people at lunch to make sure I saw literally everything in the museum. It was actually too big to do that, but I saw everything I wanted to see. Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights was my favorite, and always has been a favorite, but I also liked Goya's Jupiter Eating His Son and Fra Angelico's Annunciation. I love seeing works I've studied in real life. There were many more, but I can't go into too much detail because most people reading this won't know what I'm talking about. I missed the Carravagio I studied, so I'm a little bummed about that but what can ya do..
Next we hit up the Reina Sofia to see Picasso's Guernica and some Dalís. I love Dalí but I didn't see as many as I would have liked to. The Guernica was amazing, and much bigger than I had imagined, but it was almost as crowded as if I'd gone to see the Mona Lisa. Somehow we managed to get photos.
Patsy and I then explored and made our way back to the hotel, where we shopped in the neighborhood and caught the Metro (which sucks compared to Barcelona's...) to a neighborhood with cute little boutiques.
A bunch of us then went out to eat at a nice but inexpensive restaurant, where a man tried to walk out with Manisha's bag... luckily they stopped him and called the cops. Word to the wise: don't hang your purse on your chair in Spain. Keep it in your lap or on your shoulder, even indoors.
We then checked out a touristy club called Kapital. A few people stayed until closing, but I was exhausted and went back to the hotel to rest up.

Sunday - Madrid and Barcelona
Woke up early again to go to the Rastro, a market that occurs every Sunday in Madrid, and the Palazzo Real (The Royal Palace). The Rastro was too busy and too touristy, so Cecile and I left for the Palace early. We ended up walking through the Plaza Mayor, which was full of singers, street performers, souvenir shops, and the best gelato I have ever encountered. I am obsessed with that gelato. It was like Dulche de Leche but better.
We continued from there on to the Palace, taking pictures everywhere. The Palace was beautiful, but sadly pictures were not allowed inside. We then headed back, stopping for Churros con Chocolate (not a fan, too greasy-- luckily Cecile loves them and helped me finish).
Everyone met back at the hotel, and we went back to Barcelona. In Barcelona, Cecile, Mark, Scott, Nicole and I went to the boys' favorite restaurant-- Can-George. They are kindof obsessed. I got a grilled cheese, which hit the spot and was super inexpensive. Excellent, but not the kind of place I'd hit up every night. Definitely good to know about for nights when I'm too tired to cook.

Monday - Barcelona
Had class, got my test back, had my first Cortado (espresso with milk and an entire packet of sugar). Liked it for coffee, but I still hate coffee. Had a second one later on. Was dying of lack of sleep. Went to the beach with Patsy and Mark and read for a few hours. Got burned.. great. Went grocery shopping, got an anti-mosquito thing to fend the little devils off. They ARE devils. Honest. I've taken to sleeping with my head under the covers but they still get my fingers. Yuck. Cooked chicken for Cecile and Patsy... they actually liked it! It was kindof an experiment but it ended up pretty awesome. Now I am going to BED.