Nanny's Day(s) Off!

In addition to being allowed an extra day in Salamanca last weekend, I also enjoyed two additional days off this week! What a lucky nanny! Allow me to unpack some of my adventures...

On Saturday, I chose to head into the city once again. Being an exceptionally beautiful day, I could think of no destination more appropriate than Parque de Retiro (the "Central Park" of Madrid). I braved the metro ligero and then regular metro, before resolving to walk the remaining blocks to the park. I arrived, of course, but only after being stopped by a 50-some-year-old man who felt compelled to say, "que bonita" (how beautiful) one inch from my face, wearing the blankest expression I've ever seen. Oh creepy Spanish men, how I'd missed you!

Now maybe I spoke too soon when I said that "I know the largest, craziest city in Spain like the back of my hand" since I managed to get lost at least four times in one park. If I had to get lost though, this wasn't such a bad place to be. I strolled past the rose gardens...

...stopped at a charming cafe to down an expensive coca-cola light, settled myself in a grassy spot to read, contemplated a boat ride on the lake, but ultimately decided it was either too romantic or too depressing (or both!) to execute alone.

Leaving Retiro, I made my way over to Puerta de Alcala and discovered an Italian cafe on Calle de Alcala that offered overpriced lunch in exchange for a terrace view of the metropolis building on one end:

...and La Puerta de Alcala on the other:

Meanwhile, I tried to pretend like eating a menu del dia all by myself wasn't pitiful or sad at all.

After lunch, I continued up Calle de Alcala and then Gran Via for some postcards and shopping--although I'm trying my very best to save any purchases for rebajas (big Spanish sales in July). I reoriented myself and wandered over towards the Prado (famous art museum packed with Goya, Picasso, and others). One minute I was walking past some open-air kiosks and the next thing I knew, I was holding a new scarf (woops! --a terrible Spanish habit I can't seem to shake). ...but in my defense, the guy said he'd give me a special deal for being so beautiful. I'm weak, I caved, so sue me.

Needed back home, I hopped back on the metro, then metro ligero...four line changes and one and a half hours later, I was back in downtown Boadilla del Monte (how's THAT for the directionally challenged!)

Monday was another day off, where I spent the day in Segovia, a small town about an hour west of Madrid, with Liz Bowman (American missionary neighbor). As her family is leaving for the States on Wednesday with a group of 12 Spanish kids for a month-long English immersion, Liz was very intentional about spending a special day with me.

Although I had already been to Segovia during my study abroad in Salamanca Spring 2009, I can't say I had the fondest memories of the town. It had been a freezing day in January, complete with hail, overcast skies, and blue appendages. Segovia accordingly became a big group joke, where my friend Colleen even made up a bratty little song entitled "I HATE Segovia!" All this to say, I took a risk and decided to give Segovia another shot.

First stop in Segovia was the famous Roman aqueduct:

I had never made the climb to the top before, but was thankful Liz made the suggestion since it offered a breathtaking view of the entire city with a blue mountainous backdrop. After snapping a few pictures that just couldn't adequately capture the scene, we jumped back in the car and headed for Alcazar, one of Ferdinand and Isabela's palaces.

Like the professional menu del dia connoisseurs that we are, Liz and I thoroughly scanned the plaza before finally settling down at the ideal lunch spot. Under a big white umbrella and perfectly blue sky, I enjoyed judiones de la Granja (white bean and chorizo soup), cochinillo (baby pig specialty of Segovia...mildly upsetting), and then ponche Segoviana (specialty sponge cake of Segovia) and port wine to finish it all off. All in perfect Spanish fashion too, just under 2 hours!

After lunch, we toured the palace Alcazar and scaled the highest tower for another incredible view.

In each room I was overcome with extreme de ja vue moments. Remembering how miserably wet and freezing we were in January, I was amazed at how cold the inside was even in the summertime.

Back in Boadilla to an empty home, the Bowman's invited me to watch the World Cup game between Spain and Honduras at their house. For weeks, Spanish flags have been waving from nearly every house in the neighborhood, which meant a couple very LOUD hours during the game. Regardless of the vastly different regions in Spain, it's clear the Spanish unify the country through soccer.

Obviously, I was torn, but at the same time I'd have been kicked out on the street so quickly had I cheered for any team other than Spain.

Today began phase-1 of Solete's 40th birthday surprise. She and Alberto left this morning for who knows where and Solete's parents will sleep here with the kiddos and me tonight. Tomorrow (after Sergio and Ale's last day of school!), we'll make the journey to the mountains of Candeleda, two hours west of Madrid where Solete's parents live. Solete and Alberto will join us on Saturday for the party, all of us returning again to Boadilla on Sunday or Monday. Poor Solete has suspected that a surprise party is being planned, but hasn't a clue about the details, which has just about eaten her alive.

I'm sure to return with some interesting stories...