So this is my post-Madrid post that should have gone up immediately after my semester ended. Anyways, with inspiration from the Sound of Music, these are a few of my favorite things [in Madrid]:
1. Running in Retiro park throughout the semester and seeing the trees become more volumptous with leaves, in particular the jasmin-blossom grove when they fell delicately on the ground below.
2. Greeting people with kisses on both cheeks.
3. The impeccable, and inspirational, Spanish wardrobe. Even the babies were stylish.
4. Tapas and the environment at El Tigre, for now I can at least appreciate the ham that all the Spaniards go loco for.
5. Beregenas relleno, a filled eggplant dish that Rosa my host-mom cooked for us frequently, complete with a Spanish dose of olive oil.
6. My intercambio Laura and our fun Thursday lunch conversations, spending most of it talking about one meaning of a Spanish or English word or joking about talking backpacks; inevitably I would walk in late to my language class after losing track of time.
7. Visiting friends who are studying abroad as well and seeing them in their new environment and seeing how they live- so real.
8. Dancing at discotecas and being certain the following songs will come on:
-Shakira: La Tortura
-Don Omar: Danza Kuduro
-Edward Maya: Stereo Love
-Pitbull: the Anthem
-David Guetta: Who´s that chick
-DJ Kicky: Papa Americano
-Black Eyed Peas: The Time
-Stromae: Alors on Danse
9. El Son salsa club! The best way to improve your Spanish as well as learn some great moves from some Columbian and Puerto Ricans.
10. Plaza del Sol and its newest look, as young adults peacefully demonstrated their need for job opportunities in the poor Spanish economy. Check out these pictures: (soon to come)
You know, Madrid, it´s been real. I know it was a brief 3 or 4 months, but they were really awesome. You will always hold a special place in my heart, especially your magnificent park. It´s not you, it´s me. In the words of the great Lelia Richardson-Diltz, my previous summer´s camp director, mooooovin on...to Sevilla!
