Madrid. Leon. Gijon.

In the past week I have gotten a bit of a larger-scale taste for Spain…and I feel like I can confidently say, Spain could not be much cooler. 

MADRID:



fighting off the rain...



Last weekend, four new friends and I made a very last minute decision to go to Madrid-  We bought tickets and hopped on a VERY early train with no travel plans, no return ticket, and no place to stay.  Not only was the trip beautifully spontaneous, every little piece fell into place perfectly.  We saw Madrid through a million different lenses- Our first day there, it was pouring.  Not sprinkling…POURING. 

We ended up buying 3 euro umbrellas and decided not to let it hold us back.  We explored the many endless and beautiful parks while they were completely desolate.  We would unknowingly come upon huge, stunning, and EMPTY monuments…making it feel like we were the first to discover them. 



"oh no way! Look at what we found"



 When we began to get cold, we could seek salvation in a café for a treat or into the Prado and Reina Sofia museum for a look at some of the world’s most famous pieces of art.  It was wonderful-  After a very long and slightly stressful hunt for a hotel, we finally found a cute little place right in the heart of the city and “hit the tiles” (bar / club hopping) regardless of the rain. 

 After dancing to a live band, struggling with the language in loud bands, and making new local friends, the night ended with the Churros con Chocolate at the most famous chocolateria in Madrid….The three story building was so packed at 6:30 IN THE MORNING with late night partiers that we had to wait 20 min for a table-  (and please note that the table we finally found was a group of 50ish year olds and a few 5 year olds, all of whom where jolly and had clearly been up all night as well…when do these people sleep!??)  

Day 2- Sunny and beautiful!

 When we woke up…a few hours later….the sun was out in full force.  The streets were packed and the same places that had been empty the day before were now bustling with street performers, kids, couples, and tourists.  It was like being in a completely different city.  Overall, Madrid was awesome- the whole experience couldn’t have been a whole lot better. 

LEON

As we sleepily stumbled back to the train station early Monday morning, we decided to make another pit stop…Leon.  So, we successfully bought train tickets and spent the day exploring the beautiful and small city of leon (very famous for its gorgeous gothic cathedral with some of the most impressive stained glass windows in the world).    

When the train finally pulled into the Oviedo station…I felt the most content feeling of being “home”.  Oviedo really really feels like my home in this moment, and I feel utterly confident that it could not be a better place for me to be this year.

Gijon: 

Today (Sunday) I woke up earlier then usual…and felt the NEED to get to a beach.   SO, I walked up the street, hopped on a 20 min bus and arrived in Gijon for the first time.  I WAS SHOCKED.  Gijon was one of the most charming little towns I feel like I have ever seen. 

Little stores and cafes stack up on a hill that is surrounded by ocean.  There is a very Santa Barbara-ish harbor and huge cliffs that plunge down from green grassy meadows.  I popped in my ipod headphones and just walked and walked and walked. 

The weather was sporadic, one moment pouring the next sunny and warm…which made my little mini adventure that much more exciting.  It felt wonderful to escape everything and have a little solo exploration on my day off.  J  

VIVA ESPANA!!!