How is it Sunday night already? This weekend absolutely FLEW by!
On Saturday, our group went on an excursion to Madrid. We woke up at the crack of dawn to take the public bus to the Principe Pío station, so everyone could see how to use the bus system to get to Madrid. As a group, we walked from the bus station to the Royal Palace. We didn't go inside this time, but I got to see the inside of the palace a couple of years ago the first time I came to Spain. It's totally worth it, if you haven't gone before! We kept walking towards the center of the city and finally arrived at the beautiful Plaza Mayor. I love the rectangular shape and the salmon color painted on the interior walls. There is also a super cool statue of King Philip III on his horse in the center. It is surrounded by three-story residential buildings with 237 balconies facing the Plaza. It has a total of nine entrance ways! SO big! We walked a bit more and arrived at la Puerta del Sol, located in the very heart of Madrid. In fact, this is the center (km 0) of the radial network of Spanish roads. Cool, huh? The square also contains the famous clock, whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes at the beginning of a new year. Finally, we walked all the way to where the Prado Museum and Parque Retiro are. I decided to see the Prado museum for a second time. I got to see several masterpieces from Velázquez, Goya, Rembrandt, and El Greco. There's nothing as rewarding as seeing things in person that you've only read about and seen in textbooks. These pieces are some of my favorites:
On Saturday, our group went on an excursion to Madrid. We woke up at the crack of dawn to take the public bus to the Principe Pío station, so everyone could see how to use the bus system to get to Madrid. As a group, we walked from the bus station to the Royal Palace. We didn't go inside this time, but I got to see the inside of the palace a couple of years ago the first time I came to Spain. It's totally worth it, if you haven't gone before! We kept walking towards the center of the city and finally arrived at the beautiful Plaza Mayor. I love the rectangular shape and the salmon color painted on the interior walls. There is also a super cool statue of King Philip III on his horse in the center. It is surrounded by three-story residential buildings with 237 balconies facing the Plaza. It has a total of nine entrance ways! SO big! We walked a bit more and arrived at la Puerta del Sol, located in the very heart of Madrid. In fact, this is the center (km 0) of the radial network of Spanish roads. Cool, huh? The square also contains the famous clock, whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes at the beginning of a new year. Finally, we walked all the way to where the Prado Museum and Parque Retiro are. I decided to see the Prado museum for a second time. I got to see several masterpieces from Velázquez, Goya, Rembrandt, and El Greco. There's nothing as rewarding as seeing things in person that you've only read about and seen in textbooks. These pieces are some of my favorites:
After the Prado Musuem, I was ready to get some lunch at el Mercado de San Miguel. I had paella with calamari and prawns in it. SO good! After that, I decided to head back to Segovia early. It was just so hot in Madrid, and I wasn't feeling up to doing much that day. Madrid is a great city, but it's a little TOO big for my taste.
Today, I got to sleep in for the first time since I arrived in Segovia! I spend the day making study guides for my two quizzes tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about the one in Phonetics, but having taken an Intro to Phonetics class last year, I'm pretty confident that I know the material well. I'm making plans with my dear friend, Becca, to tour the Cathedral and Alcázar here tomorrow. She has never been to either place, and I can't wait to see those historic sites again! She is also going to bring her ukelele to play while we hang out in the park outside of the Alcázar! I'm so thankful to have made such a wonderful friend here. It makes this trip even more worthwhile!
Being that it's midnight, I probably oughta hit the hay! Thanks again for continuing to follow my adventures abroad. Your support means the world to me! ¡Hasta pronto, amigos! :)
Today, I got to sleep in for the first time since I arrived in Segovia! I spend the day making study guides for my two quizzes tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about the one in Phonetics, but having taken an Intro to Phonetics class last year, I'm pretty confident that I know the material well. I'm making plans with my dear friend, Becca, to tour the Cathedral and Alcázar here tomorrow. She has never been to either place, and I can't wait to see those historic sites again! She is also going to bring her ukelele to play while we hang out in the park outside of the Alcázar! I'm so thankful to have made such a wonderful friend here. It makes this trip even more worthwhile!
Being that it's midnight, I probably oughta hit the hay! Thanks again for continuing to follow my adventures abroad. Your support means the world to me! ¡Hasta pronto, amigos! :)