I would not make a good webdesigner

So yes, it has been weeks since I've blogged, but when you finish reading everything I've done over the past couple of weeks you'll understand.

So I left off on the week of Mon Oct 18.  This was the last week before vacation! Soo not much occurred Monday through Thursday except on Wednesday night our school went out for tapas.  I think Katie, Mikaela, and I were some of the only people under 50 there (we were without a doubt the youngest ones there).  So even though the company was a bit old, the food was delicious, and that's half the battle with tapas.

Nana, Pa, and I in Loli's front room.

Friday and beyond are the most important days.  On Friday I was so eager to get out of class because Nana and Pa had finally arrived in Madrid.  After a few bumps in the road with the apartment people they finally got all settled in. Before I went over to see them, I stopped at a little grocery store to buy them some things to eat since I figured they'd be hungry.  After finally saying hello and relaxing a bit with them we went out and got something to eat for lunch. We went to the same restaurant that my family went to on our first day in Madrid. Then I showed them around the city a bit.  Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor etc. I could practically be a Madrid tour guide I'm so knowledgeable now.  Both Nana and Pa were tired since they hadn't slept much on the plane on the way here so after we walked around a bit we got some groceries at El Corte Ingles and went back to the apartment to relax.  After a while I left them to go to bed and I got ready to go out with Mikaela and our friend Iman.

Mikaela and I met in Sol then rode the metro to Iman's friends house where a little party was going on. I felt like I was in Britain however since I talked to all British people at the party.  A friend from my class came to the party as well and he brought another friend with him... oh and they were both British too! We stayed at the party for a little while then took the metro back to Sol where we said goodbye to our British friends and went to our favorite free club, Star Studio.  We danced for a while then decided we were hungry, so we did what any normal Spaniard would do at 3 am and got churros. It was a great night, I had so much fun with Mikaela and Iman!!!

Nana, Pa, and Loli in her living room.

On Saturday I took Nana and Pa to the Royal Palace.  The line to get in was long since it was a weekend, but it was nice to get to see such an amazing place again.  After the palace we went to lunch at a seafood restaurant in Plaza Oriente where I had some delicious seafood stew.  After that we attempted to go to the Temple Debod but it was already closed. Stupid temple is quite elusive.  We decided to go back to the apartment and relax for a bit after that since I made us a reservation to go to a Flamenco show at 8.  Once we were ready for Flamenco we took a taxi over to the Palace since the place is close to there. We enjoyed a fabulous and intense flamenco show.  I paid, since Mom and I had discussed that it would be our treat to Nana and Pa. After the show we went to tapas at the restaurant right next to the palace.  We had some wine and cheese, which was of course delicious.

On Sunday we went to mass at the little church near the apartment.  Then my senora had invited us to lunch so we went over to my house where my senora had cooked an amazzzing lunch ( as always ).  I served as translator to the dinner and everything went over quite nicely. After we had lunch we relaxed a little then we went to the Thyssen Museum.  We stayed for a little while and looked at their interesting collection of art.

Tombs in the 12th C. church in Salamanca.

On Monday we took a day trip to Salamanca.  I knew Nana and Pa would love it because it was once of my favorite places that I've visited while here.  When we got there it was lunch time so we went to a restaurant and had something to eat. Then we went to Casa de los Conchas which I didn't get to go to last time I went to Salamanca because I couldn't find it. Turns out I was in the right spot the whole time and that you have to go in the same door as if you were going to the library. Who knew? It was kind of disappointing because there really wasn't much of anything to see.  After that we took the tourist train around Salamanca.  I attempted to serve as translator but the lady never took a breath and I'm not at the point where I can listen and interpret at the same time.  But I did my best and learned a lot of new information about Salamanca. After the train ride finished we went to the cathedrals.  I didn't get to go to the old cathedral last time, but this time we went. It was amazing! It was built in the 12th century.  I bought myself a little guidebook on the cathedrals so that I could know more about them, that's how interesting they were. After that we were going to go to the deco art museum but they were already closed so we went to the Roman bridge.  Then it was getting close to the time we needed to start heading to the train station so that is what we did.  It was a long, but fun filled day.

In Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca.

On Tuesday we slept in a little because we were all tired from the day before.  First we went to the silk shop near the apartment because Nana wanted to buy herself a scarf.  Then we went to the botanical gardens. Nana really liked the flowers. Then we did a little souvenir shopping for the family.  After that we went to lunch where the waiter was a little too happy that I spoke spanish.  We took our stuff back to the apartment after that.  Then we tried to go boot shopping since Nana said she'd buy me boots for Christmas, but I had no luck there. The last thing we did was go to the Prado during their free hours to see some Spanish art. I had to go back to my house and pack for Italy so Nana and Pa rested a bit after that. Then when I finally finished we were going to go out for churros but Nana was too tired so Pa and I ate again at the little restaurant right next to the apartment.

It was a great 5 days with Nana and Pa. I'm so glad they visited me!!!