Barcelona Diaries: Week 10

Oops.

Firstly I would like to say, we're in the double digits people!!! 10 weeks!!!

Secondly, sorry that this has come so late. I have a fair exuse though...This week, or should I say, last week, has been hectic.

First of all, I had my final week at Camino. Incredibly sad times to the max. But, as with all good things, they come to a fireworky, fabulous end. Meaning photos, music and scribbling on the board! Also, I spent a wonderful lunchtime on Wednesday with Gemma, Aliocha and Dirk, down at Barceloneta, eating at this tiddly little place, which was unbelievably lovely, despite only paying 7E for a three course meal and drinks! :D

However, I think the biggest thing to mention this week is my weekend, my fin de semana, as you will.

What happened?

I went to MADRID!!

So.

After a 5 hour journey in the 6th seat of a 7 seater car, also with Carmela, Mauro, Lucas, Ana and Maria, we arrived in the rather grungy city of Madrid. 'Okay', I thought, 'this is only the suburbs, I'm sure the centre will be nicer'. So off I trotted.

I was so wrong.

You know that thing i have about me not liking big crowds? Well, this was massive. Literally. Half an hour to cross Puerta del Sol? On a Saturday night? RIDICULOUS! And the lights weren't even that nice. Apart from the pretty LED snowflakes on the side of El Corte Ingles, which flashed in time to Christmas songs. Aw. So, I went and hid in Stradavarius. And H and M. And Zara.

So, the next day, I thought I'd try again. It can't be AS busy during the day.

Again, I was wrong. BUT that wasn't the worst of it, oh no. I decided to buy myself a ticket to go on a tour bus, as I simply could not be bothered to walk around Madrid for the whole day. Easier said thatn done, it seems. I had to FIND a tour bus.

So, after walking from Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor to the post office place near el Prado (where a random Spanish guy started talking to me, and introduced himself. I think he was called Carlos. Or that could be my Spanish stereotyping...), I finally found one.

And I stayed on that bus for 2 routes round. I then got horrifically bored, and on the advice of the ticket guy, I changed to the other line (from Modern Madrid to Historical Madrid), which was pretty much the same, but with the Palace. Oh well.

By this point, I was cold, probably the coldest I've ever been. No joke, my hands and lips were blue (I carry a pocket mirror, before any smartarses decide to ask how I knew...), I was sat on the top of an open topped tour bus, going pell-mell across Madrid, meaning that the temperature around me was actually freezing. And I only had a blazer for warmth.

'Screw this', I thought, 'I'm going home'. Once again, easier said than done... Walking for another 20 minutes to find a Metro station...not my cup of tea. Fortunately, I was the line I needed, so I sat down (I HAD A SEAT!!!!!!!! On Madrid's Metro!!!) and curled up to warm up.

As soon as I got home, I put the TV on, watched a Christmas movie of some kind, and then went to bed.

I awoke to the dulcet tones of, 'Hannah, I hear noises, I'm scared.' Yes, I was sharing a room with a 5 year old. Great. I spent the rest of Monday playing with Carmela, occupying her until the blissful moment that we went to the circus. Oh yes. THE CIRCUS!!!! :D Well, we have to support the kids in their shows... :D

Tuesday, fortunately, went rather quickly. Awoken again by Carmela, this time being 'hungry', breakfasted, dressed, the usual...then Carmela's NIECE (would you believe!) turned up with her parents...meaning Hannah got rather broody. Okay, this kid was sooo cute...Alejandra...she's like the sweetest one year old ever!!!!!!!! After they'd left again, we finally set off. The journey home was made quicker (slightly) by Alvin and the Chipmunks (not my choice) and Harry Potter 3 (marginally better).

Ah, I love my life.

H XxX