Remember in my last post how I was all sad and mopey because I had just returned to Spain from home and I was missing everybody and everything? Well, that feeling has nearly disappeared, thanks in part to the creation of my Madrid Six Month Bucket List! Now, of course I still miss my family and home, I’m not a savage. I’m just feeling a little more optimistic is all! But I digress.
After careful consideration of my first 3 months in Spain (read: after a quick moment of panic and FOMO), I realized I hadn’t been taking advantage of my time here as well as I should have. Enter Bucket List. “Hello,” said the Bucket List, “I am here to motivate you to spend your time better while here in Spain.”
Okay, okay, so my bucket list didn’t actually talk. But, it did motivate me to start using my time more wisely here, because I’m convinced that too much free time leads to the trap called Netflix. So this week, I already managed to cross 5 things off! And here they are:
Item 9: Go to the Templo de Debod
There is this beautiful temple in Madrid and I have had several recommendations to go, so I went with fellow auxiliar Selena and her adorable Husky, Perla! Unfortunately, Perla was shunned from the Metro, so we had to walk a looooong time to get there and missed the sun setting over the temple. Even though it was dark, the temple was all lit up and beautiful. We then proceeded to consume all the calories we lost on our walk in the form of a milkshake from the Five Guys that just opened up here! The chocolate/peanut butter combo was SO worth it. So was the company and conversation :).
Item 11: Take a picture at Kilometer 0.
There is this marker in Sol called Kilometer 0 and is the point where Spain’s 6 national roads are measured from. I had walked by it so many times and had never actually gotten a picture!
Item 14: Go to J & J Books and Coffee.
On Friday, some friends and I went to this cute little bookstore/bar/cafe for Quiz Night! We were on teams and had to answer questions in 4 categories: Name the Artist of the Painting, Name the Artist of the Song, Name the Country with This World Leader, and Finish the Pattern. It. Was. So. Difficult. Despite having trained for this by playing hours of Trivial Pursuit over break and challenging people to Quiz Up, I knew a total of 2 answers out of about 30. Luckily, Sam and Minorka on my team were killin’ it with their knowledge, and we ended up getting about 11 correct. Not too bad for amateurs!
Item 15: Go to San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
I had heard from multiple people that the monastery/royal palace in this little city was BEAUTIFUL, so I decided to take advantage of the virtually free transportation and its relatively close proximity and see it. I met up with Nicole (my friend from Purdue) and her roommate and we explored. And just like everyone said, it was beautiful! It was great spending time with the girls and checking out a new area. I’m really glad we went.
Item 16: Eat tapas at El Tigre.
This was another thing I had wanted to do for awhile! There’s this bar in Madrid called El Tigre where you can order a drink and get free tapas, and who wouldn’t love that? So after school on Thursday, Selena, Mike (the other auxiliar), and I headed into the city to enjoy ourselves. We went to both El Tigre and a similar bar called El Respiro. We got some beers and ate some delicious tapas (patatas bravas, ham on bread, chorizo, croquetas, etc.) and had good conversation. It was a great time!
In other news…
- Lauren and I bought a vacuum. His name is Carlito and we love him.
- I am now officially a regular at a restaurant! There is this little Mexican restaurant in VdlC called Pura Vida where Lauren, her friend Katie, and I have frequented. The last time we went, the server asked if I wanted any chipotle sauce because I always ask for it. SHE REMEMBERED ME AND WHAT I LIKED! I was (oddly) excited about that; I’ve never been a regular before!
- I’ve been enjoying cooking for myself! Two new recipes I’ve tried out lately are a sweet potato/chicken/asparagus one pan meal and a loaded potato soup! Delicious!
Random Corner:
Thankful for: The relatively warm weather we’ve been having here in Spain!
Enjoying: The many phone calls I’ve had with my mom since I’ve been back.
Excited for: My grandparents and sister to come to Madrid in March!!!
A Normal Girl in Spain 
I am a friend of your grandma (Lila Behrends). I really enjoyed your blog! ! Am excited for you (and your grandma) that you can show her some of these sites in person. Enjoy
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Hi Lila! Thanks for reading my blog 🙂 I can’t wait for her to come visit!
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