Allie in Spain (and Ireland): La Vida en Madrid and a Very Madrileño Birthday

It's still hard for me to fathom that I've been here for almost 2 months. If you read my last post, then you understand why I still don't really feel settled in (although now I can say that at least matriculation is over, and I'm officially enrolled in my classes, YAY!) I have, however, been trying to make the most of my excess of free time. I've been exploring the different areas of Madrid via coffee shops, museums, and just wandering aimlessly. The weather has been pretty agreeable, but I'm still waiting for it to warm up a little until I start spending a lot of time outside.

One of my favorite Madrid neighborhoods that I've discovered thus far is Malasaña. It's supposed to be comparable to New York's East Village (whatever that means, Boston>New York) and it's famous for being the center of counterculture in Madrid. It's full of bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. I like it because it feels authentically Spanish compared to a lot of other places that we Americans end up hanging out.

After hitting one of the biggest tourist attractions, The Prado, a few weeks back, I recently checked out one of the sister museums, the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Along with the Reina Sofia these three make up the "Golden Triangle of Art." I REALLY loved the Thyssen. While it doesn't house as many famous masterpieces as the Prado, it has an incredibly diverse and unique collection. The collection was started in the 1920's by the German Heinrich, Baron Thyssen-Bornesmisza and was extended by his son until the son's death in 2002. Baron Thyssen's son (also Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza), married Carmen Cervera, a former Miss Spain in 1985. She then began collecting art as well (I ain't sayin she a gold digger...). She is still alive and remains involved with the museum. The museum is divided into his collection and her collection, and each is organized in chronological order beginning with Italian Gothic works of the 14th century all the way up to Avant-Garde works of the last 50 years. It's awesome to walk through and see how art has changed over the centuries, and observe the transitions from movement to movement. Now I only need to visit the Reina Sofia to complete the triangle!

I also did manage to travel somewhat outside of Madrid in the past couple weeks. A couple friends and I took a trip to Aranjuez - a small town about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Madrid. It was easy to get there because it is accessible by the Cercanías, which is kind of the Madrid equivalent of Boston's commuter rail, only (like the metro), much much better. So, about Aranjuez: in the 16th century, Philip II decided to be cool and turn it into a royal site and he began construction of a palace, which is pretty much the main (and only attraction) that the city has to offer. Other than that, it's very small (population of about 50,000). BUT the Palace was quite spectacular. I could definitely live there. Spanish Royalty has it made. I haven't actually been inside of the Royal Palace in Madrid yet but my friends told me that the two are pretty similar (because obviously everyone needs at least 2 enormous palaces). But really, it was beautiful and it was a nice little history lesson on Spanish royalty. Also, all the wedding dresses of the current female members of the royal family (Queen Sofia, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and Prince Felipe's wife, Princess Leticia) were on display, which I thoroughly enjoyed looking at and judging for their fashion sense. It was nice to get outside the city, and I might actually go back there when it's warmer because another thing it's famous for is the Strawberry Train. This was the 2nd railway in Spain, constructed in 1851, and they pretty much just give you free delicious strawberries on the ride.

So I have been keeping busy. When the weather's nice, I'll go to Retiro Park with friends, or walk around in Puerta del Sol or Serrano or Goya or somewhere where there's cafes and shops and stuff like that. I know that there's a lot more that I still have to see but I've got time.

Speaking of time...oh how it flies (awkward segue). I can't believe that it's March already. We have a new baby in the family, and another year has gone for me. To be honest, 20 wasn't really a birthday that I'd been greatly looking forward to. It's depressing because your teenage years are over, and disappointing because...well we all know why (although being in Europe, that part isn't really relevant). I did, however, have a very nice time. It was another girl on the program's birthday as well, so a bunch of us went out to the infamous Cave Bar which provides birthday parties with a free bottle of champagne. I also celebrated with my host family, who made me a delicious blueberry cheesecake. Other than that, it was pretty uneventful but that's all I ask for. I'm really just excited to be in Arizona with you all in a couple weeks for Julie's and Dan's wedding. You should expect me to be completely jet-lagged, but I know that it will be worth it for some good family time. Oh yeah, and that whole not traveling until the wedding thing totally did not last. I'm going on a day trip to El Escorial tomorrow, and to Portugal next weekend, so prepare for some more travel blogs!