Back in Madrid

So I've been back in Madrid for a while now. Two weeks? Something like that. Everything has been a little crazy. Classes (well, most of them at least) started last week and before that we had orientation. It's strange to feel like a freshman again and have no idea where anything is or how the world works. I like all of my classes so far and none of them seem like they will be unreasonably difficult. We also got to sign up for activities. I decided on a trip to national parks in October and learning how to play tennis! It should be good. I still really want to find the climbers at the school, but it's proving a little difficult to do. This upsets me, but I'll make it happen somehow.

This Saturday we went on an excursion to Toledo, a city about an hour away from Madrid. It was beautiful, especially the gothic cathedral, but feeling sick all day and having to walk around in the heat made it not so much fun. A good start to my birthday. But my day turned around wonderfully when my host family had a large whole-family affair dinner, complete with cake and sparkling cider. Then, the kids from my program took me out for dessert to an adorable restaurant with opera-singing waiters. A great end to a hard day.

Sunday morning I went with another girl to Plaza Mayor, we got a great and cheap breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee, and a croissant and sat for a few hours and read and drew. We ended up aimlessly walking around Madrid for awhile after, happening upon the Palacio Real in the process. Then, it rained! Now the weather here is great, today the high was around 60.

Sometimes when I'm walking around the apartment I still can't believe I'm here, living in someone else's house. I am lucky to have ended up with such great people. Today, when I got home from class I ended up playing with Dani, my five year old host brother; I think he finally likes me!