Getting accustomed... more or less.

Hey all! I know it's been a hot minute since I've posted, but it's been a bit crazy around here. I got moved into my apartment about 2 weeks ago, and have since taken 3 exams, written 2 papers, gotten enrolled in classes, and learned more of Madrid. It's been a wonderful two weeks.

Last week, a few of us went out for tapas-- this is when you buy a drink, you get a plate of food to go with it. El Tigre, a tapas bar in the heart of Madrid, was the first tapas bar I've been to this year and a couple of other students from my program accompanied us. The sangría was great, and we got heaps of food to go along with our drinks. I'll definitely be returning. Below I'll attach a few pictures, and these are some I'll upload to Facebook as well.

Malasaña, the neighborhood in which I live, is full of life and sights to behold-- I've really fallen in love with it and it's in such a perfect location. I'm out where there is nightlife and tons of little shops to spend money in (oops!), but am close enough to other students that it's not a problem to meet up to go shopping, grab a bite to eat, etc. My roommates are fun too, and we're all starting to get used to each other's company, and as the language barrier becomes less of an issue as I'm getting used to speaking Spanish again, I find that communication has opened up and gotten much better and entertaining.

I can feel my feet callousing up which is great, because that means I can walk farther every day in whichever pair of shoes I please. I definitely prefer seeing the city on foot-- it helps me orient myself a bit better and I get to go at my own pace, seeing things and places that you would't ever see on a bus or in the metro. This city really is marvelous-- in the rain, sun, during the night or day.

Anyways, I don't have too much else to tell other than that people seem to love (or question, I've found) my blonde hair. I'm considering dyeing it. It's gotten me a lot of unwanted attention and quite frankly, it'd make my world if people stopped speaking to me in English (the blonde hair and 5' 8" stature give me away), so I'm sitting on that idea for about a week before I make my decision. Either way it'd be temporary hair color because it took me so long to grow this mop out, and I'm not ready to permanently part with it.

Please don't hesitate to shoot me an email or comment!

Un abrazo fuerte,
Emma

My friend Mimi and I at El Tigre! Not pictured: Jarod, Bailey, Chris. 

We also made it to Retiro Park and I finally go to see the Crystal Palace! My new favorite spot in Madrid. I'm seriously in love with this location. 

Monument of Alfonso XII and the pond: