Hardwired.

Last evening I bravely ventured forth into the maze known as El Corte Inglés (the only department store they have here) and had to ask six employees and wander through three different buildings before obtaining THE GOLDEN CORD OF ETHERNET for a mere €7.90. So this morning I have internet in my apartment FINALLY.

I love Fridays, officially. No class! It's like a bonus Saturday! I slept in till 9:30 (so pleasant) and made breakfast, which is always the same, every day. My host-mom says I'm supposed to eat cookies and little crackers of pre-toasted toast. Topping choices: strawberry jelly and margarine (basically a tub of hydrogenated oil with some yellow coloring. ew.) I sometimes add the peanut butter I brought into the mix for variety (natural pb, but what's the point if I have to eat margarine??? Working against myself). But oh well, it's actually kinda tasty. And I eat a midmorning snack to help tide me over till lunch, every day at 2:30. They don't call it lunch (almuerzo). Just "food" (comida). It's that important. And always tasty.


I'm exploring the city bit by bit, taking it in slow. It's pretty fantastic. I love it here. Today going to Sol, the center of downtown, to meet a Dutch friend for lunch. Should be fun!

This is the view of my street from our private terrace at night. Kinda awesome. I can't wait till the weather warms up (it's freaking freezing. No really, Spain is having a winter weather crisis) because I will definitely be living out here.










And here's a pic from our walking tour of downtown Madrid from Wednesday. This is the famous Plaza Mayor, really near Puerta del Sol. It's really charming. Find the Americans! Oh wait, who could miss it. Happily, no pickpocketing incidents with our group. I'm being careful.

And also having fun :-)