hola from madrid
well we made it to madrid safely despite almost falling asleep in some amazingly comfy chairs during our Brussels layover! it’s blazing saddles hot here – over 100 the past two days! Jon’s smiling face greeted us at the airport and guided us through the complex metro system to our new homes for the next week. we will be splitting our time between two apartments in the city-our apartment for sleeping and our apartment that will serve as a staging area for going out. we fought off our jet lag yesterday and ventured out into the city. we strolled to a park called el Retiro to soak up the atmosphere. all three of us enjoyed watching a very cute spaniard direct a movie in the park and then we settled in to a cafe for some Damm Lemon – a mix of Fanta and beer – yum! we then picked up a few groceries at the local supermarket – an interesting experience – what is up with spaniards only have three flavors of ice cream to pick from???? for dinner it was kebabs – which are really not kebabs at all – more like a gyro. we ended the night having some tinto de verano (red wine and sparkling water over ice) on the awesome terrace at apartment number one. it was fun to chat and catch up with our friend jon. then off for some shut eye!
today we slept in for a bit and then organized a plan. museums? sightseeing? fuck that (sorry mom) we were off to the pool! with the summer heat, madrid has some awesome public pools – we spent a good part of the afternoon soaking up the sun, the spanish language and livin’ good at the pool! it was a great way to feel like a real spaniard – right down to the topless sunbathing! (j/k – we didn’t partake, although we saw quite the variety) we are now enjoying some cerveza and preparing to head out in a bit for some tapas and drinks. i must say the spanish know how to live. a few observations about spain so far – siesta time really does exist: everyone chills from 2-5 in the afternoon, you have to pay the man in the little booth for a piece of toilet paper, the elevators are a bit tiny and old fashioned everywhere, the sun is up until after ten each night, etc. the spanish know how to live – we’re lovin’ it here.
our adventures are just beginning so kept checking for updates – don’t worry those of you who know us well, the crazy stuff will come – just give us some alcohol!
Tags: Travel
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June 24th, 2005 at 9:22 am
Oh you guys I am soo jealous!! Please tell Jonny hello and that Senora Venne would be so proud! I know Spain is going to be really great and all…but seriously how could it come close to WWW? HeHe! You must update us often so I can live vicariously through you! Because I have a hunch that the places I’m traveling to this summer will not be nearly as cool. They could be as hot though? Atlanta last week was 104! It’s so easy to get dressed up in that kind of weather–I would have to say I find it difficult to be professional when you have sweat dripping down your cleavage and you’re scared to get up from your chair after a meeting wondering if your butt left sweat rings?
Gaaaa—-ross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have fun you guys, drink a lot of tinto de verano and pray to St Christopher for safe travels! From Russia with love.
July 3rd, 2005 at 2:16 am
What the hell! Up until 7:00 a.m. Blondie! What are you thinking! Your sisters are worried . . . . but, then there is me . . . .go for it Blondie!! Hope all is well — at least Drew and I care that all is well – – but my brother Eric is concerned about his future wife . . . . Anyway, when are you coming to snowboard . . .. I am hoping that Drew and I are pregnant by then, but at least we can spoil the children through Bella and Jack. We rock — mud pies and rubber balls bouncing to the ceilings! But, they always think/ask of Aunt Janet. We miss you tons! Hope all is going well! Drew and I especially miss your reserved profanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya . . . .gin and drew . . . .