Menorca

Tessa, Marybeth, and I just got back from three fabulous days in Menorca - what a tropical paradise! We had a long weekend due to May Day (how is it already the first of May?!) and thought it was time to check out another of the Balearic Islands. I'm so glad we did - three full days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, and relaxation is just what we needed.

Tessa and I visited Mallorca in September of 2010 and loved it - beautiful coasts and beaches, great food, and lots to see. However, we both enjoyed Menorca even more. For me, the size, lack of people, and tranquility made it an even better vacation destination. You can drive across Menorca in about an hour, which is pretty fantastic. The highway was great, but we really loved driving along the narrow, windy roads, surrounded by stone walls. It was so picturesque!

Although there are sights to see, the main thing to do is drive from cala to cala, enjoying each beach for hours.  As far as relaxing goes, it doesn't get much better than that for me. We stopped and had lunch at a tiny restaurant, sitting at a table that overlooked the Meditterranean. We enjoyed lunch and three beers, but could have easily stayed so much longer! It's just so easy to sit and relax there. As the Spanish man we were talking to confirmed, it's just so quiet in Menorca, even when it's full of tourists.

For all of these reasons, I look forward to visiting Menorca again - as soon as possible!

Cañas - always delicious!

So beautiful!

A little piece of heaven!

Huelga General

As most know, Spain is one of many countries facing economic struggles these days. On March 29, there was a nation-wide general strike. A number of us from school participated. I took part to show support and also because I was concerned about getting to and from school safely after last year's strike. Although I stayed away from the heart of the action, we did take a walk around to check things out. Did it make a difference? I'm not so sure. But, it was interesting to see.

People were standing at intersections in order to stop traffic from moving.

Police guarding El Corte Ingles while people were protesting the fact it was open.

Protesters everywhere!

Switzerland - the opposite of Spain? Almost!

The hills are alive with the sound of music . . .

Since Emily moved to Switzerland two years ago I've been dying to visit her. From her stories and pictures to "The Sound of Music," I always wondered what it would be like. Although I had some expectations, I have to admit that it fully surpassed them!

First of all, Switzerland is definitely the most naturally beautiful place I have ever been. The mountains, the lakes, the rolling green hills, the colorful flowers found everywhere - wow. Many times it seemed like I was looking at photo-shopped pictures! From what Emily told me, it's clear that Swiss customs have kept the country looking so beautiful. The rules and regulations regarding laundry, garbage, recycling, etc. are pretty impressive!

Such quiet, clean streets, even after Swiss Day!

I imagine Switzerland also keeps out too many tourists (purposefully or not?) due to the cost of things. Emily had always said it was expensive there, so I was expecting it. However, it proved to be even more so than I imagined! For example, a beer usually cost around 7 swiss francs, which is about equal to the euro. A kebab - 10, take-out Chinese - 18, a bus ticket - 2.80, a train ticket - 20-240! Wow. It really was shocking. Unless you are being paid accordingly (or happen to have a lot of money), there is no way someone could spend very long in Switzerland.

I was also amazed by the trust and safety there. Very few people lock up their bikes, watch their bags, or lock their doors. It just seems to be known that people won't take what isn't theirs. Amazing! In addition, people were so helpful and friendly. If we were lost, someone would quickly offer to help.

Bikes were everywhere! And I think 90% of them weren't locked up!

I also began to really enjoy hearing Swiss-German. In general, I don't particularly like the sound of the German language. However, Swiss-German has such a sing-song quality to it - it really grew on me, even though I had no idea what was being said! And, like in most European countries, it was so impressive to know that these people understood so many languages. (Apparently Swiss-German is only a spoken language, so most Swiss also speak/read/write high German, as well as English, French, and Italian, depending on what region they live in.)

I loved Switzerland - I felt like I was on a mountain holiday while there! The quietness, the fresh air, the natural beauty - it was incredible. Yet another reason I love living in Europe - a 1.5 hour flight and I can be in a place where the landscape, the people, the foods, the language, and the lifestyle can be completely different, yet equally fantastic.

However, in so many ways, Switzerland almost seemed to be the opposite of Spain. And, at the end of the day, I was ready to be back here - the noise, the energy, the 2 euro beers, the sea. All of these things, for me, make up for the fact that I have to watch my purse at all moments, that the streets might not be clean, that tourists are everywhere, and that most things aren't exactly efficient! Oh, Espana - I love you!

When life gives you lemons . . .

I fully recognize that this is such a cliche, but . . . I still think it is such a good one to live by! The past two weeks have not been the easiest - I've learned that people are not always as they seem, red flags are red flags for a reason, not everything makes sense, and that sometimes I just won't get the answers I'm looking for. Like the song says, breaking up is hard to do!

However, time, Spanish classes, conversations with friends and my mom, fun, moving, and travel plans have made things turn around quickly. Thanks to two of my wonderful friends - the rest of the summer is looking pretty fantastic!

I was able to spend the past weekend in Madrid, feeling like a tourist in Spain again, while visiting Tessa. She's there working on her masters for the month of July. Even with the work she had to do, she was so welcoming and provided the fun and conversation I definitely needed. I had been missing my Barcelona BF desperately!

Next week, I move into our new (fabulous!) apartment, then leave for Switzerland to visit Emily. I was originally planning to spend just a few days there, but with a very gracious and persuasive email from her, I will now be staying an extra week to go to Cinque Terra and enjoy a huge street parade in Zurich! Mountains, beaches, Italian men, and good food and wine are sounding like heaven. (Plus, I can't wait to see what happens on this "Adventures with Emily and Jenny" trip - our last one to Chile/Argentina is what made us both move to Europe!)

Although it was a pretty sour start to the second half of my summer break, it's looking like I'll be able to make some very sweet lemonade after all. (You're the best, ladies - thanks! :)

La Capital - Madrid

This past weekend, I visited Tessa in Madrid. Although I have been to the airport and train station a few times, I had never actually explored Spain's capital. What an amazing city it is! The history, the art, the culture, the Spanish - it was fantastic.

The highlight of my trip was definitely visiting the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The "Meet the Artist" project that my 5th graders did really gave me a new understanding and appreciation of art. It was so fantastic to visit this museum and see at least one piece by almost every well-known artist I've heard of - Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Gaugin, Klee, Dali, Pollack - the list goes on and on! I also loved the layout of this museum - it was easy to get around and not too overwhelming (unlike Reina Sofia - fantastic, but a little too much for me). Although it's probably not what most people would say, if you visit one art museum, I recommend this one.

In addition, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza Santa Ana, and Parque del Buen Retiro were beautiful to see. The city definitely buzzes with energy - something I love. The metro system is fantastic in Madrid, so it was easy to get everywhere as well.

Plaza Mayor

Palacio de Cristal in Parque Buen Retiro

One of the best, and most surprising, highlights of this trip was the Spanish. I think I heard and spoke more Spanish in four days in Madrid than I have in six months in Barcelona! Tessa and I had a number of conversations about this - it's crazy how different it is! First of all, everything is in Spanish, not Catalan, which makes a huge difference. It also seemed like the majority of the tourists there were Spanish tourists, not Americans, British, Germans, etc. Because of this (maybe?), everyone in restaurants and bars spoke to us in Spanish. Often times in Barcelona they will switch to English as soon as it becomes clear you're not a native Spanish or Catalan speaker. It really put into perspective how difficult it can be to learn Spanish while living in Barcelona . . .

With that said, as much as I loved visiting Madrid, my heart is definitely in Barca. I think the combination of the beach, the Mediterranean breeze, the size of the city, and the lifestyle makes it a better fit for me. However, I would visit Madrid again in a heartbeat - I know there is a lot more for me to see.

Holy, Toledo!

If you have a few days in Madrid, Toledo should be a must on your list of day trips! It's a city Anna and I had hoped to visit on our summer trip last year, but just weren't able to make it. I am so glad I was able to visit - what an amazing place!

Within minutes of walking into the city, I fell in love. I don't know why, but I immediately liked the feel of it. The narrow, stone streets were very reminiscent of Sevilla, yet the hilly-ness of the city reminded me of the mountains. The stone and bricks everywhere, the history, the beautiful buildings - they definitely made Toledo one of my favorite cities in Spain!

I loved the streets!

Once arriving at the train station (only a 30 minute/20 euro trip from Madrid), you can walk or take a bus or taxi into the old center. I chose to walk, and although it only took about 20 minutes, a large portion of that walk was up tons of stairs - whew! From there, I just wandered around the streets, knowing that I would happen upon the sights I wanted to see. (FYI - most of the streets are brick and stone - not so nice for walking! Make sure you have comfortable shoes :)

As well as being the old capital of Spain, Toledo has some really interesting history. At one point, Muslims, Jews, and Catholics were all living in the city together - pretty unusual in Spanish history! For this reason, there are still multiple churches, a mosque, and a synagogue.

La Catedral

In addition to the history, I found everyone super-friendly and food and drinks surprisingly inexpensive - always a plus in my book. Yep - Toledo is definitely a city worth seeing!

Old Spanish men hanging out in the plaza made me love the city even more!

Segovia - a great place to visit for amazing architecture and . . . baby pigs!

Segovia is a fantastic day trip to make from Madrid - only 30 minutes and 20 euros round trip on Renfe! Segovia is known for it's amazing Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st century. Its considered to be one of the most well-preserved in Europe. It constantly amazes me to see structures that have lasted so long.

In addition to the aqueduct, beautiful cathedral, and alcazar, Segovia is also known for it's cochinillo - roasted suckling pig. Although I knew we were going to be eating this, the reality of seeing a whole baby pig on a platter was still a little shocking to me! The preparation and cutting of the pig are a very traditional part of Segovia. They actually use plates to chop it up - it's that tender! We went to Restaurante Jose Maria, one recommended by some Madrileños . It was fantastic - amazing food and some of the best red wine I have had in awhile.

Yum!?

If you're looking for a day trip from Madrid, Segovia is definitely worth a visit!