Sharks on a train

This last weekend was a Puente (break) for me.  We got Monday and Tuesday off of school, so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go visit Kelley in Madrid.  As luck would have it Kathleen and Kate were visiting Kelley that week too, so I would have 2 days with the Duffey family in Madrid.  Friday morning I took the train to Madrid and Kelley met me at the station.  Getting back to her apartment I had such a fun reunion with my old neighbors!  We were experiencing unusually nice weather so we headed out to walk around and see the sights of Madrid.  I wish I would have worn a t-shirt, that Spanish sun is warm!!  It was so nice to be out of Huelva for a while and to be with a family again.  That evening we had the most random reunion ever.  The parents of a girl I went to elementary school with were in Madrid for a few days.  So the Duffeys, myself, Kelley's roommate Becca who also went to Language Immersion, and Paul and Jill Kirwin went out for tapas in Madrid.  Talk about a blast from the past!  Never in a million years did I think I would have dinner with that group of peope, in Spain.  Life is crazy, but it was a great night full of laughs and remembering.


The next morning we set off for a day trip to the town of Toledo.  We were planning on taking the 11am bus, but when we got to the ticket window there were at least 100 people ahead of us in line, and of course only one person working the ticket counter. Oh the efficiency of Spain.  So an hour behind schedule we were on our way.  But it was worth the wait, Toledo was an amazing city!  It helped that it was another gorgeous day.  We took a train tour (like one of the ones you would ride at French Park or Vally Fair) around the city.  Which sounds lame but was actually really cool.  The train went all the way around the city, including the other side of the river, which is something we probably wouldn't have gotten to see had we just walked around.  Toledo is a city that is surrounded on three sides by the river and the other side by a huge arab wall.  It was built in the year 934 and is still standing, amazing.  We spent the rest of the day strolling around, popping into shops and eating at a place that gives you free tapas with your drink.  It was a beautiful day.

The next day Kell and I said goobye to her mom and sister and she took them to the airport.  It was so nice to have a family again.  Made me really miss my own fam, but I know I will see them soon enough.  Then we enjoyed an amazing box of Mac and Cheese, courtesy of mama Duffey. Man I miss that stuff.

After they left we slowed down a bit.  Kelley had been going non stop for a week and me for 2 days with them there.  So we just took it easy.  We shopped (much better shopping in Madrid than Huelva)  saw more of the sights and just hung out.  The weather got significantly colder so we didn't feel as much pressure to always be outside.  I got to see everything I wanted to see in Madrid and it was wonderful.  I'm glad I had 5 days there.  Tuesday Kelley actually had to work again so I just hung out, packed and cleaned up a bit while I waited for her to get home.  Then we did one last loop around the park before I had to catch my train home (we are now getting to the explanation of the title.)  Taking the train is amazing.  Seriously, it is so great.  It was the least stressed i've ever been traveling.  It's nicer than a plane, and with much less stress.  You just waltz on, ride, then waltz off.  I did screw up a little bit though.  I didn't buy my tickets far enough in advance to on the way home there was only first class left.  It was a bit more expensive but I couldn't wait until the next day.  So I rode home in first class.  What is first class on a train?  You might ask.  Well the difference is there  is a bit more room and they serve you food.  Nice, good food.  We received a menu stating what we would be having and I should have kept it.  But they had the food translated to English on the menu also.  Now i've seen enough 'translated' menus so know that most of the time the translations don't match up.  Never the less, the translation for the main course was shark.  So yes, to the best of my knowledge they served us shark on the train (hence the reason for the title, which I owe to my cousin Tony, he thought of it.  Isn't he clever?)  We were also served bread and Olive Oil, gazpacho, veggies, fresh fruit and chocolate.  Oh yea and an after dinner coffee or liquor drink.  Yes the train is the way to go, I enjoyed.

Tony was back when I got home, but he left on Thursday for good.  I can't believe it is the end of his trip, I feel like he just got here.  Time is just flying buy now.  It's already March, what?  Unreal.  We celebrate Carnaval here this week.  It's the week before lent starts and it's like a big party.  We had a carnaval party at school on Friday.  All the kids dressed up in costumes and we had a parade. Then each grade got to take turns dancing on a giant stage.  The kids got pretty into it.  I dressed as a 'typical american.' I wore my twins t-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes and a baseball hat.  The kids didn't really get it, but the teachers thought it was funny.  It was a great day.  One of those days that makes me so happy to be here experiencing such a fun different culture.  Yea it was a great day, and a great puente!  Vale, thats all I have for now.

'sta luego!

Katie