Wow. It’s still crazy to me that I am here, living in Madrid, finally experiencing what I have dreamed about for so long. Honestly, I didn’t think it would ever come but I am so thankful it did. My abroad journey came at just the right time and although I was sad to say see you soon to my life in the United States I am so beyond happy here.
I’m not going to lie, life here is pretty crazy. They eat at 10 p.m. and stay out until 6 a.m., definitely something I am slowly adjusting too. The food is absolutely amazing and I am taking every opportunity I can to venture out and try something new. My favorite so far has to be the patatas bravas…basically loaded spicy french fries…yeah they are even better tasting than they sound. I have also been enjoying trying new drinks and cocktails because they take drinking to a whole other level. Who would have thought a glass of wine would be cheaper than a soda? Definitely not me, but hey I’ll take it.
Some of my favorite things I’ve done in Madrid so far are:
Food & Drink:
- Sky Bar y Terraza 360 – Calle Gan Vía 84, 28015 Madrid, Spain – This rooftop bar sits on top of a gorgeous hotel and has the most amazing views of the city. The food and drinks are a little overpriced in my opinion, however, the views make up for it. They have a glass bridge and a glass overhang which make for the perfect photo opts.
- Ojalá – Calle de San Andrés 1, 28004 Madrid, Spain – Amazing restaurant. Hands down the best patatas bravas I’ve had here so far. Great sangria. And the best part is in the basement…you sit in the sand, yeah actually.
- El Sur – Calle de la Torrecilla del Leal 12, 28012 Madrid, Spain – Another favorite restaurant of mine. This is the first restaurant my friends and I ventured out to and the wait was definitely worth it. The sangria was amazing and the croquettes were to die for. We eat got our own dishes but ended up sharing almost everything. Nothing disappointed.
- Paneria – many different locations – Although this is a chain, I have grown to love it. This is the cafe that is right next to my school so I go there quite often (I have a punch card already haha). Their croissants are always fresh, the jamón bocadillos are delicious and their café con leche never fails me.
Adventures:
- El Retiro Parque – The most beautiful, tranquil place I have found in the city. I went on Sunday afternoon and the park was filled with people walking around, having picnics and spending time with their families and friends. I can definitely see myself coming back here on a regular basis to read, eat and just chill.
- El Rastro – This is basically a huge flea market that happens every Sunday. It is overwhelming but so worth it. They close down an entire street and it is just flooded with people walking around and vendors trying to antagonize you to buy their little knickknacks. I ended up buying a silk skirt from a small handmade clothing vendor and a patterned maxi dress because I saw a million of them so I took it as a sign that I should get it. I would definitely recommend visiting and strolling through El Rastro
- Royal Palace Tour – Spent my first Sunday visiting the Palace with a small group from me program. Our tour guide was very informative and the Palace honestly speaks for itself. It has over 3,000 room, yes you read that right, 3,000 rooms and I probably only got to visit 12-15 of them. I will definitely be returning to explore more (hopefully the kitchen tour if I can snag a ticket!)
Classes:
I figured I should add a little piece in here about how my classes are going since well you know that’s why I’m here…
Classes are going well! I am quickly adjusting to the longer class times and loving the flexibility my schedule gives me. First I am take Spanish Art and Architecture, I predict this will be my favorite class of the semester, and learning all about the history behind Spanish architects and artists. We have a field trip almost every week which is amazing. I am also taking a Psychology class and an Econometrics class. These two will probably be the hardest for me but I am willing to put in the work! Lastly I am taking a Spanish class to help me continue on my way to becoming fluent! Overall I am enjoying going to class and being taught differently than I am used to.
Things I am looking forward to:
- PARIS!! Booked my dream trip with 2 of my friends and absolutely cannot wait to go in a few weeks!
- Salamanca trip – This is a required trip for my program but I am excited to see what the city is like
- Fam and Timmy coming 🙂 They are all coming so soon and I can’t wait to explore Madrid and more with them
- Eating and explore more in Madrid!
Check back in next week to keep up with my abroad journey!
XOXO,
