Almost Amsterdam

My flight was scheduled for December 2 at 8PM. After I had packed in my usual way, ten minutes before leaving, I headed to the metro to go to the airport. Before making my first transfer, Natalie called, presumably to remind me to bring my passport or boarding pass (because she is the mother in the travel relationship and I the trouble-making son who is good with directions and bad at remembering to bring… anything tangible).

“OUR FLIGHT IS CANCELLED,” she said flatly.

It took a second to process before I started cursing. This would not have been SUCH a problem if we had not already gotten all our non-refundable museum tickets online and paid for hostels.

When I called the travel agency, a very sympathetic and USELESS man told me the next flight available was Sunday (it was Thursday at this point) , due to the bad weather in Amsterdam. This was not a very viable option since my return flight was Monday. I had him cancel my flights altogether.

Natalie’s guy was a little more helpful and offered a flight departing on Sunday morning and arriving very early Thursday, just in time to get to class. Perfect. We were so excited to be able to go.

Then the strikes started. On Friday at 5PM, after a group walkout by the Spanish air traffic controllers, Barajas airport was basically on lockdown. Keep in mind this was during a 4-day long weekend in Spain, one especially popular for traveling. It was no problem though; I was flying on KLM (A REAL AIRLINE!). Surely the strikes would not matter to me. I obviously did not know the severity of the situation. An estimated 330,000 passengers were affected. Planes were turned around on the runway and flights could not arrive. If you want to be a masochist and feel the pain I felt, click HERE

Flights were to resume at 6 AM on Sunday. Our flight was at 6:20AM. Things did not look good. On Saturday morning, I woke up to a call from Natalie telling me our flight was cancelled. It was time to make calls again. While the person Natalie talked to said we will get our money back Sunday, the woman I talked to said we had to go to the airport to make sure the flight was really and truly cancelled because if it left, we wouldn’t get our money back. Keep in mind it had been OFFICIALLY cancelled already.

A 6:20AM flight means there is no Metro-to-the-aiport-option. Natalie and I decided to meet at 2:30AM to take a quick cab to Cibeles Circle and get the night bus to the airport. We waited at the KLM desk for two hours, unsure whether anyone would come. The flight was still officially cancelled. FORTUNATELY, the airport personnel arrived and we got through the line and picked up our boarding tickets. We literally danced and jumped off to security, corroborating those silly American girl stereotypes. Even when we got through security, boarded the plane, and waited in our seats, I still didn’t know whether we would go or not. Not until we LEFT the ground (I still had doubts when we were accelerating on the runway) did I believe it. WE WERE FINALLY, REALLY AND TRULY, ON OUR WAY TO THE NETHERLANDS.

Our hostel was perfect. We were greeted with a cat and an adorable Dutch guy to check us in to our 32 person room. Yes. 32. Did I mention that Natalie and I were sharing one queen size bed in the room? At least we got a bottom bunk. It was actually incredibly quaint and not at all what I expected.

We immediately headed to the Anne Frank house to get our daily dose of culture and history and to make our reservation on time. We arrived and saw a line of about 150 people. We went to the side door, rang the buzzer and entered immediately. Moral of the story? Get a ticket online and receive celebrity status.

Anne Frank House


Hell yeah we put our moms' maiden names in the guest book

We walked around a bit and headed back to our hostel to hang out for the rest of the day. We hung out in the smoking room, above the influence, and met some hysterical guys from Brighton, England. I knew bringing cookies would help us make friends. They were silly and called them biscuits. Average age? 28, of course. They were all very good-looking though, so Natalie and I did not mind. We are starting to be ok with not meeting people our own age. We sat in the smoke room for about 5 hours, then headed to our queen size-bed.

Early the next day, we went to the Rijksmuseum, which has some famous Vermeers and Rembrandt paintings. Naturally, Natalie enjoyed it more than I did.

Such a happy Natalie

Next was the Heinneken Experience, a completely commercial tourist trap. I was NOT happy to hand over 15 Euros for the ticket but it was TOTALLY worth it (I can be a little fickle). This place was a playground for adults (did I just call myself an adult?) complete with interactive beer brewing activities, Clydsdale horses, simulation 4-D presentations, 1 small sample and two large glasses of Heinneken beer. At the end of the tour, there is a bar where you get your two included beers and mingle with other tourists. I saw a couple standing at a high-top table that looked our age so I headed over. I was shocked when the guy looked familiar. The couple were my friends Joe (who is studying in Madrid) and Lara (who goes to BU and is studying in Paris)! Complete instantly. 

Epic 6 foot long foosball table

Where brainwashing occurs, clearly.

We all went to a coffeeshop together, then they had to leave to catch their flights back home. Natalie enjoyed a waffle and a KINDER CHOCOLATE BAR crepe for lunch and they were both insanely good.

Natalie and our waffle

We ended our touristy day at the Van Gogh museum. Van Gogh has been by far my favorite artist since I knew what art was. I have dressed liked Van Gosh for presentations, made Van Gogh models out of paper mache, and written about 3 papers about him. Needless to say, I was very excited to go to the museum. It did not disappoint. The famous “Sunflowers” was there (you know the one), “The Potato Eaters”  and “Wheatfield with Crows” just to name a few.

Childhood dreams coming true picture

Natalie and I made sandwiches for dinner with boursin and smoked salmon (in honor of it being the 7^th night of Chanukah) and a lot of stroopwafel and then made our way to the famous Red Light District.

Insane amounts of stroopwafel.

If you’ve been living under a stupid rock, you may not know that prostitution is legal in Amsterdam. The government regulates and enforces rules at the ‘sites of business,’ making sure there are no minors working and that conditions are sanitary. The ‘working girls’ get tested every other month as well. Because it is legal. the Red Light District includes a bunch of windows along the street with prostitutes in lingerie, trying to get the attention of any passerby who is willing to pay for sex. Walking by felt unnerving, awkward, and perverse. It definitely gave Natalie and I a lot to think about.

The start of the Redlight district

We spent the next morning in Utrecht, a really cute smaller town outside of Amsterdam. It was a nice change to be able to explore another town in the Netherlands.

The Dom Tower of Utrecht, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands 

Absolutely freezing

Adorable cheese shop

We were told that we HAVE to go to a Sex Museum and since it was only 4Euros, we decided to head to one near Central Station. Even with my best friend, it was a very uncomfortable experience that included life-size moving flasher-dolls, graphic photos, and ancient sex toys. Oh, and a gigantic 6 foot tall black penis.

We visited the IAMSTERDAM sign after that for a photo-op, then to a restaurant on the main strip to get a Dutch Pancake. We got a ham and cheese one. We were extremely happy with our choice. The pancake is a mixture between a crepe and a typical American pancake. We ended the day at BABA coffee shop- definitely my favorite one that we visited.

Ham and Cheese Dutch Pancake

We had decided that three days was enough in Amsterdam so the next day we went to Brussels, Belgium. We went to Galeries Royales St. Hubert to get Chocolates to bring home, walked around Grand Place to see the town hall and some cool churches then got (what else?) a Belgian waffle with Belgian chocolate on top. Heaven.

Pretty chocolates

Natalie and her waffle

Please note the only thing that matters in this photo: the Asian to my right

Then we headed to Atomium, a structure built for the 1935 world’s fair in Brussels and is the most recognizable piece of architecture in Brussels. It was WAY cooler than I thought it was going to be, I have to admit.

Try to top this jumping picture

We went to the European Parliament and the European Commission next. We were a little confused when we got off the train and went into a building that looked important. So, I walked up to the desk to ask a worker if it was, in fact, important and/or a place that people visit. He replied that no, it was a place where people work. Fail. Infant/Brussels-Noob status. The European parliament was a much more successful visit and even better, free. 

EU flags

Our one picture without coats

We went to Maison Antoine for “frites” next, and got  directions from a French woman along the way who assured us they were terrible and disgusting (typical French buzzkillers). WRONG. We shared a big cone with curry ketchup to dip and they were the most delicious French fries I have ever had.

So. Good.

We made our way to a desserted Cinquatenaire next, basically a poor man’s Arc de Tiomf, but it was still pretty beautiful.

Why yes, we DID mount the camera on a car and use the self timer
because there was absolutely NO ONE at this place

Next we had to see Manneken Pis, a tiny (and I mean tiny) statue of a boy peeing. I am not really sure why it is famous. At any rate, it was underwhelming, even though we were told not to expect a lot.

That little thing behind us, yeah.

We reflected on the day and the trip over drinks before we boarded our train to the Amsterdam airport.

Grand Place in Brussels by night

We arrived there at midnight and our flight was at 6:30 AM. Yeah. It did not help matters that I had to turn in a 10-page Spanish paper on Don Quijote upon my return (AND that Natalie and I had to literally run for the airport to catch our 10:30), so I frantically tried to finish all night and morning, successfully turning it in at 1:30PM.

In summary, Brussels can be done in one day and Amsterdam is amazing and everyone MUST go, whether it be for the history, the art, the food, the architecture or just to get high. Put it on your list. Now.

Saludos...

The semester has come to an end. I am picking up my sister from the airport in a few hours (DYING WITH EXCITEMENT) and we are leaving for Istanbul on Sunday to start our Euro-adventure. What is the end for most students in my program, is really only the start of a new chapter for me, as I will be staying in Madrid for five and a half more months.

So, it appears good-byes are in order. It would be so difficult and take too long to outline all my favorite memories and laughs with my friends with whom I shared my time in Madrid. I am so sorry I could not officially see all of you off, but I am especially horrible at the good-bye process. To my favorite people, you know who you are, and I hope you read this, I will miss you so much and I know I will see you again. Whether in Boston, Pennsylvania or across the world, this is not good-bye, it's hasta.

I hope your travels go well and you have a happy Christmas and New Year's Eve. I will be thinking of you and sending good no-babies-on-your-flight vibes all day.

Tres Perezosos Fines de Semana en Madrid

I have been a good girl. I neglected my blog. I neglected my blog for the sake of finals and good grades (notas sobresalientes if you will). Your welcome, Mom and Dad.

I may or may not have a novela final tomorrow but I already read the horrible, vulgar book TOO thoroughly, so I deserve this time to NOT pursue intellectual activities.

I recently got to enjoy many a weekend in Madrid - 3 to be exact. It went well, but it DID get ever-so-slightly boring. Sure, people say when they go abroad they regret that they did not stay in their own city more, that they hated packing and unpacking every weekend to go to the next country. These are lies. Do not believe these people; they are effing with you. Traveling and going to a different country every weekend is UNREAL and AMAZING. I digress. I actually did have a great time in Madrid. 

Before the weekend, we had Tuesday off for some unknown holiday, so our program sent us to El Escorial, en San Lorenzo de El Escorial, just outside of Madrid. The Palace used to be a monastery is the pride and joy of Phillip II. Interesting things: al the books in the study were facing pages out, because Phillip believed that the books needed to breathe sufficiently. Dumb. The cornerstone of the palace was laid in 1563. There was a ridiculous amount of children´s sepulchers there. 

El Escorial Courtyard

Free audioguide!

Library with the stupid inward facing books

The first weekend after Barcelona, (if you consider Thursday a weekend, which you should) I went to the United States Comisary in Madrid to apply for my Resideincy Card! After meeting some students from Suffolk (I would meet people from Boston), a girl who completely lied about being a cheerleader (she was way too lanky to have any athletic ability), and getting finger printed for the first time since Officer Bob used me as an example of a criminal in second grade, I passed! I am picking up my SPANISH RESIDENCY CARD Thursday! So legit. 

The next day, Natalie, Jack and I went to el Museo de Real Academia de Bellas Artes. We were excited to go to a second-tier tourist museum, until we realized that it was second-tier quality. The only famous painting they "had" was on tour. Oh well. Going to the Renoir exhibit at el Museo del Prado, chocolate cake and café con leche made it all better.

Real Academia de Bella Artes

Self-Portrait Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Girl with a Fan Pierre-Auguste Renoir

NOM

That night, we went to our friend Jamie´s apartment for dinner. It was a nice change to be able to cook my own food and be in a gross student apartment. It was the typical woman-in-the-kitche-and-guys-waiting-for-the-food type situation, but Natalie and I didn´t care because we love cooking and we didn´t have to buy the food. Win-win. After that, we went to our first REAL botellón with the guys that live in Jamie´s apartment. They are from Bulgaria, Belgium, and Spain, among other countries. We met up with their friends from London and Paris too. So multicultural!

What success looks like

Boys excited for food... and a woman cooking in the background.

Ciudad Universitaria Botellón. There were probably 300 people.

Shenanigans courtesy of Álvaro and Miroslav.

Natalie, Leo and I attempted to see a Spanish movie the next day and failed miserably, so we went to el Parque Retiro to walk around and hang out. We rented a row boat (they are SO cheap!) and while we were on the water we heard someone yell Natalie´s name. It was Kim´s (the girl we stayed with in Barcelona) friend, Lindsey, that we had met in Barcelona a week earlier! Craziness. We chatted for a little while then said rowed our respective routes back to the dock.

Natalie, Lindsey, and I

On Wendesday, Natalie and I made our first visit to Club Pachá with Leo because we heard it was free. When we went to the door, they asked what list we were on and if we were not on one, it would cost 15 euro to enter. We panicked, stared liked idiots, then retreated. About seven seconds later I saw a group approaching and asked "estáis en una lista?" and they said they were on "Javi´s list." Problem solved. I linked arms with two of the people and led my friends back to the door, where the doorman laughed at us as we walked in for free. The DJ was awesome and the club was so fun. Hilight of the night: FREE UNLIMITED POPCORN. 

The next weekend it was HARRY POTTER WEEKEND. I bought tickets online before since it was the Saturday after it premiered. There was a grand total of 20 people in the theater. Spaniards just do not get excited enough about defeating the dark Lord... halfway. Anyway, long-story-short the movie was amazing and the end was UGHHHH difficult. 

I went to see Temblo de Debod the next day since Natalie had never seen it and, on the way, we ran into a Mexican cultural festival, where we split a delicious and authentic taco for 2 Euro. Score. Later that night we went to our friend Jamie´s to try Telepizza (Madrid´s Dominoes). Eh. Not delicious. 

Templo de Debod by day


The Christmas lights on Calle Serrano (Madrid´s 5th Avenue)

The next night, Natalie and I, explored Cien Montaditos (100 sandwiches), a Spanish chain that has 1-2Euro sandwiches and cheap cañas de cerveza. After that we met up with our friends Matt and Dylan to go to "fill in the blank random bar name," then to a botellón, met up with some more people from our program, then to a bar called Cherokee. Cherokee had 1 euro shots. Can you say "a gift and a curse"?

On wednesday, I went to Orange Cafe with people from my program since we heard Jason Derulo was playing there. It turns out, he was just THERE, doing nothing, in the VIP section. It was quite upsetting until Natalie, Leo and I decided to go to free Wednesday Pacha to ride on the mechanical bull. I got to see all my USD housemates, Jamie and his roommates, and some more people from my program. Natalie and I rode the bull together and to say it was epic would be an understatement.  

Thursday was Thanksgiving. I had class. I did not have turkey, nor stuffing, nor my grandma´s crescent rolls. It was weird.

The next day our program went to Segovia, Spain, famous for it´s ancient Roman aqueduct and for cochinillo (suckling pig). We did some touring, then went to el Restaurante Jose María for a three hour feast. We had a dish with egg and cheese, endives with blue cheese, salad, bread, and then PIG. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. We had ice cream with homemade hot fudge for dessert. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I made everyone at my table say what they were thankful for. Yes, I am THAT girl. Everyone was jealous of mine, my new niece. Boo-yah, I love winning. 

Aqueduct of Segovia


Each brick was laid one by one using a system of pulleys and
only the weight of the bricks keeps the structure together. Nice job, Romans!

Fortress of Segovia

Segovia is beautiful

Delicious cookies for everyone!

Everyone taking pictures/gawking at the suckling pig.


Hello, there.

So ready to eat this pig.

The chef cut the pig in half with a plate to show how tender it was, then
dropped the plate on the ground to prove that it was, in fact, just a plate.

Making the hot fudge for our ice cream

The following night, Natalie and I had a REAL thanksgiving feast. She works for a Spanish family, helping their daughter practice english and is friends with the mom, Susana. When Natalie told Susana we did not have a Thanksgiving meal, she offered up her apartment. She invited some of her friends, including Natalie´s host mom, and their kids. It was such an authentic Spanish experience... with such American food. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. I was so excited to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my best friend and a bunch of new Spaniards. We listened to some hysterical stories (at the big kid table!) and drank the most delicious gin and tonics of our lives. We stayed at Susana´s apartment for hours joking, laughing, and doing our best to understand everything the big kids were talking about. I am sure it is going to be one of those nights that I remember vividly of my time abroad. 

The following Sunday, we went to the Rastro market and checked out the Christmas Market at Plaza Mayor. Neither were too exciting. Then I made my first visit to el Mercado de San Miguel, a food market next to Plaza Mayor. It is crowded and loud and crazy yet quaint, all at the same time. It is definitely a must-visit place in Madrid. 

Sunday Christmas Market at Plaza Mayor

After such a long time in Madrid, I was ready to see a new city and country. Joder, I am spoiled.