Madrid Has Left Me Wanting....

More.

That's right. I didn't get enough. 

Our first venture to Plaza Mayor

Not sure where to focus this post actually-I could share the whirlwind that was Madrid, review our lodging, relate the adventure of the entire morning spent in an attempt to get to Toledo (lesson learned: book things early), or divulge the fact that I absolutely cannot read a map. And umm.....well, I teach social studies.

**Ssshhh-don't tell my students***

I think I will save that for another post, because it truly bothers me.

Anyway, Madrid was awesome. I loved it. My first real venture into a western European country was a success-despite the pesky euro. Turns out, we picked a superb time to go due to the annual rebajas being enjoyed by Spaniards and tourists alike. Rebajas means "sales" and I do love a good sale. It made my obligatory foreign country shoe and handbag purchase much easier to swallow. 

Aside from that though, Madrid is quite the vibrant city. We were able to enjoy it sans the hordes of summer tourists and the accompanying tourist prices.It seems Spaniards just love to be out and about...all the time. Even the rain didn't dampen the spirits of los madrilenos-the one rainy day boasted plenty of locals coming and going, umbrellas in hand.

Trusty 'ole Blue. Breakfast of Champions

We were right there in the mix, trying to cram as much Madrid in the very short time we had. Landing early on a Friday morning, found us facing a full day ahead minus a full night's sleep. Which was both good and bad-- I learned on this trip that I may be young at heart, but my body is not 22 anymore. No sir. A friend of mine asked me when I returned if we went out and partied at night. I nearly laughed in his face.

Party? I was lucky to make it to 9 p.m most nights. I will place the majority of the blame on  the time change, the short trip, and the miles and miles of walking every day, but I also know that I can't just roll into another country anymore and have a spring in my step without proper time to rest and adjust.

More Plaza Mayor. Can you ever have enough Plaza?

Do I sound 80 years old?

Regardless of the octogenarian shuffle,  Madrid was stunning and I am lucky to have gone. I just want more.

What about you? Ever been to a place that when you left, you felt like you weren't quite done being there yet?


(Speaking of wanting more, there will be more on Spain. However, I am currently experiencing a bad combo of writing lethargy and no time)

Snow Day for a Wahoo

I don't think I have worked a full 5 day work week since before Christmas. It's always something weather related. Today, it happens to be ice which never quite materialized. Either way, I am loving my new full-time career because I get to stay at home and do absolutely nothing and....still get paid! Here's the thing-for the last 6 years, I have bemoaned the winter weather because it usually meant that I wouldn't get paid. As a sub, no school=no work=no paycheck. Last year was particularly agonizing because there was two straight weeks of no school at one point. This year, I am just kicking up my heels and living the good life.

If you consider staying at home eating and watching Dr. Phil, House Hunters International, and How I Met Your Mother reruns, the good life.

I've done nothing productive at all. I haven't even thought productive thoughts.

Anyway, update on Spain: I found a place for us to stay, which was no small feat. I feel sometimes when I am on the hunt for a place to lay my head, that I have these grand dreams of the Ritz on a Super 8 budget. Or that I am looking for a spouse or something. For example, I pored over countless reviews, websites, and features of what seemed like every guesthouse and hostel in Madrid. But they just didn't feel right. I actually told myself that I would know when the right one came along-as if it was my soulmate or something. Regardless, I found "the one" and we will be on hand to check it out in person in just a few weeks.  Woohoo. It even fit the budget perfectly, and was LESS than expected. There may be hope for this euro virgin yet!

I also am currently running a contest with my students. I have titled it "Where Will Mrs. Wahoo Wander?" (No, that's not really my last name and not the actual title either).  I give them clues every day about the location of my trip and they get to guess as many times as they like. Winner gets a prize straight from Spain. The clues so far:

1) I must cross an ocean to get there
2) I have never been there (I usually like to regale them with one or two travel stories a month, so if they are actually listening to me, they know where I have already been. Listening is questionable at times.)
3) This country is 5-7 times zones ahead of the US. (Come on now, I can't make it too easy. )
4. This country spends the euro.

Thankfully, for their geography and knowledge of world time clocks and currency, all guesses are now centering around Europe. 


They seem to be having great fun with it, and that's what it's really all about it, so perhaps there will be presents a la Madrid for all 115 of them.

Oh euro, please be kind.

My New Travel BFF is Not Actually a Person

So I have hit the mid-winter blues. It's not even December. There is one cure, and only one, for such an ailment.

Book a trip somewhere! Anywhere! Who cares!

In an effort to stave off certain mood swings brought on by winter and no trips in sight, I have done the right thing for myself and mankind. I am going to Spain. I mean, this is definitely an altruistic move on my part. Definitely. Just looking out for the welfare of others.

But anyway, on with the announcement of my New Travel BFF. It's a handy dandy little feature on kayak.com which allows you to specify your home city and then with one click of a button, a map of the world pops up and you can see airfares to tons of destinations all over the world. I am practically giddy just writing about it.

I first heard about it from the Birthday Boy (the one was responsible for the Turkey Trip. Which, incidentally, I left readers hanging after just writing Part 1 of the birthday story). I guess he felt bitten by the bug after Turkey, and was somewhat miserable, wanting to be anywhere but here. Birthday Boy stumbled across this amazing feature, and next thing I knew, he was jetting off to Italy for Thanksgiving.

Wait a minute here! I AM THE ONE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE ALL TRAVEL SAVVY AND KNOWS ALL THE TRADE SECRETS. Hmmmpfff.

I got over my angst rather quickly and set off to find my own travel deal. Realizing that a mere $372 from Washington D.C would get me to Madrid round trip, I pounced. No seriously, there was some pouncing. They call me Jungle Cat for short. (not really).

February it is. Madrid I shall see. And  hopefully Barcelona? Headed off with a friend and any others who care to join!