It was Clean, Cheap, and a Little Noisy

Literally, as we were landing in Madrid early on a Friday morning last month, my friend and I looked at each other and had this conversation:

Me: Hey, do you have the map I emailed you that shows how to get to the hostal?

Her: No, I left it. Do you have the address?

Me: No, because I emailed you the map. You are in charge of all things map-related.

Both of us now paused for a moment of consternation.

So there we were, with not a whole lot of clue except the name of the hostal and the metro stop. That was it. Madrid is a big city.

Oh well, just find internet right? Right, but the airport internet wasn't working for some mysterious reason.
Of course.

Long story short, a kind metro employee Googled the hostal for us, pointed it out on a map, and told us exactly what lines to take to get there. Perfect.
Three hours after landing, we arrived exhausted, bedraggled (and for me, a little ill) heaving ourselves up the stairs and into the front lobby of Hostal Comercial. After a pleasant conversation in Spanish, we learn that we can't check in until 12 or 12:30. Uggh. I just wanted to sleep and it was  only 9:45.

But sleep I did, right there on the couches with a lion perched above my head.

After waking up and feeling famished, we headed out to find some food and explore our surroundings. What we found was McDonald's (don't judge me.  I was feeling sick and needed some comfort) and a hive of city activity. Hostal Comercial is set in a fantastic location-close to just about everything you might want to see on a quick trip to Madrid. Plaza Mayor is a few blocks away, the Sol metro stop a few steps, the La Latina tapas district a little jaunt and everything else a short little hike-perfect if the weather is cooperating. Which-it completely did except for one day when it was rainy and drizzly.We never took public transportation once, minus the to and from airport trips.

Granted, we walked until we fell into bed each night feeling as if we had just done some sort of Civil War march,  but that is beside the point. We saved money and we got exercise.

As for the hostal,  with any internet find, there are going to be some pros and cons. If you are looking for a place to crash in Madrid, pay attention.

First the good: Excellent location, super clean (much more so than my own home), and decently priced. We stayed 4 nights, split the room, and the total came to about $100 each. Not bad for the euro. Winter season helped out a bit with the price. It was a shared bathroom, but there was a sink in our room to make it a little more convenient.
Now the bad: Excellent location minus some good soundproofing means that we were part of all the comings and goings of the party crowds each night. At one point, it really felt as if the man standing in the middle of the street screaming drunkenly in Spanish was sitting right next to my bed. And speaking of the bed, I am still sort of stretching out the kinks acquired while trying to find out a spot that was softer than what I imagined the street might feel like if I were sleeping on it.

Ok, it wasn't that bad, but you get the idea.

All things considered, I would stay again if the price were still right. I would also make sure I was prepared and knew where I was going BEFORE my plane began its descent.

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)

How This Love Affair Came About

I thought that perhaps I should devote a post to how my love affair with the world and travel all got started. I've been writing of my adventures for two years now, but I have never really told you all how it began. So here is the 411, abbreviated.

For three consecutive spring breaks,  I went on a team to the Dominican Republic to work with Food for the Hungry, an organization devoted to ending physical and spiritual poverty around the world. Pretty cool organization, and for some reason lost to history, I jumped at the chance to go. I had not done a whole lot of traveling prior to that point, so I suppose it  was just that I was excited to get out and do something different.

Best. Trip. Ever.

Building the base of the latrine. That's me in red.

Yeah, I was building very unglamorous latrines,  it was hot as Hades, and I didn't understand much Spanish, but that is when I started to wake up to the fact that most of the world lives differently than me. I was pretty darn privileged.

It's also where I became consumed with learning Spanish. By the second or third trip, I realized that I was understanding a whole lot more between the beginning of the week until the end of the week, and assumed that if I had more time, I could be fluent. The seed was planted. I was going to learn Spanish no matter what it took.

So I moved back to West Virginia and in with.....my parents (gasp!) I was willing to do whatever it took to make this dream happen. But you should know this decision was not easy. It had been my goal since the 8th grade to break free of home, what I considered to be my oppressive parents, and hokey West Virginia.  I bolted at the earliest opportunity and flitted about Philadelphia, Atlanta and D.C doing respectable things like college and AmeriCorps.  I was pretty proud of my independence and now?  NOW?  I was willingly going back to it. 

But you know what? It really wasn't that bad. I worked two jobs, got back into playing volleyball, dated a guy with a serious alcohol problem (ummmm.........having to blow into a Breathalyzer to make the car start *should* have been a very clear red flag), and before you know it, I had enough money and was ready to jet down to Central America. Oh and my parents? It turns out they actually aren't oppressive at all. They are decent folks who just like to do a good job raising their kids.

Lago de Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Anyway, saved up my money, randomly (seriously, randomly) chose a Spanish school in Antigua, Guatemala, sent them a few emails, booked  a ticket, and two of my best friends and I showed up in Guatemala City one February morning praying and hoping someone would be there to get us.

They were. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Cerro de la Cruz, Antigua Guatemala

We ended up traveling all over Central America, with only a few minor usual mishaps-got robbed, bribed by the police, got called a "stupid American bitch" and of course, got sick with various stomach ailments in which I was sure the end was nigh.

All in all, a very successful trip.

Asia called my name shortly after that. And the rest is history!

Copan Ruinas, Honduras

Just climbed Vulcan Pacaya

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.

Federal Government Shocks and Amazes Aspiring Traveler

That's right. Here I sit, shocked and amazed.  The United States government has broken a record. No, not in spending and borrowing. (That was 2009. But since this is not a political blog, I shall keep things moving along.) In far happier record breaking moves, the Department of State has stepped up their game and apparently are moving passport applications along at a nice clippy pace.

It came last Thursday, LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER I SENT IN THE APPLICATION! This is unheard of. Seriously, I should know. This is my third passport in two years. Plus the woman at the Department of State who I spoke with about this matter, practically had me convinced that Amanda would be going to Spain without me as I had not yet mailed the renewal application.  I almost did the happy dance when I saw it nestled safely inside of my mailbox-and I live on a very busy road full of lots of traffic and people who would not take kindly to the Happy Passport Dance. I promptly sent Amanda a jubilant text, confirming that I would indeed actually be going to Spain with her. Yes I know, the ticket was already bought, but really, without a valid passport, who are we kidding? 

Now, since most of you know or have picked up on how thrifty (cheap)  I am, I debated for days on whether I should buy the ticket in my maiden name, keep my "old" passport and call it a day. I did NOT want to pay the outrageous renewal fees, when my current one was just over a year old.  But then I had visions of arriving at the ticket counter, and the airline agent verifying my passport information only to find that the person listed in my old passport no longer exists! Technically, Claire Maiden Name no longer does. Sad-but the reality of name changes as well as the subject of lively banter between my husband and I. I felt he should change his name. He did not agree, even in the slightest bit.  Choosing battles is a key ingredient to a happy life, and I chose not to pursue this one.

So I have it now, in all of its pristine freshness. I hate fresh passports. What if the person looking at it thinks this is my first trip out of the country and therefore am clueless about the rest of the world? What if they  stereotype me an American who never bothers to get off the couch and do something to see how the world lives? What if......?

Better question-why do I care what the random people looking through my passport think??!!!

Must get over myself.

PS- I am spending part of today/this week trying to plan for Madrid. If you have been there and have suggestions, ALL are welcome!

Bandwagon Jumper

I've been away from the computer for a few days due to holiday cheer and all that stuff. Those of you who know me know that I'm a pretty big Scrooge around this time of year-some may even call me miserable. They wouldn't be too far off the mark, actually.

In the last week or two, I have been pondering my next post. Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with something if I am not currently on a trip, or have just completed one. As I logged on today and saw many of my fellow bloggers posts dedicated to retrospect of the year 2010, I decided not to beat them, but to join them and jump on the retrospect bandwagon. 
So here goes:

At this time last year, I was even more of a hateful Scrooge than normal. I had just come back from Tanzania, and with no trips planned, no permanent teaching job prospects, and the knowledge that my money would soon not just be mine to spend willy-nilly on overseas adventures, well, misery was my BFF.

Whew! Don't stop reading. It really does end up much happier.

 Then wedding planning really kicked into high gear, causing me to question nearly everything in life. Who I was, who he was, what on earth we were doing, and why on earth we were doing it? But then two trips popped up to restore my sanity and my faith in pushing through--The all girls bachelorette trip to Austin, Texas, and the "Of course it's a good idea to go overseas 30 days before my wedding" trip to Turkey. 

May 29th came around shortly thereafter and truly, everything did go as planned. It was a happy day-no last minute disasters, fights, or general chaotic moments. And then it was over, just like a raindrop's brief journey from the skies above. All that planning, a big splash, and then nothing left but to clean up the puddles.

We had to thank everyone, find a place to live, plan the honeymoon, go on the honeymoon, combine finances, hope I got a job, move, and work out the kinks of living together all at once. I am exhausted just reading that sentence, and I already lived it.

Everything fell into place (as things usually do) and now 7 months of marriage (tomorrow!) later we are amazed how time is speeding by us. Which brings me to Christmas. For the first time ever, we were able  to spend the day together. As per family tradition, I am always in Ohio to celebrate.  Conincidentally, this year, I did not encounter but a few shreds of my old Scrooge self. I looked and looked, but I didn't find her. A sap I certainly am not, but I can only attribute it to my wonderful husband and the life we are living together. Yep, there have been some tough moments/weeks/months, but we are learning volumes about life and each other, knowledge that can and has only increased our commitment to one another. Christmas wasn't so, so..... Scroogey with him around this year, and for that, I am grateful.

So there ya have it-a mini review of 2010. Somewhere in there I reached 50 blog posts, started writing for a local magazine, and got a full-time job as a teacher. I love it and that is the truth.

What's next? Well, just got my latest copy of Blue. Spain comes up in just about 7 weeks. Although I won't be going anywhere at all if I don't get the name in my passport changed. Just called the Department of State today and if I get it in the mail TOMORROW, I might have a chance of actually boarding the plane.

Clearly, Scrooge may be gone, but the procrastinator is still very much alive and well.

Up next: I really must change the description of this blog (the paragraph at the top). I have been pushing that off as well. Anyone want to write it for me?!!

I'm a Virgin....."Euro"peanly Speaking

As you already know from my last post, I am headed to Spain for a mini-vacation in a few months. What you don't know is this will be my first foray in the world of the euro.

I hate the euro.

Why?

Two reasons-wait, actually three.

1. At Amsterdam's Schiphol airport last year, I developed a serious need for a McDonald's Filet-o-Fish sandwich. I was on a layover from Tanzania and I had been eating goat and rice for two weeks. However tasty those items may be, I really just wanted tons of tartar sauce slathered atop a hot bun. Total cost of my sandwich, companion's sandwich, bottled water and fries to share? $27 US DOLLARS!! Yeah, I am still pretty miffed about it a year later. WHO SPENDS $27 AT McDONALDS?? Since I am already veeeery frugal by nature, this was an outrageous injustice. I wanted to choke the employee and any other nearby Europeans, but I refrained.

2.  I was at a hostel in Beijing when I overheard a conversation between two Europeans (speaking English) in the next room.  Actually, it was more squealing and shrieking than conversing. They were fairly giddy over the exchange rate of the yuan to the euro. Phrases like "This was nearly free!" and "This would cost 3x as much at home!" were bandied about and right then and there I knew I was not cut out for Euro spending countries. Granted, I bought my fair share of knock-offs and other important Chinese souvenirs, but the buying process was never without haggling and walking away. On repeat. These girls simply smirked at me when I casually injected myself into their conversation to ask if they had bargained the prices down at all. I took that as a
" Why would we need to do that when we have practically stolen these items to begin with?"

Which brings me to my final reason of hating the Euro.

3.  This currency has been the single most preventive reason I have not seen any of the things I dream to see-the Colisseum, a Greek island (any which one will do) the fjords of Norway, the Portuguese coast, or the concentration camps in Germany (is that weird? I will say no since I am a social studies teacher).  I can't afford Europe! I was in the Czech Rpublic before it was on the euro and Istanbul last May, while partially in Europe, is still lovingly spending the lira.


 I guess I've only been to first base in Europe.