Thanksgiving in Madrid...

On my way to my friend's house to cook the pavo in a bigger oven...

One of the downsides to study abroad is not being with your family on certain holidays. However, one good side is being able to share holiday traditions with others. Although I missed by family, I experienced quite a unique Thanksgiving that I will never forget. With the help of some ingredients my mom brought to Madrid from the US (as well as years of experience cooking for 30 people), my roommates and I cooked a full on thanksgiving dinner (Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all) and invited our curious Spanish friends over to take part in the uniquely American Pilgrim/Indian tradition. There were many funny moments (traveling with a 12lb turkey on the metro), fitting 30 people into our tiny apartment, trying to explain stuffing in spanish... but all in all it was a great celebration of being thankful. Enjoy the pictures...

How did this all come together... I will never know...

Roomies

It is in those daily happenings that make life so spectacular

Xiomara, Irene, Patty and Me. Friday night dance crew. They teach me how to move :)

Sitting here with the realization that my days in Madrid are numbered, only 10 in fact, and I am dumbfounded at how fast the time has flown. Just yesterday I was pulling weeds and moving rocks in view of the Slane Castle in Ireland with only a hint of what my life in Madrid would be life. Now, everything is coming to a close. Last papers, projects, tests are in route, not to mention the last bucket list of things I want to do and experience before the semester wraps up (eat at the local restaurant, walk through Park retiro again, enjoy many tapas, Christmas bike tour through the streets of Madrid, see a snowy mountain town near Madrid, see live music at a Jazz bar, eat the delicious croissants from the local Ecuadorian bakery, and the list goes on). I have been blessed with many travels this semester, but I must admit that a lot of my favorite memories are the everyday events that go on. Tapas with friends, making a spanish dinner, walking through the streets of Madrid, speaking in spanish, watching a futbol game, grabbing lunch after church with friends.... Before I get more nostalgic and reminiscent, I want to keep updating you on the daily life adventures that have occurred here in Madrid...

Fashion Museum

Kira and Me about to go enjoy some delicious tea

When life hands you lemons... make lemon mirengue. Part II

Belfast is one of my favorite cities. Beautiful countrysides,  people and memories. A friend of mine (the same one I went farming with over the summer) is currently living and volunteering in Belfast. After my sunny adventure, I came to visit her for 5 days. I got to see and take part in her job in Belfast (playing laser tag in the forest with some high schoolers). We toured up the northern coast, walked the Carrik-A-Rede Rope bridge, climbed giants causeway and heard the tales of the north from our quick witted Scottish bus driver. For some reason I keep coming back to Ireland, one can't visit this island without it creating a special place in your heart for the fresh green scenery and the warm hearted people. Although the weather was contrary to that in the canary islands, the people and experiences made it that much more fuller. Here are the pictures from the trip... enjoy:)