Arrival in Madrid - HOLA!

This was so long ago, even before the vacation when I arrived in Madrid on Sept.15th

I began my adventure shortly after a rib dinner in Toronto which my aunt, uncle, mom, dad, and granmother. They all waved goodbye to me as I went through security and left them until 2011. My mom bet my 1000$ she wouldnt cry, lets just say this trip made me a rich!

Anyways when i finally boarded the plane, and found the seat I was supposed to be sitting in the man sitting beside me begged if I could trade his girlfriend seats so they could sit beside eachother. It was one of thoughs situations where you really didnt have the option of saying no or he would have probably poisoned my water when I dozed off. So i caved in and was now located about 10 seats back and not with a window seat.. sweet. Thankfully the new guy located beside me let me have the window seat, even though it was right beside the wing... GREAT VIEW!

When I finally landed after 30 minutes of sleep out of a 8 hour flight I was welcomed by Rafael's mother, who could not speak any english. We found a way of communicating, Franish. (french + Spanish mixed). When we arrived in their downtown apartment I changed since it was a million degrees and I almost fainted. She gave me a tour and showed me all the expensive shops like Prada, Gucci, etc. Then we went to El Corte Ingles. I love grocery shopping in general, but this was AMAZING. In spain the supermarkets are much different. They dont refridgerate their eggs and have them sitting on shelfs. I was going crazy, also they plastic wrap fruits and vegetables, etc. I have a great time.
When rafael finally got home from school, I made him give me a tour of Madrid. We went to a huge park which reminded me of Central Park in New York. It was a small city, it had multiple man made lakes, and one you could rent a boat and row around the lake. It was very beautiful. They also had a glass house where they displayed modern art that had been created. When we went to see the fountains their were WILD PEACOCKS EVERYWHERE!!!!  Again I was going mental with the new things.

The next day I got to go shopping by myself since both Rafaels mom and dad were working. When I was in the stores no one knew I wasnt spanish. They would ask how many do you have to try on, I could answer. I felt pretty good, until I was finished and gave the women the items I didnt want and she began to rant on in spanish. I just looked at her, and handed her the clothes I didnt want. She for sure thought I was either crazy, or really stupid. ahaha
I made Rafael tak me on another tour when he got home from school. In 3 days, Rafael was exausted because I kept him super busy. We went to the modern art Museum where most of Picasso's work is. The paintings were amazing, it was very different from your every day art musuem. Also I took the Metro! It is very, very, very clean compared to Toronto's subway systems. and its a lot cheaper too! I didnt see that much in Madrid due to my limited stay so I guess I will be visiting Rafael again sometime!
I love Madrid, it is the Toronto of Spain. I love it!

On the 3rd day it was time to leave and I had to go to the Rotary Conference that was also located in Madrid. But at a University called SEK in the country about 45 minutes away from Rafaels house. It was the first time since I was a toddler that I almost peed my pants. It was a hectic day, I had to pack all my stuff carry it down 6 floors and into a car. Hard work! Luckily i found a bathroom before it was too late.

When I got to the conference, I had already met so many people. I forgot how much I loved exchange students! No drama, always happy and outgoing like me :)
It was a great weekend although we didnt have any activities planned like we do in our distict in Canada. Since the students from last year got in trouble, lost their passports etc, we were not allowed to go into downtown madrid for a tour. Although we didnt do much, we made our fun. because that is what exchange students do!!
I met around 80 new people and loved them all, it was a great weekend and I miss them all already! HOpefully I will get to see them soon because they were all great people. Even though Canada was only represented by 6 people out of 80.. United states had us overpopulated.

I am already loving evewry minute of my exchange!