Feliz Madriversario

Today I have reached a MILESTONE! 

One year ago today, I arrived in Madrid, tired, groggy, super jet-lagged, but filled with optimism and hope for the year to come, and big plans for all areas of life.

I remember the strangest thing about my departure from JFK this trip, was that I didn't cry at the security checkpoint goodbye. No tears. Just a "see you at christmas, love you!"

I think I couldn't cry because I knew what was ahead: two new jobs, old friends, new friends, night life, sangria, wine, city life, a future relationship (yes, I had a feeling), and of course, my beloved city of Madrid.

enjoying christmas in Sol

Madrileño foliage 

Rio Park

Puerta de Alcala and good friends

The past year has truly been a whirlwind: I have au paired (and survived), I have also survived another year as an auxiliar, being a "language assistant". I have traveled to Eastern Europe, to Asia, to tranquil houses in the mountains, I have returned to relive Valencia, I have danced until dawn, I have gained the perfect boyfriend, and I have a more in depth understanding of Spain and different views.

I no longer find Spain to be so different from the states. Spaniards like the same music, they like to have fun, they are family oriented, they are unhappy with politics... No place is perfect

dia del mercado... the best thing to come to Madrid

no life in madrid is complete without a row in the retiro Lago

Supporter of Real Madrid for a few years now

This year, I have learned to adapt myself more smoothly. I have learned where to find the things I thought were impossible for American baking or cooking recipes. I have learned that if you want it, there is probably a store for it, it will just take hours searching expat blogs and google (still looking for Target) I have learned that decent Mexican and Chinese food does exist, as well as good serve yourself frozen yogurt. I have also learned that I hate Ikea.

an outdoor cinema is somewhere I've always wanted to go!

after a delicious CHINESE dinner

making do: superbowl 2012

a bbq on our terraza! =)

Sushi Pizza, trying to recreate a typical plate from Astoria, queens ;)

Madrid has treated me so well in the past year, I sometimes can't believe it. I still suffer extreme homesickness some days; but a drive through the city center oddly makes me feel so much better. It reminds me of how lucky I am to have this life. A life in another country. In Europe. With Someone I love.

Madrid on Two Wheels

For almost a year now, Esteban has been telling me that Madrid is best seen by bicycle.

Yeah yeah yeah, I said, always doubting his "Madrileño ways'. I was always comparing the thought to my beloved bici rides in Valencia, riding through rows of palm trees that ended at the Mediterranean sea on Valencia's wonderful Valenbisi system. 

And for almost a year now, he's been talking about buying us bicycles... yeah yeah yeah... we'll see

Well the day finally came! He bought a used bicycle from a friend, and had his parents bring his beloved bici from Albacete, and here we are with two bikes on my coveted terraza next to my coveted BBQ!

After some tune ups on the bicycles we were ready to rock and roll. Last sunday we went on our first excursion. Destination: Retiro

We followed one of the very few bicycle paths within the city, that lead us straight to the gates of Retiro, the central park of Madrid.

The ride was nice, with the hustle and bustle of the sunday cyclists and sunday park goers. It was a nice change from going by car or even by metro. It allowed me to travel above ground and to glance a moment longer at my surroundings during the commute. 

The next excursion was yesterday, we went to Parque Juan Carlos I, east of the city. We passed by Estadio Olimpico, a completely different atmosphere from the ride to retiro. This one was a whole lot greener, with a lot more empty space, and a lot more room to ride. The bicycle path was a lot bigger, but it was shared with a lot more cyclists. It did get a little dangerous around curves with the ballsy cyclists who wanted to pass into oncoming bicycle traffic. 

Well you can get a glimpse of the few bike lanes that exist throughout the city here, or you can get yourself a helmet and brave it on the main roads. I prefer to be safe than sorry. 

There is also this fun website I found En Bici Por Madrid that organizes rides throughout the city, something Im hoping we can check out soon!

The Life of Chelsea. Chapter 25 1/2

In my 25th and a half year of life, I started my first real big girl job. I probably could have gotten a real big girl job before if I wanted, but I had preferred to play in Spain for 2 years first, after an extra year playing at College. To each his own (YOLO?)

Bueno, I am going to leave my place of employment as a mystery to to my blog for many reasons, but I will fill you in on some pistas (hints)

• My job is in Madrid, inside the city (zone A!)
• I work with children
• In the field of education
• Active Education (which is also "alternative" )
• At my job, it is rare someone raises their voice, and if they do, they are probably 4 and miss mommy or are mad at you and don't know how to use their words
• Kids say things like "la comida del cole está muy rica!!" (the schools food is so delicious!")
• It is a bilingual school
• My 5 year olds can count up to 1000 and before entering primary, they can multiply and divide. They also know there are 7 continents and know what they look like and their names.
• My 3 year olds can sew buttons, hand wash towels, pour water, wash their dishes and even put things back where they belong!
• My job requires me to have a bit of OCD

I'm not sure how prepared I was for 42 hour work weeks, 5 days a week, but I'm giving it a shot. I've got a positive attitude and I am feeling optimistic about the next year!

Keeping up with the Komunidades

Just like America has fifty states, Spain similarly has "Comunidades", 17 to be exact. And as a "cultural ambassador", or better "cultural explorer" I have made a long term goal to visit each Comunidad of Espain.

I do not feel any rush to get this task done before December 21st, but I do consider my list before deciding to take a trip elsewhere in Spain

Here is a compilation of where I have been lucky enough to visit so far:

1. Madrid

 2. Valencia

3. Aragon

4. Cataluña

5. Islas Canarias

6. Navarra

7. Pais Vasco

 8. Andalucia

9. Castilla- La Mancha

 10. La Rioja

11. Castilla-Leon

 12. Islas Baleares 

13. Cantabria

no photo... only have been in the bus station, a bus, and the airport! does that count?

14. Murcia

Where does that leave me to explore this coming school year?

*Asturias

*Galicia

*Extremadura 

I think I can handle that...

Playing at the Playa

Mallorca was one of those places I felt at home; although it was so different the island life im used to, I think being on an island, in hot humid weather, with the sea close by, definitely comforted me.

We spent a lot of our time in Mallorca in our rented FIAT Panda, buscando beaches. We traveled  up to an hour and a half to spend the day basking in beauty, and it was WELL worth it.

Our first excursion to a beach on the southeast part of the island

i could stare at these blue waters all day

crystal clear

Mirador de Formenter

We drove a long while to get to these next beaches. On the way we stopped in Alcúdia for their tuesday market, and then walked around the port for a bit (we contemplated a 2 hour hike, but midday heat was not convincing)

We finally got to Formenter, it's kind of "owned" by Barceló, a travel group, therefore parking cost 10 euros and all of the restaurants were pretty expensive; but the vistas were worth it!

The beach was long, but very narrow. There was only room to make about 2 rows of staggered beach goers. The plus here, was that there was lots of options for shade! A great excuse to spend the whole day there, counting your blessings in life.

Playa de Formenter

Formenter

After the beach, we took a trip to the nearby lighthouse. This trip included driving 50 km an hour on winding coastal roads, making you fear your life while dying to take pictures from a moving vehicle.  The views both there and back were more than breath taking! One tip for any one thinking of going: go earlier! It seemed like every beach goer went from Formenter to the lighthouse around 7. The drawback: this space is not crowd friendly! There are not many places to park and who wants to drive on windy narrow roads with cliffs when theres traffic? ahm, not me!

sun setting in Mallorca 

Mallorca is filled with capes that are filled with boats!

Some typical Mallorcan tapas, olives and bread with Alioli 

We also took a break from the beach life, to get back into some city life in Palma. When you get closer to Palma, this is a typical sight: windmills!

Merienda: Ensaimada with Apricots! 

View of the Cathedral through the Port

Mallorca is filled with wonder and awe. It has the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, but it also offers a fun city to explore and experience some nightlife. 

Life's A Beach