Let’s start my long overdue post about my trip to Spain last September, shall we?
So almost two months after I moved to my new employer, I was given this great opportunity to attend three weeks of migration sessions in Madrid. I was so thrilled of course! It has always been my dream to go to Europe. And I was flying there for free so that made me doubly ecstatic! Though I wasn’t able to go to France, my uber ultimate destination, at least I was able to cross-out the top 5 on my ‘Places to visit before I die’ list - Spain.
Lucky as I was, going to Spain meant sacrificing my long-awaited trip to Singapore and Malaysia with Jaypee. This was because 4 days before the SG-MY trip, I went to the Spanish consulate to apply for my visa and was surprised to find out that I have to leave my passport there for processing. Of course I grudgingly left my passport behind, business first before pleasure wtf. But I was so upset because we have waited for the trip for more than 5 months and I hate to disappoint Jaypee. Plus we booked a non-refundable ticket so double ouch! But he was very supportive of my Spain trip and since he doesn’t want to go there by himself we just said buh-bye to the SG-MY trip. Sigh!
Anyways, going to Spain was like visiting the motherland – the Philippines having been colonized by Spain for more than three hundred years. We have so much in common - from our names, architecture, culture, even a bit of our language – that it wasn’t difficult to feel at home there. When we first arrived in Madrid, what surprised me most was the weather. It was so hot! Much like Manila. You see, I have always imagined the weather in Europe to be cool even in the summer, and to be welcomed by the same weather I left behind in Manila was a little reality-shaker for me. We arrived in Spain during the last stretch of summer. Luckily, after more than a week, the weather started to chill as the autumn season begins.
Madrid was beautiful! It was so nice that they were able to preserve the beautiful architecture of their past. If only Manila was able to preserve the architecture during the Spanish era, it would be as beautiful as Madrid. Unfortunately, we were only able to tour the city during our last weekend there as we were so busy with work that we were working even on weekends. It was a super-stressful three weeks that we were not able to visit even the park in front of our hotel – the Plaza Espana.
Anyway, we stayed at the Espahotel at Plaza de Espana, which was almost an hour away from the office at Pozuelo de Alarcon. Everyday, we have to travel an hour each way, 2 train rides each, just to get to the office and back which of course added to our already stressful states. It was also difficult to navigate Madrid’s train system which was made up of more than 10 train lines and crissed-crossed like crazy it was astounding that the Spanish know it by heart. But fortunately, we didn’t get lost.
I also enjoyed the food! Especially the paella! Gained a few more pounds when i was there wtf!
Sorry but my network connection is acting up so I'll just have to do a part two. Peace!
So almost two months after I moved to my new employer, I was given this great opportunity to attend three weeks of migration sessions in Madrid. I was so thrilled of course! It has always been my dream to go to Europe. And I was flying there for free so that made me doubly ecstatic! Though I wasn’t able to go to France, my uber ultimate destination, at least I was able to cross-out the top 5 on my ‘Places to visit before I die’ list - Spain.
Lucky as I was, going to Spain meant sacrificing my long-awaited trip to Singapore and Malaysia with Jaypee. This was because 4 days before the SG-MY trip, I went to the Spanish consulate to apply for my visa and was surprised to find out that I have to leave my passport there for processing. Of course I grudgingly left my passport behind, business first before pleasure wtf. But I was so upset because we have waited for the trip for more than 5 months and I hate to disappoint Jaypee. Plus we booked a non-refundable ticket so double ouch! But he was very supportive of my Spain trip and since he doesn’t want to go there by himself we just said buh-bye to the SG-MY trip. Sigh!
Anyways, going to Spain was like visiting the motherland – the Philippines having been colonized by Spain for more than three hundred years. We have so much in common - from our names, architecture, culture, even a bit of our language – that it wasn’t difficult to feel at home there. When we first arrived in Madrid, what surprised me most was the weather. It was so hot! Much like Manila. You see, I have always imagined the weather in Europe to be cool even in the summer, and to be welcomed by the same weather I left behind in Manila was a little reality-shaker for me. We arrived in Spain during the last stretch of summer. Luckily, after more than a week, the weather started to chill as the autumn season begins.
Madrid was beautiful! It was so nice that they were able to preserve the beautiful architecture of their past. If only Manila was able to preserve the architecture during the Spanish era, it would be as beautiful as Madrid. Unfortunately, we were only able to tour the city during our last weekend there as we were so busy with work that we were working even on weekends. It was a super-stressful three weeks that we were not able to visit even the park in front of our hotel – the Plaza Espana.
Anyway, we stayed at the Espahotel at Plaza de Espana, which was almost an hour away from the office at Pozuelo de Alarcon. Everyday, we have to travel an hour each way, 2 train rides each, just to get to the office and back which of course added to our already stressful states. It was also difficult to navigate Madrid’s train system which was made up of more than 10 train lines and crissed-crossed like crazy it was astounding that the Spanish know it by heart. But fortunately, we didn’t get lost.
I also enjoyed the food! Especially the paella! Gained a few more pounds when i was there wtf!
Sorry but my network connection is acting up so I'll just have to do a part two. Peace!
1. the Palacio Real de Madrid
2. the street that we always cross on our long journey to the office
3. the price that I had to pay for not posting this entry immediately - i forgot what place this is
4. at Museo Del Prado
5. the leaning towers of Madrid! haha!
6. really pretty greenery on the side of a buidling. marvelous!
7. at Plaza Mayor
8. had a super long walk that day. good thing i was weaing my chucks!
9. at the garden of the Royal Palace
9. when we were in Barcelona, we were looking for a police car so we could also take pictures with it. couldn't find one though.
10. the Palacio Real de Madrid
11. i always pose like this. don't know why.
12. at the bus
13. looking at the view of Madrid through a telescope
14. Templo de Debod
