More pictures have been uploaded to Facebook. Here’s the link! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151943006634619.1073741828.760684618&type=1&l=98e6bf3652

This past Sunday was a relax day. I went to Museo de America with Jess and Brittany. It’s a collection of Latin American artifacts from the Spanish Conquest. Most of the gold and art were melted down but some incredible pieces remain. I was fascinated most by the clothing. The colors were so vibrant, partially because the hats and apparel were predominately made of parrot feathers.

That night, Kelsey, Alyssa, Alex, John, and I went to dinner. I ordered chicken with pineapple and it was served IN the pineapple split length-wise. A beautiful presentation:

Alex pointed out a local ice cream place on the way to dinner, so we headed over there for dessert. I happily ate dulce de leche with a cone. (Think I love dulce de leche?) It was yummy. No wonder there was a line at the door!

Yesterday and today was class as usual. I had my oral portion of my culture exam Monday. My topic was the wealthy and if people are happy with what they have or do they desire more. I got a 95, yay! I also got a 90 on the written portion, woo! Yesterday afternoon, Matt, Esther, Kelsey, Dirk, Jeroen, and I went to Templo de Debod. Unfortunately it’s closed on Mondays so we couldn’t tour inside. More reason to go back! The temple is a gift from the Egyptian government in 1970 as a thank you “to Spanish engineers and archaeologists who had saved many treasures before large areas of land were flooded after the completion of the Aswan Dam,” says my Madrid Fodor’s book. We took a group picture of course!

Today the weather is hovering around 70 degrees and the forecast calls for rain :| Esther, Kelsey, and I are planning on going to La Mallorquina (a bakery) and then making our way to Museo del Traje, the Spanish clothing/costume museum. Our student ID cards get us in for free. Cheers for free things! I’ve crossed 3 more places off my Madrid to-do list. My goal is to complete the Fodor’s Top 25 Madrid book. So far, I’ve completed 10! I don’t always agree with their selections, but I’m pleased to have the book.

Tomorrow after school, I’m taking a class that teaches you how to make tapas, YUM. This weekend, we’re going to Barcelona. Kelsey found the hostel, Alyssa did the train tickets, and I’m in charge of the itinerary. Kathy gave me some places to visit because she studied abroad there last summer. I’m so excited to be going back! I didn’t see enough the first time :D

We have a 4 day break between the June and July sessions. I was thinking of going to Morocco but I’m going to Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba with Kelsey and a few others. It’ll be a wonderful trip :]