Cuenca

We went to a city called Cuenca this past weekend, which is about two hours South-East of Madrid by train, in a province called Castilla - La Mancha. And if you're wondering: yes, that is the famous setting for Cervantes' Don Quixote de La Mancha.

Cuenca was a really cool little town, with all sorts of little tiny streets and amazing vistas. The weather was crappy most of the day (rainy and cold), but it was still a fun trip. They have casas colgadas, or hanging houses, that are built into the side of cliffs - very cool.

Here are the pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2669393&l=e647f&id=2062483

=D

So because I found out that some of you actually do read this thing, I wanted to send you the links to some of the pictures I've taken while I've been here.

I've been uploading the pictures to Facebook, and neglecting it here (it takes forever), so I'm giving you the links to my Facebook albums (you don't need an account to view them).

Rome Photo Albums:

1. When in Rome ... <3
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2660455&l=c5999&id=2062483

2. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2660473&l=e9ef6&id=2062483

3. + La Bella Vita +
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2660502&l=27007&id=2062483

4. Pizza; Pasta; Crêpe; Gelato. Repeat.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2660765&l=cf1ab&id=2062483

Vatican City Photo Album:

1. The Vatican
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2660978&l=57865&id=2062483

2. The Vatican Part 2
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2660996&l=f5475&id=2062483

Venice Photo Albums:

1. Venice Part 1
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2661145&l=bc8dc&id=2062483

2. Venice Part 2
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2661146&l=15915&id=2062483

Alright! I took over 700 photos in Italy (these aren't all of them), so enjoy!

When I have time, I'll post some of the links to the other albums I have of the cities I've visited.

Talk to you soon!

Madrid - A Rebellious Schoolgirl?

I’ve got two weeks left.

I can’t believe that I’m saying that. It’s so crazy to think that nearly four months ago I was just unpacking all my things, absolutely freaking out about being in another country, and here I am today, wondering how it’s possible that the time has passed so quickly.

I know I haven’t been as faithful to this blog as I probably should have been, but I like to think that that’s because I was out experiencing the best that Madrid has to offer. It really is an amazing city – you should definitely visit if you ever have the chance. I was checking out Lonely Planet’s guide to Madrid (trying to make sure I’ve visited all the key things in the city), and I read a description that I thought was very fitting:

“If Madrid were a woman, she’d be a cross between Penélope Cruz (beautiful and quintessentially Spanish) and Madonna (sassy, getting better with age). If it were a man, it would have to be Javier Bardem (not the world’s most handsome but with that special, irresistible something). And if you could distil the city to its essence, it would be this: Madrid is a rebellious ex-convent schoolgirl who grew up, got sophisticated but never forgot how to have a good time.”

This city isn’t as unbelievably charming as a city like Paris or Vienna, but there’s something about it that draws you in and makes you love it. Everything is relaxed, and the people are extremely approachable and nice; my grocery store closes from 2:30 to 5:00 every afternoon, and isn’t open at all on Sundays; bars and clubs don’t start filling up until after 1:00am, and stay open until 6 or 7 in the morning; most restaurants won’t serve dinner until at least 8:30 or 9:00pm. Madrid marches to its own beat, and is entirely different from any other European city I’ve ever visited.

Speaking of other European cities, Rome and Venice were amazing! Rome has so much history and I felt like everywhere I looked I was seeing something that was 2000 years old! Seeing the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel was surreal, and completely incredible. We climbed all the way to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica (320 steps!), and the view made every step worth it. The Colosseum was really cool, and I know I sound like a complete nerd for saying this, but I felt like I was going to see Russell Crowe walking out in Gladiator gear at any second. We also visited the Trevi Fountain, and according to legend if you throw one coin in you will return one day to Rome; two coins means you’ll fall in love with a Roman. Not wanting to press my luck, I only threw in one coin. I’ll be sure to throw in my two coins the next time I make it to Rome. Haha.

Venice was beautiful, and even though it was rainy and cold (it even snowed our first morning there!) it didn’t lose any of its charm. Street vendors there sell really neat things, and every time I crossed a bridge I couldn’t help but smile. I’m pretty sure all we did for the two days we were in Venice was walk and eat (Italian food is amazing, by the way), but it was definitely a fun trip.

I’m finally making it to Barcelona this weekend, so I’ll tell you all about that as soon as I get back!

¡Hasta luego!