Stuttgart

It's been a million years since I last posted, but I won't apologize because I believe I've already made my excuses in person to everyone who reads this blog...haha.

So to continue, this weekend I was in Germany! I had an amazing time and all I can say is a fond tschüsse to everyone I met while I was there. My most grateful love, of course, belongs to Val's parents who were so kind and warm and gracious (not to mention fantastically funny and beautifully well dressed). They helped me prevail in spite of imminent disaster (i.e. a missed train - dui bu qi mama!) and fed me so many delicious breakfasts I subsequently completely forgot about my previous troubles. And then there was Heidi, the biggest small dog I have ever met. I promise I shall return soon, although you might not outwardly care, because I know the true depths of our relationship. Below are a few photos to commemorate our time together. 

Heidi, looking spiffy in one of her stylish winter coats.

On our way to Stuttgart Rundwunderweg (hiking trail) for a short walk. 

Even early on in the day, we could tell we were no match for the Weber parents' speed and agility. Val was pulled up the majority of the hill while I followed slowly behind, using their wind draft to gain speed. 

But actually, Heidi was the fastest of us all. 

Beautiful view of Stuttgart. 

It has just snowed the day we arrived.

Papa Weber, on top of the mountain!

Val and I <3

Quels beaux parents!

I will leave you to figure out what happened in this picture...

Steel cross at the top. 

Heidi, a little camera shy.

Weber family consulting the compass which points out notable places near Stuttgart. For example, the Porsche factory!

Heidi, still not quite ready for her close-up. 

You can tell she wants it, though. 

There it is!

Remnants of old Stuttgart. The debris left over from WWII was used to create the hill we hiked. 

Debris on either side of the path as we headed down. 

Heidi leading the way, as per usual. 

Such lovely people :)

Mom, it's you and me! 

Map of the trail we hiked. 

All these drinks were for me. Jk. Not really. You will never know!!

Actually, we got there ten minutes before happy hour ended - obviously we took advantage of the situation :)

And this is Lena, such a wonderful new friend!

She's ok too. 

Where did the drinks go? 

Ok fine, this girl is pretty wonderful...

We ended the weekend with a walk around the Neckar River in Stuttgart.

Pretty view from the Weber's kitchen.

Pretzel! It normally isn't missing a piece, I just couldn't wait to dig in...

I shall see you soon, Heidi! 

Calle de Sagasta

First off, some absolutely huge news. I saw Rafael Nadal at the Barcelona airport!!!!! I was going up the escalator and he was coming down and we made eye contact and it was amazing. I love Europe.

And now to my time in Madrid! It was great and I had a wonderful time exploring the city and catching up with Meagan, a friend from BU. My home base was a hostel on the Calle de Sagasta. On my last night Meagan and I and Yuta, a japanese kid I met at the hostel, went out for tapas and sangria and had the best night pretending to be Madrileños.

Puerta del Sol, the main square downtown. 

I like to make sure I have at least three tourists in every picture I take. 

A little bit of home in Spain :)

A lot of the streets in Madrid go underground to keep the congestion hidden. 

Spanish pastries and a Spanish guy checking them out. 

Part of the Retiro parc in Madrid, it was huge and absolutely breathtaking. When Meagan and I were walking around we even saw a mini regatta in the lake there!

Typical Museo de Jambon in Madrid - casual legs of ham hanging from the ceiling. 

Meagan, the ever capable tour guide!

The metro closest to my hostel. 

Madrid at night.

I rode that bike throughout Madrid. Who needs the metro?

Typical tapas place around downtown. They all had these beautiful mosaic decorations.

Plaza Mayor.

Churros dipped in hot chocolate is a Madrid/Spanish must. 

Cafés in Plaza Mayor. 

I stumbled upon a candy shop! They offered me a sample of a delicious biscuit with melted chocolate inside. It was delicious. 

Chocolate covered olives? Interesting. 

Mmmmm...

More Spanish pastries!

I like sweets. 

Beautiful building near Plaza Mayor.

A famous tapas bar in Plaza Mayor. Hemingway used to come here and those are real bull torsos on the walls!

The outside. 

More jambon.

Lamppost in Plaza Mayor.

Turron - a special Spanish sweet. 

A beautiful old building.

View from Meagan's host family's apartment! Her host mom invited me over for lunch and it was absolutely asombroso!

Small plates of salami and chorizo and these fried potato things.

Homemade paella!

Meagan and her host mom, Cheilo. Notice the mountain of food on our plates which we had to finish or hurt Cheilo's feelings. I, of course, as the perfect guest scarfed it all down. 

Museo del Prado, absolutely stunning and so huge. They wouldn't let me take pictures inside or I would have - I got yelled at in Spanish so I just pretended I only spoke French and kind of drifted away.

The royal church. Meagan and I accidentally walked in on a wedding there. Woops. 

One sneaky picture before they yelled at me. 

Leg of jambon. We went to this tapas place which is very popular with students and locals in general because:

6 Euros get you this giant glass of sangria with...

...all this food!!! Amazing.

Meagan and I! She is the best.