Madrid - March 30th to April 4
- Apr 3, 2022
- 4 min read
We shut down the house, gulped a little, and said, "Adios" to Baltimore and now...
...Estamos aquí! Compared to last year, the trip across the ocean was a breeze. All of us arrived on our originally intended flights with no errant stops elsewhere in the world and we found our luggage in minutes rather than days.
The only difference in our packing this year is that one entire suitcase is laden with math workbooks, reading journals, science packets, textbooks, and a copy of Romeo and Juliet. We'll see how this whole learning from abroad thing goes. While they do need to learn everything from math facts to linear algebra (by the way, I'm not qualified to do the latter), I have a feeling the cultural immersion will have far more impact on their later years. Journaling will be one way to stay present, be observant, and remember this experience so the older two boys have vowed to write something each day. Liam has even taken this a bit farther and has created his own HTML website in order to document his time here.
In an apartment overlooking the Plaza Mayor, I'd say we have settled in quite nicely. What a sight, beautiful and bustling from day to night. It's cold enough that taking advantage of the balcony comes in short snippets, but the windows provide maximum entertainment. When I asked Onora, "Are you happy to be here," she responded, "I'm happy to be in this family, most of all." Lovingly, I said, "Well, that was nice to say." She quipped, "Well, I didn't want to say anything mean like how there aren't any bath toys here." Well, okay then!
April 1 - We spent our first full day allowing everyone to wake up naturally, which meant anywhere between 9:30 and noon, before walking to the Royal Palace and taking part of the tour with a Spanish speaking guide. After each room, Kip was tasked with speaking like an auctioneer in order to recap the 98% the rest of us missed. Considering how much we've learned these last two years with Duolingo and the kid's Spanish classes, it's really very humbling to be so aware of your incompetence. However, it's only making us more determined to learn as much as we can while we are here.
We set off hungry to the Mercado de San Miguel, a beautiful glass building with wall to wall stalls selling tapas, octopus, patatas bravas, ham legs, sandwiches, ice cream and wines. Spain is full of happy people and it's no wonder. They eat well, drink well, laugh loudly and often. And they dance....even without music. We came upon this dance party in the plaza this afternoon - all dancing to their own music with earbuds. It makes for a wonderfully odd experience to witness.
We are so happy to be here we just feel like skipping...or jumping!
April 2
After a morning of Covid tests required prior to our departure for Morocco in two days, we needed some walking and fresh air. With the sun warm on our backs even if the wind was at our faces, we spent the afternoon walking in Madrid's El Retiro Park. An oasis outside the center of the city, not as large as Central Park but just as good for the soul, the park meanders through sculptured gardens, and large lakes where people row blue boats in front of grand Greek-styled monuments. It is lovingly used by Madrileños (locals) and tourists alike. I've never seen so many people at a park, honestly. It is a marvel in its wholesomeness, reminiscent of a stroll through a Renoir painting. Hundreds of people, having picnics, chatting, sunbathing, exercising and just enjoying nature, all dressed like they walked out of a fashion shoot. Clearly I need to step up my fashion game and ditch the WTMD hoodie.
I asked Onora to make sure she had her walking feet on as we set out for the afternoon. She promised she did but after Mile 3, she lost them somewhere en route. So, Kip put on his extra walking feet and carried her on his shoulders. We'll have to build some stamina by the end of this trip. However, the promise of helado (ice cream) was enough to get her back on her feet. Dulce de Leche, Stracciatella, Café, Mango, and Mint, (dear God, not all together) were some of our choices. We are placing bets on how many ice cream cones we will eat in these 3 months. Wagers?
April 3
We've had to move locations for one night because of a little logistics. As we head to Morocco tomorrow, it wasn't necessary to bring all of our luggage that we packed for the next 3 months so instead of staying in the Airbnb, we opted for the Petit Palace Hotel. There we can leave luggage in Spain for the 8 days we're in Morocco as long as we stay there after our African adventure. It beats the cost of luggage storage!
So we traipsed across town this morning dragging our luggage, checked into the hotel and promptly made our way to the most crowded flea market on this great, wide earth. It was like Lollapalooza when it was cool. The Spaniards have apparently said, "Screw you, Covid!" At sloth's pace (because we didn't have a choice) we wound our way through the market until we'd had enough of seeing little more than the backs of people's heads. Poor Onora and Gaelan were only left with the butts from their vantage points.
Time to repack, move some things around, read a little, get a bit of pizza, take a shower and use some towels. If you weren't sure what those white fluffy things are, Petit Palace has got you covered. Off to bed for an early morning flight to Marrakech. Here we go!
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