Sooy en España: Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Friday- Today I went to the base of YWAM in Madrid. I met a couple other DTS (decipleship training school) students who I am going with on the serve mission Tuesday.

Saturday- Today was just a chill day. Since we weren't planning on doing anything, I decided to head over to a little marketplace with 3 stores that thy have not to far away from their house. I feel so weird being here, because I know I am different- and everyone else can tell so they look at me funny. LOL. In the market of 3 stores I was trying not to buy an apple. The store owner came up to me and was trying to explain the difference between this apple, and that apple. I was so confused because I didn't understand a single word that he said. HAHA. I had to laugh at myself, because he was so nice, he just talked too fast. I ended up buying one of each.

Sunday- Today I went to the center of Madrid- La Plaza de Sol. Alyson- Marylin's daughter was meeting some of her friends, so I got to wander Madrid for 4 hours! I loved it so much, because I could take as much time in the stores as I wanted to. The streets in Madrid are SO BEAUTIFUL. Every building is like a piece of art, simply amazing. It was also like a maze- so yes, in case you were wondering I was lost the whole time. I started to hit the shops first- of course! Haha. I loved looking at all the souvenirs and sweatshirt! Even though I did not get any as I am saving my money for later. It was nice to be around other tourists for a change because I feel so awkward being starred at all the time. Pretty sure it's my blonde hair that makes me stick out. But that's okay! The first "tourist destination" I visited was the Plaza de Sol (I think, again, I was traveling alone so I had no idea the names of anything :). Here there were many street performers- much like Downtown holland! But only if you fold it into a square. There was also a plaque in front of a building that marks "0 kilometers" which means it is the dead center of Madrid. Cool! Next I stumbled my way to the Madrid Palace. I'm not one for art, but was this amazingly beautiful! Wow! Pictures can't bring justice for this palace. There was also a man in a horse statue (not sure what it was- but I got a picture with it because it seemed important!) ;) Finding my way back to the meeting place was the most frustrating part. I don't know about you, but I don't like being lost in a foreign country, by yourself, in the rain, and having just walked pretty much all of Madrid (or it felt like ;). AND THEN I walked 10 minutes in the total opposite direction, asking for help (because genius me decides to ask for help after thinking I can reAd a map, but I can't LOL) then having to walk 10 minutes back the way I came. So frustrated I found close to the area that I needed to be, but could not find the right place. After 10 minutes in the rain I realized the place I needed to be was right across the street. HAHA ROFL. I was laughing so hard- silly me.

Overall it was SUCH a great day. I had sosososo much fun wandering Madrid especially because I could take my time. Getting lost wasn't all that bad either, it was like a giant game of Labyrinth or a Maze. How fun! What's better than a corn maze- a Madrid maze filled with stores!! Wooo :D

Things I've learned:

- Bull fighting it loosing its popularity. The older generations will go out to see it, but the younger generations are loosing interest as they gain a new perspective.

- You have to pay for grocery bags here.

- Unlike Guatemala, dogs and cats are kept for pets, few strays.

- Most of the cars here are really tiny.

- Olives are a really popular thing to eat here (like pickles in the U.S.)

- According to Terry (who I am staying with), there are about as many churches in all of Spain, as there are in Holland.

- Guadalahara and Madrid has lots of wheat fields and plateaus, there aren't lots of mountains.

- You greet by kissing on both sides of the cheek.

Thanks for the prayers! I hope you are all having a great summer,

Meredith

(Tomorrow I am going on a serve project for 10 days with YWAM. I will try to update but don't know when I will have Internet.)