So, as it's been a while since me and my university friends have seen each other, we decided that it would be a good idea to reconvene in the countries capital, Madrid! The trip didn't quite get off to a smooth start as me and Emily only just made the flight with about 5 minutes to spare- I nearly had a heart attack. Once there, however, it was just as much of an effort trying to find the hostel and it's various buildings located all over Plaza Espana. However, we were settled in and off we went for some TGI Fridays as a reward for all our hardship over the day.
The next day, the amigas arrived!! It was super to see them all again and laugh and exchange our funny year abroad happenings as we're all scattered all over Spain doing various things. We did loads of touristy things like the walk down the Gran Via (the main drag through Madrid), visit the Royal Palace, some museums, and the lush park with all it's fountains and whatnot. The weather was absolutely gorgeous so plenty of ice creams were eaten and sangria consumed to solve all our heat issues. I can't say we ate many cultural dishes as we all do that at our respective towns/cities anyway. We treated ourselves to English breakfasts everyday and some good hearty burgers and chips. Our hostel was...ok...I mean it was quite small and full of some weird people and spread all over the place but on the whole it served us well for a great weekend! However, Madrid is lovely but Barcelona beats it 10 times over for just being awesome.
After a fun filled weekend in Madrid it was back to reality for a week. Fortunately the sun really shone that week, it was like 27 degrees for a few days and it really felt like summer. So, spontaneously, I booked a mini weekend away to a place called Sitges. You may remember this place as I have already had one failed attempt at going there. However, the weekend I booked this for is forecast to rain all weekend so we shall see what happens there!
Anyway, back to stuff I did. I was fortunate enough to be invited away with a family from the school. Don't worry, this isn't just a random family that told me to get in their car, I already knew the mum as we do a Spanish exchange once a week and I teach some of the kids English at school. the family are all such lovely people; mum, dad, one boy and three girls. They took me to the grandparents' second home/beach house in a place called L'Escala on the Costa Brava. Needless to say it was beautiful- the views and the town. I really felt like part of the family and they wouldn't let me pay for anything (except a round of ice creams), but to be honest it was great being taken care of for a few days. This sounds slightly weird but it was like going away for the weekend with my family but about 7 years ago- very bizarre but it was so lovely. I met some of their friends there including the crazy Dutch guy who owns the bar and is obsessed with London, the kids next door who have some boundary issues and the rich guy who has just bought a castle and a horse to go with it. Incidentally, we visited the castle to have a nosey and oh my god it's fabulous! It really is a castle! Perched on a hill looking out to see, my guess is to spot invaders (probably the English) making the view from the terrace on top spectacular! 
Following this slightly exhausting, child filled weekend, I had to work 5 DAYS this week. This was due to missing a day to head to Madrid and then making up for it so that I still do all my hours. In the next few weeks there are some days off where I can have some more fun and games whilst I still have time here!!
Speak to you again soon chaps.
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