La semana pasada

Last Tuesday I went to Palacio Real in Madrid; it was nice, and the view was fantastic, but there was not that much to see. The part you could tour inside was much other palaces I've seen- ornate, gaudy, and rooms upon rooms that seemed to be used for nothing.. very gorgeous though.
Palacio Real

On Wednesday I saw the Kiev Modern Ballet troupe perform to Bizet's opera, Carmen. It was amazing; engaging and interpretive and totally beautiful.
On Thursday I went out with some people from another program; they stay in an apartment without a host family. It was so nice, and I was a little jealous, but I'm sure they barely use their Spanish.. We went to Malasaña for a couple drinks at the bar Ocean and a quasi-dance bar called Nasti, heh. They actually played really fantastic music, so that was fun. We did call it an early night, though, because on Friday, we had a day trip with the program to Toledo, Spain's old capitol city.
Toledo was adorable; it is full of narrow streets and beautiful buildings. They have amazing Mazapan.. soo good. We went to the High Gothic Cathedral; a super gaudy Catholic church, as well as the Synagogue of El Tránsito and Santa María la Blanca, which was originally a Jewish temple, and was converted to a church because Spain is like that.. This building was gorgeous; I couldn't take pictures inside, but there were wonderful white arches throughout..
Toledo

Friday night was another botellón night; we had fun "callejar"-ing.. apparently this is what you call drinking and walking around streets in Madrid.
Saturday night we watched a taping of the Presidential debates at Casa America.. it was nice to be in a room full of people who cared about the same political situation (most of whom were very pro-Obama). Later, we went out in Malasaña, and walked in and out of a couple funky bars, Tupperware and the MaderFacker.. We mostly just stood around and talked, per usual..
Sunday we went to El Rastro, a huge open market in Madrid where you can buy antiques, clothes, old cameras, books, etc etc.. I didn't end up buying anything, but there was much to see. I definitely want a pair of parachute pants.El Rastro

Classes this week were a little stressful.. I had a grammar test Monday that totally kicked my culo; I think I have forgotten that I am actually in school and not extended summer..
Last night we went to an international night at Café Madrid.. I was a little skeptical of what people would be there, but we decided to check it out. It was pretty lame.. I think the median age was about 30 haha. Some Italian and Dutch people talked to us for a little, but we left pretty quickly. We then went to a few bars in the Sol area, which were surprisingly very empty. Even though it was Wednesday, I was under the impression that everyone partied constantly here.. We even went to one bar where ladies drank free.. not just one free drink, like you got a cup, and could drink as long as you stayed.. Even here, there was barely anyone. Getting up this morning was quite difficult, but I only had one class today, and then I got an empanada and some amazing helado, so all is well : )
Tonight I leave for Marbella, a town on the southern coast of Spain, on the Mediterranean.. soo excited to go to the beach!