Spanish vacation, broad review

So, I didn't update too much during my trip, but there was so much to do and see that the internet just didn't make it high on the priority list. And now that some time has passed, it's all blurring together and no particular stories are jumping to mind to tell. I will say, however, that I had a fabulous time, and neither Mona nor I were ready to come back. If we hadn't been returning for a holiday, it would have been very hard, indeed. I am expecting to go through some serious vacation withdrawal this week while at work. Doesn't 5 days in a row seem way too long to be at work? I think so, too. Fortunately, I remembered last night as I was going to sleep that Friday should have been a day off for me, and it was also a work holiday, which meant that they would prefer for me to take today off instead. At first I protested, I should be able to take the day whenever I want to! Why would I want to take one more day when I just had 2 weeks off?! Then my alarm went off this morning and I changed my mind. I will probably be regretting this come Friday, or come Christmas shopping time, but apparently I'm all about immediate gratification.

But I digress... where was I? Ah yes, Mona was an incredible traveling companion. She flew into town the night before we left, and within hours we had visited an old favorite eating establishment, re-stalked her old high school stalking victim (and I'm talking address found, people!), and resurrected many jokes themed from jr high school. Childish? Maybe. But also oh so fun. Mona cracks me up.

And I say this even though when she asked what I was bringing for night-time wear, and I told her, she responded with, "The women in Spain are feminine, Jennifer." A good friend is honest with you, right? This resulted in me adding many more things to my backpack, under Mona's guidance, and when it was all said and done, and when I first tried to lift the pack - which was not until we were on our way out the door for the airport - I discovered that I could barely get it off the ground. But a little good can be found in anything - in this case, it was that many Spaniards gained amusement from me and my humongous, heavy baggage. Of course, only about half of my additions were actually worn. And whenever I did don one, Mona would accuse me of trying to "out hot" her during her birthday week, which therefore made me a terrible friend. But I would just remind her that the women in Spain were feminine.

We had hoped to visit 4 to 5 places, but ended up cutting it back to 3, because, as I said, there was so much to do and see, the less time spent traveling meant more time for exploring.

We explored Madrid,



Toledo,



and Barcelona



And even took in a bit of Spanish countryside



Ok, any Spanish countryside was really only seen from a train window. But still.

I'm sure I learned a lot of things along the way, but here are just a few that come to mind:

1. People really do seek out others like themselves. Though we were in Spain, and though Mona was on the lookout for her future hot Spanish husband, it was a lot easier to find other native English speakers. Usually English men. Older Englishmen. Who often where either really obnoxious - the kind that you know are always driving the women away from their nicer friends, therefore making you feel really sorry for this friend - or obnoxious in the messed-up, condescending kind of way. These were really fun for me to watch with Mona - because she's one of the smartest people I've ever known, and has a knack for turning things around on people who think they can take advantage of the little blonde American. Those of you who know her, you know what I'm talking about. (I'm sure you have numerous memories of her making fun of people to their faces, without them ever actually realizing what was going on.) Oh, and we are like these people in that we are English - speakers - not the older obnoxious part. We are young and fabulous.

2. I had a long held fear confirmed that yes, when I try to speak Spanish to a native speaker, 7 times out of 10, they will have no idea what I'm saying.

3. I take an alarmingly large number of pictures of food. Sure, there is great architecture. There's art, there's really interesting people, but what do I gravitate towards? The food. At least that's what it seems from looking back at my photos. As the trip went on, I got less snap-happy, but the pictures of food just kept coming. "Oh, sandwich!" "oooh! pastries!" "This was my favorite meal - let's photograph it!" "this wine was particularly good - and pretty! I need a photo!" I have a strong feeling that this is not normal.

Ah yes, so much learned, so much to take with me through the rest of my food-loving life.

I could tell you that I also learned that I am lazy and fearful, because when Spanish was needed, I usually made Mona do the work for me. Or that I learned that I absolutely adore a hot shower. But these would be lies, because I already knew these things about myself.

I think that's enough summary now. I have my 17th day off in a row to get back to.
Ugh, tomorrow morning at work is not going to be pretty.